United Methodist Church Considering New Process for Homosexuality Debate

The United Methodist Church is considering a new process for proposals given at General Conference for agenda items pertaining to the debate over the denomination's stance on homosexuality.

The Commission on General Conference, which plans the regular Church legislative gathering, proposed something called a "Group Discernment Process," according to Heath Hahn of the United Methodist News Service.

"Under the plan, the first stop of all sexuality-related petitions would not be legislative committees. Instead, all 864 delegates would review the petitions in small groups with no more than 15 members," reported Hahn.

"The groups would each have geographical, linguistic, ethnic, gender and age diversity, along with a mix of clergy and lay people … The commission asks each small group to make recommendations on the petition. Members will have the opportunity to review and sign the recommendations." Keep reading

I was struck by the similarity between this proposed new process for the debate over homosexuality in the United Methodist Church and the indaba process that Rowan Williams introduced at the last Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops. We should not be surprised if it results in the United Methodist Church taking a more liberal stance on homosexuality and alienating its conservative global South wing, causing a major split in the denomination.