Church Membership (¶4. Article IV. Inclusiveness of the Church) and Eligibility to Participate (¶214)
In the United Methodist Book of Discipline, these sections explain who is eligible to participate and be a member of the United Methodist Church. All are eligible to attend worship, participate in programs, receive the sacraments, take vows declaring the Christian faith, and become members. Recognizing that everyone is of sacred worth, no one is to be excluded because of race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition.
- A young adult moves into town and begins attending the United Methodist Church. Quickly feeling at home, she wants to transfer her membership. The pastor tells her that since she is a lesbian, it isn't appropriate for her to join and denies the transfer. What is the impact on LGBT people and their families when official statements of inclusiveness aren't upheld?
- The sign in front of a United Methodist Church says, "Everyone welcome!" Do they really mean it? Would they welcome a pastor of another race? A person who's homeless? A lesbian helping serve communion? A person recently released from prison? A bisexual president of United Methodist Men? A person from Iraq? A transgender nursery volunteer?
