General Conference April 25 Wrap-Up

The plenary session on Day 3 of General Conference produced two historic moments: Eurasia's departure and Regionalization.

First, General Conference delegates approved the exit of churches in one of its regions. By a vote of 672 to 67, the delegates approved the departure of four Eurasian annual conferences — which encompasses churches in Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Together, the four plan to form the autonomous Christian Methodist Church.

Second, General Conference has now passed much of the legislation that aims to give The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making.

Delegates voted 586 to 164 (78% of the vote) for an amendment to the denomination’s constitution. A constitutional amendment requires at least a two-thirds vote at General Conference. To be ratified, the amendment also will need at least a two-thirds total vote of annual conference lay and clergy voters. 

It would set up the U.S. as its own regional conference, along with three regional conferences in Europe, three in Africa, and one in the Philippines. The rationale for regionalization is to allow each geographic region of the church to adapt specified provisions of the Discipline to fit the missional needs of its region. On the surface, the regionalization idea makes sense. However, it may weaken the connection and create an inconsistent identity among the regional conferences. 

Though it is too early to predict yet, it is likely that the U.S. regional conference will move forward and change the denomination’s definition of marriage to include same-sex marriage, to permit clergy to perform same-sex weddings, and to permit the ordination and appointment of partnered gay and lesbian clergy. 

You can read yesterday's recap at this link.

Siblings in Christ, the UMC is at a crossroads. it's time to pray. Special Prayer for General Conference is held at Houlton UMC, 8:30-9:00 am daily (except Sunday). Come, let us pray together.  

In Christ,
Pastor Victor