CHARLOTTE— Today is a momentous day for The United Methodist Church at General Conference in Charlotte. The United Methodist Church’s restrictive language concerning the LGBTQIA+ community ended today. The vote was alongside 22 other pieces of legislation on the consent calendar and passed with 93%. This includes legislation that permits pastors and local congregations to minister in their local settings with more self-determination. In addition, district superintendents will neither penalize clergy for performing same-sex weddings nor penalize clergy who choose to refrain from performing them.
“It gives freedom for local churches and pastors to use ministry tools that fit their context,” said Bishop Robert Schnase, who was a member of the Commission on a Way Forward. “It gives local churches the freedom to allow same-sex wedding services on their property or not.”
Today’s vote at General Conference removes what many consider to be harmful language concerning the LGBTQIA+ community and may continue to reverse other longtime restrictions against LGBTQIA+ members of The United Methodist Church.
The United Methodist Church moves forward with similar language originally considered in the One Church Plan (2019) from the Commission on a Way Forward. In a video released on May 1, 2024, Bishop Schnase offers words of hope for the future of the church.