They should heed his warning.
Evangelist Franklin Graham strongly criticized The Methodist Church in the United Kingdom for what he perceives as an attempt to alter the teachings of the Bible. Graham, CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, expressed disappointment through a social media post, condemning the church’s “Inclusive Language Guide.” This guide advises Methodists to steer clear of gender-specific terms like “husband” and “wife.”
Graham emphasized the biblical roots of these terms, asserting that they are entrenched in the scriptures, appearing in numerous verses across various books. He accused the church of attempting to revise the Word of God to align with ever-changing cultural norms, a practice he believes goes against biblical warnings. He urged Christians not to shy away from sharing the unadulterated truth of God’s teachings, regardless of potential offense.
The guidance released by the Methodist Church in December argues that terms like “husband” and “wife” might be offensive as they presume a family or personal life that doesn’t reflect the reality for many individuals. It advocates for conversations that acknowledge exclusion, humility in listening, and caution in language, aligning with the spirit of Christ.
This guidance promotes inclusive language, suggesting alternative terms like “parent,” “partner,” “child,” and “carer.” It encourages the use of preferred language and pronouns, respecting individuals’ choices, including their identification pronouns.
The Methodist Church emphasized its pride in the guidance, stating its intent to facilitate conversations without assumptions or unintentional offense, especially when engaging with individuals whose experiences differ.
Despite this guidance, the UMC maintains restrictions on LGBT-identified clergy ordination and prohibits same-sex marriages as per its Book of Discipline. However, several progressive Methodist congregations and governing bodies in the U.S. have challenged these regulations.
The discord within the UMC in the U.S. over LGBT matters has led to a significant number of congregations departing from the denomination. A sizeable percentage of congregations have chosen to split, and over 7,000 congregations have sought approval to exit since 2019. Many of these congregations have joined the Global Methodist Church, established as a more conservative alternative.
A denomination-wide legislative assembly is scheduled for spring 2024, aiming to address calls for policy liberalization on marriage and other LGBT-related issues within the UMC.