Will United Methodist Church's Recent Pro-Gay Resolutions Change Position Against Homosexuality?

An expert on United Methodist Church policy says that the wave of pro-gay resolutions from regional conferences will not change the mainline denomination's position on homosexuality.

John Lomperis, director of the United Methodist program at The Institute on Religion and Democracy, told The Christian Post that efforts over the summer will have little impact.

"I expect it may do a little to energize and encourage UMC activists wanting the next General Conference to disavow biblical standards for sexual self-control," said Lomperis. "But even activists writing such resolutions increasingly realize that whatever wave of momentum they may be able to generate will crash against a brick wall at the next General Conference."

He also told CP such resolutions, including three that were passed in Annual Conference this summer, are supported by "a demonstrably shrinking minority."

"Many of the resolutions passed this year suggest an increasing radicalism, and perhaps a 'sore loser' mentality, among this shrinking, losing minority," said Lomperis. "The 'open bathrooms' resolution in the Desert Southwest Conference…indicates a willingness to prioritize lefty political correctness over even the safety of women and children in church buildings." Read more