United Methodists eye redefinition of marriage, massive budget cuts at business session

The United Methodist Church’s business session received two proposals Wednesday — one to scuttle the definition of marriage as being between “one man and one woman,” the other to slash the budget by 42%.

Instead of supporting the definition of marriage held since 1972, the church would define it “as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith into union with one another and into deeper relationship with God and the religious community.”

Delegates to the church’s quadrennial General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, were set to debate the revised “Social Principles” document, a continuation of statements first brought forth by U.S. Methodists in 1908.

Developed by the UMC’s General Board of Church and Society, proponents acknowledged the new language would not meet an uncritical reception.

“We understand that all of us may not agree on every statement — on every word in the revision,” said the Rev. Ande Emmanuel, who served on the editorial revision team for the new document. “[Our] goal was to find language that could bridge across our diverse contexts, recognizing that the Social Principles have always been intended to encourage conversation and a prayerful dialogue of faith and action.”

Critics say the redefinition would pave the way for same-sex weddings within the church, a contentious issue for years and one that prompted 25% of UMC congregations in the United States to bolt.

Delegates also were given a proposed four-year budget of $353 million, down 42% from the previous quadrennial allocation. Local governing bodies would see a 43% cut, while “central” ones would lose 10% of funding.

Under the budget, the denomination would lose five bishops and see cuts of up to 54% for various allocations, as well as the previously planned elimination of the “Young Clergy Initiative” recruiting program, church officials said.

The meetings are scheduled to proceed through next week, the church said.