Tempe United Methodist Church Pastor 'In Mourning' After LGBTQ Ban

Published: Thursday, March 7, 2019 - 12:31pm
Updated: Thursday, March 7, 2019 - 2:19pm
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The United Methodist church has long said it does not allow openly LGBTQ clergy to be ordained and that it does not perform same-sex marriages.

Last month, the church held a special worldwide conference in St. Louis, Missouri, to discuss that policy. On the table were two options: the Traditional Plan, which would uphold the ban, and the One Church Plan, which would allow churches to decide for themselves.

The delegates voted in favor of the Traditional Plan, but by a slim margin.

The Show spoke with Jeff Procter-Murphy, lead pastor at Dayspring United Methodist Church in Tempe. He hoped that the One Church Plan would pass.

The Show also reached out to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church and did not hear back. But in a video statement, the president of the Council of Bishops asked for patience while they clarify how the decision will affect churches.

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