FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Graceful Conversations and Covenanting Process resource, commissioned by the NEJ College of Bishops, is designed to help congregations understand the 2024 General Conference’s changes regarding human sexuality. It provides a pathway for congregations to clarify their intentions around ministry with and by LGBTQ persons.

No, this is optional. Church leadership and pastors are entrusted by the cabinet to prayerfully discern whether this process is valuable for their specific context.

The process aids congregations in articulating their ministry intentions with/by LGBTQ persons. These covenants offer guidance to support alignment in appointments, aiming to minimize unintended harm. Additionally, starting in 2025, clergy and congregational profiles completed during charge conferences will include questions on this matter to enhance the cabinet’s understanding of missional contexts and inform appointment decisions.

Not necessarily. Congregations already self-identifying as “Welcoming and Reconciling” or affiliated with the Reconciling Ministries Network may find this process unnecessary for their specific contexts.

Yes, local teams within congregations can facilitate the process, with the pastor strongly recommended to be part of the facilitation team. Alternatively, congregations may opt for external facilitators; the conference has identified a pool of facilitators available upon request through your superintendent.

Judicial Council Decision 1516 interpreted changes made to the Book of Discipline by the 2020/2024 General Conference. The decision clarifies the authority of pastors regarding the use of church property for religious services, including marriage ceremonies. Notably, it affirms that pastors have sole discretion in deciding whether to perform any marriage, and that local church trustees cannot interfere with or restrict the use of church facilities for such services.As a result, updates have been made to the sections on the role of the pastor, discussion questions, sample covenants, and the addendum (c) to align with this clarified understanding. Read a statement from Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez regarding these changes here.