INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A worldwide church based in Independence, Mo., could soon change its policies on same-sex issues.
Delegates with Community of Christ met at their headquarters over the weekend and have recommended to allow same-sex marriages where they are legal.
“I think it will really open the doors wide in our congregations,” church member Jane Gardner said.
During its national conference, more than 1,500 delegates also voted that the church should offer “commitment services” for same-sex couples in places where marriage is not legal.
Gardner was one of the delegates who voted in favor of the proposed changes. She and her 27-year-old son, who’s gay, have been members of Community of Christ for a number of years.
“I’m thrilled for the fact he could be ordained or he could be married in the church now,” she said.
By almost a 70 percent majority, delegates also voted to ordain people regardless of sexual orientation.
“It’s a journey we are all in together and we don’t necessarily all agree, but I think we want to include everybody in our faith journey,” church member Art Smith said.
Church members say that journey has led to a discussion over the last several years that has led them to discussing and praying about same-sex issues. Members say they are also well aware that many believe marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman — and with the proposed changes comes criticism at the least.
“We are people that believe this is the direction that God has taken us,” said Linda Booth, Director of Communications for Community of Christ.
The church has nearly 250,000 members in more than 50 nations. If the changes are approved by church leaders, it would only affect Community of Christ churches in the United States.
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