United Methodist Church split has roots in Chicago and with Rev. Greg Dell
January 3, 2020
By CNN Wire and Ben Bradley, WGN9, Chicago
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Rev. Greg Dell being interviewed in his office at Broadway United Methodist Church, Chicago, in 1998 after the United Methodist Church told him to stop performing Holy Unions for same-sex couples.
Dell says "I cannot possibly abide by that rule because all people are loved by God. It's not a decision. It's a matter of the deepest part of who I am and what I understand about God."
United Methodist Church bishops and leaders are proposing a split into more than one denomination in a bid to resolve years of debate over LGBT clergy and same-sex weddings, according to the church's official news agency.
The proposal, from a 16-member group of bishops and church leaders, says a separation was "the best means to resolve our differences, allowing each part of the Church to remain true to its theological understanding, while recognizing the dignity, equality, integrity, and respect of every person."
The restructuring comes after a contentious General Conference of the second-largest Protestant denomination in the US voted last year to reinforce the church's stance against ordaining gay clergy and performing same-sex weddings.
United Methodist Church split has roots in Chicago
WGN9, Chicago
Read the full story, United Methodist Church proposes historic split over gay marriage and LGBT clergy, on the WGN9 website.
Note: While the article does not mention Greg Dell by name, the video focuses on Greg and Broadway United Methodist Church and provides a Chicago angle on the text story from CNN.