As We Move Forward
Whereas the resolution “Supporting Full Inclusion of LGBTQIA+ Persons and Rejecting the Traditional Plan” was passed on June 14, 2019, by the 2019 Session of the North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (the last such meeting of this body in an in-person format); and
Whereas the above named and adopted resolution speaks to the removal of discriminatory language from the Book of Discipline which explicitly focuses on LGBTQIA+ persons; and
Whereas in light of the postponement of the 2020 General Conference many Annual Conferences have adopted non-discriminatory resolutions (some as early as 2016) that are guiding their Annual Conferences, which include the Desert Southwest, the New England, Cal-Pac, and Oregon-Idaho Annual Conferences; and
Whereas we recognize that while there is a deep theological divide among the people called United Methodists, we remain convinced that a total and full inclusion of all persons, in every aspect of ministry, regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation is a clear reflection of the intention of the Kingdom of God; and
Whereas we firmly seek to abide and adhere to John Wesley’s General Rules of doing no harm, doing good and loving God. We recognize that in Luke 10:27, Jesus teaches us to love God and to love our neighbor, even if that neighbor is ‘different’, simply because we are all children of God; and
Whereas it is the position of this conference stated many times over that our church is better together, as a “United” Methodist Church, working to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Be it therefore resolved that the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church continue to open the doors of inclusion of all God’s children, including LGBTQIA+ persons.
And be it further resolved that we encourage unity in a totally inclusive United Methodist connection, as it is central to our Wesleyan heritage that the table of the Lord is and should be open to all, and as the Lord’s table is open so too should be the Lord’s houses of worship and ministries,
And be it further resolved that we, as the body of Christ, be a welcoming community of disciples so that we may reflect the fullness of the Kingdom of God, inclusive of all regardless of ideologies, race, gender, sexual orientation, and identity, including the intellectually and physically challenged so that we all may work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Methodist Federation for Social Action, North Carolina Conference chapter
Henry Jarrett, Brian Wingo, and Lee Rodio