Changes

Homosexuals are allowed to be members, but "self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as [ministerial]] candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church." "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches." However, it has yet to firmly resolve the issue (to stand with the Bible), and considers this a debatable subject.<ref>Leader Resources, What is the denomination’s position on homosexuality? Book of Resolutions. See also Judicial Council Decisions 984, 985</ref> It yet supports traditional marriage, though not distinctive gender roles as being normative in such,<ref>The Nurturing Community</ref> and strongly supports ordaining women as pastors over men.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/WOMENPASTORS.html Are women pastors Biblical?]</ref> It opposes [[homophobia]] as well as heterosexism, such as provides "a privileged status for people who identify as culturally defined heterosexuals" (which the Bible promotes), and supports equal civil rights for homosexuals<ref>Book of Resolutions, Opposition to Homophobia and Heterosexism</ref><ref>The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2008</ref>  (the sexual practice of said persons the Bible criminalizes). Liberal activists within the church continue to promote acceptance of homosexuality, with conservatives opposing.<ref>The Dallas Morning News, May 3, 2008: Hundreds protest Methodist church's stance on homosexuality at Fort Worth conference</ref>

Homosexuals are allowed to be members, but "self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not to be certified as [ministerial]] candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church." "Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches." However, it has yet to firmly resolve the issue (to stand with the Bible), and considers this a debatable subject.<ref>Leader Resources, What is the denomination’s position on homosexuality? Book of Resolutions. See also Judicial Council Decisions 984, 985</ref> It yet supports traditional marriage, though not distinctive gender roles as being normative in such,<ref>The Nurturing Community</ref> and strongly supports ordaining women as pastors over men.<ref>[http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/WOMENPASTORS.html Are women pastors Biblical?]</ref> It opposes [[homophobia]] as well as heterosexism, such as provides "a privileged status for people who identify as culturally defined heterosexuals" (which the Bible promotes), and supports equal civil rights for homosexuals<ref>Book of Resolutions, Opposition to Homophobia and Heterosexism</ref><ref>The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2008</ref>  (the sexual practice of said persons the Bible criminalizes). Liberal activists within the church continue to promote acceptance of homosexuality, with conservatives opposing.<ref>The Dallas Morning News, May 3, 2008: Hundreds protest Methodist church's stance on homosexuality at Fort Worth conference</ref>

== External links ==

== External links ==