Dear Friends,
Yesterday morning, delegates of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church approved a petition that deletes paragraph 304.3 of the 2016 Book of Discipline. This is the section added into our BOD in 1972 that calls homosexuality "incompatible with Christian teaching." The petition was approved by a vote of 692 to 51, with 93% of the body approving this and other items on the consent calendar.
A separate measure was also approved that forbids District Superintendents from penalizing clergy for either performing same-gender weddings or for refraining from performing one. The General Conference still has before it removing additional prohibitions related to marriage.
These actions at General Conference speak to who we are today as the United Methodist Church. As United Methodists, we recognize that all people are of sacred worth. And as a church, our focus is on unity and love. We are called to live in faith and hope, trusting in God's plan for our denomination and in our individual lives. Every congregation is different with a unique context, gifts, and needs. Connected by our faith, we are united in our shared commitment to serving Christ in the world.
While this now opens the door for the United Methodist Church to consider for ordination persons previously excluded from being in full connection, every pastor’s gifts and graces for their ministry is considered in every appointment and ministry context. Our cabinet goes to great lengths to match our clergy with churches and ministries that align with their experience and ministry gifts. We work with local church leadership to ensure they have clergy leaders who fit well within that church to guide their ministries to successfully meet the needs of their community.
These changes will allow for our table to truly be one that has space for all of God’s beloved community. The language in the book may have changed, but our congregations have always been here to offer the love of Christ to all persons. We treat people as Jesus himself would have treated them.
We are working to schedule meetings with each district to discuss the decisions made at General Conference. We will cover any actions needed by our Annual Conference, relevant timelines, and any implications for pastors and churches within the conference. Additional information on dates for those meetings will be available soon.
Peace be with you, and I look forward to seeing you next month at Annual Conference!
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey
Texas Annual Conference