This week representatives elected from Methodist churches around the world began meeting for General Conference. This happens every 4 years and provides a forum for debating changes to our structure, processes, and stands on social issues. We expect a lot of debate around faith and homosexuality. I anticipate several likely outcomes.
First, media will focus on where we fail to live up to our ideals of debating.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church taught Holy Conferencing as a means of experiencing God. He believed that when Christians gathered and sought to discern God’s will together, God would make God’s presence known. Holy Conferencing requires that the participants assume they don’t already know God’s will and use debate as a way to see things from different perspectives. Unfortunately, we Methodists (and humans, generally) find it really tough to live up to that ideal. When we fail, it tends to make the news.
Second, no major changes will result.
In a short number of years the United States has seen a dramatic shift towards greater acceptance of homosexuality. Other parts of the world have not experienced that same shift. General Conference decisions result from votes of Methodists from all over the globe, so those decisions will likely not change Methodist policies against ordaining homosexual clergy or against UM clergy officiating same-sex marriage ceremonies, for example.
Third, not everything will be about sex!
For example, General Conference delegates will celebrate the United Methodist Church’s role in the huge decline in global deaths from malaria (48% fewer deaths in 2015 compared to 2000) and will seek to discern God’s will about forming a special group focused on improving global health.
Finally, whatever happens at General Conference, our mission will remain the same.
Methodists all over the world will continue to recognize God’s mission to us to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. And at First United Methodist Church Richardson we will continue to live out that global mission through our particular mission: with open hearts and minds, we Welcome people for Christ, Grow people in Christ, and Serve people with Christ.
If you’re interested in learning more about major decisions General Conference will address, see http://www.umc.org/who-we-are/general-conference-2016-major-legislative-issues
For my perspective on why Christians read the same Bible yet reach different conclusions about homosexuality click on the sermon link below.
See you Sunday!
Rich
Rich Rindfuss
Access Pastor
First United Methodist Church Richardson