We at Soulforce have been roundly criticized for our act of civil disobedience at Cleveland’s United Methodist General Conference. One critic dismissed our efforts as “media-driven street theater.” We accept that as a compliment. For thirty years Protestant and Catholic leaders have debated the homosexuality
“You’re under arrest!” This phrase echoed in my mind as I rode silently in a taxicab from the Police Station to Soulforce Headquarters 20 blocks away. I was not one of the 191 arrested the morning of May 10 outside the United Methodist General Conference
A new online book tackling the thorny question of homosexuality and Christianity is literally a dream come true. Alicia Dean, Education Minister of Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas, was the one who had the dream. “In September 99, Alicia came to me and
News release WASHINGTON — Union United Methodist Church in Boston made history by voting to become the nation’s first black Methodist church to officially welcome and include gay and lesbian worshipers. “This is a courageous, precedent-setting decision that blazes a new trail for other churches
With the composition of a single two-paged letter I was able to lose the respect, support and love of an entire congregation of Christians. The faithful witness I maintained through twenty-seven years of service to a small group of believers came to nothing frightfully quickly.
Sixty-seven United Methodist ministers will not face trial for participating in a holy union of two lesbians in Sacramento, California. After a three-day hearing, an investigative committee decided on February 11, 2000, not to pursue further action against the clergy members. “It’s a relief, but
No one was surprised when a jury comprised of 13 United Methodist clergy members convicted Rev. Jimmy Creech of violating church law prohibiting pastors from performing same-sex unions. The guilty verdict was sure thing. “He certainly was guilty,” said Rev. Mel White, who led a
For gays and lesbians it’s an all too familiar scenario: upon revealing their sexual orientation to their family, they are unceremoniously shown the door – kicked out of their homes and disowned. Ironically, it’s the same fate that recently befell two Baptist churches in Georgia.
The mainstream church is not an especially comfortable place to be these days. In almost every denomination, disagreements, and outright fights, are taking place over the acceptance or role of GLBT Christians in the life of congregations. Whether it’s Methodists putting pastors like Jimmy Creech
If you only get your news through the mainstream media, you probably believe that organized, mainstream religion has only one belief about homosexuality: It’s a sin … period. Often the most common faces you see representing Christianity are those of Jerry Falwell or Pat Robertson.