FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 5, 2025
Glenview, Ill — The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women (GCSRW) celebrates the historic decision of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to add “gender” and “ability” to the list of categories protected for inclusion in the Church, among other important constitutional changes.
“Today, GCSRW celebrates that key amendments to Paragraph 4, Article IV have finally been ratified by a supermajority of delegates voting in conferences around the world. This is a huge win for The United Methodist Church,” says Rev. Stephanie York Arnold, general secretary of GCSRW. “Our GCSRW Board, team, and COSROW members everywhere celebrate that under no circumstance can gender or disability be a reason for someone to be, intentionally or unintentionally, kept outside of membership in The United Methodist Church.”
York Arnold continues, "It is a hopeful sign that, as a denomination, we are truly striving to embody the Gospel imperative that the Divine table is open to ALL. We see our call, as disciples of Christ, to be extensions of God’s grace through our inclusion and welcome of one another regardless of our differences.”
GCSRW has worked for over 30 years to enshrine gender-based protections in the UMC’s constitution. Its board of directors, representing United Methodists from around the world, has affirmed quadrennium after quadrennium that it is important to be clear that gender should not and cannot be a barrier to full and equal participation anywhere across the worldwide connection.
The UMC’s constitution contains a provision on the “Inclusiveness of the Church” (Paragraph 4, Article IV) that sets the standard for ensuring that the Church is welcome to all. Recognizing that some people have been excluded from membership and participation in the Church based on certain aspects of their identity, the UMC takes special care to identify categories that cannot be a cause for exclusion. That statement will now be updated to declare:
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.
“As the UMC agency responsible for advocating for women’s full and equal responsibility and participation in the life and mission of the Church, GCSRW is acutely aware of how gender can be used to limit or deny some people’s roles within United Methodist ministries. In every area and context of the Church, there is still work to do to live out the biblical proclamation that “there is no longer male and female” because we are one in Christ, that gender is no barrier to God’s blessing and call, as it says in Galatians 3:28,” states, York Arnold.
“At the same time, we know just saying the words does not make them real. The work of gender justice requires different priorities and takes different shapes in diverse contexts. Over the coming days and weeks, members of our board will share further analysis on the worldwide vote and offer a range of perspectives on the impact of ratification,” she says.
GCSRW leaders are committed to navigating new ways of working across the connection following the regionalization of the Church. Along with the new constitutional provision (Article V) articulating The UMC’s commitment to racial justice and to combating colonialism and white supremacy, GCSRW affirms the importance of honoring the needs and wisdom of the people where they are and building relationships rooted in mutuality.
In anticipation of these amendments passing, GCSRW has been engaging in listening sessions in Central Conferences to support the development of contextually relevant and culturally meaningful resources.
Looking ahead, York Arnold emphasizes, “As always, GCSRW will continue to work diligently advocating for women’s empowerment, collaborating with our partners across the globe, and seeking to root out all forms of prejudice and discrimination until the UMC truly reflects the inclusiveness of God’s realm.”
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About the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women
The General Commission on the Status and Role of Women advocates for full participation of women in the total life of The United Methodist Church. GCSRW helps the church recognize every person – clergy and lay, women and men, adults and children – as full and equal parts of God’s human family. They believe that a fully engaged and empowered membership is vital to The United Methodist Church’s mission "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Learn more at GCSRW.org.
Media contact:
Royya James [email protected]