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Christianity Today, April (Web-only), 2008 |

Methodist Restructuring May Empower Non-U.S. Churches — Or Silence Them

With 3 of 10 delegates from abroad, general conference will consider creating an Americans-only body.

Jim Jones in Fort Worth | posted 4/22/2008 11:10AM

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"People from the Congo, Zimbabwe, Russia, Germany, and Kansas will all be part of the conversation," Jones said.

The vote before the UMC general conference this week is whether to continue to study the matter and to take steps for a possible constitutional change as early as the next conference, in 2012.

While Heidinger opposes the move, he agrees that the denomination needs to take steps to reflect the UMC's global identity, and to empower United Methodists from outside the U.S. He agrees that the general conference's resolutions too narrowly reflect U.S. concerns.

He notes that when the general conference last met four years ago, "there were 180 overseas delegates. This year there will be 285."

Related Elsewhere:

United Methodist News Service has run several articles on the proposed changes, including:

United Methodists explore church's global structure (Feb. 6, 2008)

Plan would pave way for U.S. regional conference (May 10, 2007)

Global nature task force proposes a U.S. central conference (Nov. 13, 2006)

United Methodist News Service, the Institute on Religion & Democracy, Good News, the Confessing Movement, and United Methodist Reporter will be covering the general conference.

See today's related story from Religion News Service, "United Methodists to Debate Transgender Clergy."

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April (Web-only) 2008, Vol. 52

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Marc	Posted: April 28, 2008 5:13 AM

I thank God for Rev. James Heidenger, Rev. Mark Tooley, and Dr. James Holsinger who bring order to a denomination gone crazy. Perhaps there would not be as much suspicion if clergy and laity in senior positions actually did the Chrisitian thing and honor General Conference decisions that have become church law. Instead, it seems as though such people will not be held accountable. Many of us don't question IRD and GOOD NEWS as much as we question unchecked rebellion within the UMC. Perhaps Ralph R. Oduor, a lay member from the New England Annual Conference, has barely touched on a complaint of undue influence. Maybe he could broaden the complaint to include Annual Conferences and senior church leaders who are intentionally violating church law; this is definitely far worse. Maybe he could also start with his own New England Conference. A free cell phone, no strings attached, seems considerably less harmful than intentional rebellion without any checks and balances.

Sergey

Posted: April 24, 2008 6:29 AM


Read more at http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/022kcwgs.asp?pg=1

Patricia

Posted: April 23, 2008 9:26 AM

I too hope that this resolution does not pass. I don't think there are any hidden agendas here, such as hoping to steer the church to being more liberal if the people from other countries are not there. Those from other countries enrich the denomination, so we need their voice at General Conference. What we need to do is to make sure that there are enough agenda items that would apply to these people, and not just mostly American-centered agenda items.

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