Methodist Church Schism Watch 2019

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...United Methodist General Conference this month in St. Louis. The conference meets every four years, but a special session was called to vote on a plan regarding same-sex marriage and the acceptance of LGBTQ clergy in the church.

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United Methodists represent the second-largest protestant denomination in the United States, behind churches that are part of the Southern Baptist Convention.

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The United Methodist Church faces the possibility of a schism because of the vote. It's inevitable that people will leave the church because of how polarizing the issue is, according to congregants, clergy and experts. It's also possible entire congregations could leave the denomination.

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Of the three most prominent plans, the Council of Bishops recommends the One Church Plan, which would allow churches and pastors to make decisions based on their specific congregations and conferences. That means that United Methodist pastors would be allowed, but not required, to perform same-sex marriages. But marriages would not be performed in the church unless the congregation votes to approve them before the first one.

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While the One Church Plan offers flexibility to churches, some Methodists say it's a shallow solution to a more complex issue.

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"I feel kind of weird about it," Rosas said. "It's weird to move forward with part of the congregation embracing the notion of 'all are welcome' and then the rest are stuck in the past. Personally, I would like a plan that's more progressive and recognizes LGBTQ marriage in the church and accepts LGBTQ clergy.

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Gary Winburne attends the United Methodist Church of Colleyville and Lewis' discussion group. He said he joined the group because he wanted to hear from fellow congregants about their beliefs. He describes himself as a traditionalist and said he will most likely leave the United Methodist Church if the One Church Plan is passed. "I think as Christians we are called to love all peoples but we don't have to necessarily condone their actions,"

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"The impact on the United Methodist Church will be great," Grant said. "Whatever is decided, the chances are that a significant number of United Methodists will depart the denomination."

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"If you're a traditionalist, you don't like that language will be taken out and changed," Oldmixon said. "If you're progressive, you're not satisfied because there's nothing new that affirms any other sexualities."

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"This is the only issue where the language of schism has been elevated to this level," Oldmixon said. "I don't know how widespread it would be but it'll definitely happen."

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