![]() ![]() Since its beginnings, the RMN and other organizations have had some success in advocating for change within the denomination. The Reconciling Ministries Network includes 1,180 organizations (United Methodist churches, church subgroups, and campus ministries) and 42,161 individuals. The Traditional Plan, "which excludes LGBTQ persons from ordained leadership and prohibits ministers from officiating at same-sex marriages", passed with a vote of 438 in favor and 384 against. At least eight countries that criminalize homosexuality (Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi, and Kenya) were represented. Of those, 54 Annual Conferences representing 7 million members were from the United States and 75 Annual Conferences representing 5.7 million members were from Europe, Eurasia, the Philippines, and Africa. In total, 129 Annual Conferences were represented. Louis, Missouri, to address the single issue of language in the Book of Discipline about human sexuality. On February 23 through February 26, 2019, General Conference met in St. In 2006, the organization became active in a dispute over a pastor's right to refuse membership to an LGBT churchgoer. At the 2004 General Conference, some conservative Methodists proposed that the denomination split over the question of inclusion of LGBT people, a proposal which did not meet with wide approval. 29 more were arrested when they entered the conference floor to protest church policies regarding LGBT people. In 2000, 229 members of the Reconciling Ministries and Soulforce were arrested at the United Methodist Church's General Conference. Later that year, Reverend Gregory Dell was tried and found guilty of violating Methodist policy in officiating at the marriage of two men in his church. In 1999, 95 clergy officiated in a union service for Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton. After pastor Jimmy Creech officiated at a union ceremony for two lesbians, the church in 1996 forbade any same-sex commitment ceremonies to be celebrated in United Methodist churches or by United Methodist pastors. RMN members have challenged United Methodist policies on same-sex relationships. The name changed to its current name in October 2000 as a recognition that the diverse ministries the program was serving went beyond congregations. Īs the program grew, it broke away from Affirmation, becoming autonomous in 1989. Soon after, the first two congregations declared themselves to be part of the movement: Washington Square United Methodist Church in New York City, and Wesley United Methodist Church in Fresno, California. In 1984, the United Methodist Church, at its General Conference, added to its Book of Discipline the statement that "no self-avowed, practicing homosexual shall be ordained or appointed in the United Methodist Church." Affirmation members gathered outside the meeting hall, inviting churches to join the Reconciling Congregations. The group was named "Reconciling Congregations" in reference to discussion regarding the need for reconciliation between gay people and the church. It was created as a system for congregations to publicly support lesbians and gay men, and welcome them to full participation in the life of the church both locally and beyond the local congregation. The group was founded in 1983 as the Reconciling Congregation Program as part of Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian/Gay Concerns. The ministry has over 1100 affiliated congregations and 42,000 affiliated individuals. It is one of many Welcoming Congregation organizations to emerge in American Christianity in the 1980s. The Reconciling Ministries Network ( RMN) is an organization seeking the inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in both the policy and practices of United Methodist Church. ![]()
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