A big decision could come this week from the United Methodist Church as delegates will vote on the church’s official stance on homosexuality.
“A lot of people will be touched by this and we really need to get it right,” said Pastor Dennis Adams of Simpson United Methodist Church in Indiana.
Since 1972, the UMC has been debating its stance on homosexuality. “It has gotten to the point where we have gotten so involved in this question, we haven’t been able to move forward in more critical issues,” said Adams.
Delegates from around the world are meeting in St. Louis this week to debate changing the wording in the Methodist Church Book of Discipline.
There are three options, the One Church plan, the Traditional plan and the Connectional Conference plan.
The One Church plan would allow annual conferences to ordain LGBTQ pastors and also let pastors decide whether to allow same sex marriage weddings to take place at their church.
Another plan, “The Traditional plan preserves the language in our discipline and our rule book, which says in essence that the practice of homosexuality is inconsistent with Christian teachings and prohibits us from ordaining self avowed practicing homosexuals.”
The third option would create three branches of the church that would be able to decide its own stance on the issue.
Adams is ready for an answer.
“I’m anxious to be done talking about it so we can all focus on transforming the world, making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. That’s the mission of the United Methodist Church.”
Adams says there is the possibility of other plans being brought to the floor and even a possibility the delegates won’t be able to reach an agreement.