UMC Drops Asbury Theological Seminary Over Marriage and Sexuality Standards

The United Methodist Church's University Senate voted in June 2026 to remove Asbury Theological Seminary from its list of approved schools for clergy candidates. The decision ends a long relationship between the denomination and one of its most prominent conservative seminaries.

The University Senate cited two reasons for the removal. First, Asbury's published ethos statement conflicts with the UMC's updated Social Principles, which were revised in 2024 to remove language prohibiting same-sex marriage and the practice of homosexuality. Second, the seminary lacks a full-time United Methodist faculty member to teach required coursework in UMC history, doctrine, and polity.

Asbury's president, Dr. David F. Watson, said the decision was unilateral and that the seminary had engaged honestly throughout the review process. The school remains committed to its orthodox theological standards, Watson said.

Students currently enrolled at Asbury, and those planning to attend in fall 2026, are grandfathered into the UMC system and may still complete their programs to qualify for ordination. After fall 2026, UMC ordination candidates must attend one of 13 official United Methodist seminaries or 25 other UMC-approved schools.

The delisting does not affect Asbury's regional or national accreditation. The seminary retains its approved status with the Global Methodist Church and other denominations.

The University Senate also removed Northeastern Seminary in the same review cycle, citing a lack of UMC faculty and heavy reliance on online programming. Palmer Theological Seminary and Luther Seminary requested removal during earlier review cycles in 2026.