In 2024 the United Methodist General Conference passed new amendments to the constitution. These amendments address important issues and concerns about the future of the denomination and the need for the church to better embody principles of justice, inclusion and contextualized connectionalism.
Worldwide regionalization amendment
The 2024 General Conference passed an amendment that will replace the central conferences in Africa, Europe and Philippines with new regional conferences. This amendment will also establish a new U.S. regional conference comprised of the five U.S. jurisdictional conferences. Learn more about what regionalization will mean to both the worldwide United Methodist Church and church polity within the United States specifically.
Paragraph 4, Article IV amendment
What is Paragraph 4, Article IV?
This refers to Article IV of Division One of the United Methodist Constitution, which declares the denomination’s commitment to inclusivity in worship, programming, sacraments and membership. Conferences and other United Methodist entities are prohibited from enacting exclusionary membership policies targeting people on the basis of categories such as race, color, economic condition and national origin.
How was the paragraph amended at the 2024 General Conference?
The terms “gender” and “ability” were added to the list of categories that can not be excluded or discriminated against within The United Methodist Church. The amendment declares that a pastor cannot deny membership, prevent someone from attending worship or participating in its programs because of gender or ability.
How will things change under this amendment?
For many years the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women has petitioned for a provision in the UM Constitution protecting membership rights for women. This amendment provides new protections from discrimination and exclusion based on gender or ability (physical, mental or intellectual.
The changes to this paragraph are important not just in establishing rules for membership and participation in The United Methodist Church. They also send a message to the world that United Methodists stand firm in our belief that we are all beloved children of God.
Article V amendment
What is Article V?
Article V of the United Methodist Constitution expresses the Church’s commitment to combating and eliminate racism in all forms. It declares racism to be sin against God’s law and proclaims all persons beloved children of God. The Article also acknowledges the Church’s past complicity in supporting racist laws, attitudes and practices.
How was the article amended at General Conference?
This new amendment lays out the Church’s commitment to eliminating racism in more explicit detail. The amended version identifies specific forms of racism, including racial equality, colonialism, white privilege and white supremacy.
How will things change under this amendment?
Naming specific types of racism such as white privilege and colonialism will empower the Church to more boldly and broadly confront racism in its ministries and witness. The amendment goes beyond passive acknowledgment of the past sins of racism to calling on United Methodists everywhere to actively confront racism where they may find it.
Paragraph 35 Amendment
What is Paragraph 35?
This refers to Section VI, Article IV (¶ 35) of the United Methodist Constitution, which establishes the eligibility requirements to vote for clergy delegates to General, jurisdictional and central conferences. Those voting for clergy delegates must be clergy members of an annual conference (or provisional annual conference) serving as elders or deacons. The Paragraph also states that those voting for clergy delegates must have completed a course of study or M. Div. degree and served two consecutive years under an appointment.
How was the article amended at General Conference?
The amendment passed at the 2024 General Conference clarifies the educational requirements for clergy members voting for delegates to General, jurisdictional and central conferences. It declares these clergy members must receive their M. Div. from a seminary/theological school that has been approved by the United Methodist University Senate or an equivalent association established within a regional/central conference. This will establish universal educational standards across the denomination.
How will things change under this amendment?
While educational standards for clergy (listed in ¶ 324) are adaptable across the Central Conferences clarifying educational standards in ¶ 35 will create a denominational standard for those who are qualified to vote for General Conference clergy member delegates.
The amendment provides consistent educational standards across the denomination by allowing regional/central conferences to establish their own equivalents to the University Senate.
Does this amendment make it more difficult for licensed local pastors to qualify as delegates to General, jurisdictional and/or central conferences?
No. Licensed local pastors still qualify to vote by completing Course of Study or completing an M. Div. This amendment mirrors the voting qualifications already detailed in ¶ 602.1.d and brings ¶ 35 into consistency with the denominational standard that an M. Div. must be earned at a University Senate-approved theological school, in alignment with the M. Div. standard for elders and deacons (¶ 324) and current voting qualifications for clergy who are given the responsibility to elect delegates (¶ 602.1.d).
This content was produced by ResourceUMC on November 15, 2025. Philip J. Brooks is a writer and content developer at United Methodist Communications. Contact him by email.