United Methodists

“[I]f the agreement is approved, it will represent—in essence—the final fracturing of the traditional American church from two primary streams of Christianity (Catholic and Protestant) to three—Catholic, Mainline, and Evangelical. The secular media will cast the divide primarily in the terms it understands—as focused on ‘LGBT issues’—but that’s incomplete.” - David French

“Sixteen leaders within the embattled United Methodist Church (UMC) have released a proposal that essentially offers a United Methodist split as a solution to the church’s internal dispute over marriage and gender issues. One reason the proposal is distinctive is because of the influence and diversity among those who signed it.” - Church Leaders

“Last year’s decision to strengthen the UMC’s traditional position against same-sex marriage and married LGBT clergy prompted at least 11 liberal congregations to start the process of leaving the denomination.

“Wesleyan Covenant Association leaders say a breakup of The United Methodist Church is necessary and inevitable, and they want to be ready….’We see the Wesleyan Covenant Association as a bridge to this new church,” said the Rev. Keith Boyette, WCA president.” - Church Leaders

“At a Council of Bishops meeting on November 6, the five active Western Jurisdiction bishops announced a Safe Harbor Declaration for LGBTQ clergy.

“The Wesleyan Covenant Association released a statement last Thursday expressing their leadership’s support for the Indianapolis Plan for Amicable Separation, a proposal that will be considered at the UMC General Conference next year.” - Christian Post

“UM-Forward submitted their proposal called the New Expressions Worldwide Plan…. introduced as a way to resolve the years-long divisive debate within the UMC over the mainline Protestant denomination’s stance on LGBT issues.” - Christian Post

“The UMC’s General Conference 2020, to be held in May in Minneapolis, will consider the structure of what church leaders hope can be an amicable, and orderly, breakup of a worldwide church that is the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States.” - RNS

“Through the [Wesleyan Covenant Association], they are connected to other like-minded congregations for community and encouragement,” he explained. “They receive analysis of the issues facing the UM Church and advocacy through the WCA on those issues.” - Christian Post

“In February… the delegates voted to uphold the denomination’s stance labeling homosexuality “’ncompatible with Christian teaching’ ….