The United Methodist Church lost one-fourth of its U.S. churches in a recent schism, with conservatives departing over disputes on sexuality and theology.
Now, with the approach of its first major legislative gathering in several years, the question is whether the church can avert a similar outcome elsewhere in the world, where about half its members live.
The question is particularly acute in Africa, home to the vast majority of United Methodists outside the U.S. Most of its bishops favor staying, but other voices are calling for regional conferences to disaffiliate.
At the upcoming General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, delegates will tackle a wide range of proposals – from repealing the church’s ban on same-sex marriage and ordaining LGBTQ people, to creating more autonomy for regional conferences to set such rules, to making it easier for international churches to leave the denomination.
Related articles:
Related suggestion:
3rd Ice Cube Curling Invitational kicks off at National Aquatics CenterWondrous Xinjiang: Artsy traffic boxes liven up NW China's frontier citySuspect in London sword attack appears in court on murder charge in death of teenage boyLiaoning beat Xinjiang in CBA topChina to launch ShenzhouParis inaugurates giant water storage basin to clean up the River Seine for Olympic swimmingLawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external toolsDescendants of Doolittle Raiders visit Quzhou, celebrate ChinaBeijing speeds up to build international tech innovation hub4 dead, 10 missing in Guangdong rainstorm
2.9451s , 6490.34375 kb
Copyright © 2024 Powered by Ahead of United Methodist gathering, African churches weigh their future ,International Intrigue news portal