Methodist viewpoints concerning homosexuality are diverse because there is no one denomination which represents all Methodists. The World Methodist Council, which represents most Methodist denominations (and united churches including Methodists), has no official statements regarding sexuality. Various Methodist denominations themselves take different stances on the issue of homosexuality, with many denominations holding homosexual practice to be sinful, while other denominations ordain LGBT clergy and marry same-sex couples. The positions of the various Methodist denominations around the globe are outlined in this article.
Background John Wesley and Thomas Blair In 1732, John Wesley, the principal founder of Methodism, was engaged in prison ministry when he encountered Thomas Blair, an inmate incarcerated on charges related to homosexuality. While not defending his actions, Wesley spoke up to the Vice Chancellor against the inhumane treatment of Thomas Blair in prison. Blair also faced the possibility of the death penalty. Wesley defended Blair in court, and while he was found guilty, his life was spared and John Wesley raised funds to pay his fine so he could be released.
Teaching by Methodist denomination African Methodist Episcopal Church The African Methodist Episcopal Church unanimously voted to forbid ministers from blessing same-sex unions in July 2004. The church leaders stated that homosexual activity "clearly contradicts [their] understanding of Scripture" and that the call of the African Methodist Episcopal Church "is to hear the voice of God in our Scriptures". In the same year, the General Conference voted to "appoint a sexual ethics discernment committee to make recommendations to the denomination about LGBTQ matters." As of 2015, "the AME Church’s Doctrine and Discipline [had] no explicit policy regarding gay clergy."
Regarding LGBT clergy, in 2003, Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, a regional bishop, declared his official position of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and instructed pastors of the denomination to read it to their congregations: In 2021, the AME General Conference voted against a motion to allow same-sex marriages in church, but confirmed that "it does not bar LGBTQ individuals from serving as pastors or otherwise leading the denomination." The same AME General Conference voted "to appoint a sexual ethics discernment committee to make recommendations to the denomination about LGBTQ matters."
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church opposes homosexuality, with church leaders citing Genesis 1&2, 19:1-9; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Romans 1:26-27; and 1 Timothy 1:10 as support for this position. At its 1996 Quadrennial Conference, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church declared homosexuality and same-sex marriages to be “morally wrong.”
Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection The Allegheny Wesleyan Methodist Connection, in its Discipline, teaches in ¶44:
¶340 outlines the consequences for clergymen engaged in homosexual activity:
Argentine Evangelical Methodist Church The church, also called the Evangelical Methodist Church in Argentina, allows each congregation to make its own position. The church has stated that they have "given, on a national level, freedom so that each congregation accompany...these couples. We permit freedom of action in order to bless them".
Bible Methodist Connection of Churches The Bible Methodist Connection of Churches, in its Discipline, states in ¶42 that:
In ¶44, it further states that:
¶45 of the Discipline of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches specifically prohibits its clergymen from officiating at same-sex marriages.
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church opposes homosexuality, with church leaders citing Genesis 1&2, 19:1-9; Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Romans 1:26-27; and 1 Timothy 1:10 as support for this position.
Church of the Nazarene The Church of the Nazarene, a Methodist denomination aligned with the holiness movement, teaches that marriage is only defined for heterosexual couples. As such, the denomination does not allow same-gender marriages.
Church of North India The Church of North India, uniting different Protestants including Methodists, takes a traditional stand on human sexuality maintaining that marriage is defined heterosexually. The church opposes the criminalization of homosexuality, but also opposed the consecration of the first homosexual bishop in the Episcopal Church, the Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson. In 2009, the church both opposed the supreme court's decision to criminalize homosexuality, and also opposed same-sex marriage.
Church of South India The Church of South India (CSI) is a united church representing Anglicans, Methodists, and Presbyterians. The CSI "is a relatively liberal Protestant church which has, since 1984, allowed women to become pastors. 'CSI has been liberal on these issues. It has taken up issues of gender, dalits and landlessness. It has to address the issue of sexual minorities too"'. In 2009, the Rev. Christopher Rajkumar, speaking for the CSI, supported civil rights for gay people. In 2015, St. Mark's Cathedral in Bangalore hosted an event challenging homophobia where the Rev. Vincent Rajkumar affirmed his support for LGBT rights. The BBC has listed the CSI as being among the churches open to blessing same-gender couples.
Evangelical Methodist Church The Evangelical Methodist Church maintains that the biblical record condemns homosexuality as evidenced in Leviticus , Romans , and 1 Corinthians . It teaches that homosexual practices are "sin leading to spiritual death and eternal punishment. Nevertheless, homosexuality is no greater a sin than adultery, murder, stealing, among others. As a result, non-celibate gay people are barred from becoming members of the Evangelical Methodist Church. Moreover, practicing homosexuals are prohibited from becoming candidates for ordained ministry. The Church upholds that all individuals are entitled to certain rights and protection of the civil law; nevertheless, it opposes all civil legislation that supports homosexuality as a normal life style. All homosexuals who seek faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, and cease to practice homosexual acts are welcomed into the fellowship of the Evangelical Methodist Church.
Evangelical Methodist Church Conference The Evangelical Methodist Church Conference teaches in its Book of Discipline that homosexual practice is sinful. It states:
Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche in Germany In November 2022, the (Protestant Methodist Church) in Germany allowed blessing ceremonies for same-sex marriages.Evangelisch.de: Deutsche Methodisten für Segnung homosexueller Ehepaare, November 2022
Evangelical Wesleyan Church The Evangelical Wesleyan Church, in ¶92.1 and ¶92.2 of its Discipline, teaches that:
Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches The Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches teaches that it is "committed to upholding and defending the doctrines of the Word of God, including the traditional Biblical teaching on marriage."
Free Methodist Church As stated in the Book of Discipline (A/342) of the Free Methodist Church, it believes and teaches that
Global Methodist Church The Global Methodist Church formed out of schism and disaffiliation from the United Methodist Church over disputes about human sexuality. The Global Methodist Church is against same-sex marriage. Being in a same-sex relationship is a chargeable offense for clergy in the GMC. The Global Methodist Church's definition of gender is not inclusive of transgender people.
Italian Methodist Church The Union of Methodist and Waldensian Churches, of which the Italian Methodist Church is a part, voted in 2010 to bless same-sex relationships. LGBT-affirming church leaders said "the references to homosexuality in the Bible needed to be understood taking into account issue of culture and interpretation, to avoid the danger of Biblical fundamentalism."
Methodist Church of Great Britain At the annual Methodist Conference in 1993 in Derby, following long debate at all levels of the Church's life on the basis of a detailed report, the British Methodist Church considered the issues of human sexuality. The Derby Conference in 1993 passed a series of Resolutions which still stand. These resolutions are as follows: The Conference, affirming the joy of human sexuality as God's gift and the place of every human being within the grace of God, recognises the responsibility that flows from this for us all. It therefore welcomes the serious, prayerful and sometimes costly consideration given to this issue by The Methodist Church. All practices of sexuality, which are promiscuous, exploitative or demeaning in any way are unacceptable forms of behaviour and contradict God's purpose for us all. A person shall not be debarred from church on the grounds of sexual orientation in itself. The Conference reaffirms the traditional teaching of the Church on human sexuality; namely chastity for all outside marriage and fidelity within it. The Conference directs that this affirmation is made clear to all candidates for ministry, office and membership, and having established this, affirm that the existing procedures of our church are adequate to deal with all such cases. The Conference resolves that its decision in this debate shall not be used to form the basis of a disciplinary charge against any person in relation to conduct alleged to have taken place before such decisions were made. Conference recognises, affirms and celebrates the participation and ministry of lesbians and gay men in the church. Conference calls on the Methodist people to begin a pilgrimage of faith to combat repression and discrimination, to work for justice and human rights and to give dignity and worth to people whatever their sexuality.
In 2005, the Conference voted "to offer the prospect of blessing services for same-sex couples", but in 2006 the Conference voted to step back but did offer "informal, private prayers to couples". In 2013, the denomination initiated a consultation on blessing same-sex marriages, and, in 2014, after same-sex marriage became legal, the Conference decided in favor of allowing ministers to celebrate same-sex couples entering into civil marriages. Also in 2014, "the Conference resolved that its previous ruling that there was no reason per se to prevent anyone within the Church, ordained or lay, from entering into or remaining within a civil partnership, should also extend to those entering into legally contracted same-sex marriages".
The denomination officially stated that Methodists may enter into same-sex marriages and that "prayers of thanksgiving or celebration may be said, and there may be informal services of thanksgiving or celebration".
On 3 July 2019, the Conference voted by 247 to 48 to adopt a report recommending that same-sex marriages be allowed in British Methodist churches that approve.
On 30 June 2021, the Conference voted to reaffirm the resolution of the 2019 Conference, and consented in principle to the marriage of same-sex couples on Methodist premises and by Methodist ministers and other authorised officers. The traditionalist caucus, Methodist Evangelicals Together, opposed the decision.
Methodist Church of New Zealand The Methodist Church of New Zealand, since 2004, has approved of ordaining openly gay and lesbian ministers, and the denomination allows each local congregation to determine its own policy on the issue. In 2013, when same-sex marriage was legalized in New Zealand, congregations that opted to do so were able to perform same-sex marriages.
Methodist Church of Peru