Earlier this year, the United Methodists narrowly voted in favor of holding to a biblical sexual ethic and disallowed LGBTQ clergy in the denomination after years of deliberation and battling. Believing that the denomination was headed for an inevitable split due to large amounts of UMC delegates who were in favor of LGBTQ inclusion, the denomination surprised many as a majority of the African denominational leadership staved off the total apostasy by voting against it.
But this year’s vote wasn’t the end of it. Since then, United Methodist churches have defied the new rules banning homosexuality and many have moved forward with their gay agenda despite the threat of disciplinary actions. Lesbians have been ordained as “pastors” since then and some churches have even held “coming out” services. Needless to say, the denomination is still filled with almost fifty percent in favor of immoral sexual ethics.
As the 2020 conference draws near, the denomination looks like it’s preparing for a large split as the total apostates decide to break away from the slightly-less apostate. MSN reports,
After years of debating gay rights, the United Methodist Church is probably headed for a big split. Months after global Methodist leaders voted against LGBTQ rights this year, five bishops representing the Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church released a statement Nov. 6 in support of LGBTQ clergy. Church leaders are debating whether to fracture into two organizations – one liberal and one conservative – before the denomination’s next annual gathering in 2020.
One can only hope that the split would spark some kind of “conservative resurgence” within the denomination. As the influence of the totally apostate liberals moves further to the left, it is possible that the somewhat more conservatives could — possibly — move further to the right and begin to embrace a more confessional and historic biblical orthodoxy. It’s possible. However, one thing is for certain, without separation from the reprobate, repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ, there is sure to be no restoration of the denomination.
