Ratification of Constitutional Amendments
Laity Space Podcast Episodes
Update on Constitutional Amendments with Alex Shanks and Heather Pancoast
The announcement from the Council of Bishops on the ratification of the four amendments by UMCs around the world is exciting and also may have left you wondering what comes next. Join Jessica Scott in a special conversation with Rev. Alex Shanks, Assistant to the Bishop, and Heather Pancoast, Director of Gator Wesley, who both served on the Florida Delegation to the 2020/2024 General Conference. Click HERE to listen.
More Resources on the Constitutional Amendments
Click the headings below.
VIDEO: Bishop Berlin explains Regionalization
Bishop Tom Berlin’s sugar packet illustration returns! Watch as he explains how regionalization helps every part of the UMC add just the right amount of sweetness for their unique context.
UMC Passes Landmark Amendments for Regional Policies, Diversity, and Inclusion
Joe Henderson shares about the impact of the announced from the UMC Council of Bishops that four constitutional amendments were passed overwhelmingly and are effective immediately.
UMC Bishops finish Canvassing of Amendments; All Four are Ratified
Read the press release from the UMC Council of Bishops as they completed canvassing votes of annual conferences on the four constitutional amendments that were approved by the 2024 General Conference.
A Message From Bishop Carter: United Methodists Affirm a Truly Worldwide Church
Resident Bishop of the Western North Carolina Annual Conference reflects on the ratification of the hour constitutional amendments from 2020/2024 General Conference.
From AC25: Regionalization and Constitutional Amendments
Check out the resource page made for lay members to AC25 as they considered the constitutional amendments.
Past Episodes of Laity Space Podcast
Regionalization in the UMC
Published on May 3, 2025. Jessica Scott discusses the history of Regionalization with Derrick Scott III, Co-Lay Leader. Derrick shares how more than 100 years of work has brought the church to a vote this year. This is part one of a special conversation. Click HERE to listen.
AC25 and Constitutional Amendments
Published on May 7, 2025. Jessica Scott discusses what to expect for voting at AC 2025 with Molly McEntire, Director of Connectional and Missional Ministry and Lay Head of Delegation. Molly shares about the present-day regionalization amendment and additional amendment ballots. This is part two of a special conversation. Click HERE to listen.
GENERAL INFORMATION
VIDEO: Clarification on the constitutional amendment process
Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright, Secretary of the General Conference, shares clarifications on the constitutional amendment process and transparency efforts by the Commission on the General Conference. Click HERE for the 9-minute video.
VIDEO: How is the United Methodist Constitution Amended?
Short (less than a minute) informative video by UMCOM.
PDF: Constitutional Amendments - At A Glance
A fact sheet with basic information about the constitutional amendments. Used by permission and adapted from a webpage created by the Northern Illinois Annual Conference.
PDF: Proposed Constitutional Amendments for AC25
The full language of proposed constitutional amendments that were approved by the 2020/2024 General Conference and must now be voted upon by the members of the annual conferences.
BALLOT #2: INCLUSION IN MEMBERSHIP
WEBPAGE: Protecting membership for all
ResourceUMC explains the rationale for adding language to Paragraph 4, Article IV of the Book of Discipline.
UMNEWS: Amendment would make church more open
Commentary by Rev. April Casperson on Ballot #2
BALLOT #3: RACIAL JUSTICE
VIDEO: General Secretary of GCORR on Article V
Rev. Dr. Giovanni Arroyo explains the purpose of Article V to address the past of The United Methodist Church as well as the potential to shape the Church’s future
WEBPAGE: GCORR Talking Points for Amendment to Article V
The General Commission on Religion and Race shares the rationale for the amending the Constitution to strengthen the denomination’s longtime support for racial justice.
BALLOT #4: EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CLERGY VOTING RIGHTS
WEBPAGE: Ballot #4: Educational requirements for clergy members
ResourceUMC explains the rationale for amending Section VI, Article IV of the Book of Discipline.