During the 2025 Annual Conference session, TWK voting members will consider four constitutional amendments adopted by the 2024 General Conference. These amendments focus on key areas of church life and governance, including regionalization, inclusive membership, racial justice, and clergy delegate elections.

The Constitution can be read beginning on page 25 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church 2020/2024. 

Each amendment must receive a two-thirds majority of votes from all United Methodist annual conferences worldwide to be ratified. Results will not be finalized until all 127 conferences—across Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and the U.S.—have voted. The Council of Bishops anticipates certifying the final results at its fall 2025 meeting.

You can explore each proposed amendment below, along with links to official information and resources.

  • Amendment 1: Worldwide Regionalization
  • Amendment 2: Inclusion in Membership
  • Amendment 3: Racial Justice
  • Amendment 4: Clergy Delegate Elections

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Transcript: Overview of Constitutional Amendments and Process

Amendment 1: Worldwide Regionalization

Worldwide Regionalization represents an organizational vision designed to enhance adaptive evangelism, emphasize our denomination's global nature, and strengthen our connection by prioritizing our mission and ministry. This strategic plan was overwhelmingly endorsed by delegates from around the world at General Conference 2024 and now awaits ratification by our Annual Conferences.

One of the most significant and widely discussed proposals is the regionalization amendment, a comprehensive set of changes designed to give all geographic areas of The United Methodist Church equal authority in decision-making.

If adopted, this amendment would establish the U.S., Africa, Europe, and the Philippines as regional conferences—each with the same ability to adapt portions of the 규율의 책 (the denomination’s guiding policy document) to better serve their unique mission fields.

Currently, only central conferences (those outside the U.S.) are constitutionally permitted to make such adaptations. This amendment would extend that same flexibility to the U.S. while also outlining clear parameters for what can be adapted.

Under regionalization, each regional conference would have the authority to:

  • Publish its own hymnal, book of worship, and regional Book of Discipline
  • Define ordination and licensing requirements for clergy
  • Establish standards for lay membership
  • Shape practices for marriage, funerals, and other rites in ways that align with Scripture and the laws of their country
  • Collaborate with annual conferences to ensure legal and contextual consistency

This amendment passed at the General Conference with strong support (586–164). All regionalization changes will appear on one single ballot.

Learn more:

Transcript: Ballot 1-Regionalization

 Amendment 2: Inclusion in Membership – Paragraph 4, Article IV

At the postponed 2020 General Conference, the legislative gathering voted to add the words "gender" and "ability" to Paragraph 4, Article IV of The United Methodist Church's Constitution. This amendment affirms that no one should be excluded from membership in the Church for any reason.

This historic vote now needs to be ratified by all annual conferences across the worldwide connection. To help United Methodists understand the impact of this amendment, GCSRW hosted a webinar titled, "Intersectionality & Equity: Shaping the Future of The UMC," highlighting the significance of inclusive language in the Church Constitution.

If adopted, this amendment would add “gender” and “ability” to the list of characteristics that do not bar people from membership in a United Methodist church. In short, this constitutional amendment means pastors may not deny a person church membership whether that person is male or female or has a disability.

Specifically, the amended Paragraph 4, Article IV in the constitution would say: “All persons, without regard to race, gender, ability, color, national origin, status, or economic condition, shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members, and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection.” 

The General Conference passed this amendment with a vote of 607–67.

Learn more:

Transcript: Ballot 2-Protecting Membership for All

 Amendment 3: Racial Justice – Article V

Article V of the Book of Discipline serves as a pivotal framework for the United Methodist Church's commitment to addressing and eliminating racism in all its forms. Recent proposed changes to Article V, at the postponed 2020/2024 General Conference session in April/May 2024, have strengthened this commitment by explicitly recognizing the church's role in combating racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy both within the denomination and in broader society. These changes reflect a critical shift in the church’s acknowledgment of and response to deeply entrenched racial injustice.

This proposed amendment offers a complete revision of Paragraph 5, Article V in The United Methodist Church Constitution, reinforcing the church’s enduring commitment to racial justice and the dismantling of systemic racism and colonialism.

What’s new in the proposed language:

  • Names white supremacy, colonialism, and racial injustice as evils the church must confront
  • Declares racism to be incompatible with Christian teaching
  • Commits the church to anti-racism in both word and action

This amendment passed by a vote of 621–59.

Learn More:

Transcript: Ballot 3-Racial Justice

Amendment 4: Clergy Delegate Elections – Paragraph 35

The postponed 2020 General Conference voted to amend Section VI, Article IV of the United Methodist Constitution. This paragraph outlines the educational requirements for clergy members of annual or provisional conferences who are eligible to vote for clergy delegates to the General Conference.

A proposed amendment to Paragraph 35, Article IV seeks to clarify who is eligible to vote for clergy delegates to General Conference, U.S. jurisdictional conferences, and central conferences—all of which play a key role in the life of the denomination, including the election of bishops.

As it currently stands, annual conferences elect these delegates, with equal representation of laity and clergy. The constitution specifies that lay members vote for lay delegates, and clergy vote for clergy delegates.

This amendment, submitted by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, adds further clarity by defining which licensed local pastors can vote in clergy elections. To be eligible, a local pastor must:

  • Have completed the Course of Study or hold a Master of Divinity degree from a University Senate-approved theological school (or its equivalent, as recognized in central conferences), and
  • Have served at least two consecutive years under appointment immediately prior to the election.

This change ensures that all voting clergy share a foundational level of theological education and sustained experience in ministry. This amendment ensures clear standards and fairness in clergy voting processes and passed with a vote of 547–99.

Learn More:

Transcript: Ballot 4-Educational Requirements for Clergy