Resolution to Act on and Affirm the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry’s Report as to Inclusion of LGBTQ+ Persons

From: Scott R. Larson, Lay Member, Oak Lawn United Methodist Church

Whereas, The North Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (“NTC”), at its 2022 session, received the Report of the NTC Board of Ordained Ministry, which set forth certain principles concerning inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (“LGBTQ+”) persons in ministry; 

Resolved, That the NTC affirms the following principles: 

An LGBTQ+ person should not be precluded—on the basis of their identity as an LGBTQ+ person or their relationship to a same-gendered person—from certification, ordination, licensure, or appointment, provided that they are otherwise qualified by the rigorous standards required by The Book of Discipline and the NTC in the areas of theology and doctrine, worship and proclamation, and call, service and disciplined life; 

In the context of the process of consultation, congregations should not be expected to compromise their theological convictions when receiving appointed pastors;

Resolved, That, the NTC presents its Clergy Session with the foregoing principles and requests that the Clergy Session clarify to the NTC whether the Clergy Session chooses to affirm or not affirm these principles.

Resolved, That the NTC makes the foregoing request for purposes of clarification and transparency, in full recognition of the Clergy Session’s “sole responsibility for all matters of ordination, character, and conferences relations of clergy;” 

Resolved, that in all cases, the NTC recognizes appointment is the prerogative of the Bishop.