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Ironic that by leaving, these icky bigots may actually make the UMC much better church overall. It’s sure a miracle when the trash takes itself out!
Well said…
So hilarious thinking that “icky bigots” will make the UMC a “better church overall”, when the evidence of churches thriving when they become pro-gay or woke sits squarely at zero. Zilch.
Episcopalians did it years ago. They keep on shrinking.
The Indy denom, Disciples of Christ, is also largely pro-gay and will likely cease to exist by 2050.
Lutherans, Presbyterians, American Baptists….
Funny thing is, I still think it’s entirely their right to go down this path of “open and affirming”–it’s also their right to bear the consequences when their own congregation sees that the church bends its knee to every trendy social movement and thus stands for nothing. So it’s perfectly enjoyable watching these old-timey denominations continue their decline to irrelevancy.
Narrow is the gate, Charles.
With Christ’s love,
An icky trashy bigot.
I was baffled and disappointed that a UMC church I had been a member of all my life disaffiliated, but still holds the exclusionary practice towards the LBTGQ+ community.
I left the church in 2019 over openly bigoted and derogatory comments over immigration issues. So sad.
I am now visiting affirming churches on Indy’s NW side such as Zionsville Christian Church and St. Lukes on 86th street. Idid go with a friend to the enormously popular Traders Point Christian Church but disappointed they too, are non-confirming.
So many things have changed in 2,000 years. Congregations laugh and look away on the many sins taught in the Bible that are everyday norms today.
Can you please explain the terms affirming and non-conforming?
Kim, “affirming” basically means a church that doesn’t judge those who are in same-sex relationships. Or at least that’s what it meant. Something I used to feel was delightful and kind until I became the goggle-eyed reactionary I am today. Yet I’m still liberal enough to say: let these stupid woke churches fall on their own swords.
Virtually every “open and affirming” church claims to support immigrants and refugees–which means, of course, putting a sign out front that says “immigrants are welcome here”. Maybe a clothing drive. Nothing else. Certainly none of the posh people are requesting to use the church common area to serve as immigrant housing–or, G-d forbid, these people’s own private residences. Since these churches are full of posh birds from Meridian Kessler, they never have to think about the consequences of out-of-control immigration on working class communities on the east side or west side who have to compete with said “migrants” for jobs and housing.
But, more importantly, once you open Pandora’s box a tiny crack, other nasties come through. The churches that accept gays also accept shacking up among any and all couples, make no judgment toward reconciling adulterous couples toward their failings, will turn a blind eye toward polyamorous “thruples” in the interest of “tolerance”, and are cracking their knuckles as they seek to have “conversations with grace and understanding” toward pedop—AHEM!–“minor attracted persons”.
Its no small relief that woke churches comprise a disproportionate share of the houses of worship that are expediting Christianity’s decline in the west. Such arrogance to think people are smart enough to figure out a perfect civilization on earth without divine guidance. But, we’ve been there before.
Some of those are leaving because they are smaller congregations that, after losing members during Covid, can no longer afford to be part of the denomination. My home town church could no longer afford a full time pastor, the conference would not help them find a part time pastor, so they took the opportunity to leave the denomination but remain a congregation. Not saying this is the majority, but wanted to provide an example of some leaving not due to theology.
This story, like most in the media, does not tell the deeper truth: an overwhelming percentage of those congregations leaving, are made up of 150 members or less. In many Indiana cases–it’s 100 or less.
The IN Methodist Church has retained about 70% of its members.
Kim B: Affirming churches do not discriminate against LGBTQ members or clergy.
Those who are leaving demanded a change in exit payments, late in the game, but that was OK. Both sides in this long battle now have denominations where they’ll feel comfortable, and that’s a win.
At this point, Rick, an “overwhelming percentage” of United Methodist Churches as a whole “are made up of 150 members or less”. As is the case with Episcopalian churches, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ (Indy’s own denomination), these churches minister to mostly empty sanctuaries on Sundays. And the median age of the remaining congregants is about 65.
To pretend that it’s just small churches leaving the UMC is a failure to acknowledge that, in this day and age, most UMC churches are small.
Well, that’d be Ok if you were correct. The average UMC church in Indiana has 441 members. That’s not small.
With rare exception, the departing churches are small. And not growing. I’m not “pretending” anything. Because facts are very stubborn things.
That does not imply that their desires are unworthy. I clearly stated that both views now have a church home where they’re free to be what they’re comfortable with…and that’s a win for all.
I also reiterated that the congregations who are leaving sought to rewrite the exit rules–which is accurate. I will always wonder if they’d have been as gracious if the tables were flipped–which was a distinct possibility until the last General Conference.
As a longtime faithful Wesley follower, I’m pretty sure John Wesley would smile at this solution. Departing congregations pay an exit fee, less than previously determined, and they’re free to be whatever they like, wherever they like. Pensions are covered in either case, which is extremely important to those who’ve invested their life in church work. The Methodist institutions remain Methodist (hospitals, colleges).