annual conferences, the Florida Conference clergy session traditionally votes on a whole group of provisional membership candidates.įlorida clergy of different perspectives about LGBTQ inclusion agreed it was the presence of openly gay candidates in this year’s group that caused the session to fall just short of the required 75 percent vote for approval - something that’s usually routine. The decision roiled the conference, reverberated across The United Methodist Church and underscored the denomination’s conflict over full LGBTQ inclusion.Ĭlergy session approval is required for those seeking provisional membership, an important step toward ordination and full conference membership.

The Florida Conference clergy session last week decided against approving an entire 16-person slate for advancement on the track to becoming ordained elders or deacons.