Methodists discern what we believe and form our doctrine by talking to one another — through what we call holy conference. At regional meetings and especially at the General Conference, an assembly of elected voting delegates from all over the world, we open with prayer and worship, and then go through lengthy legislative processes. These conferences are often intense, with long days of conversation followed by late nights of the same. But Methodists, of whom there are more than 7.6 million in the United States, believe we can best hear the will of God when we are willing to listen to one another.
Commentary: Queer clergy begged our fellow Methodists to love us. They voted no.
