Controversy
Largely through the actions of its long-time Pastor Cecil Williams, Glide has become known for its often-controversial views on issues such as same sex marriage. Since Williams became Pastor in 1963, Glide has been called the best-known pulpit in Northern California. Some of Williams’ controversial actions have included:
- Performing Same-Sex Marriages very early on, even though the United Methodist Church was far from sanctioning them. The United Methodist Church, the Protestant denomination of Christianity with which Glide is affiliated, currently does not allow its Ministers to perform Same-Sex Marriages.
- Removing the Cross inside the Sanctuary at Glide.
- Helping form the Council on Religion and Homosexuality in 1964
- Accepting City subsidies for Glide’s charitable work. Seen by some critics as a violation of the separation of Church and State, Glide first started getting city subsidies for its meals program in 1981. The individual contributions that flow into Glide on Sundays account for a relatively small portion of the budget—less than $640,000 of the foundation's $8.5 million in revenue during 2002, the most recent year for which a financial audit was available.
Glide also obtains funding from other various fundraising activities such as their Annual Holiday Festival.
Read more about this topic: Glide Memorial Church
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