The United Methodists are gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina for their General Conference, which was postponed from 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The delegates, representing various regional church bodies, will make decisions on church-wide policies, budgets, and other matters. This year’s conference is significant as it is the first since many conservative congregations left the denomination over LGBTQ-related issues.
One of the key issues at this year’s General Conference is the potential lifting of bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy. Supporters of removing the bans are optimistic due to the election of more progressive delegates and the departure of many conservatives. Other issues include rules regarding disaffiliations, restructuring the denomination into regional conferences, and approving a reduced budget proposal.
The conference began with New York Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton addressing the recent schism within the denomination. He emphasized the need for rebuilding the church and working towards a culture of compassion, courage, and companionship. Despite the challenges faced by the church, Bickerton reminded attendees of the core beliefs of the United Methodist Church and the importance of unity in moving forward.
The delegates attending the conference come from various regions of the church, with a majority from the United States, followed by delegates from Africa, the Philippines, Europe, and concordant churches. However, not all delegates were able to attend the conference due to visa issues and other reasons. The conference has taken steps to ensure that the voices of all regions are heard and considered during the decision-making process.
Congregations, especially those advocating for the repeal of LGBTQ-related bans, are preparing for the conference with a strong focus on the important issues being discussed. The United Methodists are part of a larger family of Methodist groups tracing back to John Wesley’s Protestant revivalist movement. Despite recent challenges and departures from the denomination, United Methodists maintain a global presence with churches on four continents.
With millions of members in the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe, the United Methodist Church continues to navigate through significant changes and challenges. The decisions made at this year’s General Conference will have a lasting impact on the future direction of the denomination. As delegates gather to discuss and vote on key issues, the unity and resilience of the United Methodist Church will be put to the test.
