At Christmas, United Methodists celebrate the birth of Jesus as the revelation of God’s inclusive, redemptive love made visible in human flesh. According to John’s gospel, God sent Jesus — the light of the world — so that all of humanity can know the fullness of God’s love.
But in 1972, United Methodist leaders voted that LGBTQ persons are not truly a part of God’s “people” we read about in Scripture. In fact, General Conferences over the years have limited clergy more and more from extending grace to LGBTQ persons. This means that, in order to be in good standing, United Methodist clergy are required to do harm in the name of Jesus.
Lest we forget, God has called and equipped all United Methodists, clergy, and lay, “to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”