Following past conferences of heated debates and protests, delegates from the largest mainline denomination open their quadrennial meeting today in Fort Worth, Texas, with a commitment to civil and "holy conferencing."
Concerns that the United Methodist General Conference, the highest governing body of the 8 million-member denomination, has resembled the conduct by secular political bodies rather than that by a faith-focused group has led to a call for a change in the tone of conversation and debate.
"In much of the Western world, results are measured in terms of winners and losers," said Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, who leads the Houston Area and is president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops, according to the United Methodist News Service. "Holy Conferencing does not work that way. It focuses on discerning where God is leading us. It focuses on prayer, rational and respectful conversation, and a belief that with God, all things are possible."
She released a set a guidelines, including "always speak respectfully" and "be open to the possibility that God can change the views of any or all parties in the discussion," for delegates to follow during the 10-day legislative meeting.
Some are optimistic the 2008 meeting will be calmer.
"I think this General Conference could be the beginning of a more positive and constructive future for the United Methodist Church," Bishop Timothy Whitaker, who presides over the Florida Conference – the second largest United Methodist province in the United States – told The Ledger.
The call for respect and calm debates comes as the nearly 1,000 lay and clergy delegates are expected to vote on highly contentious issues such as homosexuality as well as revisions that will significantly restructure the United Methodist body.
The General Conference is the only body that can change church policy and United Methodist Church members are allowed to petition to change the policies. This year, about 1,600 petitions are being placed before the conference.
While another heated debate on whether the denomination should change its official position that homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching and withdraw its ban on noncelibate gay pastors is expected, some predict there will be no changes on the church's position on homosexuality.
"The majority of Methodists wish we could put it to rest," said the Rev. Mouzon Biggs of the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, who has been a clergy delegate to the convention seven times, according to Tulsa World newspaper.
Other issues that will be on the table include divestment from Israel and the relationship between the U.S. body of the global United Methodist Church and the international churches.
Delegates are set to vote on constitutional revisions that would place American churches into their own national body, as reported by Christianity Today.
Some overseas church leaders have complained that the general conference too often deals with matters irrelevant to churches abroad, said Bishop Scott Jones of Kansas who recommended the move. Delegates to the general conference are mainly from the United States but also include 285 overseas delegates, up from 180 when the general conference last met four years ago. Continue >>
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wvpreacher--
I am telling you, from personal experience -- as an eyewitness -- that I have seen things going on in UMC churches that are open apostasy (maybe not officially "recognized" by the UMC, but certainly recognized by the congregation and probably the local diocese/parish/synod). I have seen a church in the heart of the Midwest, in a large city, heartland America, where (it seemed to me, just a guess but I think it's a pretty good one) nearly 1/3, possibly even half, the church congregation was openly homosexual. They were not there as "sinners" seeking "repentance". No, they were there with "partners" and with children - living in openly homosexual relationships including "a family".
What was going on in this church, it seemed pretty clear, was openly accepted by the other members of the congregation and by the pastor.
Yes, we are all sinners, and yes we would turn no one away who was genuinely repentant and looking for God's mercy. I cannot judge the hearts of anyone who was in that church, but when you show up with a "spouse" and children, you are obviously living in a relationship that is in complete violation of God's law and commandments, and you are allowing openly unrepentant individuals to fellowship with you, and participate in the Lord's Supper.
I think a re-reading of 1 Corinthians is called for. Paul chastised them for their communion practices and for allowing a man who unrepentantly had taken his stepmother as a wife, and the congregation was supporting him. Paul tells them to expel the immoral brother and turn him over to Satan. Have nothing to do with him.
This is what these churches should be doing, but they aren't, they are allowing them to participate in their fellowship and to receive the Lord's Supper. And I have seen similar things going on in other UMC churches on the West Coast, where I live.
This, in addition to ordaining women pastors, tells me that the UMC has little interest in following anything in Scripture and merely exists to pursue a liberation theology/Marxist/progressive social agenda. Given the UMC just changed its mission statement to "transforming the World", I think it's clear where the UMC stands and where it's headed.
I repeat, any orthodox, Bible believing Christian should separate themselves from the UMC.
In response to John14 and CanadianChristian.
As a UMC pastor, I can assure you that open homosexuality is not condoned by the teachings of the Discipline. Yes, there are those that bring it up every year at General Conference, but those are just a few trying to persuade others to their agenda. Unfortunately, these are the ones that make the headlines. But the core group are very strict on Biblical teachings.
We believe that we are all sinners and all have fallen short of the glory of God. And...that we are all in need of Christ. That being said, we turn no one away that is seeking salvation. We believe that by welcoming those who are in need of Christ, that we gain the chance to show them the path to salvation. Is this not the very purpose of the Church?
I agree with you that homosexuality is a sin. But we also would not turn away a thief who wanted to repent neither would we turn away a homosexual. Did Jesus not claim the soul of a thief as He hung on the cross? He did not deny a plea for salvation that day. We as Christians should be no different.
My daughter recently discovered the large Church of the Resurrection in the KC area, a Methodist church with outstanding Bible teaching.
It's telling that they are shrinking in membership even as more conservative denominations grow. People are fleeing the United Methodist Church like rats off a sinking ship - and the same can be said of the Episcopal Church. "Open hearts, Open doors, Open minds" has resulted in apostasy and letting the devil inside.
I have seen things inside a United Methodist Church that would make any run of the mill, Bible believing Christian's hair stand on end. The acceptance of the worst and most outrageous behavior - open homosexual couples with children, etc - at worship and at communion. It's beyond abomination.
I have vowed to never set foot inside a United Methodist Church ever again.
The united church should follow the HOLY WORD of GOD and nothing else, not the world's standards. I find it ironic that a female "bishop" is talking about discernment within a church that supports homosexuality, the church is reaping what it has sown. I pray that our African brother's and sister's in CHRIST stay true to HIS WORD. IN JESUS NAME