Once apostasy enters the sanctuary, it rarely stops at the door.
The latest example comes from within the United Methodist Church (UMC), where a recent email from the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) not only celebrates progressive theological shifts but also crosses a long-standing biblical boundary by referring to God as “she.”
In an email sent to supporters, RMN commemorated the one-year anniversary of the UMC’s General Conference vote to remove its ban on same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. “We wish we could say that this was an ending, a happily ever after for LGBTQ+ folks in our Church. To be clear: what we did together at General Conference was ground-breaking. And we did it because you showed up,” the email read.
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But the shift didn’t stop there.
As reported by The Christian Post, RMN went on to claim, “But God is not silent, and she speaks in part through our compassionate witness.”
The use of the female pronoun for God shocked many, as it departs not only from biblical language but from the foundations of the Christian faith that have referred to God using masculine pronouns, as Jesus Himself did.
RMN did not respond to inquiries from The Christian Post asking whether the usage was intentional or a recurring pattern. But critics say it reflects a broader theological trend with dangerous implications. Mark Tooley, president of the Institute on Religion & Democracy, responded bluntly: “Citing God as ‘she’ or ‘mother’ is more pagan than Jewish or Christian.”
Tooley added that while some progressive groups try to remain “creedally orthodox,” RMN “has always been heterodox and radical theologically.”
The group, which began in the 1980s, has grown to influence hundreds of churches under the banner of being “Reconciling Congregations.” But what many see as a call for inclusion has turned into an erosion of core biblical truths.
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And this is the crux of the issue. When churches begin redefining sin, they inevitably end up redefining God. What starts as a push for inclusion becomes a wholesale rewrite of doctrine, and before long, biblical fidelity is traded for cultural conformity.
This is not just about pronouns. It’s about reverence. It’s about truth. And it’s a reminder that when churches embrace apostasy in one area, a steeper and more slippery slope lies just ahead.
Do you think churches can reverse course once they’ve taken this path?
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.