The United Methodist Church has removed Asbury Theological Seminary from its list of approved schools for preparing United Methodist clergy, citing differences over the denomination’s updated teachings on LGBTQ inclusion. The decision follows the church’s 2024 revision of its social principles, which removed language opposing same-sex marriage and what it previously called “the practice of homosexuality.”
Asbury objected to those changes. The University Senate also removed Northeastern Seminary from its approved list after a regular review. Roland Fernandes, head of the United Methodist Board for Higher Education and Ministry, said, “The University Senate’s decision is intended to ensure that United Methodist candidates for ministry are formed in settings clearly aligned with United Methodist teachings, theology, leadership and values.” Current United Methodist students enrolled at Asbury through fall 2026 will still be eligible to complete their studies and pursue ordination.
New clergy candidates beginning theological education after that must attend a United Methodist seminary or another approved institution. For decades, Asbury trained United Methodist clergy but has also been a leading voice for theologically conservative positions on LGBTQ issues. Today, it is an approved seminary of the Global Methodist Church, which split from the United Methodist Church in 2022.
