United Methodists put gay ordinations on hold, vote for moratorium on homosexuality debate

The United Methodist delegates have voted for a moratorium on its homosexuality debate during a General Conference on Wednesday, May 18. The issue of gay ordination is also placed on hold.

The United Methodist news service published an update on the recent happening of the General Conference held in Portland, Oregon, which was attended by the denomination's top legislative assembly. According to their official release, the delegates voted 428 to 405 in favor of delaying the debate on homosexuality which was supposed to be decided on at this talk and to create a special commission that would conduct a study and even recommend revisions on the denomination's doctrine called Book of Discipline.

"We accept our role as spiritual leaders to lead The United Methodist Church in a 'pause for prayer' — to step back from attempts at legislative solutions and to intentionally seek God's will for the future," announced Council of Bishop president Bishop Bruce Ough. He added that a General Conference may be held in 2018 or 2019 to address the issue.

In another referendum, the delegates voted 490 to 308 in favor of referring the question of gay ordination to the Judicial Council, the denomination's Supreme Court counterpart.

A few days ahead of the conference, 111 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and intersex (LGBTQI) Methodist clergy have publicly come out in a signed document released online. Fifteen Methodist leaders in the New York Conference also made the same revelations.

Two delegates known for their LGBTQ advocacy, Rev. Gregory Gross and Jen Ihlo, accused presiding officer Nashville (Tennessee) Area Bishop William McAlilly of dictating the votes as he shook his fingers to the delegates.

"I was holding a pen part of the time and trying to write notes," the presiding officer denied. "That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard, frankly."

"Our church is struggling, and there are voices all around the edges — just a variety of voices," said George Howard, as he noted the drama and the tension of the afternoon's conference. "What I'm afraid of is that if we don't pause and allow the Spirit to fill the space, then we will fracture."