Western Jurisdiction
Separation Outlook: It's All in the Details
More than one region of the worldwide United Methodist Church is considering options around human sexuality and whether that conflict will split the denomination. Read more
Theological Declaration of the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church
Western Jurisdiction leaders affirm a theological statement that they will not complete with the more restrictive rules on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ clergy adopted by the 2019 General Conference. Read more
Western Jurisdiction Bishops Pledge Safe Harbor for LGBTQ+ United Methodist Clergy
Western Jurisdiction United Methodist bishops intend to set aside complaints against clergy accused of being gay or performing LGBTQ+ weddings and they urge others to join them. Read more
Report on Duke's Rejection of Young Life Garners Sharp Critique
Media guru Terry Mattingly thinks crucial questions about UMC-related Duke University's student government rejection of the evangelical organization Young Life deserve deeper probing. Read more
How Can the West Help the Rest Through Whatever Is Next?
Surveys and discussion group results in the Western Jurisdiction are showing some pathways that could help The United Methodist Church, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
Gerrymandering the #UMC: Behind the Traditional(ist) Plan Power Grab
Seen from a political perspective, the Traditional(ist) Plan looks a lot like realigning the UMC to gain overwhelming voting power at General Conference, says the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
UM Insight Screencap from YouTube
United Methodists Cope with Western Wildfires, Aftermath
The devastation wrought by wildfires in the western United States over the past few years – along with United Methodists' efforts to cope with the effects – pose a long-term disaster recovery challenge for the region as great as hurricanes elsewhere. Read more
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Judicial Council Rejects Reconsideration of Gay Bishop Ruling
The Judicial Council refused to reconsider its decision holding that a license for a same-sex marriage constitutes evidence that a clergy person or bishop is a "self-avowed practicing homosexual" in disobedience to church law. Read more
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Reconsideration of Gay Bishop Ruling Sought
The Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops has asked for reconsideration of Judicial Council ruling 1341, which held that a same-sex marriage license is evidence of a person being a "self-avowed practicing homosexual." Read more
Photo Courtesy of Hacking Christianity
The New Methodism Is Wounded but not Overcome
The Rev. Jeremy Smith analyzes the long-term impact of the Judicial Council ruling on the Western Jurisdiction's election of Rev. Karen Oliveto as bishop. Read more
UM Insight Screencap
Reactions to Oliveto Ruling Run from Rebuke to Rejoicing
More United Methodists rebuked than rejoiced in responses to the Judicial Council decision that has ruled the Western Jurisdiction's consecration of Bishop Karen Oliveto to have violated church law. Read more
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Council of Bishops President Responds to Judicial Council Ruling
Bishop Bruce Ough urges United Methodists to respect the Judicial Council decision on Bishop Karen Oliveto and continue to pray and work for church unity despite deep divisions. Read more
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Consecration of Gay Bishop Deemed Against Church Law
Judicial Council rules Western Jurisdiction shouldn't have consecrated Bishop Oliveto knowing she was a "self avowed practicing homosexual" in violation of the UMC ban against gay clergy. Read more
Preview to the Legal Debate Around Gay Bishop
A complaint from the South Central Jurisdiction about the Western Jurisdiction's election of openly lesbian Bishop Karen Oliveto encompasses several church legal issues, writes Heather Hahn of United Methodist News Service. Read more
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Karen Oliveto’s Election as Bishop Was a Movement of the Holy Spirit
Leading lay and clergy delegates to the 2016 meeting of the Western Jurisdiction describe the movement of God's Holy Spirit that led to the election of the Rev. Karen Oliveto as a United Methodist bishop. Read more
A Lot of History Is Being Forgotten
Recent debates over actions in the Western and Northeastern Jurisdictions regarding United Methodist stances on human sexuality overlook a lot of history that has framed the theological thinking in those regions, writes the Rev. Thomas H. Griffith Read more
United Methodist News Service Photo
Brief Challenges South Central's Petition to Nullify Oliveto Election
A "friend of the court" brief submitted by the Rev. Thomas H. Griffith, a retired elder, challenges the authority of the South Central Jurisdiction's petition to the church's high court to nullify the election of Bishop Karen Oliveto. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Hacking Christianity
Mistaking the Symptoms for the Cause of #UMC Schism
The Wesleyan Covenant Association is rightly named as “fanning fears of schism” in a recent bishops' letter, but they are not the cause of it, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Hacking Christianity
For Racial Inclusion, the #UMC Needs a Progressive Region
United Methodism would not be the same if it weren’t for the Western Jurisdiction, which has been a leader in inclusion, contends the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
United Methodist News Service Photo
Bishop Karen Oliveto and Dixie Brewster
The Rev. Bill Trench compares the two women at the heart of the election of United Methodism's first openly lesbian bishop and the laywoman who is requesting the church's high court rule on her legal standing. Read more