Georgia church splits from United Methodists in support of LGBTQ rights
A church in Savanna, Ga. announced Thursday that it has finalized its split from the United Methodist Church, as its members take a firm stand in support of LGBTQ rights.
“Members of Asbury Memorial could no longer tolerate the discrimination against LGBTQ people within the United Methodist Church,” the church wrote in its September newsletter. “For 27 years, the members of Asbury Memorial tried to work for justice and change within the denomination.”
The split was triggered by a decision reached during a special session of the denomination’s general conference in Feb. 2019, when the United Methodist Church voted against the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, and it strengthened its position against same-sex marriage.
Nearly 55% of the 823 clergy members at the conference voted to reinforce a policy established in 1972 stating that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.”
