May 2024

 

“What Do United Methodist Need to Know?”

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

(Psalm 46:10-11)

We’ve been inundated with rumors about the future of the United Methodist Church for several years now, largely due to the postponement of the General Conference amid the pandemic. Typically held every four years to address legislative matters pertaining to our connectional structure, the General Conference has been delayed, with the last regular session occurring nearly eight years ago. Finally, it’s set to take place from April 23 to May 3, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Needless to say, there’s a palpable sense of curiosity surrounding the upcoming conference. Let us delve into the proceedings, gain a deeper understanding of what’s happening within the United Methodist Church, draw inspiration from ministry stories, and explore how our denomination is making a positive impact on the world.

The General Conference is the only body that can speak for the whole United Methodist Church, which has the authority to make revisions to the denomination’s Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions. The United Methodist Church has no Pope, but the General Conference has a similar role to that of the Pope in the Catholic Church.  It is the only body that can set official policy and speak for international denomination. It brings together lay and clergy delegates from four continents whose decisions will affect how millions of United Methodists do church for years to come. It is composed of no fewer than 600 and no more than 1,000 delegates from all the Annual Conferences. The General Conference defines and fixes the conditions, privileges and duties of church membership, the powers and duties of elders (ordained Pastors), deacons, diaconal ministers and local pastors, and the powers and duties of annual conferences, missionary conferences, charge conferences and congregational meetings. It authorizes the organization, promotion and administrative work of the church. The General Conference also defines the powers and duties of episcopacy, authorizes the official hymnal and book of worship, provides a judicial system and procedures, initiates and directs all connectional enterprises of the church, and enacts other legislation for the operation of the church.

At this time, more than 1,000 legislative petitions aiming to shape that future will be before the lay and clergy delegates when it takes place April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Theme for the international gathering, which draws delegates and other church leaders from four continents is, “Be Still and Know that I am God” (Psalm 46). They will take a look at General Conference proposals, such as the Revised Social Principles and regionalization, and celebrate the ministries. If you want to know more about it, you can reference the websites below:

We highlight ways you can follow along with General Conference updates:
• Official General Conference website: UMCGC.org
• Livestream of General Conference: UMCGC.org/live
• Ongoing updates: UMNews.org
• Real-time information in the language of your choice: UMC.org/ConnectedGC
• Basic information: UMC.org’s General Conference page
• A post-General Conference episode of The Recap will publish in late May: UMC.org/TheRecap

 

Let us pray for the delegates who make big decisions for the future of the United Methodist church.

Blessings,

Pastor Jenny