Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, has been removed from the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) list of approved institutions for ordination candidates. The decision, made by the UMC’s University Senate, stems from a clash over marriage and sexuality: Asbury maintains the traditional biblical view of marriage as a lifelong union between one man and one woman, which conflicts with the UMC’s recently revised Social Principles affirming same-sex marriage.
In a statement, Asbury President Dr. David F. Watson acknowledged the Senate’s authority but described the delisting as a unilateral decision by the UMC. He reaffirmed that Asbury’s doctrinal and ethical standards remain unchanged and rooted in historic Christian teaching. Despite the split, Asbury expressed continued love and respect for its United Methodist students, alumni, and faculty. The seminary, which serves students from over 75 denominations and is also approved by the Global Methodist Church, has deep historical ties to the Wesleyan tradition dating back to 1946.
Asbury Theological Seminary Removed from United Methodist Church’s Approved List
Wilmore, Kentucky — Asbury Theological Seminary has been delisted by the United Methodist Church (UMC) as an approved institution for candidates seeking ordination in the denomination.
The removal, decided by the UMC’s University Senate, centers on differing theological positions regarding marriage. Asbury upholds the traditional Christian understanding of marriage as the lifelong, exclusive union of one man and one woman, a stance that conflicts with the UMC’s updated Social Principles, which now affirm same-sex marriage.
Asbury has strong historical roots in the Wesleyan tradition shared with the UMC. It first received approval as a learning institution for The Methodist Church (a predecessor body) in 1946 and gained full UMC approval in 1981.
Asbury’s Response
Dr. David F. Watson, President of Asbury Theological Seminary, issued a statement acknowledging the Senate’s governing role while noting that the decision was unilateral rather than mutually agreed upon.
“We engaged fully and faithfully in the process,” Watson said. “However, this outcome reflects a determination made by the UMC rather than a shared resolution.”
Watson emphasized that Asbury was transparent about its doctrinal commitments, which differ from the UMC’s 2024 revisions on human sexuality and marriage.
“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,” he stated. “Our theological commitments, including our commitment to Scripture, remain unchanged.”
Watson added that Asbury’s mission and values have stayed consistent for more than a century. He expressed gratitude for the many United Methodist students, alumni, and faculty who have enriched the seminary’s community and offered prayers for their continued ministry.
Broader Context
The decision reflects the ongoing division within the UMC over LGBTQ+ inclusion. In 2022, the more traditional Global Methodist Church (GMC) was launched, and by 2023, approximately 7,600 congregations had disaffiliated from the UMC.
Although deeply connected to Wesleyan heritage, Asbury Theological Seminary serves students from more than 75 denominations and is an approved seminary for the Global Methodist Church.
Note: Asbury Theological Seminary and Asbury University are separate institutions but share a close historic relationship. The seminary was founded in 1923 by Henry Clay Morrison, then president of Asbury College (now University), which hosted a widely publicized multi-week worship revival in February 2023.
