The 52nd Quadrennial Session of the African Methodist Episcopal Church General Conference concluded last week and the predominantly Black denomination had a decisive vote on gay marriage which resulted in a narrow victory for biblical sexuality in a denomination that has not held firm on other doctrines of importance.
The AMEC had a bill that would have amended decades-old policy affirming biblical marriage. If passed, AMEC clergy would have been free to perform sodomical wedding ceremonies without fear of retribution. It’s unclear how much this policy is currently enforced.
According to the Christian Recorder:
Legislation on “Same-Sex Marriage” was now brought to the floor. It was noted that a motion was brought forward to delete. The reasoning was stated that the proposal has the potential to curb AMEC, and exegesis is a complication, even under great sensitivities. In contrast, it was argued deleting the legislation would create a culture of theological oppression.
After the vote to end the debate, the vote to delete the bill on “Same-Sex Marriage” occurred. The results were Yes 896 (55%) to No 722 (45%). The motion passed, killing the “Same-Sex Marriage” legislation amendment.
This narrow vote for followed by an overwhelming vote for an ad hoc committee on sexuality to continue their work.
