RESOURCE UPDATE
- Rev. Rebecca L. Holland, M. Div. OSL
- Mar 26
- 5 min read
an occasional mini-newsletter from the Disability Ministries Committee of The United Methodist Church
Prepare to advocate for the Ballot #2 constitutional amendment at your 2025 Annual Conference
Dear Siblings in Christ,
We are in the midst of important work throughout the United Methodist Church! Every lay and clergy member of each Annual Conference throughout the denomination will have the responsibility to vote this year regarding the ratification of four constitutional amendments. The Disability Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church specifically urges Annual Conference members to vote "yes" to approve Ballot #2, the addition of “ability” and “gender” to Paragraph 4, Article IV in Division One of the UMC Constitution. A clear rationale for this needed change is detailed in the documents below.While the information below is targeted for disability advocates, conference leaders, and members to Annual Conference, it is relevant to everyone.
If you are a local church member, please pass this information along to the people who will represent you at your Annual Conference this year. Don’t assume that they have already seen information and understand what is at stake!
Thank you in advance for your support! Should you have any questions or need additional information on how to make an impact, please email us at information@umcdmc.org.
Yours in Christ,Rev. Mimi Luebbers, Chairperson, Disability Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church
TALKING POINTS
#1. Within the United Methodist Church (UMC) membership in a local church is a prerequisite for participation at any level of the denomination, including as ordained clergy and lay leadership. It is imperative that “ability” and “gender” be named in the Constitution as categories of people to be protected from being denied participation or membership. Enshrining this expanded definition of mandated inclusion in the Constitution will provide stronger protection than does the frequent mention of people with disabilities in The 2020/2024 Book of Discipline (BOD).
#2. The importance of the inclusion of “ability” in Paragraph 4, Article IV of the Constitution (BOD, p.26), is made clear by political leaders who openly disparage and discourage inclusion of people with disabilities. This Paragraph’s current list of disempowered groups who are not to be denied participation or membership in the UMC brings to light the stories of those of us who have historically not been afforded the right to full participation in the church. Naming “ability” and “gender” will help prevent inequities from arising again.
#3. All people, disabled and non-disabled alike, have a range of abilities. Selecting the term “ability” to encompass disability as a protected class does not mean that disabled people lack ability or that one should avoid using the word “disability.” Disability is a positive identity for many people.
#4. Below are selections from The Book of Discipline (BOD) that affirm that we recognize the full personhood of disabled people and value inclusion at all levels of the UMC. The BOD names “disability” more than 80 times while “inclusiveness,” “all people,” and “accessibility” are mentioned more than 45 times.
¶ 140. Called to Inclusiveness (in Section II, The Ministry of All Christians, Section VI.) supports the addition of “ability” in stating that “Inclusiveness means openness, acceptance, and support that enables all persons to participate in the life of the Church,...inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination…” “A further mark of inclusiveness is the setting of church activities in facilities accessible to persons with disabilities.” (p. 101)
¶ 214. Eligibility (in Part VI, Chapter 1 - The Local Church, Section V. Church Membership)—states: “All people may attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments and become members in any local church in the connection
(¶ 4). In the case of persons whose disabilities prevent them from reciting the vows, their legal guardian[s], themselves members in full covenant relationship with God and the Church, the community of faith, may recite the appropriate vows on their behalf. (p. 157).” This decrees that disability shall not be used as a reason to deny membership in the church and that therefore, “ability” should be added to the protected groups in Paragraph 4. Article 4.
Prepared by the Legislative Team of the Disability Ministries Committee of the United Methodist Church. 03-21-2025
Ways for Disability Advocates toUse the Talking Pointsto Promote Passage of Ballot #2
Ratification of adding “ability” and “gender,” with a focus on “ability,” to Division One, Paragraph 4, Article IV of The United Methodist Constitution
1. Familiarize yourself with the talking points for the amendment so when you are in conversation with others you can use the information to inform your discussion.
2. Distribute this information in your circles of influence.
3. Consider sending the handout (link below) to voting members ahead of your conference session via conference media or if an email list of members is available.
4. Offer to speak about the amendment at gatherings of which you are a part.
5. Organize several people who are willing to speak to this issue on the floor of your Annual Conference before it comes up for a vote. Assign one person to be at each microphone ready to speak on behalf of the amendment, using the talking points.
6. Provide copies of the handout with information about the amendment to voting members before the session when it will be voted on.
7. Provide a phone number where you or someone else can be reached to answer questions.
8. Inform voting members about when the constitutional amendments will be voted on to encourage the most votes possible.
9. Partner with your annual conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women and other advocacy groups to support each other's efforts.
Handout to Share with Members to 2025 Annual Conference Sessions
Key information re: Ballot #2, Amendment of Paragraph 4, Article IV of the UMC Constitution which adds “ability” along with “gender” as categories of people who are eligible for membership.Membership in a local congregation is key to all levels of participation in the UMC.
Our UMC Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions strongly affirm inclusion of disabled persons, but that language could be easily overturned.Including “ability” and “gender" in the UM Constitution (Para. 4 Article IV) would prevent a return to exclusion of disabled persons and women from membership.The word “ability” is shorthand for “people with disabilities” and does not imply that disabled people lack ability, as disabled and non-disabled people have a range of abilities.
From our partners at the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women:For more information,
Key information re: Ballot #2, Amendment of Paragraph 4, Article IV of the UMC Constitution which adds “ability” along with “gender” as categories of people who are eligible for membership.
Membership in a local congregation is key to all levels of participation in the UMC.
Our UMC Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions strongly affirm inclusion of disabled persons, but that language could be easily overturned.
Including “ability” and “gender" in the UM Constitution (Para. 4 Article IV) would prevent a return to exclusion of disabled persons and women from membership.
The word “ability” is shorthand for “people with disabilities” and does not imply that disabled people lack ability, as disabled and non-disabled people have a range of abilities.
From our partners at the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women:
For more information, please consult: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/partners/gcsrw/home/general-conference/paragraph-4-article-4-ratification
Disability Ministries Committee Resource Update #12, March 2025Disability Ministries Committee of the UMC - https://www.umcdmc.org/
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