United Methodists from five continents addressed a wide range of challenging issues, including church structure and human sexuality, and engaged in an Act of Repentance toward indigenous people during their 10-day legislative gathering.
Meeting in the Tampa Convention Center, steps away from the waters of Tampa Bay, the 988 delegates recalled through worship, song and sermon the healing and transforming ministry of Jesus beside the Sea of Galilee.
As storms on the Sea of Galilee alarmed the disciples, so too, conflicting stands on structure and social justice issues troubled the delegates and some 4,000 visitors and staff. Perhaps the most surprising lightning strike occurred at 4:30 PM on May 4, the final day of the assembly, when the delegates received word from the church’s supreme court that a major piece of legislation regarding restructuring violated the denomination’s Constitution.
Afterward, Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster of the Charlotte (N.C.) Area, outgoing Council of Bishops President, sought to comfort a frustrated assembly at the start of the evening session. “God always provides a way,” he said.
In addition to restructuring and the Act of Repentance, General Conference addressed a wide range of topics during its April 24-May 4 gathering. The delegates:
- Retained the church’s position regarding homosexuality, deciding not to adopt language that would have said United Methodists are not of one mind on this issue;
- Did away with “guaranteed appointments” for clergy;
- Rejected a proposal for setting aside a bishop to serve as full-time president of the Council of Bishops;
- Entered into full communion with a number of historically black pan-Methodist denominations;
- Approved making the United Methodist Women an autonomous organization rather than operating it under the church's missions agency;
- Created a national ministry plan for Pacific Islanders;
- Adopted a $603.1 million budget for the 2013-2016 period; and
- Decided not to divest from three companies whose products are used by the Israeli military in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The delegates, from more than 60 nations, processed some 1,200 petitions during the assembly. General Conference meets every four years and is the only body that speaks for the 13 million-member denomination.
Blessings,
Rev. James H. Harry