Majority of Christians Now Support LGBTQ Acceptance. Will The UMC Follow Suit?
Late last year, The Pew Research Center released new data that supports what we at Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) already knew: as of 2014, a clear majority of Christians (54 percent) support the acceptance of LGBTQ individuals, even if their churches strongly oppose an open and welcoming policy. That’s a 10 percent jump from 2007, and with seven out of every 10 Americans identifying as Christians, the data represents a broad shift in public opinion for the country as a whole.
Particularly comforting to those of us working to change The United Methodist Church’s (UMC) anti-Christian policies toward its LGBTQ clergy, members and lay people is that acceptance now tops 60 percent in the Pew poll, up from 51 percent in 2007. In this presidential election year that would be called a super majority by political pundits. Unfortunately, it’s also a stinging reminder of just how out of step the institutional Church is today.
While The UMC allows openly LGBTQ members, the Book of Discipline which is the governing set of policies for the Church, defines the practice of homosexuality as “incompatible with Christian teaching.” This means that while one can be an active church member and be openly LGBTQ, they cannot be ordained as clergy while in a relationship, employed by or appointed as a leader within The UMC. It also states that same-sex couples cannot be married in a United Methodist church or by an ordained United Methodist pastor.
As a result of this tension that clearly no longer reflects the majority view of loyal United Methodists, we are witnessing more church leaders openly defy these discriminatory policies. Some are coming out after serving the church for decades, like Rev. Cynthia Meyer of Edgerton, Kansas, or choosing to marry loving same-sex couples like the Rev. Frank Schaefer. Some like Jaci Pfeiffer and Kelly Bardier are challenging The Church’s ruling that you cannot be openly LGBTQ and serve in any capacity as a church employee. Frankly, the list of brave clergy and individuals who are speaking and acting out in the face of Church discipline or expulsion is growing week by week.
That is why RMN launched the “It’s Time” campaign to show The United Methodist Church that by embracing full LGBTQ equality and inclusion, the church will only become stronger. Ahead of this year’s General Conference in May — where the rules of the church for the next four years will be decided — we urge supporters to join us in telling United Methodist Church delegates and policy-makers that It’s Time to evolve and join the majority of United Methodists as well as Christians overall by adopting LGBTQ-friendly policies. It’s Time to make our community of faith more loving and open to everyone.
We believe the future of a strong and expanding church is at stake. Not surprisingly, Pew’s research also showed that this shift toward LGBTQ acceptance is particularly embraced by the younger generation. We believe church delegates should reflect on Pew’s findings that Christian denominations in the U.S. saw an eight percent drop in members from 2007 to 20014. Clearly, if we want to survive and thrive, we must adapt to the evolving understandings of today’s world.
In contrast, Reconciling Ministries Network — a 740 community-strong network that welcomes people of all gender identities and sexual orientations — has seen explosive growth in recent years, and in places typically viewed as the most conservative areas of the U.S. South and West, including Arizona, Texas and North Carolina.
As The UMC delegates address many important issues at General Conference in May, we pray that representatives will take pause and listen to the overwhelming majority of United Methodists who want and demand that The UMC remove its anti-Christian policies and instead, accept, welcome and celebrate LGBTQ individuals, couples and families. We are strongest when we stand together.
