LUBBOCK, Texas — The United Methodist Church voted to overturn its 40-year ban on LGBTQ clergy as well as its ban on celebrating same-sex unions. This was a historic vote for the church, who has debated on LGBTQ inclusion for decades.

These rules were decided on at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, which meets every four years. The conference includes over 800 elected clergy and lay delegates from forty different countries.


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Josh Stueve, who is a pastor at St. John’s United Methodist Church went to the General Conference and said there wasn’t much deliberation on the issues regarding LGBTQ inclusion. This is in contrast to the years-long deliberation on LGBTQ inclusion that resulted in over 700 Texas churches splitting from the United Methodist Church. 

This year, church leaders passed the new rules in a 692-51 vote.

“We have been talking about it at every General Conference since 1972. The narrative has gone in different directions and shifted from time to time, but this was something that many of us wanted to work on. Many of us wanted to make a change or see a change happen,” Stueve said.

Stueve said when attendees of their church heard the news, there was a joyful response.

“There was palpable joy. Lots of clapping – a freedom I think for a lot of people here,” Stueve said.


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Nick Harpster, who is the public relations and advocacy coordinator for LubbbockPRIDE, said he hopes this change in LGBTQ inclusion when it comes to religion, can carry on to other denominations as well.

“I think it’s good for them to keep hope that this may happen in their church and their religion as well,” Harpster said. “The more people open up and the more religions that start to allow people to be who they are – everybody’s going to get along better.”

Harpster said the vote was a big step forward, but there are still ways to go, which is exactly what Stueve said he wants to work on.

“I hope that there is more acceptance and inclusion moving forward and I am going to continue hoping and praying and working for that,” Stueve said.