MADISON (WKOW) — Members of United Methodist Churches across the nation are celebrating after church delegates officially removed the half-century old anti-LGBTQ+ language from the church law.
“The biggest change was to remove language that said homosexuality was incompatible with Christian teachings, and to not allow for people who are apart of the LGBTQ community to be ordained,” said Rev. Julie Wilson, the lead pastor at Bethany United Methodist Church.
Wilson said delegates at this year’s General Conference passed the main legislation with a 93% vote in favor of the change. Now, she hopes the church can start to think about future generations to come.
“I really like the idea of, we are building something for the future,” Wilson said. “If the future includes loving and including all people, I think that is what God wants us to do.”
In recent years, thousands of congregations have left the denomination — many of them with conservative views according to local pastors. Others left because they did not see change soon enough.
Although many have left due to lack of change, Wilson says some have returned now that the changes are finalized. Wilson said the next step for the denomination is simple — embrace the change.
“I think the next steps for us is to really live into it,” Wilson said. “It’s one thing to say you’re inclusive, and then it’s another thing to actually be inclusive to every one.”
