FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
General Conference 2020, held in 2024, of The United Methodist Church Concludes with Steps Towards Unity and Inclusivity
Lubbock, Texas, May 6, 2024- The General Conference, 2020 of The United Methodist Church (UMC), marked a significant milestone in the journey towards unity, inclusivity, and the advancement of the Church’s mission. Held April 23 – May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the conference convened lay and clergy delegates from around the world, representing diverse perspectives and backgrounds, to engage in critical discussions and decision-making processes.
With a deep commitment to fostering unity amidst diversity, the General Conference engaged in constructive dialogue on the Church's pressing issues. Amidst these discussions, delegates adopted several resolutions and initiatives aimed at promoting unity, inclusivity and the shared values of love, compassion and justice.
Key highlights include:
1) Regionalization: The delegates to General Conference voted overwhelmingly to approve regionalization, taking steps toward a more equitable United Methodist Church that respects the value and diversity of all members of our worldwide denomination. The petition would rename the church’s current central conferences as regional conferences and create a United States Regional Conference, giving all regions agency and self-determination within the connectional system. Because the petition amends the denomination’s constitution, it required a two-thirds majority vote of the General Conference to pass, achieved this morning. Ratification will require approval by two-thirds of the aggregate votes from the annual conferences, which will come over the next 12 to 18 months.
2) Same-gender Marriage and Ordination of LGBTQ+ Clergy: The General Conference voted in favor of removing the restrictive language in the Book of Discipline that prohibits United Methodist clergy from performing weddings for same-gender couples and prohibits LGBTQ+ partnered individuals from licensing, commissioning and ordination. The vote was alongside 22 other pieces of legislation on the consent calendar and passed with 93%. Removing this language returns The United Methodist Church to a pre-1972 Book of Discipline stance on human sexuality. Read more from UMNEWS.
3) Revised Social Principles: By a vote of 523 to 161 after about an hour and a half of debate, General Conference delegates eliminated the 52-year-old assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” In the same vote, delegates affirmed “marriage as a sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith (adult man and adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into a union of one another and into a deeper relationship with God and the religious community.” With the vote, delegates have adopted the entire slate of revised Social Principles submitted by the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, the denomination’s social witness agency. The Social Principles represent the denomination’s public stance on issues of the day and are not church law.
4) Global Collaboration and Solidarity: The General Conference reaffirmed The UMC’s commitment to global collaboration and solidarity, recognizing the rich diversity of voices and perspectives within the global denomination. Delegates emphasized the importance of fostering mutual respect, understanding and cooperation among members worldwide to address shared challenges and advance the Church’s mission on a global scale. There was a consensus of agreeing to disagree but staying united was a priority.
5) Continued Discernment and Dialogue: Recognizing the complexities of the issues facing the Church, delegates emphasized the importance of continued discernment, dialogue, and prayerful reflection in navigating the path forward. By fostering an environment of open communication, mutual respect and spiritual discernment, the General Conference reaffirmed its commitment to seeking God’s guidance in shaping the future of The UMC.
As the General Conference 2020, held in 2024, concludes, The United Methodist Church enters a new era of hope, unity, and transformation. Guided by the values of love, compassion, and justice, the Church remains steadfast in its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, embracing all who seek to join in this sacred journey.
For more information on the outcomes of the General Conference 2024 and The United Methodist Church, please visit www.umc.org.
Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church
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