On an 869 to 41 vote, the church's quadrennial General Conference — its highest law-making body — approved an impromptu unity resolution that pledged them "to remain in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement."

The vote came a day after a prominent conservative pastor and national president of an unofficial Methodist "renewal" group called for "a just and amicable" separation of the church because of "irreconcilable differences" over homosexuality. The Rev. William H. Hinson had said the only option after 30 years of debate was for liberals and conservatives to divide church property and go their separate ways even though the church earlier this week strengthened his stand against homosexuality.

Stunned by the suggestion, delegates responded yesterday with a resolution that said they wanted to "reaffirm our commitment to work together for our common mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ throughout the world."

Asked later if he thought his separation proposal had been repudiated, Hinson said he stood by his plan. "I don't think that gap can be bridged," he said of ideological differences within the 10.3 million member worldwide church. But he said he had been surprised by the reaction. "That was the most combustible thing I've ever said, the shot heard around the world," Hinson said.

The Rev. John Schol of Westchester, Pa., introduced the unity resolution. "There is a movement to continue to drive a wedge in our denomination," he said.

Moderates speak up

Just before the vote, a delegate from Tupelo, Miss., rose to support the unity measure. After 10 days of wrangling between conservatives and liberals, the Rev. Bill McAlilly said it was time to hear from "the Methodist middle."

"This group includes women, men, children, youth, lay and clergy," McAlilly said. "We teach Sunday school. We serve in food pantries, and (used) clothing (outlets). We build habitat houses," he said.

Too often, he said, moderates were silent. "Perhaps that is our sin," he said. "Perhaps we're gripped by fear — fear that if we speak we will be labeled as the opposition, fear that we are incapable of preventing our church from being pulled apart at the seams," he said. "If those of us in the middle can contain those on both sides of the equation we might be able to find the unity for which we seek."

His remarks were greeted with loud applause. Moments later, delegates joined hands and prayed before casting their votes. Some wept.

In a strategy reminiscent of efforts by conservative Episcopalians, who are also calling for realignment within their church, some Methodist conservatives said they would launch a grass-roots campaign to win support for what would amount to a split in the historic church.

Teams of "renewal" ministers — clergy and lay — would be dispatched throughout the country to meet with disaffected Methodists, according to the Rev. Scott N. Field, senior pastor of Wheatland Salem Church in Naperville, Ill. They hope to strengthen a network of conservative Methodists.

As early as next spring, a national conference could be held to bring together a coalition of conservatives, Hinson said. He said liberals would be invited to discuss the church's future.

Like their Episcopal counterparts, conservative Methodists continue to forge alliances with Christians in Africa and other nations where, generally speaking, homosexuality is a cultural taboo and where a traditional reading of biblical injunctions against same sex relations is the rule.

African influence

Methodist church officials said votes from African delegates assured solid majorities earlier this week for tightening church restrictions against ordaining "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals." The conference also voted to reaffirm that the church did not condone homosexual sexual behavior because it was "incompatible with Christian teaching."

Without the overseas Methodists, the votes for both measures might have been split down the middle, church officials said. As it was, both received more than 60 percent of the vote. About 200 of the nearly 1,000 delegates are from African and other nations.