Constitutional Petition on Inclusiveness Passes

Inclusiveness (81157-GA-¶4-C) Amend Paragraph 4, Article IV of the Constitution as follows:

Inclusiveness of the Church —  The United Methodist Church is a part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ.  The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth and that we are in ministry to all.  All persons without regard to race, color, national origin, status or economic condition  who seek relationship in Jesus Christ 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.  In the United Methodist Church no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body  of the Church because of race, color, national origin, status or economic condition .

Note:
All constitutional amendments approved by a two-thirds vote of General Conference must be ratified by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the aggregate number of voting annual members.

Full story:
Calender Item 175

Comments

[Antony Hebblethwaite]

It needs to be ratified by two-thirds of annual conferences worldwide. This is an exceptionally high bar. Forgive me for my lack of optimism at this point.

[Matt Kuzma]

This is HUGE. This is a much bigger victory than people realize.