PITTSBURGH--A resolution to amend the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline concerning disagreements over homosexuality was defeated 56 to 44 in a vote during the denomination's General Conference.

Agape Press reported that a committee of the UMC's Board of Church and Society put forth the resolution that would have amended the church's Book of Discipline to include the statement, "We recognize that Christians disagree on the compatibility of homosexual practice with Christian teaching."

Reportedly large groups of pro-homosexual activists demonstrated outside as the church voted. The UMC Conference also changed the wording of the social principles to clarify their stance. The revised principle now states: "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching."

Conservative Bill Hinson, president of the Confessing Movement within the UMC, and the former pastor of First Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, told Agape Press that conservatives can breathe a sigh of relief for now, but he acknowledged with regret that the issue is not settled.

"We come unfortunately time after time to talk about this issue," Hinson says, "because it's kept always front and center by persons who defy the covenant, who disregard the church law, and push and push and push, so that the mission of Jesus Christ and the world suffers tremendously because of our attention and energy being focused on a problem that really should not be a consideration for a Bible-believing Christian.

"With a due emphasis on holiness, this kind of thing is not an issue," Hinson says, "but unfortunately we have been caught up by those who believe that culture sets the standard and who want to get in step with our culture, whereas we think those standards have already been set in God's word."

In reiterating the statement against homosexual behavior the UMC's acquittal of Karen Dammann, an openly homosexual pastor, appears contradictory.

According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, many delegates sought clarification of the church's position during the annual convention in light of the difficulty a church court faced several weeks ago in convicting Dammann.

The conference voted 674-262 to put stronger emphasis on its ban on ordaining "self-avowed practicing homosexuals."

"I've never doubted the church's position, but obviously some folks felt we were not clear," Kentucky delegate Maxie Dunnam, president of Asbury Theological Seminary and a leader in efforts to strengthen the ban, told the Courier-Journal.

He was referring to the Dammann case and the fact that the jury said it could find no "declarative statements" in church law that barred the ordination of homosexuals.

Dunnam said in an interview that Dammann herself probably doesn't face a new trial but that Dammann's bishop would be subject to disciplinary proceedings if he appointed her to a new post. Dammann is currently on family leave.