In this compelling episode of Deformed Theology, we sit down with Pastor Shannon Greene of the First United Methodist Church for one of our most honest and wide-ranging conversations yet. Together we explore the foundations of Methodist theology, women in ministry, biblical interpretation, discipleship, and—most importantly—the modern church’s most intense point of tension: how Christians should approach homosexuality, LGBTQ inclusion, and same-sex relationships within the body of Christ.
This is not a debate. It’s not culture-war rhetoric. It’s a grace-filled, Scripture-centered dialogue between believers who differ yet remain committed to unity in Christ and the authority of God’s Word.
We begin with Pastor Shannon’s story—her calling at age 12, her theological training, and her journey from the Church of the Nazarene to the United Methodist Church. Together we explore what it means to interpret Scripture through prima scriptura, the Wesleyan quadrilateral, and the narrative arc of the Bible. We discuss complementarian vs. egalitarian frameworks, the appointment system in the UMC, and how the Methodist tradition approaches questions of authority, tradition, and sanctification.
But the heart of the conversation centers on one of today’s most contested topics: Christian teaching on homosexuality.
We dive deep into how different Christian traditions interpret passages from Leviticus, Romans 1, and 1 Corinthians 6—especially the Greek terms often translated as “homosexuality.” Pastor Shannon explains why many Methodists believe Paul was condemning exploitative practices like pederasty or slave abuse, not committed same-sex relationships. Others at the table affirm a historic Christian view: that Scripture presents same-sex behavior as part of a broader list of sinful lifestyles that followers of Christ are called to turn away from.
This isn’t a shallow exchange. We wrestle with:
Whether “orientation” existed as a category in the ancient world
The difference between temptation vs. practice, identity vs. desire
How Romans 1 frames spiritual decline and cultural rebellion
How LGBTQ Christians experience faith, prayer, and discipleship
The tension between accountability, holiness, and radical welcome
How churches can lovingly disciple all believers, including sexual minorities

Both perspectives are expressed with clarity, conviction, and compassion—without caricatures or hostility.
We also examine the 2024 United Methodist General Conference, which opened the door for UMC churches to perform same-sex weddings and ordain openly LGBTQ clergy. Shannon clarifies what many misunderstand: this decision is a “may,” not a “must.” Individual congregations may choose to affirm or decline based on their conscience, Scripture, and community context. We discuss the resulting denominational split and how the UMC continues to pursue unity in the midst of differing convictions.
Beyond these cultural flashpoints, we return to the core of Christian life: discipleship, sanctification, and becoming more like Christ. We explore how grace empowers believers to grow, how the Spirit convicts—not condemns—and what it truly means to be “perfected in love” in the Wesleyan tradition.
If you’ve ever asked:
Can women be pastors biblically?
How should Christians interpret the Bible’s passages on homosexuality?
What did the UMC actually vote on in 2024?
How do we balance grace, truth, holiness, and welcome?
How can Christians disagree without dividing?

…this episode is for you.
Join us as we model what honest Christian dialogue should look like: strong convictions, open minds, soft hearts, and unwavering commitment to Christ.