Massgeblich beschreiben die Sozialen Grundsätze und die Kirchenordnung die Haltung der Evangelisch-methodistischen Kirche zur Homosexualität.

Die deutschsprachige Kirchenordnung der Zentralkonferenz von Mittel- und Südeuropa folgt weitgehend dem Wortlaut des "Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church" (BoD). Aussagen des BoD, die in deutscher Sprache nicht zu finden sind, haben trotzdem auch im deutschen Sprachraum ihre Gültigkeit. Die Sozialen Grundsätze sind Teil der Kirchenordung, haben aber keinen Gesetzescharakter.

Im "Book of Resolutions" findet man offizielle Verlautbarungen zu einer Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Themen. Alle diese Texte werden alle vier Jahre von der Generalkonferenz weiterbearbeitet.

Die Sozialen Grundsätze 2004

(Angenommen an der Zentralkonferenz von Mittel- und Südeuropa 2005)

Gegenwärtig werden die Sozialen Grundsätze 2008 ins Deutsche übersetzt. Sobald ein offizieller Text dieser neusten Version vorliegt, wird er an dieser Stelle publiziert. Bis dahin orientieren Sie sich bitte anhand des englischsprachigen Originals.

(161. II. Die menschliche Gemeinschaft)

G) Menschliche Sexualität

... Homosexuelle sind nicht minder als Heterosexuelle Personen von heiligem Wert. Alle Menschen benötigen den Dienst und die Leitung der Kirche in ihren Kämpfen um Erfüllung in ihrem Menschsein wie auch die geistliche und emotionale Fürsorge einer Gemeinschaft, die eine versöhnende Beziehung zu Gott, zu anderen und zu sich selbst ermöglicht. Die United Methodist Church duldet keine praktizierte Homosexualität und betrachtet diese Handlungsweise als unvereinbar mit der christlichen Lehre. Wir bejahen, dass alle Menschen an Gottes Gnade teilhaben können, und wir werden danach streben, in christlicher Gemeinschaft zusammenzuleben. Wir flehen Familien und Gemeinden an, lesbische und schwule Mitglieder und Freunde nicht abzulehnen oder zu verurteilen. Wir verpflichten uns zum Dienst an allen Menschen und mit allen Menschen.

(162. III. Die soziale Gemeinschaft)

H) Gleiche Rechte ungeachtet der sexuellen Orientierung:

Gewisse Grundrechte und Freiheiten des Menschen gelten allen Menschen. Wir sind der Stärkung dieser Rechte und Freiheiten für Homosexuelle verpflichtet. Wir sehen darin einen klaren Fall simpler Gerechtigkeit, dass wir ihre berechtigten Ansprüche schützen, wo sie materielle Ressourcen, Renten, Erzieherrollen, gegenseitige Vollmachtsurkunden und weitere solche gesetzlichen Ansprüche gemeinsam nutzen, die typischerweise mit vertraglichen Beziehungen verbunden sind, zu denen gemeinsame Beiträge, Verantwortlichkeiten und Verbindlichkeiten und gleicher Schutz vor dem Gesetz gehören. Darüber hinaus unterstützen wir Bemühungen, Gewalt und andere Formen der Nötigung gegenüber Schwulen und Lesben zu stoppen. Wir verpflichten uns auch zu einem gesellschaftlichen Zeugnis gegen die Nötigung und Marginalisierung ehemaliger Homosexueller.

Social Principles 2008

(The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2008 - Part IV)

161. II. THE NURTURING COMMUNITY

... Primary for us is the gospel understanding that all persons are important—because they are human beings created by God and loved through and by Jesus Christ and not because they have merited significance. We therefore support social climates in which human communities are maintained and strengthened for the sake of all persons and their growth. We also encourage all individuals to be sensitive to others by using appropriate language when referring to all persons. Language of a derogatory nature (with regard to race, nationality, ethnic background, gender, sexuality, and physical differences) does not reflect value for one another and contradicts the gospel of Jesus Christ.

F) Human Sexuality

We affirm that sexuality is God’s good gift to all persons. We call everyone to  responsible stewardship of this sacred gift.
Although all persons are sexual beings whether or not they are married, sexual relations are affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage.
We deplore all forms of the commercialization, abuse, and exploitation of sex. We call for strict global enforcement of laws prohibiting the sexual exploitation of children  and for adequate protection, guidance, and counseling for abused children. All persons, regardless of age, gender, marital status, or sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured and to be protected against violence. The Church should support the family in providing age-appropriate education regarding sexuality to children, youth, and adults.
We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All persons need the ministry of the Church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another, as Christ has loved and accepted us.  We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons. (See Judicial Council Decision 702.)

162. III. THE SOCIAL COMMUNITY

...We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or economic status.Our respect for the inherent dignity of all persons leads us to call for the recognition, protection, and implementation of the principles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights so that communities and individuals may claim and enjoy their universal, indivisible, and inalienable rights. ...

J) Equal Rights Regardless of Sexual Orientation

Certain basic human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights and liberties for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation. We see a clear issue of simple justice in protecting the rightful claims where people have shared material resources, pensions, guardian relationships, mutual powers of attorney, and other such lawful claims typically attendant to contractual relationships that involve shared contributions, responsibilities, and liabilities, and equal protection before the law. Moreover, we support efforts to stop violence and other forms of coercion against all persons, regardless of sexual orientation.

Kirchenordung der Zentralkonferenz von Mittel- und Südeuropa (ZKMSE) 2005

Abschnitt IX. Dienstzuweisungen für Älteste

Art. 341.6 Besondere Regelungen

...

6. Kein Pastor / keine Pastorin darf Feiern für gleichgeschlechtliche Paare durchführen und solche Feiern dürfen nicht in unseren Kirchen durchgeführt werden.
...

The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church 2008

Chapter Two - THE MINISTRY OF THE ORDAINED

¶ 303. Purpose of Ordination
...
3. While persons set apart by the Church for ordained ministry are subject to all the frailties of the human condition and the pressures of society, they are required to maintain the highest standards of holy living in the world. The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals (foodnote 1: “Self-avowed practicing homosexual” is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual. See Judicial Council Decisions 702, 708, 722, 725, 764, 844, 984.) are not to be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in The United Methodist Church. (foodnote 2: See Judicial Council Decisions 984, 985.)
...

¶ 311. Candidacy for Licensed and Ordained Ministry
2. Candidates approved by the charge conference and seeking to become certified for licensed or ordained ministry shall:
...
d) agree for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ in the world and the most effective witness of the gospel, and in consideration of their influence as clergy, to make a complete dedication of themselves to the highest ideals of the Christian life as set forth in ¶¶ 102-104; 160-166. To this end they shall agree to exercise responsible self-control by personal habits conducive to bodily health, mental and emotional maturity, fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness, social responsibility, and growth in grace and the knowledge and love of God.(foodnote 3: The General Conference, in response to expressions throughout the Church regarding homosexuality and ordination, reaffirms the present language of the Discipline regarding the character and commitment of persons seeking ordination and affirms its high standards. ... In the Social Principles, the General Conference has said that “we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”) Where possible, the local church is encouraged to assist candidates with the expenses of candidacy.

...

¶ 341. Unauthorized Conduct
...
6. Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.
...

Chapter Four - THE CONFERENCES - The Annual Conference

¶ 613. Responsibilities
...
20. To ensure that no annual conference board, agency, committee, commission, or council shall give United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality or violate the expressed commitment of the UMC “not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends” (¶ 161.F). The council shall have the right to stop such expenditures. This restriction shall not limit the Church’s ministry in response to the HIV epidemic, nor shall it preclude funding for dialogs or educational events where the Church’s official position is fairly and equally represented.
...

Chapter Five - ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER

¶ 806. Fiscal Responsibilities
...
9. It (The General Conference) shall be responsible for ensuring that no board, agency, committee, commission, or council shall give United Methodist funds to any gay caucus or group, or otherwise use such funds to promote the acceptance of homosexuality or violate the expressed commitment of The United Methodist Church “not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends ” (¶ 161.F). The council shall have the right to stop such expenditures.19 It shall not limit the Church’s ministry in response to the HIV epidemic.
...

Chapter Seven - JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION

¶ 2702. Chargeable Offenses and the Statute of Limitations

1. A bishop, clergy member of an annual conference (¶ 369), local pastor, clergy on honorable or administrative location, or diaconal minister may be tried when charged (subject to the statute of limitations in ¶ 2702.4) with one or more of the following offenses: (a) immorality including but not limited to, not being celibate in singleness or not faithful in a heterosexual marriage; (b) practices declared by The United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teachings, including but not limited to: being a self-avowed practicing homosexual; or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies; (c) crime; (d) failure to perform the work of the ministry; (e) disobedience to the order and discipline of The United Methodist Church; (f) dissemination of doctrines contrary to the established standards of doctrine of The United Methodist Church; (g) relationships and/or behavior that undermines the ministry of another pastor; (h) child abuse; (i) sexual abuse; (j) sexual misconduct or (k) harassment, including, but not limited to racial and/or sexual harassment; or (l) racial or gender discrimination.
...
4. Statute of Limitations—No judicial complaint or charge shall be considered for any alleged occurrence that shall not have been committed within six years immediately preceding the filing of the original complaint, except in the case of sexual or child abuse and in the case of immorality or crime, when the alleged occurrence(s) include allegations of sexual abuse or child abuse, there shall be no limitation (¶ 2704.1a). Time spent on leave of absence shall not be considered as part of the six years.

The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 2008

Weitere Aussagen zum Thema finden sich auch im Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church 2004

2041. Church to Be in Ministry to Persons of All Sexual Orientations (ADOPTED 2000 - AMENDED AND READOPTED 2008)
2042. Report of the Task Force on Homosexuality and the Unity of the Church (ADOPTED 2004)
2121. Suicide: A Challenge to Ministry (ADOPTED 1988 - AMENDED AND READOPTED 2004)
2122. Teen Sexual Identity and Suicide Risk (ADOPTED 2004 - READOPTED 2008)
2043. Opposition to Homophobia and Heterosexism (ADOPTED 2008)
2046. Rights of All Persons (ADOPTED 1996 - AMENDED AND READOPTED 2004)
3241. A Covenant to Care: Recognizing and Responding to the Many Faces of AIDS in the USA (ADOPTED 2004 - READOPTED 2008)
3421. Grieving and Repenting from Acts of Hate and Violence (ADOPTED 2008)
3422. Resisting Hate, Fear, and Scapegoating; and Transforming the Context of Hate in the United States (ADOPTED 2008)
5062. Military Service Regardless of Sexual Orientation (ADOPTED 2008)

(Für Studienzwecke sind wir gerne bereit, ihnen diese Texte zuzusenden. Bitte wenden Sie sich dazu an Jörg Niederer.)