As a United Methodist, you may have heard about some of the things happening in our church today around the issues of human sexuality. We, as United Methodists, have debated the issue of human sexuality for decades now. It is a topic that holds a lot of deep feelings and emotions.
At the 2016 General Conference it became apparent that once again there would not be resolution so the Bishops were asked to provide leadership.
Here is an overview of the process and what will be discussed and decided at the 2019 General Conference Special Session.
- Beginnings
At General Conference 2016 in Portland, there were an overwhelming number of proposals dealing with issues surrounding same-sex marriage, the ordination of LGBTQ clergy, and related topics. During a discussion about how to proceed, a clergy delegate addressed the bishops, “We are asking for your leadership.”
The bishops returned later in the General Conference with a plan. They would create a group to research and advise them of ways to help us get unstuck, to move us forward. The group they later brought together is the “Commission on a Way Forward.”
- Task
The bishops carefully formed the Commission on a Way Forward, inviting 32 people who identified on all sides of the issues to be part of this special group. Eight bishops, 13 other clergy members, and 11 lay members constitute the commission.
The work of the Commission on a Way Forward was “to inform deliberation across the whole church and to help the Council of Bishops in their service to the next General Conference in finding a way forward.” The commission
regularly reported to the bishops during their work.
- Recommendations
On July 31, 2018, the final report of the Commission on a Way Forward was released in the four official languages of The United Methodist Church. They include the One Church Plan, Connectional Conference Plan and the Traditionalist Plan. Here is a brief explanation of the proposals:
One Church Plan: Derogatory language would be removed from the Discipline and under this plan, each annual conference would be able to decide whether to ordain LGBTQ individuals as clergy. Each pastor would be able to decide whether to perform same-sex weddings or unions. Each local church would be able to decide whether to allow same-sex weddings in its sanctuary or receive an openly gay pastor. This plan would not force clergy/churches to participate in same-sex weddings or ordination of LGBTQ clergy.
Connectional Conference Plan: Under this plan, United Methodists would share doctrine, services and one Council of Bishops, while also creating different branches. The five U.S. jurisdictions would be replaced by three
connectional conferences, each covering the whole country, based on theology and perspective on LGBTQ ministry — progressive, contextual and traditional branches. Contextual means allowing churches flexibility in ministry with LGBTQ people as best fits their mission field. Annual conferences would decide with which connectional conference to affiliate.
Central conferences would remain as they are or could choose to affiliate with one of the three connectional conferences.
Traditionalist Plan: Leave the language in the Discipline unchanged and be more aggressive in holding churches and pastors accountable for officiating at same sex marriage ceremonies.
(Additional information on these plans are available in the Narthex).
The proposals have been reviewed by the Council of Bishops and even though they do not make the final decision, their recommendation is the “One Church Plan.”
- Who decides?
The report of the Commission on a Way Forward will be received and acted upon by a special session of General Conference in St. Louis, MO, February 23-26, 2019. This specific worldwide gathering of United Methodists will only act on items around our deep divide over homosexuality.
Rev. Judy A. Zabel, Rev. Woojae Im, Dave Nuckols (who served on the Commission on a Way Forward) and Faye B. Christensen are our Minnesota delegates to this special General Conference. Please keep them, all the members of General Conference and our United Methodist Church in your prayers during this important time in our church.
(Resources: www.umc.org/wayforward)
After the General Conference in February, there will be more conversations as we move forward. In the meantime, if you have any questions please let me know.
Blessings,
Pastor Cindy