Lets Be As Prepared As We can Be What we Pray that We Might Begin to do Today What we Pray that We Might Begin to do Today Be Prepared Be NonAnxious Leaders The Way Forward will most likely not occur through General Conference Legislation No matter what is decide ID: 747073
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Slide1
Way Forward Richmond District
“Let’s Be As Prepared As We can Be”Slide2
What we Pray that We Might Begin to do Today…….Slide3
What we Pray that We Might Begin to do Today….
-Be Prepared
-Be Non-Anxious LeadersSlide4
The Way Forward will most likely not occur through General Conference Legislation. No matter what is decided or not decided, the actual way forward will be directed by gifted, prepared, and non-anxious clergy and lay leadership who center on Christ and lead with resultant confidence in the coming UM storms and squalls.Slide5
We Celebrate your presence here with us today because….Slide6
Disciples of Jesus Christ are Self Feeders! Slide7
We Are also here because…..Slide8
“The Earth is Getting Big in the Window”
Apollo 13 astronaut Jim LovellSlide9
Some Brief General Conference FundamentalsSlide10
2019 General Conference Delegates
864 delegates (50% Laity, 50% Clergy
504 delegates (58.3%) from the US
Virginia Delegation
11 Laity and 11 Clergy
19 years of age to seniors
3 African Americans, 1 Latina
11 men and 11 womenSlide11
2019 Central Conference Delegates
260 (30 percent) are from Africa
40 from Europe and Eurasia
50 from the Philippines
and 10 from “concordat” Methodist churches in Great Britain, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Caribbean and the Americas.
Slide12
12Slide13
(Figures are from GCFA and change numbers are from 2012 to 2015)Slide14
The Legislative Issues and QuestionsSlide15
The Book of Discipline
Paragraph 161 G)
We affirm that all persons are individuals of sacred worth, created in the image of God. All persons need the ministry of the Church in their struggles for human fulfillment, as well as the spiritual and emotional care of a fellowship that enables reconciling relationships with God, with others, and with self. Slide16
The Book of Discipline
Paragraph 161 G)
The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching. We affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We will seek to live together in Christian community, welcoming, forgiving, and loving one another as Christ has loved and accepted us. We implore families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.Slide17
Two Questions
Will the United Methodist Church offer marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples?
Will the church ordain duly qualified “self-avowed practicing homosexuals”?Slide18
A timeline to 2019 Special General Conference
Key Dates
May 18,2016: General Conference Delays Debate on issues of human sexuality
and Approves Commission
Oct. 24, 2016: Council on Bishops announces 32 member commission
Jan 23, 2017: First meeting Way Forward Commission
Jan. 2018: Way Forward Commission presents report to Council on Bishops with three possible models/options/futures/sketches
Feb. 2018: Council on Bishops Elect to work with two of the three sketchesSlide19
A Timeline to 2019 Special General Conference Key Dates (cont.)
March 22, 2018: Commission on Way Forward refines two sketches
April 29, 2018: Council of Bishops meeting, Perhaps refine sketches into legislation to be submitted to General Conference
May 14-17, 2018: Commission on Way Forward Meeting
July 8, 2018: Deadline for Petitions to 2019 Special Session of General Conference
Nov. 4-9, 2018: Council of Bishops Meeting
Feb. 23-26, 2019: Special Session General Conference St. Louis MissouriSlide20
Three Possible FuturesSlide21
One Church ModelSlide22
One Church Model
-
A
lso called contextual model:
“
G
ives churches the room they need to maximize the presence of the UM witness in as many places in the world as possible….Provides generous unity that gives conferences, churches, and pastors the flexibility to uniquely reach their missional context in relation to human sexuality without changing the connectional nature of the UMC.” (COB Statement)
-
L
anguage around marriage and homosexuality in discipline is removed
-Each annual conference will be able to decide whether to ordain self avowed and practicing LGBTQ clergy and whether to perform same sex weddings in sanctuary and receive an openly gay pastor.Slide23
One Church Model (cont
)
-
Each pastor will be able to decide whether or not to perform same sex weddings.
-
T
hose whose conscience prohibit will not be required to do so
-Congregations would likely have option to exit denomination with property under terms not yet spelled outSlide24
Multi-Branch: One Church ModelSlide25
Multi-Branch:One Church model
“This model is grounded in a unified core that includes shared doctrine and services and one Council of Bishops, while also creating different branches that have clearly defined boundaries such as accountability, contextualization, and justice…”Slide26
Multi-Branch:One Church model
-The Five U.S. jurisdictions would be replaced by three connectional conferences, each covering entire U.S.
-Conferences would be based on theology and perspective on LGBTQ ministry
-progressive branch
-contextual branch (Local Option)
-traditional branch
-Slide27
27Slide28
Multi-Branch:One Church model
-
Annual Conferences will decide which connectional conference to affiliate with.
-If individual church disagrees with Annual Conference choice, they can vote themselves out
-All branches share common services and agencies
-Still be one Council of Bishops.
-Current central conferences outside the U.S. could form their own branches or join one of the three.
-churches still have option to exit denomination with property under terms not yet spelled out.
-This model will likely require multiple challenging constitutional amendments that must pass all world wide Annual Conferences by two thirds vote.
-Slide29
Traditional Model
-Bishops eliminated traditional model from consideration
-Current Discipline has a traditional model
-If there no legislation passes, we will default to what we currently have
-Also likely that additional legislation will be put forward at the General Conference that makes this model even more robust with increased accountability of Bishops.
-Remember voting dynamics: 30% of General Conference vote comes from Africa
-Point….also must be prepared for what we have now with firmer legislated accountabilitySlide30
Why does the outcome matter to you?Slide31
It should be said that our problem is not conflict. Our problem is in the way we sometimes deal with conflict. We should do well to remember at the outset that conflict is a “given” in the church. It is to be expected. Disagreements creating conflict may arise over (to use the Wesleyan language) “what to teach how to teach, and what to do.” Embedded in and accompanying these disagreements may be other, sometimes hidden or unacknowledged, difficulties also leading to tensions: antagonisms stemming from the complex histories and relationships of the persons and groups involved, differences over political or cultural values, struggles over the possession and uses of power, and so forth. Different sources and varieties of conflict may be interrelated in any given instance. Given the variety of the human uses of the church, it sometimes happens that conflict over one issue is promoted or exploited by individuals or groups as a means of accomplishing some other aim, or in order to satisfy other needs. Conflict is as complex as it is common.
--
Wonder, Love, and Praise: Sharing a Vision of the Church
, prepared under the auspices of the Committee on Faith and Order of The United Methodist ChurchSlide32
It should be said that our problem is not conflict. Our problem is in the way we sometimes deal with conflict. We should do well to remember at the outset that conflict is a “given” in the church. It is to be expected. Disagreements creating conflict may arise over (to use the Wesleyan language) “what to teach how to teach, and what to do.” Embedded in and accompanying these disagreements may be other, sometimes hidden or unacknowledged, difficulties also leading to tensions: antagonisms stemming from the complex histories and relationships of the persons and groups involved, differences over political or cultural values, struggles over the possession and uses of power, and so forth. Different sources and varieties of conflict may be interrelated in any given instance. Given the variety of the human uses of the church, it sometimes happens that conflict over one issue is promoted or exploited by individuals or groups as a means of accomplishing some other aim, or in order to satisfy other needs. Conflict is as complex as it is common.
--
Wonder, Love, and Praise: Sharing a Vision of the Church
, prepared under the auspices of the Committee on Faith and Order of The United Methodist ChurchSlide33
How to Have Christ-centered DialoguesSlide34
Listening Leads to Constructive Dialogue
From Preston M. Sprinkle, general editor,
Two Views of Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church:
“You’re about to enter into, perhaps for the first time, a dialogue between people who disagree on significant ethical and theological matters, yet still maintain a respectful and humanizing posture. In my experience, loud and angry debates don’t foster understanding. It’s when people sit down and truly listen to each other that constructive dialogue can happen.” (page 12)
“Bible-believing Christians should never be satisfied knowing what they believe, but must explore
why they
believe it.” (page 16)
Sprinkle, Preston M., General Editor,
Two Views of Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church,
copyright © 2016 by Preston Sprinkle, William Loader, Megan K.
DeFranza
, Wesley Hill, Stephen R. Holmes, Zondervan PublishersSlide35
Christ-Centered Conversation
From
Dialoguing With Dignity
by Anna Cherry:
“Christ-centered conversation aims to keep Christ and Christian ethics at the center of conversation by incorporating Scripture, encouraging spiritual mindfulness and establishing biblical approaches to conflict management.”
(page 2)
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity, A Curriculum by Anna Cherry,
Floris United Methodist Church, 2018 as presented in the seminar, “Training the Trainer,” January 24,2018, Virginia Conference Offices. The entire resource,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, is available at
www.vaumc.org/ncfilerrepository/TraintheTrainerResourcesHanadout.pdfSlide36
Conversational Covenant – Conscientious Engagement
1. Conscientious engagement (Micah 6:8):
He has told you, O mortal, what is
good; and
what does the
Lord
require of
you, but
to do justice, and to love
kindness, and
to walk humbly with your God
?
“We acknowledge the difficulty of conflict and commit to conscientious engagement with a spirit of listening, humility and love.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide37
Conversational covenant – language of peace
2. Language of Peace (Psalm 19:14):
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be
acceptable to
you, O
Lord
, my rock and my redeemer.
“We commit to language that honors the dignity and worth of others in both public and private contexts.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide38
Conversational covenant – intentional inclusion
3. Intentional Inclusion (Ephesians 2:14):
For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us
.
“We recognize the diversity of beliefs in the body of Christ, and commit to a spirit of listening and respect regardless of differing beliefs.
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide39
Conversational covenant – unwarranted grace
4. Unwarranted Grace (Ephesians 4:31-32
):
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice,
32
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you
.
“We commit to extending grace and forgiveness to those whose words or actions are hurtful to us, regardless of the deservedness or repentance of the individual group.
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide40
Conversational covenant – steadfast honesty
5. Steadfast Honesty (Ephesians 4:25):
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another
.
“We commit to speaking with honesty, clarity and respect.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide41
Conversational covenant – restorative relationships
6. Restorative Relationships (John 1:9):
The true light,
which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world
.
“We commit to openness of conviction when we have wronged others, and the willingness to seek forgiveness from those whom I have wronged.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide42
The ProcessHow To Have Christ-Centered Dialogues
Time of quiet and centering
Prayer
Refer to the Conversational Covenant
See each person involved in conversation and dialog as a Child of God. (How do we think the conversation could flow if this were the case?)
Differences of opinions can be shared without harming the “spirit” of the other person(s) with whom you/we are having a conversation.
Unity does not mean we agree on each issue; however it does mean we are a community of faith based upon God’s love for each one of us. As we respond to God’s love and grace for us,
we are
to love each other. This can lead to Christ-centered conversations and dialogues.Slide43
It should be said that our problem is not conflict. Our problem is in the way we sometimes deal with conflict. We should do well to remember at the outset that conflict is a “given” in the church. It is to be expected. Disagreements creating conflict may arise over (to use the Wesleyan language) “what to teach how to teach, and what to do.” Embedded in and accompanying these disagreements may be other, sometimes hidden or unacknowledged, difficulties also leading to tensions: antagonisms stemming from the complex histories and relationships of the persons and groups involved, differences over political or cultural values, struggles over the possession and uses of power, and so forth. Different sources and varieties of conflict may be interrelated in any given instance. Given the variety of the human uses of the church, it sometimes happens that conflict over one issue is promoted or exploited by individuals or groups as a means of accomplishing some other aim, or in order to satisfy other needs. Conflict is as complex as it is common.
--
Wonder, Love, and Praise: Sharing a Vision of the Church
, prepared under the auspices of the Committee on Faith and Order of The United Methodist ChurchSlide44
How to Have Christ-centered DialoguesSlide45
Listening Leads to Constructive Dialogue
From Preston M. Sprinkle, general editor,
Two Views of Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church:
“You’re about to enter into, perhaps for the first time, a dialogue between people who disagree on significant ethical and theological matters, yet still maintain a respectful and humanizing posture. In my experience, loud and angry debates don’t foster understanding. It’s when people sit down and truly listen to each other that constructive dialogue can happen.” (page 12)
“Bible-believing Christians should never be satisfied knowing what they believe, but must explore
why they
believe it.” (page 16)
Sprinkle, Preston M., General Editor,
Two Views of Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church,
copyright © 2016 by Preston Sprinkle, William Loader, Megan K.
DeFranza
, Wesley Hill, Stephen R. Holmes, Zondervan PublishersSlide46
Christ-Centered Conversation
From
Dialoguing With Dignity
by Anna Cherry:
“Christ-centered conversation aims to keep Christ and Christian ethics at the center of conversation by incorporating Scripture, encouraging spiritual mindfulness and establishing biblical approaches to conflict management.”
(page 2)
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity, A Curriculum by Anna Cherry,
Floris United Methodist Church, 2018 as presented in the seminar, “Training the Trainer,” January 24,2018, Virginia Conference Offices. The entire resource,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, is available at
www.vaumc.org/ncfilerrepository/TraintheTrainerResourcesHanadout.pdfSlide47
Conversational Covenant – Conscientious Engagement
1. Conscientious engagement (Micah 6:8):
He has told you, O mortal, what is
good; and
what does the
Lord
require of
you, but
to do justice, and to love
kindness, and
to walk humbly with your God
?
“We acknowledge the difficulty of conflict and commit to conscientious engagement with a spirit of listening, humility and love.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide48
Conversational covenant – language of peace
2. Language of Peace (Psalm 19:14):
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be
acceptable to
you, O
Lord
, my rock and my redeemer.
“We commit to language that honors the dignity and worth of others in both public and private contexts.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide49
Conversational covenant – intentional inclusion
3. Intentional Inclusion (Ephesians 2:14):
For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us
.
“We recognize the diversity of beliefs in the body of Christ, and commit to a spirit of listening and respect regardless of differing beliefs.
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide50
Conversational covenant – unwarranted grace
4. Unwarranted Grace (Ephesians 4:31-32
):
Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice,
32
and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you
.
“We commit to extending grace and forgiveness to those whose words or actions are hurtful to us, regardless of the deservedness or repentance of the individual group.
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide51
Conversational covenant – steadfast honesty
5. Steadfast Honesty (Ephesians 4:25):
So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another
.
“We commit to speaking with honesty, clarity and respect.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide52
Conversational covenant – restorative relationships
6. Restorative Relationships (John 1:9):
The true light,
which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world
.
“We commit to openness of conviction when we have wronged others, and the willingness to seek forgiveness from those whom I have wronged.”
Cherry, Anna,
Dialoguing With Dignity
, page 9
Scripture from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.Slide53
The ProcessHow To Have Christ-Centered Dialogues
Time of quiet and centering
Prayer
Refer to the Conversational Covenant
See each person involved in conversation and dialog as a Child of God. (How do we think the conversation could flow if this were the case?)
Differences of opinions can be shared without harming the “spirit” of the other person(s) with whom you/we are having a conversation.
Unity does not mean we agree on each issue; however it does mean we are a community of faith based upon God’s love for each one of us. As we respond to God’s love and grace for us,
we are
to love each other. This can lead to Christ-centered conversations and dialogues.