Same-sex marriage was recently rejected in favor of the biblical definition of marriage by United Methodist African Bishops – who also opposed a future schism in the denomination.

On the coattails of the UMC Africa College of Bishops’ official conference that took place in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on September 3–7, leading Methodists announced that there was much debate over the denomination’s official stance on homosexuality during the meetings – an ongoing dialogue that many fear will ultimately result in a split of the UMC.

"[W]e reaffirm our position as traditionalists and view marriage as union between Man and Woman as clearly defined in Scripture and affirmed in our COB 2016 statement in Lake Junaluska, and at the Africa extended cabinet (Ghana, February 2018), and at the May 2018 COB in Chicago, Illinois," the African Methodist bishops declared in their official statement. "[W]e remain faithfully committed to our consecration vows as Bishops of the church to 'maintain the unity of the church.'"

To split or not to split over homosexuality?

The latest announcement comes several months before an official resolution on the issue of sexuality in the denomination is determined at this winter’s conference, which will also decide on whether the UMC will split over the highly contentious issue. Read more via One News Now