General Conference
“GENERAL CONFERENCE”
Every four years the United Methodist Church meets for General Conference. This year the Conference will be held in Portland, Oregon May 10th-20th. General Conference is composed of an equal number of Lay and Clergy Delegates with the number based on the membership of the Annual Conferences and the Central Conferences for those churches outside the United States. For this General Conference Holston has 12 delegates; six lay and six clergy.
General Conference is the only group that speaks for the United Methodist Church and the only group that has the power to change the Book of Discipline. The Discipline sets the rules that govern the UMC. Some of the issues facing the General Conference this year are listed below.
- One is a proposed new Hymnal. With the advances in printing technology it is suggested that each congregation that wishes to buy a new hymnal design their own. There will be a core group of hymns, perhaps 250-350, that will be common to all. Additional hymns can be added based on the congregation’s preference. For instance one may choose Praise and Worship Songs, Afro-American Spirituals, Camp Meeting Hymns, or Blue Grass Gospel to be added to the core group. No congregation will be forced to buy a new hymnal and those who project hymns on screens, the words on any new additions to the Hymnal will be available for purchase.
- Another suggested change is, that since the growth of the UMC outside the USA has been dynamic and here we continue to lose members at an alarming rate, make the United States Annual Conferences be Central Conferences. This would put us on equal footing with our brothers and sisters around the world. This action necessitates changing parts of the Discipline, for instance how Trustees are registered with the Circuit Court in America and not in the rest of the world, to make it universally applicant.
- Also, there will be a change suggested in how long it takes a person to be ordained a Full Elder. Now the candidate has to serve under appointment for three years after his or her graduation from Seminary. The proposed change would make ordination possible upon graduation.
- However, the big issue facing this General Conference is homosexuality. There are more than 90 petitions regarding this issue to be considered. Currently the Discipline states: “The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. Therefore self-avowed practicing homosexuals are not be certified as candidates, ordained as ministers, or appointed to serve in the United Methodist Church.” [2012 Book of Discipline, paragraph 304.3] Also: “Ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions shall not be conducted by our ministers and shall not be conducted in our churches.” [paragraph 347.6] These petitions range from making the language against homosexuality even stronger, all the way to doing away with all restrictions entirely, and every position in-between. There is much passion, anger and fear on both sides of this issue. Both sides are made up of good, loving Christians who interpret this issue differently. My fear is that regardless of what General Conference decides, the United Methodist Church may split.
At this time let us all be in prayer that the voice of reason may be heard and cooler heads may prevail; and that all the delegates will seek to know and do God’s will in this matter. My personal prayer is that no one’s feeling will be hurt beyond repair and if there is a division in the church it will be done with loving kindness, grace and love for one another. PRAY MUCH!
– Richard
