Asbury Theological Seminary says it has been removed from the United Methodist Church’s list of approved schools for ordination, ending a relationship that had lasted for more than four decades and highlighting the growing theological divide within one of America’s largest Protestant denominations.
The Wilmore, Kentucky-based seminary announced that the decision came from the United Methodist Church’s University Senate following the denomination’s 2024 General Conference, where delegates approved changes removing longstanding restrictions related to same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly LGBTQ clergy.
According to Asbury, those changes placed the seminary’s theological convictions at odds with the denomination’s revised standards.
In a public statement, Asbury said the United Methodist Church’s new positions “are not aligned with Asbury Theological Seminary’s institutional ethos and the historic witness of the Christian faith.”
The seminary reaffirmed its longstanding doctrinal position on marriage, stating that it believes marriage is established by God as the lifelong union of one man and one woman.
“We affirm marriage as sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union for life, as delineated in Scripture, and provides the sole context for sexual intimacy, helping to ensure the blessings of that relationship as God intended,” the seminary said.
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Asbury had been approved by the United Methodist Church to educate candidates for ordained ministry since 1981. While the relationship continued for more than 40 years, the seminary emphasized that its removal from the approved list was not a mutual decision.
“The removal of our name from the list reflects a determination made by the UMC rather than a shared resolution,” the statement said.
School officials also stressed that they fully participated in the review process leading up to the decision.
“We engaged fully and faithfully in the process and honored every request from the Senate in a timely manner. We were forthcoming with the requested documents and information,” the seminary said.
According to Asbury, it made no attempt to conceal where its theological positions differed from those adopted by the denomination.
“Throughout the process, we were honest and clear about our doctrinal and ethical standards, even when those differed from the recently amended Social Principles of the UMC.”
The seminary said the final outcome rested solely with the denomination.
“Their final decision to delist us was unilateral. While we had hoped for a different outcome, our focus remains steadfast on our unchanging calling.”
The United Methodist Church’s official website explains that delegates at the 2024 General Conference approved “a series of affirmations and agreements about how all persons will be treated with respect to their sexuality or gender identity.”
The denomination now describes sexuality as “a sacred gift” and states that sexual intimacy contributes to the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being of individuals, a principle it says applies “to all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Although Asbury will no longer appear on the denomination’s list of approved schools for future ordination candidates, the transition includes provisions for current students. According to the seminary, United Methodist students beginning their studies in the fall of 2026 will be grandfathered into the existing ordination process.
Asbury also noted that approximately 9 percent of its current student body is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, meaning the vast majority of its students come from other Christian traditions.
The seminary concluded its announcement by emphasizing that its mission remains unchanged despite the denominational split.
“Our theological commitments, including our commitment to Scripture, remain unchanged,” the statement said.
“As an independent, multi-denominational seminary in the Wesleyan tradition, we have remained steadfast for more than a century in teaching the unchanging truth of orthodox Christianity. Our mission and values are the same today as they have been for more than a century.”
