Welcome
In the wake of the passing of the Traditional Plan continuing to prohibit the marrying and ordination of homosexuals at the Special Session of the General Conference (February) and the Judicial Council rulings upholding some of the punitive elements of that plan (April), United Methodist scholars who support the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons in the full life of the church gathered for a public conversation. Our hope was to bring our biblical, theological, practical/pastoral theological, moral/ethical, and historical research to bear on the work of those who seek a form of our church free from the existing restrictions against gay and lesbian ordinations and marriages and the further restrictions imposed by the Traditional Plan.
Members of this group reflect a variety of theological perspectives but are united in a progressive social vision that 1) includes a concern to help the emergence of a form of our church free from existing and newly imposed restrictions regarding gay and lesbian people 2) as part of the calling of the gospel of Jesus Christ meant to erase all forms of oppression and marginalization.
The event was broadcast over the internet with thousands of church members tuning in at different times to watch portions of the thirty-four different presentations from scholars across the country (and a few from outside the U.S.!).
Those presentations are now archived on YouTube and linked through the Resources page on this website. Along with them, other resources are being developed and posted on this website and promoted through our Facebook page. These resources could be used in Christian education settings, clergy gatherings, and congregational/regional discussions about next steps.
Members of this group reflect a variety of theological perspectives but are united in a progressive social vision that 1) includes a concern to help the emergence of a form of our church free from existing and newly imposed restrictions regarding gay and lesbian people 2) as part of the calling of the gospel of Jesus Christ meant to erase all forms of oppression and marginalization.
The event was broadcast over the internet with thousands of church members tuning in at different times to watch portions of the thirty-four different presentations from scholars across the country (and a few from outside the U.S.!).
Those presentations are now archived on YouTube and linked through the Resources page on this website. Along with them, other resources are being developed and posted on this website and promoted through our Facebook page. These resources could be used in Christian education settings, clergy gatherings, and congregational/regional discussions about next steps.
