The United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline states that “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching,” and it prohibits Methodist ministers from performing same-sex marriages. But “these are unjust laws,” says Rev. Thomas Ogletree, “and therefore they do not really have the authority of law.” More →

November 27, 2013

“If you’re training gay scouts to be, presumably, gay leaders, but then you don’t want gay leaders in the scouts, that’s an odd message to send,” says United Methodist pastor Charles Parker, a former scout. But opponents of the proposal to accept gay scouts say it flies in the face of a basic scouting tenet: the oath boys take to be “morally straight.” More →

May 17, 2013

As national elections approach in the fragile African country of Sudan, one church’s commitment to its education, agriculture, water, and micro-enterprise projects there remains steadfast. More →

April 9, 2010

Watch more of correspondent Kim Lawton’s interviews with the pastor of Ginghamsburg Church, who says faith communities must remind the world “that there is a moral mandate we have as human beings toward the treatment of other human beings.” More →

April 9, 2010

A Lutheran minister who responded to the Haiti disaster says US religious communities must help, but “the strength of the future is in Haiti, not the United States.” More →

January 29, 2010

U.S. mainline denominations are all deeply divided on gay issues. In 2003, the U.S. Episcopal Church consecrated an openly gay bishop. But the United Methodists have stood firm in their opposition to homosexuality. In a series of votes, United Methodist delegates reaffirmed their church’s traditional policy, which says the practice of homosexuality is “incompatible with Christian teaching.” More →

May 7, 2004

The United Methodist Church — the second largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. — opened its 11-day-long General Conference in Pittsburgh this week. The highest legislative body of the church meets only every four years. This time, gay issues are expected to dominate. More →

April 30, 2004

The installation of former Ambassador Andrew Young as the new president of the Protestant-based National Council of Churches was among the highlights of the NCC’s 50th anniversary celebration, but the organization faces financial problems and lack of a clear mission. More →

November 12, 1999