Month: February 2019

I’ve been reading some of the coverage of the recent General Conference in non-United Methodist News Outlets. Many of them are missing a key element in their stories. That missing element is the fact that much of what was passed by General Conference was ruled unconstitutional by the Judicial Council (the UMC’s version of the United States Supreme Court) before it was even adopted. What was ruled unconstitutional before it was approved will almost certainly be ruled unconstitutional when the Judicial Council meets again April 23-25, 2019. [1] That means we’ll have to wait until then to really know where things stand. I’ve also read several stories that assume those who affirm LGBTQ folks will leave the church. That has not happened in the past. In the past, it has been the non-affirming churches that have left. I may very well be wrong, but my guess is that past is prelude.

---

[1] Linda Bloom, “Wrap-up: Judicial Council at GC2019,” United Methodist News Service, February 27, 2019, http://bit.ly/2T5xn8T.

The 2019 General Conference just approved the traditional plan (by a vote of 438 (53.28%) to 384 (46.72%)). Much of the plan was ruled unconstitutional before general conference by the Judicial Council (the UMC’s version of the Supreme Court). Most of the parts that were ruled unconstitutional were not amended before the plan was passed and thus are, one assumes, still unconstitutional. We’ll have to wait a while to learn the exact impact of today’s action by the General Conference.

As for Abilene First United Methodist Church, we are still a church of open hearts, open minds and open doors. All people, and all means all, are welcome at First United Methodist Church.

If you are hurting because of this decision or concerned about what will happen next please feel free to text or call Jenny or I.

Tomorrow (Saturday, February 23, 2019) delegates from around the world will gather for a special called General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri.

The first day of the conference will be devoted to prayer. We know the power of prayer in our congregation to provide healing and comfort, strength and peace. The results of prayer can change lives, we have witnessed this time and time again in our lives and the lives of our church family. Bishop Saenz has prepared a video detailing this day of prayer.  Here’s the link: http://bit.ly/2GWlHy9.

On Saturday, I will be praying for the delegates, Bishops and staff at General Conference, as well as for our denomination and all United Methodists around the world. I invite you, wherever you happen to be on Saturday, to join me. This is an anxious time for our denomination.  By centering ourselves in prayer as General Conference begins, perhaps the anxiety can be lessened and we will have a greater sense of the Holy Spirit surrounding all of us in the days ahead.

Legislative sessions for General Conference will begin on Sunday, February 24, 2019 and continue through Tuesday, February 26, 2019. If you are interested in watching the conference via livestream, you may do so by clicking on this link: http://bit.ly/2SZMsZW. (Note: the livestream has already started, at present there seems to be a band rehearsing.)

A word of caution. There will be a lot of information coming out via social media and secular media in the next few days. Please check your facts before sharing that information and remember that it isn’t over until it’s over. At the end of each day of conference there will be a daily wrap up sent out through the official United Methodist News Service. I will work to get the updates posted here so that you can see them. If you have any questions, please call, text or stop by the church. Jenny and I will do our best to answer all of your questions.

Remember too, that in the midst of all of this God still loves us, Jesus Christ still reigns at God’s right hand, and the Holy Spirit remains with us.