In 1972, the newly formed United Methodist Church adopted a set of Social Principles. On human sexuality, the proposed Social Principles included this statement: “We declare our acceptance of homosexuals as persons of sacred worth and we welcome them into the fellowship of the church. Further, we insist that society ensure their human and civil rights.”
However, at final vote this phrase was added and became part of the Book of Discipline: “We do not condone the practice of homosexuality, and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”
This phrase has become known as the “incompatibility clause” and every General Conference since 1972 unsuccessfully introduced legislation to remove this phrase.
In 1984, more was added to The Book of Discipline stating that “self-avowed, practicing homosexuals” are not to be ordained or appointed as pastors in The UMC; penalties including the removal of credentials were added; also penalties for clergy who participated in same gender union ceremonies. Additional restrictive language and penalties have been added since.
The “incompatible” language, restrictions and penalties placed on LGBTQI+ persons continues as the official position of the UMC and is being strictly enforced in some regions.
In 1982 the Reconciling Ministries movement started in The UMC to advocate for the full inclusion of gay and lesbian persons into the church. Since there was little promise of this happening at the global level, local churches were encouraged to declare themselves as reconciling, adopting a statement affirming LGBTQI+ persons and inviting their full participation in the life of the local church.
Today, there are over 45,000 individual Reconciling United Methodists and over 1,400 Reconciling Ministries located in 5 countries: Brazil, Kenya, Argentina, The Philippines, and The United States.There are currently 7 Reconciling Ministries located in Southern Idaho: Hillview UMC, Boise; Alpine Abbey (New Meadows UMC), New Meadows; Collister UMC, Boise; First UMC, Pocatello; BSU Wesley Foundation, Boise; Trinity Reconciling Methodist Group of Trinity UMC, Idaho Falls; and Rainbow Connection of Collister UMC and First UMC, Boise.
Update: The postponed 2020 General Conference which met April 22-May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina removed all of the harmful language added to The Book of Discipline since the insertion of the incompatibility clause in 1972. The General Conference also revised the Social Principles, removing the incompatibility clause.
On May 5, 2024, Whitney finalized a vote on the Reconciling process they had begun in 2019 but which was sidetracked due to Covid. They voted to declare themselves a Reconciling congregation, becoming the 8th Reconciling Ministry in Southern Idaho.