Announcement about General Conference Decisions
Over the last two weeks, members of The United Methodist Church gathered in Charlotte, NC, for the postponed 2020 General Conference. While the General Conference made many important decisions, we want to lift up some specific changes that relate to the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people into the life of the Church.
This General Conference voted to:
- Lift an existing denominational funding ban on supporting LGBTQ+ ministries and affirming LGBTQ+ education.
- Strike down a 40-year ban on “self-avowed practicing homosexual” pastors.
- Remove penalties for clergy or congregations holding same-sex weddings.
- Initiate a moratorium on all judicial proceedings concerning human sexuality.
We give thanks for progress in the pursuit of justice and inclusion. May our connection grow in love, and may we seek new ways to be the body of Christ in a divided world. May this be a new day for those who’ve been harmed by our Church, and a new day for the kin-dom of God.
Links to the New Social Principles.
More Detailed Descriptions of the Changes on the West Ohio Website.