United Methodist Church Drops Asbury Theological Seminary Over Marriage Dispute
The United Methodist Church's University Senate voted on June 25, 2026, to remove Asbury Theological Seminary from its list of approved schools for clergy candidates. The decision followed a review that found Asbury's stance on marriage conflicts with the UMC's revised Social Principles.
The United Methodist Church's University Senate removed Asbury Theological Seminary from its approved list of schools for clergy candidates on June 25, 2026. The decision ends a relationship that began in 1981.
The Senate cited two main reasons. First, Asbury's published ethos statement affirms marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman. That position conflicts with the UMC's 2024 revised Social Principles, which removed language calling the practice of homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching. Second, Asbury does not employ a full-time United Methodist faculty member to teach the denomination's history, doctrine, and polity.
The Senate said the goal is to ensure clergy candidates are formed in settings clearly aligned with United Methodist teachings and values.
Students already enrolled at Asbury, or who begin coursework there by fall 2026, are grandfathered in and remain eligible for UMC ordination. After that cutoff, candidates must attend a UMC-affiliated or Senate-approved seminary.
Asbury President David F. Watson called the decision unilateral. He said the seminary was honest about its doctrinal standards throughout the review and that its commitment to orthodox Christian mission remains unchanged. Asbury continues to be approved by the Global Methodist Church and serves more than 75 other denominations.
The Senate also removed Northeastern Seminary, Palmer Theological Seminary, and Luther Seminary from its approved list, citing similar concerns about faculty requirements and program delivery.
