No doctrinal decisions have been made as yet. The Church has created a commission to discuss its stance on homosexuality, and has said it may hold a special session on the subject in 2018 or 2019.
In the meantime, some churches are actively disobeying UMC law. Bishops are elected by jurisdictional conferences, rather than a central body, and some of these are openly ordaining gay ministers and passing resolutions that affirm transgender people.
Following Oliveto's election, the president of the UMC Council of Bishops, Bruce Ough, said the move "raises significant concerns and questions of church policy and unity".
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