A new Methodist denomination announced its official launch. How did we get here?

The recent announcement of the official launch of a new Methodist denomination was a big deal.

The new denominations have been in the works for a long time.

The launch of the Global Methodist Church will take place on May 1st, putting into reality an event that Methodists have been anticipating for three years.

There is still a lot of uncertainty. The Global Methodist Church announced that the General Conference of the United Methodist Church will be delayed until 2024, when delegates are expected to vote on a plan for a new denomination.

The plan still needs approval. The Global Methodist Church will not be receiving certain assurances for at least two years.

How did we get here?

The United Methodist Church is about to split over LGBTQ rights.

The United Methodist leaders are considering postponing the conference where the vote on split is expected.

Why did the debate start, and is there an official start date?

The ordination of LGBTQ clergy and a clergy's authority to marry same-sex couples are some of the issues that have been debated by the United Methodists.

After hundreds of United Methodist clergy came out as gay and when a regional conference elected the first openly lesbian bishop, the debate reached an inflection point. Thousands of United Methodist delegates from around the world gather every four years for the General Conference to vote on the policy on sexuality.

The United Methodist churches could become members of the Wesleyan Covenant Association to push for stricter policies on sexuality.

A policy review became a call for a new church.

After the commission reviewed policies on sexuality and issued a report, delegates gathered for a special session of the General Conference to vote on proposals for policies on sexuality.

The proposal that delegates approved did not fundamentally change the stance of the denomination on sexuality, which still says homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.

According to a news release after the special session, many believe a parting of ways is the only viable way forward.

The General Conference approved an exit plan for churches that do not agree with the stances on sexuality of the United Methodist Church.

What is theProtocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation?

The United Methodist leaders gathered to draft an agreement after the special session. The plan is called theProtocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.

The protocol says the new denominations will get $25 million from the UMC. The regional governing body of the United Methodist Church allows churches that disaffiliate from the church to retain their assets.

The protocol was expected to be voted on by delegates at the General Conference in 2020.

What happened when the 2020 General Conference was postponed?

The 2020 General Conference was delayed. The newest date was August 29-Sept. 6. The United Methodist news service states that at least 132 churches have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church because delegates have not voted on the protocol.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church has been delayed again.

The Global Methodist Church will be established by the Wesleyan Covenant Association.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church will vote on the protocol and the Wesleyan Covenant Association urged churches to wait. Some churches that have disaffiliated have had legal problems.

How have the different sides of the debate reacted to the news?

The Global Methodist Church expressed unhappiness with the decision to delay the General Conference.

The commission that makes the decision about the General Conference made the decision because of legal constraints faced by international delegates.

The Global Methodist Church explained that it will launch so that those who can leave early will have a place to land, to begin building and growing, and making room for others to join later.

Reconciling Ministries Network supports the decision to delay the General Conference.

The group said in a news release on March 3 that it will continue the work of transformation and support for LGBTQ+ families in the United Methodist Church.

Liam Adams is a religion writer for The Tennessean. He can be reached at ladams@tennessean.com or on social media.

The Global Methodist Church launch was originally published on Nashville Tennessean.