On Wednesday, April 30 by a narrow margin, the General Conference rejected petition 80088 that stated, "The pastor(s) and the congregation are to faithfully receive all persons who are willing to affirm our vows of membership." Because the petition was rejected, Decision 1032 remains in force in The United Methodist Church. The Decision had affirmed a local pastor's right to deny a gay man membership in his congregation. Petition 80088 failed on the heels of the General Conference's retention of the clause, "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching."
During Thursday morning worship, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference preached the following sermon on the Christian mandate that all really means all. The sermon is also the theological backdrop of the Witness on the Plenary Floor that occurred several hours later.
Jesus Remember Me from Reconciling Ministries Network on Vimeo.
On Friday, May 2, the General Conference voted by a two-thirds majority to amend the constitution of the church to read as follows:
"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 shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, and upon Baptism, be admitted as baptized members. All persons upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith and relationship in Jesus Christ shall be eligible to become professing members in any local church in the connection."
This now must be ratified by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the aggregate number of voting annual members.
Reconciling Ministries Network mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ’s inclusive love.
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