Delegates at General Conference voted to remove The United Methodist Church’s ban on the ordination of clergy who are “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” — a prohibition that dates to 1984 during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Wednesday May 1, 2024. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

During a historic May 1 morning plenary session, one of the sources of heated, often painful, dispute at General Conference for the past 40 years was removed without debate: The denomination’s ban on ordaining “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” has been lifted.

Additional petitions were passed that overturned other longstanding rules prohibiting clergy from officiating same-sex weddings or churches from hosting them. Another vote ended the policy thousands of churches had used to leave the denomination, but created a pathway for churches wishing to return.

Throughout the day following the vote, United Methodists wearing rainbow colors signifying LGBTQ support could be seen taking selfies in front of the Charlotte Convention Center, where a giant banner hanging above the main doorway declares “The United Methodist Church Welcomes You!”

40-year ban on gay clergy struck down

The petition to remove the language — which dates back to 1984 — was passed via consent calendar alongside 22 other pieces of legislation by a vote of 692-51, with approval at 93%. 

Also on the consent calendar, delegates voted that superintendents are not to penalize clergy or churches for holding— or refraining from holding — same-sex weddings.

Another change approved exhorts the Council of Bishops to be inclusive of gender, race, ethnicity, age, people with disabilities, sexual orientation and economic condition in naming representatives to ecumenical organizations.

New clergy retirement plan approved

A new retirement plan for United Methodist clergy in the U.S. won approval overwhelmingly at General Conference, by a vote of 658-64. The plan is called Compass, and was conceived and championed by Wespath, the denomination’s pension and benefits agency. 

Bishop encourages delegates to inspire next 7 generations

Bishop David Wilson, who oversees the Great Plains Conference and is the denomination’s first Native American bishop, encouraged General Conference delegates to remember the people who inspired their faith in the past, while considering how decisions today can inspire United Methodists far into the future.

Preaching at morning worship, Wilson, who often shares how Indigenous cultures look far into the future as they consider decisions, closed with a story from the six tribes that make up the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in the northeastern United States. 

Read the full wrap-up

Dakotas connections at General Conference

Bishop Lanette Plambeck noted that delegates have voted to embrace inclusion in its many forms: Not only have our LGTBQ+ siblings been affirmed as persons of sacred worth, with restrictions on ordination and marriage removed, and youth were ensured representation on the Commission on General Conference, just to name a couple of examples. Read the full statement.

Dr. Dan Kittle, president, and Kitty Allen, vice president for development, Dakota Wesleyan University, were present at General Conference today. “It is amazing to look across the floor and see people from all over the world,” said President Kittle.

Today's schedule*
*EDT—Eastern Daylight Time
View entire agenda here.  Watch the livestream.
8:00 – 9:30 A.M. – Worship
    Commissioning of Missionaries
9:30 – 10:00 A.M. – Plenary Session
     Monitoring Report
     Mission Bicentennial
     Administrative Committee Reports
     Consent Calendars
10:20 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. – Plenary Session
     Calendar Items & Conference Business
1:30 – 3:40 P.M. – Plenary Session
     Recognition of New Judicial Council Members and those members completing             their service
     Calendar Items & Conference Business
4:00 – 6:10 P.M. – Plenary Session
     Calendar Items & Conference Business

General Conference Resources:
Dakotas Conference articles
Dakotas Conference videos
Dakotas Conference wrap-up videos: April 23, April 24, April 25, April 26, April 29, April 30, May 1
United Methodist News Service photos
Livestream archive
United Methodist Communications wrap-up videos: April 23, April 24, April 25, April 26, April 27 & 28, April 29, April 30, May 1
General Conference website