Rationale AGAINST
There is concern that the proposed amendment could be used as a foundation by the Judicial Council to overturn
current UM Disciplinary positions related to homosexual practice.
The language of “all” is so broad and undefined that it could have unintended consequences while negating the
pastor’s or congregation’s ability to exercise appropriate discernment in matters of membership.
The proposed amendment may leave the decision about readiness for membership solely with the person
seeking membership in the church. This is inconsistent with the practice and tradition in Methodism in which
the pastor had a role to play in determining readiness for membership. There is concern that the proposed
amendment would invalidate the ability of a church to require prospective members to participate in
membership classes, orientations, or other programs intended to increase prospective members’ understanding
of and commitment to the vows of membership and the life of the local church.
There is concern that passage of the proposed amendment could provide a constitutional foundation for
the Judicial Council to reinterpret their decision 1032. Decision 1032 supported a Virginia pastor’s authority
to decide that a self-avowed practicing homosexual man was not ready to take the vows of membership.
The rationale of that decision includes this statement: “The appointed pastor in charge has the duty and
responsibility to exercise responsible pastoral judgment in determining who may be received into the
membership of a local church.” The concern with the amendment is that the Judicial Council could interpret it as
reducing a pastor’s authority to make a decision regarding an applicant’s readiness for membership
Subject III: Expanding Right to Vote on Clergy Delegates to General and
Jurisdictional Conference – Amendment XIX
Constitution paragraph 35
This Amendment would expand the ability to vote for General and Jurisdictional Conference delegates to “…
associate members, and those provisional members who have completed all of their educational requirements and
local pastors who have completed the Course of Study or an M. Div. degree and have served a minimum of two
consecutive years under appointment immediately preceding the election.” The General Conference approved this
proposed amendment by a vote of 84% in favor (696 for, 135 against).
Rationale FOR
This amendment offers equality to associate members, local pastors and provisional members who serve faithfully
as pastors in our local congregations – many of whom serve smaller membership churches that are located in both
urban and town and country settings and who serve marginalized populations.
The amendment enables these persons to have their voices and perspectives heard through the elected
delegates at General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
Voting rights would be linked with conference membership not ordination which would parallel language in ¶36
concerning laity.
Two years under appointment allows the pastor to gain an appreciation of the Annual Conference as a clergy
member within the United Methodist Church.
This proposed amendment would not affect:
Voting on matters of ordination, character, and conference relations,
Clergy delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference must be full members,
2009 Missouri Annual Conference C-27
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