Tag Archives: United Methodist Church

Methodists Seize Assets Of Anti-Gay GA Megachurch

The Roys Report reports: The United Methodist Church has seized the assets of a large congregation in Georgia whose pastor maintained a conservative stance on homosexuality and objected to being reassigned within the denomination. Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, in the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, has about 8,000 members and is one of the largest congregations in the North Georgia …

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Franklin Graham “Sad” Over Split In Methodist Church

“I’m not a Methodist, but I do appreciate and want to encourage those in the United Methodist Church who are standing with what the Word of God teaches. After voting to ban same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy last year, reports now say that the denomination will soon split over the issue. That is sad news. “Pray for the United Methodist …

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Methodist Church To Split Over Same-Sex Marriage

The New York Times reports: Leaders of the United Methodist Church, the second-largest Protestant domination in the nation, announced on Friday a plan that would formally split the church after years of division over same-sex marriage. Under the plan, which would sunder a denomination with 13 million members worldwide, a new “traditionalist Methodist” denomination would be created, and would continue …

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LGBT Issues Threaten To Split United Methodist Church

The New York Times reports: The United Methodist Church on Tuesday voted to strengthen its ban on gay and lesbian clergy and same-sex marriages, a decision that could split the nation’s second-largest Protestant church. After three days of intense debate at a conference in St. Louis, the vote by church officials and lay members from around the world doubled down …

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Methodist Pastor Charged With Child Rape [VIDEO]

New Hampshire’s ABC outlet reports: A Seabrook man is being held without bail after he was accused of raping a child while he was serving as a pastor in the Methodist Church. Russell Davis, 65, faces several charges in Massachusetts. Seabrook police said they arrested Davis Thursday on a fugitive from justice warrant. The Essex County District Attorney’s Office said …

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CHARLOTTE: United Methodist Church Holds Same-Sex Wedding In Protest Of Anti-LGBT Policy [VIDEO]

Via press release: On Saturday, retired Bishop Talbert co-officiated with Rev. Val Rosenquist at the wedding of Jim Wilborne and John Romano at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, N.C., with other clergy present in support. The ceremony may immediately jeopardize the pastoral credentials of Rev. Rosenquist because the current anti-LGBTQ policy of The United Methodist Church (UMC) pointedly instructs …

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TEXAS: Austin United Methodist Church Congregation Gives Standing Ovation After Same-Sex Marriage Proposal [VIDEO]

From the clip recap: We were asked to share our faith story in front of our congregation at First United Methodist Church of Austin. This is a church that has welcomed us and changed our lives. All are welcome, no exceptions. As members of this incredible church family we have grown as Christians, individuals, and as a couple. After 9 …

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Pro-LGBT Church Sign Vandalized

From the Marin Journal: “Jesus had two dads and he turned out just fine,” read the sign outside Mt. Tamalpais United Methodist Church in Mill Valley — at least, until it was vandalized, with the words “two dads” and “Church” painted over with white paint. “We put it up on the day of the argument about marriage equality with the …

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Hate Group Has United Methodist Sadz

“No one today seriously argues that sex outside of man-woman marriage is consistent with the historic, core doctrinal standards United Methodist clergy vow at their ordinations to uphold. But a vocal minority now bizarrely brag about not keeping their word. By refusing to fulfill his basic responsibilities as bishop to uphold our standards, Bishop McLee is demonstrating a profound lack …

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United Methodist Bishop: No More Trials For Pro-Gay Marriage Pastors

Via press release: At a joint press conference today, United Methodist Bishop Martin McLee and Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Ogletree announced that the church was dropping the case against Dr. Ogletree for officiating at his son’s wedding. In a huge victory for the Methodist movement that is organizing ministry to all couples on an equal basis in open defiance of …

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TEXAS: Gay Couple Marries In United Methodist Church After 53 Years Together

NBC News in Dallas reports: It was a wedding 53 years in the making. Jack Evans and George Harris made their relationship official in the eyes of at least one church. “The marriage of George and Jack is a sign of God’s love and their love for each other and our love for one another,” said Rev. Bill McElvaney, the …

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Methodist Church Defrocks Unrepentant Pastor Who Officiated At Son’s Wedding

Last month the United Methodist Church “convicted” a Pennsylvania minister of performing a same-sex wedding for his son. Yesterday they defrocked him for refusing to say that he’ll never perform another gay wedding. The fate of Reverend Frank Schaefer, pastor of the Zion United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was decided by a United Methodist church board in a closed-door …

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Methodist Pastor Gets 30-Day Suspension For Officiating Son’s Same-Sex Wedding

Earlier this week a United Methodist minister in Pennsylvania was found “guilty” of officiating at his son’s wedding to a man. Now he’s been sentenced by the church to a 30-day suspension. Frank Schaefer, 51, the pastor at Zion United Methodist Church of Iona in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, was found guilty by a jury of 13 ordained clergy members on two …

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Methodist Church “Convicts” Pastor Of Performing Wedding For Gay Son

Yesterday the United Methodist church “convicted” a Pennsylvania minister of performing a same-sex wedding for his son. A jury of his pastoral peers convicted the Rev. Frank Schaefer on Monday of breaking his vows by officiating at the 2007 ceremony in Massachusetts after a trial that has rekindled debate over the denomination’s policies on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. The jury …

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Coalition Of Christian Groups Sign Joint Letter Urging Scouts To Maintain Gay Ban

Over fifty Christian leaders representing dozens of groups have signed a joint letter urging the Boy Scouts to maintain their ban on gay members. We strongly support the Boy Scouts of America current prohibition on open homosexuality and retaining it without revision. Nearly 70 percent of BSA troops are hosted by churches and religious institutions. Upholding traditional morality is vital …

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Methodist Minister Faces Sanctions For Officiating Son’s Same-Sex Marriage

United Methodist minister Thomas Ogletree is facing church sanctions for presiding over the wedding of his son and another man. Dr. Ogletree, 79, is now facing a possible canonical trial for his action, accused by several New York United Methodist ministers of violating church rules. While he would not be the first United Methodist minister to face discipline for performing …

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