Thousands of United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, N.C., for their big denominational meeting, known as General Conference.
This will be the first General Conference since more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations (see link below for local impact) left the United Methodist Church between 2019 and 2023 because the denomination essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and having “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” serving as clergy and bishops.
It’s possible. The delegates in Charlotte are expected to vote on whether to eliminate them. Similar efforts have failed in years past, but with the election of more progressive delegates and the departure of many conservatives, supporters of removing the bans are optimistic.