This article summarizes three of the four proposed UMC constitutional amendments that eligible voting members will vote to ratify at the 2025 Michigan Annual Conference.
JAMES DEATON
Content Editor
At the 2020/2024 General Conference, delegates, including the eight from the Michigan Conference, voted in favor of four amendments to the core governing document of The United Methodist Church. Each annual conference must now ratify these proposed changes.
Eligible lay members and full-member clergy of the Michigan Conference will cast a yes or no vote for the four ballots. Each person’s vote will be recorded and then forwarded for inclusion in the aggregate vote, a final tally that will not be revealed until the Council of Bishops meets in early November 2025, after more than 120 annual conferences in Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and the United States have voted. To be ratified, amendments must be affirmed by two-thirds of all the eligible members who have voted across all annual conferences.
To prepare for ratification, voters can visit this web page for more information about the amendments, which have been translated into several languages. Download this FAQ sheet about the ratification process and share it with those voting. Also, watch the following five-minute video report by Rev. Paul Perez and Laura Witkowski, co-chairs of our General Conference delegation, that provides an overview of the four ballots.
The four proposed amendments are in line with major decisions made at the 2020/2024 General Conference, which called for greater inclusion, reinforced the church’s commitment to anti-racism and building beloved community, and began restructuring the denomination to give equal decision-making authority to The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions.
In addition to Ballot #1, a package of amendments related to worldwide regionalization, there are three more ballots that will be voted on individually. Click to learn more about Ballot #1.
Ballot #2: Membership Qualifications for Church Membership
Adding the words “gender” and “ability” to Paragraph 4, Article IV, would prevent pastors from denying a person membership in a local United Methodist congregation because of their gender or if they have a disability. Delegates to the 2020/2024 General Conference affirmed this proposed amendment by a vote of 607 to 67.
This amendment, which failed by a narrow margin following the 2016 General Conference, is endorsed by a wide range of groups within The United Methodist Church. On May 7, 2025, a letter of support was published by leaders from several key groups, including the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) (download resources) and Disability Ministries Committee (download resources).
Jen Peters, lay delegate to General Conference from Flint: Court Street UMC, shares her thoughts on this proposed amendment and why each eligible voting member should vote yes.
Peters explains, “The proposed changes reflect what we already believe, that The United Methodist Church and Jesus’ message of love and hope are for everyone. Every time we celebrate communion, we note that the communion table is open to all who are seeking a relationship with Jesus and with each other. This isn’t predicated on their age, race, gender, social status, ability, or even membership in the church. So, you might ask why we need to add the terms ‘gender’ and ‘ability’ if we already practice that in a lot of ways. I think we still need to add this language to ensure that all means all, especially when who we include has previously been up for debate in some circles.”
She encourages voters to educate themselves and vote yes: “This is a great example of how every vote matters! This amendment was passed by the 2016 General Conference and failed to receive the two-thirds vote it needed from annual conferences around the world, but it was close! Read this helpful article to see the 2016 vote breakdown. We are hopeful that there is a better understanding this time, both of the amendment and of the process.”
Ballot #3: Racial Justice
Strengthening Paragraph 5, Article V explicitly recognizes the church’s role in combating racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy. General Conference delegates last year voted for the amendment by 621 to 59.
Many groups within The United Methodist Church are endorsing this constitutional amendment. The General Commission of Religion and Race (GCORR) has provided several downloadable resources (click to view), including a summary video by Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo, general secretary. In this video (click to watch), he explains how these changes will address The United Methodist Church’s past and carry the potential to shape the church’s future.
Laura Witkowski, lay delegate and co-chair of our General Conference delegation from Grand Rapids: Aldersgate UMC, speaks about the importance of all four amendments before voters, especially this ballot.
“The four proposed amendments are all different and all needed as societies around the world and The United Methodist Church continue to evolve,” says Witkowski. “They include carrying out a restructuring plan called ‘regionalization,’ expanding inclusiveness in church membership, strengthening our stance against racism and colonialism, and clarifying who can vote for clergy delegates to general conference. All are important in the life of the church and as we move forward as a denomination.”
She continues, “I understand it’s easy to feel disconnected from or indifferent to the wider church. Being connected in our surrounding communities is key in sharing Jesus’ love, and a key part of being United Methodist is through our worldwide connection. If you are feeling on the fence about supporting or even voting at all, know that the proposed amendments can significantly impact the church’s inclusivity and connection. Our current denominational structure is outdated and no longer helpful to us and our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world (Ballot #1). Aligning our membership characteristics with the message of God’s inclusive love helps us more fully live out the gospel (Ballot #2). Strengthening The United Methodist Church’s commitment to dismantling racism is a required action for those who follow Christ (Ballot #3). Clarity is always appropriate as it removes confusion when it is time to elect future delegations to general conference (Ballot #4).”
Ballot #4: Clergy Education and Voting Eligibility
This amendment makes changes to Paragraph 35, Article IV (2016 edition, Book of Discipline), regarding who can elect the clergy delegates serving at general conference and jurisdictional conferences, which elect bishops. The amendment clarifies the educational requirements for licensed local pastors to participate in clergy delegate elections. Delegates to the 2020/2024 General Conference supported this proposed amendment by a vote of 547 to 99.
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry endorses this proposed amendment. Click to read their endorsement and download supplemental materials.
Rev. Joy Barrett, clergy General Conference delegate from Chelsea: First UMC, encourages all eligible voters to vote yes to bring clarity to the ambiguity in the current language.
“The significance of the changes proposed to Paragraph 35, Article IV,” says Barrett, “is to bring an unambiguous definition to the educational requirements. The existing language lacks clarity and thus has created confusion for annual conferences and boards of ordained ministry. If a member is on the fence about this amendment, I would assure them that no substantive change is being proposed. Its sole purpose is to clarify the requirements, not to change the requirements. I encourage all conference members to vote yes.”
Reflecting on the 2020/2024 General Conference and these amendments that hope to increase the forward movement of that historic meeting, Barrett concludes, “I am feeling resurrection hope post-general conference. My sense is that we have chosen to refocus our denomination on our primary reason for being, to be people who, ‘with humility, become the hope, the love, the bridge builders, the hands and feet of Christ so desperately needed in our broken world’ (Kay Kotan). I am energized and encouraged with signs of new life and fresh possibilities that are emerging.”
Eligible lay and clergy members are encouraged to carefully review the text of the proposed amendments and supplemental resources on this web page. If there are unanswered questions about any of the amendments, they are welcome to contact the Michigan Conference’s delegation directly via this email address: Delegation@MichiganUMC.org.
Last Updated on May 14, 2025