Methodist Division over “Gay” Unions

                                                                                                                                                   Vol. XI, No. 4, April 1998

A Methodist ecclesiastical jury acquitted a Nebraska pastor who performed a same-sex union of violating law. The eight to five ruling fell one vote short of the number required for conviction. Spokesman on both sides say that the finding will encourage other Methodist clergy to follow suit and create further divisions over homosexuality. Many in the 8.5 million member denomination, the nation’s third largest, see the pastor in question and the verdict as symbols of moral deterioration in the church and a movement away from the scriptural and spiritual standards set by founder John Wesley. [Washington Post, 21 March 1998.]