-Same-sex marriage rocks the Methodist Church in chaos
By Jerromie S. Walters
The issue of same-sex marriage within the United Methodist Church (UMC) has been a contentious topic globally for decades. Interestingly, this has not stopped in the West but it has also spread to Africa, a highly traditional continent. The controversy surrounding the Methodist Church in Liberia, particularly regarding its stance on same-sex marriage, has escalated significantly, culminating in a dramatic incident on Sunday, October 13, 2024.
Tensions flared during the regular service at the Seventy Second United Methodist Church, where a planned leadership transition was met with resistance from the congregation. Reports indicate that Bishop Samuel J. Quire intended to introduce new leadership following the dismissal of a pastor who had openly opposed gay marriage the previous week. This move was met with backlash from church members, who expressed their discontent with the Bishop’s actions.
According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline, the Bishop is required to convene a session to report on discussions from the General Conference held in the United States. However, since returning to Liberia in May 2024, Bishop Quire has allegedly refrained from calling such a session. Instead, he has reportedly dismissed church leaders who voice opposition to homosexuality, leading to mounting concerns among the congregation.
The growing dissent reached a boiling point as members gathered early Sunday morning to disrupt the Bishop’s planned introduction of new leadership at the New Georgia Methodist Church. Many congregants have voiced their disapproval of the Bishop’s leadership style and his handling of the sensitive issue of homosexuality within the church. Meanwhile, Bishop Samuel J. Quire is expected to respond to the situation early this week.
The Genesis
The United Methodist Church, formed in 1968 from the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, has a long history of addressing social issues. The church’s stance on homosexuality has evolved, with early positions largely reflecting traditional Christian teachings.
In 1972, the UMC General Conference first addressed the issue of homosexuality, declaring that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” This statement laid the groundwork for ongoing debates and divisions within the church.
The theological arguments surrounding same-sex marriage in the UMC often center on interpretations of scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—the four sources of authority in Methodist theology.
Opponents of same-sex marriage often cite passages from the Old and New Testaments that they interpret as condemning homosexual acts (e.g., Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:26-27). In contrast, supporters argue that these texts must be understood in their historical and cultural contexts and that the overarching biblical themes of love, justice, and inclusion should take precedence.
The UMC has a rich tradition of social justice advocacy, and many argue that the church should evolve to reflect contemporary understandings of human sexuality. Personal experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families challenge traditional views and highlight the need for inclusivity.
The role of reason in theological discourse has led many within the UMC to advocate for same-sex marriage based on contemporary understandings of human rights and equality. This perspective emphasizes the importance of justice and love in the Christian faith.
The UMC’s governance structure allows for a General Conference every four years, where delegates from around the world discuss and vote on church policies. Discussions around same-sex marriage have been a focal point in recent conferences, leading to significant tensions.
In 2019, the General Conference adopted the Traditional Plan, which upheld the church’s existing prohibitions against same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy. This plan aimed to strengthen enforcement of existing rules and called for stricter penalties for those who perform same-sex weddings or identify as LGBTQ+ clergy.
In contrast, the One Church Plan sought to allow individual congregations and regional conferences to make their own decisions regarding same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy, promoting a more inclusive approach. However, this plan was ultimately rejected by the General Conference. Following the 2019 conference, several progressive congregations and groups began exploring the possibility of forming a new denomination that would fully embrace LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex marriage. This has led to ongoing discussions about schism within the UMC.
The ongoing tensions between traditionalists and progressives have raised the possibility of a formal split within the church. Some congregations have already begun to disaffiliate from the UMC in search of more inclusive affiliations. The UMC is a global denomination, and views on homosexuality vary widely across different cultural contexts. While many Western congregations advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, others, particularly in Africa and parts of Asia, maintain conservative stances. This diversity complicates efforts to reach a consensus.
The debate over same-sex marriage has affected local congregations, leading to divisions and disagreements among members. Some congregations have chosen to openly support LGBTQ+ rights, while others have remained committed to traditional teachings. The question of who can serve as clergy and under what conditions remains a critical issue.
