Methodists expected to stand pat against ordination of homosexuals
United Methodist News Service, July 8, 1999
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Delegates to the United Methodist Church’s top lawmaking assembly next year will consider a host of wide-ranging changes to the denomination’s Book of Discipline.
However, if the church’s recent annual conference sessions are any indication, delegates might stand pat on some of the most controversial parts of the book: those dealing with homosexuality.
Most of the U.S. members who acted on same-sex issues approved resolutions affirming the Discipline’s language against homosexuality and same-gender union services. A minority adopted petitions seeking to soften or remove language against homosexuality.
Homosexuality was a chief topic addressed during the recent annual conference sessions, but it wasn’t the only one. Others included children’s concerns and violence, racism, abortion, gambling, capital punishment, debt forgiveness and Africa University.
The Council of Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty was very much a focal point in most sessions. Thirteen conferences reported collecting more than $883,000 for the initiative, the Bishops’ “Hope for the Children of Africa” appeal and “Change for the Children of Africa.”