BOOM policy on candidates and human sexuality

From the Board of Ordained Ministry

October 2017

Policy related to Human Sexuality and Examination of Candidates

 One of the primary purposes of the Board of Ordained Ministry is “to examine applicants and assess their fitness for ministry.” We understand the Judicial Council’s most recent rulings to encourage a full and thoughtful inquiry of all persons who come before us, using the range of questions and standards found in paragraphs 310, 324, 330 and 335 of the Book of Disciple for provisional membership, Deacon and Elder respectively. We write in response to these rulings’ specific mandate to not ignore in the inquiry a candidate’s self-disclosure around sexual orientation. We respectfully disagree with these rulings, acknowledging that the following policy is not compliant with the 2016 Book of Discipline.

 The Board of Ordained Ministry will examine and assess all candidates who come before us. Knowing each of us is a child of God, made in God’s image, and a recipient and vehicle of God’s grace, we do not view race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or age as a barrier to ministry. We will not consider or evaluate sexual orientation or gender identity nor see them to be sufficient reasons to deny a candidate’s ability to live up to our United Methodist standards. We will utilize our denomination’s expectation of faithfulness in marriage and celibacy in singleness within our examination and expect not only high moral standards but also a strong sense of self-awareness about one’s relational life. Our aim is to promote well-grounded, Spirit-led, equipped ministers of the Gospel who live up the high standards for fitness, readiness, and effectiveness in ministry.

 We acknowledge that The United Methodist Church is not of one mind around issues of human sexuality and affirm the ongoing work of the Commission on a Way Forward. We believe this policy upholds the expectation of a full inquiry and high moral standards of all candidates. It also reflects some of our core values as a Board, including openness to the Holy Spirit, deep listening to one another, and a commitment to justice for all. We affirm the right and responsibility of all Board members to engage in holy conferencing during deliberations and to vote their conscience following a fair examination of all candidates.