One of the largest religious denominations in the U.S. announced plans Jan. 3 to split over the long simmering disagreement over LGBTQ inclusion.
The disagreement over same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy has been brewing with the United Methodist Church for years.
The plan announced by church leaders on Friday would allow so-called, "traditionalist Methodists", those who oppose same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ clergy-- to spin off from the denomination. The denomination that remains would restructure its policies under its Book of Discipline to include LGBTQ.
Reverend Karen Oliveto is bishop of the Mountain Sky Conference of the church, which covers Montana and Wyoming.
"The protocol that has been developed is an agreement across our theological divisions that needs to be accepted by the delegates of general conference. But what is huge about this it is it’s the first time there’s been such unanimity of groups across the denomination," Oliveto said.
The plan is not final until it is voted on in May at the denomination’s worldwide conference.
Churches that oppose same-sex marriage and gay clergy will vote to leave the denomination. Those wishing to remain will not have to vote.
Oliveto says she thinks most of the churches in the Mountain Sky conference will remain in the United Methodist Church.
"What has been a strength in our denomination has been our theological diversity. So I would hope that our more conservative churches wouldn’t want to leave because I think we can find unity in the midst of our diversity," Oliveto said.
The separation plan will be voted on at the general conference of the United Methodist Church May 5 through 15 in Minneapolis.
