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Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, 1980
This document, titled Social Principles of the United Methodist Church, was adopted by the 1980 General Conference. It is a comprehensive guide that articulates the church’s theological and ethical stances on a wide range of social and moral issues.
The main body of the document is divided into thematic sections that address key areas of concern. These include stewardship of the natural world, emphasizing care for the environment, sustainable energy use, and animal welfare. The nurturing community section explores topics such as family structures, marriage, divorce, human sexuality, and the rights of individuals across all life stages. It also speaks to the importance of fostering inclusive and supportive communities.
This document holds significant historical value as it reflects the United Methodist Church’s evolving engagement with societal issues. It serves as a vital resource for understanding the church’s moral and ethical positions during this period and offers insight into how these beliefs were communicated and implemented within congregations. -
"A Model for Thinking Theologically About Homosexuality"
The document, A Model for Thinking Theologically About Homosexuality by M. Kent Millard, is a theological report presented to the Dakotas Area General and Jurisdictional Delegates of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Written by the Northern District Superintendent of the South Dakota Annual Conference, this report seeks to offer an alternative to the polarized debate over homosexuality within the church during the 1980 General Conference. The author emphasizes dialogue, understanding, and Christian compassion as essential components of addressing this contentious issue.
Millard’s report is a response to the stark divisions within the UMC regarding homosexuality. On one side, there were calls to explicitly ban practicing homosexuals from ordination, while on the other, there were proposals to remove negative language about homosexuality from the church’s Book of Discipline. Rather than endorsing either extreme, Millard advocates for a process of theological education and reflection within local churches to foster understanding and compassion.
It illustrates an effort to address the issue of homosexuality with intellectual rigor and pastoral care. It reflects the broader struggle within the denomination to balance tradition, scriptural interpretation, and evolving social values. By advocating for dialogue and education, Millard’s report seeks to bridge divides and foster a compassionate approach to an issue that continues to challenge the church. -
"After Wheatley, What?"
This document explores significant debates within the United Methodist Church (UMC) during the early 1980s, with a primary focus on doctrinal issues and the controversy surrounding Bishop Melvin E. Wheatley Jr. of the Denver Area. The controversy highlights tensions over UMC doctrine, particularly related to homosexuality, while emphasizing the broader struggle over theological interpretation and the church’s response to social change.
The publication addresses the theological and doctrinal issues raised by accusations against Bishop Wheatley for his stance that homosexuality is not inherently sinful. These accusations reflect deeper conflicts within the UMC regarding doctrinal authority and the application of the church’s historical and scriptural teachings to contemporary issues.
The controversy centered on whether Wheatley’s views on homosexuality violated UMC doctrinal standards. A Western Jurisdiction Committee on Investigation found no "reasonable ground" for a trial, noting that while there are scriptural condemnations of homosexuality, the interpretation of these passages is subject to the Wesleyan "quadrilateral" framework—Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. The committee emphasized the importance of integrating these four sources in a constructive dialogue rather than relying solely on scriptural literalism or traditional precedent.
This document is a valuable historical resource for understanding the UMC’s struggles with doctrinal interpretation and social issues during the 1980s. It captures the complexities of applying historical teachings to contemporary contexts and illustrates the church’s ongoing efforts to balance tradition, inclusivity, and theological inquiry. -
20 Questions About Homosexuality: A Political Primer
This publication was created to address common questions and misconceptions about homosexuality. The preamble outlines the purpose of the document as a means of educating the public and dismantling myths that have historically justified discrimination against homosexuals. The Alliance emphasizes that such questions are often rooted in societal bias, misinformation, and stereotypes.
The document is organized into a series of twenty questions, each addressing a specific aspect of homosexuality, with answers informed by scientific studies, personal experiences, and sociological insights. The topics range widely, covering definitions of homosexuality, the determination of sexual orientation, societal and historical perspectives, and specific stereotypes. The answers challenge discriminatory narratives and aim to affirm the civil rights and dignity of homosexual individuals. A significant theme in the publication is the critique of societal prejudices and the deconstruction of myths.
This document serves as a critical artifact of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the late 20th century. It reflects the strategies and rhetoric of advocacy groups during a time of significant cultural and legal challenges. The publication is not only a historical document but also a resource for understanding the intersection of activism, education, and social change. -
Affirm! Table Manners Newsletter, May 2000
This is a newsletter published by Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Concerns during the United Methodist Church's (UMC) General Conference in May 2000. It reflects advocacy efforts for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals within the UMC and critiques church policies and rhetoric that perpetuate discrimination. The document highlights the activities, speeches, and theological perspectives shared by members of the Affirmation coalition and their allies.
This newsletter features a reprint of a press release issued after Jeanne Knepper delivered remarks critiquing the UMC’s Social Principles, particularly the language that states, “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Knepper argues that this language fosters violence and exclusion against LGBTQ+ individuals and ignores broader biblical themes of compassion, justice, and inclusion. The coalition prioritizes the removal of discriminatory language and policies, framing them as the church’s “Jim Crow” laws for LGBTQ+ individuals.
The document provides insight into the strategies and rhetoric of LGBTQ+ advocates during a critical period in the denomination’s history. The involvement of diverse voices, including people of color, underscores the broad coalition supporting inclusivity and highlights the interconnected nature of various justice movements. -
Answers to a Parent's Questions About Homosexuality
This document serves as a resource for parents seeking to understand homosexuality. Its purpose is to dispel myths, provide accurate information, and promote acceptance and understanding of gay individuals, especially within the context of family relationships.
The content is structured as a series of frequently asked questions, each addressing a specific concern or misconception that parents might have about homosexuality. The responses draw upon scientific research, expert opinions, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals. Key topics include the causes of sexual orientation, the morality of homosexuality, the role of gay individuals in society, and how parents can support a gay child.
The record reflects the strategies and rhetoric used by organizations like NGTF to foster understanding and combat prejudice during a time of heightened discrimination. Its inclusion in an archival collection provides valuable insight into the history of LGBTQ+ rights, family dynamics, and social change. -
California-Nevada United Methodist Review, April 2, 1999
The document, California-Nevada United Methodist Review from April 2, 1999, reflects the theological, pastoral, and social challenges facing the California-Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). A significant portion of the publication addresses the ongoing controversy surrounding the January 16, 1999, holy union of Jeanne Barnett and Ellie Charlton, officiated by 69 UMC clergy in open defiance of church law. This event highlights broader denominational debates over LGBTQ+ inclusion and pastoral authority within the church.
The document captures the fallout of the holy union ceremony and the subsequent filing of complaints against the participating clergy. The controversy underscores tensions between adherence to the Book of Discipline and individual acts of conscience by clergy seeking to affirm same-sex couples.
This document is evidence of the UMC’s ongoing struggle to reconcile doctrinal tradition with calls for inclusivity and justice. It provides a detailed account of one of the most visible acts of resistance to church law on LGBTQ+ issues in the late 20th century, illustrating the personal, communal, and institutional dynamics at play. -
engage/ social action: Homosexuality
This document is a periodical published by the Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church. This issue includes articles, reflections, and columns exploring a range of topics related to homosexuality, social justice, theology, and contemporary challenges faced by the church and society.
This publication serves as a rich resource for understanding the theological debates and social priorities of The United Methodist Church during the late 20th century. It captures the intersection of faith, ethics, and activism, providing valuable insights into how the church navigated controversial and transformative issues in its broader mission. -
Explor - Homosexuality and the Christian, Fall 1975
Explor is a theological journal published by Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. This issue from 1975 delves deeply into the intersection of Christian theology, scripture, history, and pastoral care in relation to homosexuality. This work represents an early effort within Christian academia to engage thoughtfully and critically with the topic of homosexuality, examining it through various disciplinary lenses, including biblical exegesis, historical context, behavioral sciences, and theology.
The journal includes contributions from several scholars, each addressing distinct aspects of the issue. A particularly striking theme is the journal's call for nuanced and compassionate pastoral care. It challenges simplistic labels and encourages a deeper understanding of human sexuality as part of the broader Christian call to love and community. The document also critiques historical Christian teachings that have often reduced sexuality to procreation or condemned it as inherently sinful. Through systematic theological reflection, it proposes a more holistic understanding of human sexuality, rooted in the belief that it is a gift of God meant to foster intimacy and community.
This publication is evidence of the intellectual and theological currents of the mid-1970s within the United Methodist Church and broader Protestant academia. It captures an era when churches and seminaries began to grapple more publicly and rigorously with issues of human sexuality, influenced by the broader cultural movements for civil rights and LGBTQ+ equality. This resource serves as a critical lens into how theological scholarship engaged with one of the most polarizing and evolving issues within modern Christianity. -
Faith and Inclusion: United Methodist General Conference Opens Doors
This article chronicles the historic decisions made at the 2020/2024 UMC General Conference, where delegates voted to lift the ban on gay clergy and same-sex weddings, reversing decades of exclusionary policies. Framed as aligning the church’s actions with its stated values of openness and justice, the decision also included steps toward regionalization, allowing for contextualized policies in response to global cultural differences. This moment marked a transformative shift for the denomination, addressing LGBTQ+ inclusion while also issuing apologies for historical injustices, including systemic sexual misconduct and the church’s role in the 1893 overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. The article captures a pivotal point in the UMC’s journey toward reconciliation and inclusion, offering insight into its evolving theology and mission. -
Family Life: A Resolution with Study Guide
This pamphlet offers a revised version of the church’s stance on family life, originally adopted in 1976, along with a detailed study guide to facilitate group discussions. The resolution reflects the United Methodist Church’s theological, ethical, and practical approach to family life, emphasizing its importance within Christian ministry and society.
One of the core sections, titled Christian Family Living, examines the sacred nature of family relationships. It highlights marriage as a covenant under God, fostering mutual love, respect, and responsibility. The resolution also addresses the evolving structure of families, affirming diverse family forms such as single-parent families, extended families, and households formed through adoption or foster care. It stresses the importance of supporting faithfulness and moral decision-making within families, acknowledging human imperfections and the need for God’s grace.
The accompanying study guide offers practical tools for group discussions, including session outlines, scripture references, and interactive activities. It encourages participants to reflect on their personal experiences and to explore the resolution’s themes in depth. The guide provides flexibility for various group types, from intergenerational gatherings to youth groups, emphasizing the centrality of family in faith formation and church life. -
Gail Hinand Mailgram
This is a brief correspondence addressed to the president of the Women's Division of the United Methodist Church (UMC). Sent by Gail Hinand, identified as the Director of Empowerment of Women for Church Women United, the message acknowledges and celebrates a decision made by the Women's Division to support a lesbian woman worker. The mailgram emphasizes corporate responsibility to protect the rights of women within the church and commends the division for its progressive stance.
The mailgram serves as a historical artifact capturing the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ inclusion and gender equity within the United Methodist Church during the late 20th century. It documents the efforts of allied organizations, like Church Women United, to support and affirm these changes. The message provides a glimpse into the advocacy networks operating within and adjacent to the UMC, illustrating the interconnected nature of efforts to advance justice for marginalized groups.
Advisory Warning
These archival exhibits contain historical materials that reflect the social, cultural, and theological perspectives of their time. Some content may include language, imagery, or viewpoints that are outdated, offensive, or harmful by today’s standards. These materials are preserved to document history and promote understanding, but they may be difficult to engage with for some viewers. We encourage users to approach these resources with sensitivity and awareness of their historical context. If you have questions or need support, please contact the archives.