Building a Community for Christ

On May 1, 2024, General Conference delegates from around the world voted to adopt 22 pieces of legislation via Consent Calendar A05 with 93% in favor (692-51). The petition for “Building a Fully Inclusive Church” was among the legislation that was passed. This petition lifted the UMC’s 40-year ban on ordaining “self-avowed practicing homosexuals.”
Also, with the adoption of Consent Calendar A05, superintendents will no longer penalize or refrain clergy or churches from holding same-gender weddings.

While the core of our doctrine – what makes us United Methodists – will remain the same, The Book of Discipline will be updated to reflect the changes in legislation voted on during General Conference including elimination of the language that prevents LGBTQ+ clergy from being ordained and elimination of the language that prohibits UMC clergy from performing same-gender weddings.

The bishop, in consultation with the Cabinet, will continue to work with churches and clergy to ensure we have the best match possible when making appointments. Part of this work includes review of clergy and church profiles and working with District Superintendents to determine fruitful appointments. Our goal is to have vital, thriving churches throughout The Florida Conference committed to mission in your local contexts and fully equipped to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

No, clergy will not be required nor prohibited from performing same gender weddings. Pastors have always decided who they will marry in The United Methodist Church, and this will not change.

Your church will decide what weddings are held on church property. Clergy should be in a consultive process with church leaders if hosting a same-gender wedding could bring division within the congregation. 

We acknowledge that our views differ regarding same-gender marriage and the ordination of openly gay persons.
We believe that unity in the body of Christ, along with agreements on our essential beliefs in the Articles of Faith and Confession of Faith, we can disagree on these matters without further division. We believe that our shared love of Christ and each other enables us to remain in community even when our practices vary regarding same-gender marriage and the acceptance of openly gay clergy. All persons in our various contexts are to be respected and cared for in The Florida Conference.

On May 2, 2024, the General Conference delegates voted to remove language in the UMC’s Social Principles which states that “the practice of homosexuality…is incompatible with Christian teaching.” Delegates also affirmed “marriage as a scared, lifelong covenant that brings two people of faith (adult man and adult woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into a union of one another and into deeper relationship with God and
the religious community.”

This vote removes what has been called the “incompatibility language” in our Social Principles, allowing for more inclusion. It is important to note that the Social Principles are not considered church law but instead provide a shared expression of the United Methodist social witness. The new Revised Social Principles will go into effect on January 1, 2025.