In September of 2024, the EMC's General Council commissioned two teams to draft resolutions, one on Gender Identity and the other on Women in Ministry, to be presented to the General Conference in July of 2026.  

The first issue centers on the culture war surrounding gender identity. The Council affirmed the need for us to clarify our position on gender. While we love all persons regardless of their understanding on this issue, we reject attempts to confuse and mar the beauty of God's creative design - - indeed, "God created human beings in His image as male and female (Genesis 1:26–27), declaring this binary sexual design "very good" (Genesis 1:31)." (Quoting from the proposed resolution)

The team of EMC'ers who meticulously and prayerfully worked on this resolution was led by Rev. Sean Scribner, who will present the resolution to the Conference on behalf of that team and the Council.  The proposed "Resolution on Gender Identity and Transgenderism" reads as follows:

We affirm the Triune God as Holy Love, the Creator who reveals His intended purposes for humanity through creation and Scripture. God created human beings in His image as male and female (Genesis 1:26–27), declaring this binary sexual design "very good" (Genesis 1:31). The human body is good, a temple of the Holy Spirit, and must be used to glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).

The Fall has corrupted every aspect of human nature, including perceptions of gender and sexuality, leading in some to gender dysphoria—a felt incongruence between biological sex and internal sense of gender. We recognize the complexity of such experiences are often intertwined with brokenness, abuse, shame, or other factors. We view all persons regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation with compassion, humility, and holy love (Galatians 6:2; 2 Timothy 2:24–26). 

We deny that gender is merely a social construct or that adopting a transgender self-conception aligns with God's purposes in creation and redemption. Biological sex is an essential, God-ordained reality, and men and women are called to live in accordance with their birth sex. Rare cases of intersex conditions (disorders of sexual development) do not negate this binary design. Such persons, too, are image-bearers to be supported toward wholeness in Christ. 

Sexual intimacy is reserved for the covenant of marriage between one biological man and one biological woman, reflecting God's faithfulness and intention to unite Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:31-32; Revelation 19:7-9). All sexual activity falling outside the biblical norm is contrary to God's will and constitutes sin when willfully pursued. No person may maintain membership or take leadership in any form in the Church if appropriate counsel and admonition fail to bring about repentance and reformation. 

We welcome all who experience gender dysphoria into the fellowship of the church as sinners redeemable by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Desires or temptations are not sin in themselves, but must be brought under the lordship of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, sanctification transforms disordered desires, enabling obedience and joyful discipleship—whether in biblical marriage or celibacy. Sexual fulfillment is not essential for human flourishing; ultimate joy is found in union with God.

We also oppose all laws, regulatory controls, or executive orders that force individual Christians, as well as Christian institutions and Christian-owned private businesses, to choose between being sanctioned for noncompliance and violating their own strongly held biblical principles and religious conscience. We affirm the right of churches and Christian institutions to maintain policies and practices consistent with our biblical understanding of human sexuality and gender, including the use of sex-based facilities, dress codes, pronouns, housing, sports, and leadership qualifications based on biological sex. We will support our members and institutions who, in good conscience, cannot comply with directives that violate Scripture, even when such noncompliance results in legal or financial penalties.

The Evangelical Methodist Church commits to:

● Loving all persons, regardless of their sense of gender identity, in Christ, working for their physical well-being, their emotional healing, and their spiritual transformation.

● Offering patient, informed pastoral care and accountable community to all who struggle.

● Supporting reversible, biblically-consistent, and non-harmful means of addressing distress (such as counseling, prayer, or modest changes in appearance that remain consistent with one’s biological sex), while firmly opposing irreversible medical interventions, hormone therapies, surgeries, cross-dressing, or any form of cross-gender presentation.

● Honoring biblical marriage while cultivating deep, same-sex friendships and genuine belonging for all. 

● Proclaiming that all can be saved, sanctified, and made whole in Christ, who redeems every aspect of our sexuality (Romans 5:20; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11).

Where cultural values and ideologies contradict the clear teaching of Scripture — our final authority — we will humbly yet resolutely proclaim the transformative grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, calling every person to repentance, new birth, and holy living in His abundant life.

Your review and prayerful consideration of this proposed resolution is greatly appreciated. We look forward to our time together in July and to the presentation of these resolutions for adoption by the members and delegates of the 34th quadrennial conference. 

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Max Edwards

International General Superintendent