I believe that the United Methodist Church is wrong in its stance on homosexuality. But I was also taught that it is unacceptable to leave the church when it needs you -- this applies when a more conservative pastor is called to a liberal congregation just as much as it applies to my weekly presence in and support for the life of the Church. I have always been taught that Methodists believe that each person must find his own walk with God, that the Church is there to support that journey, but the path is your own. When I first read the doctrine, I was amazed to find a clause in it that this was the official stance of the UMC, but you as a Methodist didn't not have to agree with every piece of it. The walk was your own and where you and God differed with the Doctrine, you had to follow what God was telling you. That comes with an obligation, too. If what God tells me is right is different than what the Church says, I have a responsibility as a Methodist to work to bring the Church in harmony with my understanding of what God wants. This is part of the reason I have stayed with the Church. I have a responsibility to it that goes beyond my gifts, my tithes, and my service. My presence as a woman of faith in my congregation, a devoted Methodist who can sing the hymns without cracking the hymnal, cite the Doctrine and support or refute it with the Holy Word, and be gay is a strong message to the elders of my congregation -- the ones who are sent to General Conference and get to make the Doctrine. I think the Church is changing; the presence of reconciling churches is heartening to me, though I do not currently attend one.

Why do gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered United Methodists remain loyal to and/or affiliated with the UMC?

Their responses reveal that they care about the UMC and that they believe that, as several respondents stated, "It’s my church, too."

But it seems that there is one other factor that they all have in common. No one says it more clearly, simply, and eloquently than UM clergy woman Maureen Waun (1999) in her book, More Than Welcome. Hear her words:

Why do excluded and condemned people even bother with the church? I’ll never know for sure, but it must be that they, at a certain point, experienced some spark of the light and spirit of Christ that refuses to be put out. (pp. 99-100)

Next: Results/Analysis