This will be the first General Conference since more than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations left the United Methodist Church between 2019 and 2023 because the denomination essentially stopped enforcing its bans on homosexual marriage and homosexual clergy.
The delegates in Charlotte are expected to vote on whether to eliminate those Bible-based restrictions from the Book of Discipline which guides the denomination.
Similar efforts have failed in years past, but with the election of more liberal delegates and the departure of many conservatives, supporters of removing the bans are optimistic.
Because of all the disaffiliations, the conference will also vote on a much-reduced budget proposal for the coming years.
