This November 2025, the Office of the Bishops of the United Methodist Church (UMC) announced that the four constitutional amendments passed at the 2024 General Conference have now been ratified by the Annual Conferences around the world.
This moment is more than a procedural step. It represents the voice of a global body discerning together. While the General Conference approved these amendments, they could not take effect until the majority of the Annual Conferences worldwide affirmed them. It was not the decision of a few bishops or a handful of delegates, but the collective voice of clergy and laity from every region of our connection.
In other words, the church has spoken, prayerfully, deliberately, and together.
How the process works
In every Annual Conference, delegates represent both clergy and laity. The clergy delegates can be Ordained Elders, Ordained Deacons, Licensed Local Pastors, Associated or Provisional Members of the Annual Conference, and other appointed Pastors. However, by the Book of Discipline, the Ordained Clergy are the only clergy authorized to vote on Constitutional Amendments. Local pastors, provisional members, or associate clergy do not vote in this process.
Lay delegates, on the other hand, are selected to represent the people of the local church with their votes, often through the Lay Leader structure, ensuring that each clergy vote is balanced by a lay voice.
For a Constitutional Amendment to take effect, at least two thirds (2/3) of the total votes cast across all Annual Conferences must approve it. In this case, the four amendments were ratified by more than 90 percent of the voting conferences, an overwhelming affirmation by the Global Church. Because these amendments modify the Constitution of the United Methodist Church (Paragraphs 1 – 61 in the Book of Discipline), no Bishop, Jurisdiction, or individual Conference could enact them alone. The entire body had to speak, and it did.
The four amendments explained
1. Regionalization | This amendment recognizes the diversity of the worldwide church by establishing Regional Conferences with equal status and authority to adapt parts of the Book of Discipline according to local needs.
Meaning: It allows each region, such as the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, to make contextual decisions for ministry while remaining united in one global connection.
2. Inclusiveness of the Church (adding “gender” and “ability”) | This amendment adds “gender” and “ability” to the list of categories that cannot be used to exclude anyone from membership in the church.
Meaning: It affirms that all people, regardless of gender identity or physical or mental ability, are fully welcome to participate in the life and ministries of the church.
3. Racial Justice | This amendment strengthens the Constitution’s language by explicitly naming the church’s responsibility to oppose racism, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy.
Meaning: The UMC declares that the struggle against racism is not optional but essential to our witness of Jesus Christ and our calling to love mercy and seek justice.
4. Educational Requirements for Clergy (Voting Eligibility) | This amendment clarifies that clergy eligible to vote for clergy delegates to the General Conference must hold a Master of Divinity or equivalent degree from an approved seminary recognized by the University Senate or its regional equivalent.
Meaning: It ensures consistency and fairness in educational standards across the connection, affirming that those who help shape the church’s future share common preparation and formation.
Why it matters
These amendments now take immediate effect because the collective voice of the Annual Conferences confirmed them. This is a living witness to how we, as Methodists, make decisions through conversation, prayer, and the discernment of the Body of Christ.
The Church has moved forward, not by decree, but by shared conviction. We can see this moment as one more sign of a Church that seeks to be faithful, inclusive, and connected.
Let us remember that these changes provide a structure, but it is in our daily discipleship, our local witness, and our acts of justice and compassion where their true meaning will come alive.
Other major decisions from the 2024 General Conference
In addition to these constitutional amendments, the 2024 General Conference, often called Historic for its scope and spirit, approved several important changes that did not require ratification by the Annual Conferences because they are not Constitutional in nature. Among the most significant were:
The removal of restrictions on LGBTQ+ clergy and weddings | The Conference voted to eliminate the long-standing prohibitions that barred “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from ordination and that forbade clergy from performing same-sex weddings. This change affirms that clergy and congregations may now minister freely and faithfully according to their conscience, without penalty.
The adoption of new commitments to Creation Justice | Delegates encouraged every local church to form Green Teams focused on worship, education, and advocacy for the care of God’s creation. The church affirmed its mission to stand with communities historically affected by environmental harm and to lead in sustainability efforts.
A renewed call to discipleship and global mission | The Conference re-centered the mission of the UMC around grace, justice, and evangelism. It called the church to continue rebuilding trust, strengthening relationships between regions, and reimagining what it means to be a connectional, global body of Christ.
Moving forward together
This is a time to think more and pray more. It is also a time to listen carefully to what God may be asking of us next. These decisions remind us that the Church’s strength does not come from uniformity but from unity in diversity.
Let us move forward with humility, gratitude, and hope, trusting that the same God who has guided the UMC thus far will continue to lead us into the future.
Warmly,
Rev. David A Gaitan
