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The Methodists' General Board of Church and Society had submitted a petition to the church's upcoming General Conference but withdrew it April 17 after Caterpillar agreed to talks with church leaders.

Critics complain that Caterpillar machines are used to raze Palestinian homes and olive groves. The company maintains it opposes "illegal or immoral use of any Caterpillar equipment," but will not discontinue sales.

About $5 million of the total $17 billion United Methodist investment portfolio is tied to Caterpillar.

Jim Winkler, who directs the Methodists' Washington office, said a pastor in Peoria, Ill., who counts Caterpillar CEO James Owens as a parishioner set up the talks between the two sides.

"Caterpillar cannot monitor the use of every piece of its equipment around the world," the company said in a statement. "However, we recognize the responsibility companies have to encourages the constructive use of their products."

Church delegates will still consider other proposals to divest from companies involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but Wayne Miller, a spokesman for the Washington office, said none of those petitions targets a specific company.

Miller said those remaining petitions "deserve careful consideration by the delegates."

The General Conference will also likely consider whether to issue a statement about the Iraq war. While some Methodists have submitted proposals calling for prayer for Iraq, others urge a pullout by American forces.

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See today's related Christianity Today article about the UMC general conference, "Methodist Restructuring May Empower Non-U.S. Churches — Or Silence Them."

In February, Christianity Today covered "The Transgender Moment."

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April (Web-only) 2008, Vol. 52