The divisions over these positions were clear at General Conference 2016 in Portland, Oregon, with open speculation that the denomination might split because of them.

Church lawĬhurch law declares all people are of sacred worth, but states that the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” The denomination does not allow ordination of “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals” as clergy or allow clergy to officiate at same-sex weddings, which are now legal across the United States. “In order not to follow an unjust law, we must take actions that are against the rules, but not against justice,” Green said to cheers as conference delegates met in Manchester, New Hampshire. Green volunteered that the resolution itself violates church law as recorded in the Book of Discipline, but said that was no reason not to pass it. Will Green, a provisional elder and pastor of Ballard Vale United Church in Andover, Massachusetts. “It is up to us to resist homophobia and injustice and be proud of who we are and act,” said the Rev. The resolution also says the conference and its members “will not participate in or conduct judicial procedures related to the Discipline’s prohibitions against LGBTQIA persons.” New England Area Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar has 30 days to make a decision of law on the legality of the conference action, which was challenged immediately after the vote. It says the conference “will not conform or comply with provisions of the (Book of) Discipline which discriminate against LGBTQIA persons.” (The acronym refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual.) The resolution passed by a vote of 445-179, with a handful of abstentions.

Dramatically taking on the denomination’s official stance on homosexuality, the New England Conference on June 17 approved a resolution titled “Action of Non-Conformity with the General Conference of The United Methodist Church.”

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