Global Methodist Church Denies Affiliation with UMC’s LGBT Policy Changes

The Global Methodist Church (GMC) has responded to recent decisions by the United Methodist Church (UMC) General Conference, which voted to remove longstanding restrictions on ordaining noncelibate homosexuals and allowing the blessing of same-sex weddings. The GMC issued a statement clarifying that it does not have any affiliation with the UMC’s actions and chose not to comment on the decisions of other religious organizations.

The UMC General Conference delegates voted via consent calendar to eliminate several rules from the denomination’s Book of Discipline, marking a significant shift in its stance on multiple LGBTQ+ issues. These changes reflect a broader movement within the UMC toward more inclusive practices, despite decades of resistance from conservative factions.

Launched in 2022 as a conservative alternative to the UMC, the GMC was formed in response to the UMC’s delayed General Conference, originally scheduled for May 2020, which was postponed three times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The GMC aimed to provide a new denomination for conservatives who opposed theologically progressive leaders within the UMC and their refusal to enforce the denomination’s rules on sexuality.

The GMC has consistently emphasized its commitment to maintaining a historic understanding of Christianity. In its statement, the denomination reaffirmed its dedication to advancing its mission of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ and serving its community of over 4,501 churches and congregational members worldwide. It described itself as rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the historic confessions of the Christian faith.

The UMC’s decision to remove the ban on funding LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and the mandatory punishments for clergy who blessed same-sex unions has been a long-standing point of contention. Despite previous efforts to change these rules failing, many liberal members of the UMC refused to enforce the Book of Discipline’s restrictions on ordaining LGBTQ+ clergy.

In 2019, a special session of the UMC General Conference approved a temporary measure allowing congregations to disaffiliate from the denomination. By the end of last year, over 7,500 churches had left the UMC, reflecting deep divisions within the denomination. The recent votes at the General Conference continue this trend of shifting theological priorities within the UMC.

The GMC’s response underscores the ongoing tensions within the Methodist tradition, as different factions seek to define the future of the denomination. As the UMC moves toward greater inclusivity, the GMC remains committed to its vision of a historically grounded Christian community. This divide highlights the challenges of maintaining unity in a denomination grappling with evolving social and theological perspectives.

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