In contemporary communities, the church is changing, growing into the needs of their contexts and responding with grace. As with any organization, there are cycles that only change when there is courage and curiosity to try something new.
In 2001, The United Methodist Church (UMC) adopted the slogan, “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors,” a commitment many hoped would reflect a truly inclusive and welcoming spirit. Laura McLean (she/her), of the Holston Conference, expresses optimism that the church’s new stance will “tell the world that we are finally living into [it].”
Andromeda Woodworth (she/they), a white trans fem nonbinary queer ordained elder from North Georgia notes that, while The UMC’s recent changes are positive, there is still much “listening, learning and healing to do.” To move forward we must understand our church history, be honest about where we are now and explore where we are going with intention and authenticity.
A history of exclusion
Historically, churches have often been seen as hypocritical, preaching love for all neighbors while failing to be fully inclusive. The UMC has grappled with inclusivity for decades. In 1972, during an essential meeting to define the church’s values, a significant shift occurred. Initially, there was an effort to approach human sexuality with grace and justice. However, a delegate introduced a substitution that led to the adoption of the “incompatibility clause,” asserting that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Despite repeated attempts to propose more inclusive language at subsequent General Conferences, the Book of Discipline, The UMC’s book of polity and doctrine, continued to contain exclusionary language, including prohibiting queer clergy and same-sex marriages.
In 2019, a Special Called General Conference seemed to be a turning point, with three plans proposed on human sexuality, but exclusion was not only reinforced, it was fortified – becoming extremely punitive. For many members, it felt like witnessing a death, with no resurrection in sight. As communities mourned, some felt that their churches were no longer spiritual homes, nor safe sanctuaries, nor places of belonging.
Foster affirming and authentic relationships
Local churches can take many approaches:
- Create inclusive statements: Develop welcome, vision and faith statements. Consider inclusive language like “kindom” and “siblings.”
- Normalize pronouns: Encourage the use of pronouns in introductions, possibly through nametags.
- Empower new voices: Equip and resource young people, trusting that they are capable of carrying on the life and mission of the church.
- Offer educational opportunities: Facilitate respectful intergenerational connections.
- Offer radical hospitability: Decenter the needs of the church. Listen and respond with genuine support, seeking solutions with the community.
- Explore alternative ministry models: Go beyond traditional church settings to reach people in diverse spaces, such as coffee shops, parks, bars and pride events.
- Approach theology with curiosity: Curiosity is the cure to judgement. Encourage an openness to reexamine beliefs and make space for the movement and presence of the Holy Spirit.
Hope for change
Those who remained in The UMC looked to the 2020 General Conference (held in 2024 due to delays) with hope for a new era of healing. It was evident that there was hope and grace – the Holy Spirit even called General Conference attendees into dance, forming a “Love Train” on the plenary floor. The Rev. Kaleigh Corbett Rasmussen (she/her), of Greater New Jersey, found hope in the work of the Queer Delegate Caucus, which includes over 80 members advocating for inclusion in the church.
Following the decisions at General Conference to remove all of the exclusionary and harmful language regarding human sexuality, local churches must now engage in dialogue and reconciliation. Rae Guthrie (they/them), a queer non-binary seminary student, says, “Naming the harm is the first step of being able to create newness.”
This is an opportunity to become a home for people who previously felt disenchanted by The UMC, not just queer folx, but also those who have witnessed and experienced the systems of violence entrenched in harmful theology. Woodworth cautions that churches must be mindful not to cause more harm by being unprepared or inauthentic in their welcome.
Creating inclusive communities
An anonymous lesbian college student shares that true community cannot exist without authenticity, saying, “You cannot have a community when you cannot be yourself.” There is a church that decides the best expression of faith is making space for queer folx without conditions – to express their needs, create community and unveil what their life looks like together.
Rasmussen emphasizes the importance of authenticity, stating, “It’s one thing to have a flag up saying you are inclusive, but it’s another to actually do the work.”
The beauty of faith is knowing that God is constantly on the move, constantly creating and calling forth new life from the depths of death. In the words of Woodworth, “Jesus is calling queer people into ministry and they are brave enough to answer.”
The challenge of The UMC’s new stance is that it brings the church to a neutral position, and doesn’t quite offer protection(s) for queer folx. The coming years will illuminate whether it is safe for us to serve openly.
Nate Roark (they/them) is a freelance writer based in Madison, New Jersey. They are the inaugural combined degree student at Drew University in the 3/3 Bachelor’s and Masters of Divinity Program.
This story was published on August 9, 2024. The contact is Joe Iovino.
