On eve of conference, more than 100 Methodist clergy come out as LGBT

[UrbScotty]

Dozens of Methodist clergy members took a stand for equality on Monday in the hope that their church will re-evaluate discriminatory policies toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals during its 2016 General Conference, which begins on Tuesday.

More than 100 pastors, deacons, elders and candidates for ministry in the United Methodist Church released a letter publicly coming out as LGBT just one day before the church’s top policy-making body convenes in Portand to consider roughly 1,000 legislative petitions.

“Our prayer, as the church begins its time of discernment, is that you will remember that there are nameless ones around the world, hungry for a word of hope and healing,” stated the letter, which was organized by Reconciling Ministries Network. “LGBTQI people and their families exist in every church in every continent of this denomination. They are seeking to remain in faithful relationship with you, even when you refuse, because they know God’s tender mercies and great faithfulness.”

The letter is part of a growing body of Methodist clergy members protesting the church’s stance that “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Current UMC policies prohibit pastors from performing same-sex weddings and churches from hosting such ceremonies. The church also prohibits “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/united-methodist-church-lgbt-clergy_us_5730f866e4b016f37896b8f6?ir=Good+News&