A century-old evangelical seminary says it is standing firm on biblical convictions after being removed from the United Methodist Church’s list of approved schools for ordination candidates.

Asbury Theological Seminary announced Thursday that the University Senate of the United Methodist Church voted to delist the Kentucky institution from its approved schools of theology following disagreements over the denomination’s revised 2024 Social Principles on human sexuality and marriage.

In a press release from the seminary, President Dr. David F. Watson said that Asbury respected the Senate’s authority but maintained that the outcome “reflects a determination made by the UMC rather than a shared resolution.”

Watson said the seminary fully participated in the review process, submitting all requested documents and remaining transparent about its doctrinal convictions even when those beliefs differed from the denomination’s updated standards.

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“We engaged fully and faithfully in the process and honored every request from the Senate in a timely manner,” Watson said. “We were forthcoming with the requested documents and information. 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.”

While expressing disappointment with the outcome, Watson noted that “their final decision to delist us was unilateral” and said the seminary’s mission remains unchanged.

At the heart of the disagreement, Watson pointed directly to the theological divide between the two institutions. He stated:

“The Senate’s requirements, particularly those related to the UMC’s 2024 Social Principles concerning ‘Human Sexuality’ and ‘Marriage,’ are not aligned with Asbury Theological Seminary’s institutional ethos and the historic witness of the Christian faith. 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.”

Watson added that Asbury remains fully committed to the principles of Scripture.

According to the release, more than 4,000 living Asbury alumni affiliated with the United Methodist Church have served churches worldwide. Watson said the seminary remains grateful for its United Methodist students, alumni and faculty, and prays that God would continue to bless them.

Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R) signed a bill earlier this month recognizing June as “Nuclear Family Month.”

The bill, introduced in 2025, was signed on April 9. While it originally aimed to designate June 2025 as “Nuclear Family Month,” an amendment to the bill updates the legislation to recognize June 2026 as such.

According to the legislation, the nuclear family, “consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children, is God’s design for familial structure and has been the bedrock of society since the creation of the world” was the “basic building block of Tennessee’s society throughout her formative years” and “built the United States of America and created prosperity within our nation.”

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The legislation further declares that Tennessee does not align with the “humanistic, globalist ideologies of the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and like-minded organizations that fight for population control through the means of promoting sterilization and abortion practices,” but instead values “God’s perfect design for humanity.” It continues to state that the nuclear family is “under attack in our beloved State and nation, and it is our responsibility to uplift, protect, and support values that help Tennessee prosper.”

Lee backed a similar effort in 2024, when he issued a proclamation calling for 31 days of prayer and fasting. The resolution recognized that God is the Creator and has the “authority to judge and bless” the state and country. “[W]e, as public servants in the Tennessee General Assembly, seek God’s Mercy upon our land and beseech Him to not withdraw His Hand of blessing from us,” the resolution added.

This article originally appeared on American Faith and is reposted with permission.