As the church's top governing body, the General Conference voted in May by margins of two to one or more to reaffirm the church's historic disapproval of homosexual behavior and same-sex unions. The executive committee of the outgoing board has nominated Jim Winkler, who has served for 15 years on the board's Washington staff. The full outgoing board has voted on Winkler's nomination by mail ballot. According to Winkler, the new board will also vote on his nomination in October. The nomination must then be confirmed by the church's General Council on Ministries, which routinely accepts the staff recommendations of church boards.
Boards of directors serve for four years.
General Secretaries may serve up to 12 years. Winkler did not disavow his support for pro-homosexuality causes. The Board of Church and Society is the public policy arm of the United Methodist Church, an 8.4 million member denomination.