Adam Kemp:
Yes, we're basically seeing the conclusion of what's been decades' worth of debate and discussion in the United Methodist Church over sexuality.
It's been a long time coming, and what experts are saying, it's the largest denominational split since the Civil War, basically. And it's focused on LGBTQ inclusion, whether or not the UMC wants to have LGBTQ pastors or congregants or same-sex marriages within — in their congregation.
There's been a continuing push, despite the fact that the church has kind of been committed to their stance that homosexuality is not in congruence with their teachings. That push, though, for more inclusion has made some of the more conservative groups within the denomination uncomfortable, ultimately with them asking to be let out of the church.
So, in 2019, a general conference was held in St. Louis, where they decided to let individual congregations vote to leave the United Methodist Church, to disaffiliate. Flash forward to now. More than a quarter of all those churches have voted to disaffiliate and leave the church.
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