Here is a collection of the more personal reflections on whether to stay in The United Methodist Church or leave. Not so much about dividing or staying together, but taking yourself out of the fight or staying to fight on... Granted, the decisions are similar to those faced by congregations, annual conferences, and even jurisdictions or central conferences. But these are more personal reflections on the issues.
What To Do? Stay or Leave? -- by Ben Roe
A reflection on the dilemma facing LGBTQIA clergy and laity, and their allies, as the UMC becomes even more legalistic, punitive, and unwelcoming to "practicing homosexuals" -- actually anyone who values the gifts of LGBTQIA persons as friends, members, colleagues, pastors, and bishops.
What To Do About Ordination? -- by Yonat Shimron
After finally accepting her call to preach, Spencer Cullom took a step of faith and began the years-long process to become ordained in the United Methodist Church. She believed God called her to become a United Methodist minister. And she hoped that her denomination would drop its restrictions against LGBTQ clergy and allow her to follow that call.... [Read how she decided...]
Leaving As An Act of Love -- Ken Wilson
...oh how I wanted the church I loved to abandon the policies that many are willing to reluctantly abide in order to keep their churches from — I don’t know — imploding, losing too many members, defaulting on the mortgage? Suffice to say I know the tortured thinking pastors and congregations go through. But in the end, the choice is stark: whether or not to uphold a false unity that depends on scapegoating Gender and Sexual Minorities. Because beneath all the arguments in an inclusive-leaning place like United Methodism is the institutional realpolitik, echoing the high priest at the time of Jesus, “It’s better that a few should suffer, than the entire church go through such a major disruption.”