KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — On Wednesday, faith leaders at the United Methodist General Conference voted without debate to get rid of a rule that forbids LGBTQ+ people from being members of the clergy.
The vote was 692-51, and it comes after several conservative members left the denomination and formed the Global Methodist Church. At the conference, delegates also voted to forbid district superintendents from penalizing clergy members for performing a same-sex wedding or refraining from performing one.
"We truly believe that all are welcome in the church, regardless of anything. That all should feel the love of Christ," said Rev. Catherine Nance. "People who feel a call to ministry still have to answer those questions about gifts of ministry. There are still educational requirements, but sexual orientation is not on the list as a 'yes or no.'"
While the United Methodist delegates have sharply debated whether to allow LGBTQ+ people into the clergy for decades, Wednesday's vote was almost uneventful. The vote was rolled into the conference's consent calendar — a package of non-controversial measures passed as a bundle to quicken the conference.
"This passed by a vote of the 90%, and it was a moment that people were just kind of stunned," said Tim Jones, Director of Communications for the Holsten Conference in East Tennessee=. "By removing the language that was currently in the Book of Discipline, it just gives more autonomy to churches."
Leaders also said while strengthening churches' independence, the decision also sends a message of support to the LGBTQ+ support.
"Now our denomination can say, 'We fully welcome you,'" said Nance.
"It's not like a light switch has been flipped, and now everyone agrees. We know that there will still be people that disagree with the decision that was made," said Jones.
United Methodist leaders also said they hoped people would continue going to church after the decision.
"I would say if you disagree with the decision, please come to church Sunday. We welcome you. If you are overjoyed at this decision, please come to church Sunday. We will welcome you," said Nance.
The decision will go into effect as soon as the United Methodist General Conference ends this weekend. The Global Methodist Church is independent of the United Methodist Church and said it does not have any affiliation with the decision.
The Global Methodist Church said it has more than 4,500 churches worldwide. The United Methodist Church said it has more than 39,000 churches worldwide for a church membership of almost 10 million people.