General conference 2024
April 23–May 3, 2024 | Charlotte, North Carolina
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Many of us were either raised here in this church or by grace have found a home here. For many of us, the people of MDUMC have become our family – beautifully diverse and woven together by God’s grace through the power of the Holy Spirit. And because we believe deeply that God has a bright future in store for MDUMC, we’re not going anywhere. We will continue to uphold the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. We are staying focused on our mission: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” That is our call from God. That is why we exist. That is why we will continue to be a United Methodist church. That is why we are MDUMC.
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The General Conference is the legislative body of the United Methodist Church which meets every 4 years. It is the only body that can speak for the church and establish its official doctrines and teachings. This global gathering of delegates (equal parts clergy and non-clergy who are all elected from the various annual conferences) will gather for worship, prayer, and discernment of theological and missional priorities through a legislative process. To many observers this process will look similar to the legislative process of the United States Congress as it includes petitions, legislative committees, parliamentary procedure, and open debate.
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Among others of lesser concern, there are three important topics that will predominate the discussion: 1) a plan to restructure the church into geographic regions; 2) revising the UMC Social Principles; and 3) removal of prohibitive language around ordination and marriage of LGBTQ persons. It is important to note that each of these represent complex issues with sharp disagreements among the delegates. Consequently, it is not clear what exactly the General Conference will decide on any of these matters.
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In 2019, legislation approved by a special session of the United Methodist General Conference made it possible for a church to disaffiliate (i.e. leave the denomination) for reasons of conscience around issues of human sexuality and keep its property after fulfilling certain financial obligations. Those disaffiliations ended on December 31, 2023. During that time some who of those who left the UMC created their own denomination (the Global Methodist Church). Leaders of that denomination and other unofficial advocacy groups have been and still are encouraging other current like-minded United Methodist congregations and clergy to leave The United Methodist Church and join their denomination instead.
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No. MDUMC will continue to be a place where everyone who wants to follow Jesus can do so. There is nothing in the current proposals before General Conference that requires any particular changes for any local church at this time.
“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
Resources
Find panel discussions, podcast resources, and answers to other frequently asked questions at the links below.
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“Lastly, love me not in word only, but in deed and in truth. So far as in conscience thou canst (retaining still thy own opinions, and thy own manner of worshipping God), join with me in the work of God; and let us go on hand in hand.”