The Methodist Church Takes a Giant Step Backwards

I’ve been a Methodist, at least nominally, my entire life. Looks like that’s about to change.

The denomination’s bishops, its top clergy, pushed hard for a resolution that would have allowed local congregations, conferences, and clergy to make their own choices about conducting same-sex marriages and ordaining LGBT pastors. This proposal, called the One Church Plan, was designed to keep the denomination together. Methodist delegates rejected their recommendations, instead choosing the so-called Traditional Plan that affirmed the denomination’s teachings against homosexuality.

This is a short-sighted, idiotic, almost unbelievable decision. One that may- and if it endures probably should- relegate the religion of my childhood to the ash heap of history. It’s a shame, and it didn’t have to end this way.