This is sending shockwaves in the UMC
The Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church has responded officially to the recent decision by the Côte d’Ivoire Conference, a regional body with over one million members, to leave the denomination. This move came after the UMC eliminated rules that had previously prohibited the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of individuals in same-sex relationships from its Book of Discipline.
Tracy Malone, President of the UMC Council of Bishops, issued a statement on Wednesday acknowledging the decision of the Côte d’Ivoire Conference and expressing the bishops’ commitment to assisting the conference as it transitions into an autonomous church body.
“While we mourn the decision of the Côte d’Ivoire Conference to separate from The United Methodist Church, we pledge to collaborate with them through the process of establishing an Autonomous Methodist Church,” Malone stated. She underscored that despite divergent viewpoints, the strength of the UMC’s connection lies in love, respect, compassion, and a shared faith in Jesus Christ.
Malone further elaborated that the UMC is a global denomination united by a common Constitution, Doctrinal Standards, Theological Task, and Social Principles, while also acknowledging and respecting cultural, contextual, and theological differences. She emphasized that the recent changes made to the Book of Discipline do not compel pastors or churches to act against their conscience, allowing them to make decisions according to their specific mission contexts.
Formerly one of the largest regional bodies within the UMC, the Côte d’Ivoire Conference had previously operated independently before affiliating with the denomination in 2004. The conference’s decision to leave was motivated by the belief that the UMC had compromised its doctrinal and disciplinary integrity to accommodate LGBTQ+ inclusion, which they perceived as being based on sociocultural and contextual values.
At the recent UMC General Conference held from late April to early May, delegates voted to remove various rules from the Book of Discipline, including bans on blessing same-sex unions, ordaining non-celibate homosexuals, and funding LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. These changes were facilitated by the departure of approximately 7,500 predominantly conservative congregations over the past few years, amidst ongoing debates over LGBTQ+ issues and the reluctance of many progressive leaders to enforce the previous rules.
Furthermore, the General Conference approved the departure of the UMC Eurasian Episcopal Area, which comprises four annual conferences in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.