AC votes on four constitutional amendments
The Rev. Claire van Den Berg and other delegates vote Tuesday on amendments to the UMC constitution. Photo by Matt Brodie.
By Jessica Brodie
GREENVILLE—South Carolina United Methodists joined conferences around the world in voting on four amendments to the denomination’s constitution:
Worldwide regionalization;
Expanding gender and disability inclusion in church membership;
Standing against racism and colonialism; and
Clarifying requirements for clergy-delegate elections.
The amendments were all passed by the required two-thirds vote at the 2024 General Conference. But because they will change The United Methodist Church constitution, they require ratification by at least two-thirds of the total voting members of all the annual conferences combined.
To clarify, that does not mean a two-thirds vote at each annual conference is needed but rather two-thirds of all 127 annual conferences around the world.
The results won’t be known until after all annual conferences—in the United States as well as in Europe, Africa and the Philippines—have held a vote. Votes are expected to be finished by October. Then, in November, the Council of Bishops is expected to tally all votes and certify any ratifications.
The language of the amendments could not be changed; votes were simple “yes” or “no” choices on four ballots.
What are the amendments?
The worldwide regionalization amendment is a package of legislation that will give the different geographic regions in the UMC equal decision-making authority. The United States and every central conference (in Africa, Europe and the Philippines) will become regional conferences, for a total of nine regional conferences around the world. The United States will be one of the nine). Each regional conference will have the ability to adapt the Discipline as missional needs and different legal contexts require. Previously, only central conferences could do this, but now the United States will be able to do so, too. This means each regional conference, if it wishes, will be able to publish its own hymnal, Book of Worship and regional Book of Discipline; set ordination and licensed ministry requirements for pastors; set standards for lay membership; develop practices around marriage ceremonies, funerals and other rites; etc. This will not enable regional conferences to create their own constitution or adopt any policy in violation of the constitution.
The inclusiveness in church membership amendment adds “gender” and “ability” to the list of things that do not block people from membership in a UMC. The language in Para. 4, Article IV, would state: “All persons, without regard to race, gender, ability, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.” Essentially, this means pastors will not be allowed to deny a person membership if a person is male or female or has a disability.
The stand against racism and colonialism amendment strengthens the denomination’s racial justice stance. The new language in Para. 5, Article V, would state that the UMC “proclaims that from God’s goodness and love, God created all persons as God’s unique and beloved children. Racism opposes God’s law, goodness and love and diminishes the image of God in each person. Fueled by white privilege, white supremacy and colonialism, the sin of racism has been a destructive scourge on global society and throughout the history of The United Methodist Church. It continues to destroy our communities, harm persons, obstruct unity and undermine God’s work in this world. Racism must be eradicated. Therefore, The United Methodist Church commits to confronting and eliminating all forms of racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege and white supremacy, in every facet of its life and in society at large.”
And the clergy-delegate voting amendment clarifies the educational requirements licensed local pastors must have in order to elect clergy as delegates for general and jurisdictional conferences. Specifically, local pastors must have completed their course of study or a Master of Divinity from a University Senate-approved theological school or its equivalent as recognized in a central conference and have served a minimum of two consecutive years under appointment immediately preceding the election.