Clergy Session Approves Eight for Ordination

In a historic vote for the NC Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, the closed Executive Clergy Session approved eight candidates for ordination, including a first-ever candidate in a same-gender civil marriage. Of these candidates, two are deacons, six are elders, five are female, and three are male. The average age is 38.
The Rev. Dr. Sangwoo Kim, chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, said, "The Board of Ordained Ministry is responsible for guiding, preparing, evaluating, and presenting gifted, Spirit-filled candidates for licensed, commissioned, and ordained ministry. The Board took this charge seriously as it faithfully followed its deep discernment process, interviewing candidates, reading their written work, and engaging in conversations with the candidates' local church community. The Board found these candidates highly qualified for full connection and ordination as clergy in the NC Annual Conference."

Following the Clergy Session, Bishop Connie Mitchell Shelton shared, "The beauty and complexity of our denomination's checks and balances make The United Methodist Church incredibly unique and strong if we understand who we are."

During their process, the paragraphs from the denomination's law and policy book, The Book of Discipline, related to same-gender relationships were orally read to the Board of Ordained Ministry and Executive Clergy Session. The Board of Ordained Ministry must approve by a 3/4 majority vote to recommend a candidate to the Executive Clergy Session. The Clergy Session must achieve the same 3/4 majority vote to approve someone for full connection and ordination but cannot engage in judicial processes.
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Shelton continued, "I recently met this amazing class of ordinands to hear their call stories and reflect on the historic questions. John Wesley developed nineteen questions to probe the hearts and motives of potential Methodist preachers to agree on how we will live into this ministry life. Wesley was looking for fruitful, unshakeable followers of Jesus willing to give their all to this Methodist way. We, too, are looking for the same here in the NC Annual Conference."