The United Methodist Church (UMC) just eliminated the 52-year-old stance that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” It also repealed its ban on LGBTQ clergy as well as prohibitions on its ministers from officiating at same-sex weddings. Now the UMC redefines marriage as "a sacred, lifelong covenant between two people of faith – adult man and adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age." 

The overall atmosphere within the denomination seems welcoming and jubilant. But some are grieving. A new report from the Religion and Social Change Lab at Duke University says that 24 percent of North Carolina UM clergy disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married or ordained within the denomination. Perhaps there would be less New England UM clergy opposed to same-sex marriage. But still, I am one of the few who are concerned and conflicted. 

I believe the church should welcome all people. But there is a distinction between welcoming and affirming. I believe we should pursue love, but not at the expense of truth. The church is called to love our LGBTQ neighbors, defending them when under attack, supporting them, inviting them into our home, but also not compromising a biblical vision for sex and marriage. 

About 25% of UMC congregations in the United States have left the denomination over this issue. “Why stay?” I am often asked. It would be easier to just hit the eject button on the denomination and leave. But I believe the biblical vision is to reform the church, not to abandon it. 

John Wesely, founder of the Methodist movement, is a shining example. His original vision was to bring spiritual renewal to the Church of England. Both he and his brother, Charles, were ordained in the Church of England despite the growing tension between Wesley and the institutional church. Though his movement was not well received, throughout his life Wesley remained as clergy in the Church of England, insisting that the Methodist movement lay well within its tradition. In his sermon Catholic Spirit, Wesley famously said, “If your heart is as my heart, if you love God and all human beings, I ask no more: "give me your hand."”

Today I make a vow anew to love God and love my neighbor. I commit myself to “do all the good I can, by all the means I can, in all the ways I can, in all the places I can, at all the times I can, to all the people I can, as long as ever I can,” as Wesley commended. 

Now is the time to put our differences behind us and focus on the essentials - our core Christian beliefs and missions of the church, making disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world. By this, the world will know we are Christ-ians.