General Conference Final Thoughts

General Conference is over for another four years and most likely it will take that long for us to fully understand and figure out all of the changes that were made at this one. Some things stayed the same others changed. Sometimes it seemed as if the delegates passed proposals that seemed to be in conflict, but that’s the way the process works. One can only hope that on the whole the church listened to what God is calling us to do.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

The following is a summary of some of the highlights. It is based on information received from the United Methodist News Service the author was.: Peck, a four-time editor of the Daily Christian Advocate, served as an editor for United Methodist News Service during the 2008 General Conference—his 11th assembly.

The worldwide church

The assembly reflected changing demographics, as membership has shrunk in the United States while growing in Africa and the Philippines and parts of Europe.

This gathering was less centered on issues confined to the United States than at previous assemblies. That was partially because 278 of the 992 delegates came from outside of the United States––100 more than attended the 2004 session. It also was the result of proposals from a task force studying the global nature of the church.

Delegates approved 23 constitutional amendments that would make it possible to change the church's U.S.-centric structure to a more uniform global structure. A 20-member committee will bring recommendations to the 2012 assembly.

Budget

The delegates approved a $642 million denominational spending plan for the next four years built around four areas of focus for the immediate future: Developing principled Christian leaders, Creating new places for new people by starting new congregations and renewing existing ones, Engaging in ministries with the poor, Improving global health, especially attacking the killer diseases of poverty.

Homosexuality

General Conference essentially upheld the status quo on sexuality issues. In retaining its stance declaring homosexual practice "incompatible with Christian teaching," the assembly rejected a majority report from a legislative committee that recommended new language that faithful people disagree on the topic but that "all seek a faithful witness." The assembly affirmed that all people are "individuals of sacred worth created in the image of God." Delegates also retained statements asking "families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends."

Continued the policy of not funding groups that promote the acceptance of homosexuality, retained language defining marriage as a relationship between one man and one woman and let stand language in the Book of Discipline regarding pastoral authority over church membership.

Legislative process

Delegates created a 24-member standing committee on faith and order to help bishops and the church reflect on matters of faith, doctrinal teaching, order and discipline. The group also will provide study materials upon the request of the bishops, the Connectional Table or General Conference.

The conference called for a continuation of a study authorized by the 2004 assembly on the church's ordering of ministry. The 28-member study group is to address the ordering of ministry, the separation of ordination and conference membership, and the streamlining of the ordained ministry candidacy process.

Delegates approved the creation of a hymnal revision committee and authorized it to bring a proposed hymnal to the 2012 General Conference. An additional group will investigate the possibility of an Africana hymnal that incorporates music and liturgy from Africa––as well as Caribbean, African-American and other traditions with African roots.

Constitutional amendments

General Conference passed a number of amendments to the church's constitution, which now awaits action from annual (regional) conferences. All constitutional amendments approved by a two-thirds vote of General Conference must be ratified by a two-thirds affirmative vote of the aggregate number of voting annual members.

Other items

General Conference approved a full communion agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in which each church recognizes the other’s ministry and mission, the authenticity of the other’s baptism and Eucharist, and the interchangeability of ordained ministers. The ELCA’s assembly will act on the agreement in 2009.

Delegates learned that church members raised $3 million to restore churches damaged by Hurricane Katrina. More than $60 million was given through the United Methodist Committee on Relief for humanitarian aid in the Gulf Coast.

The assembly increased the retirement age of bishops from 66 to 68 and the retirement age of other ordained clergy from 70 to 72.

People who join United Methodist churches henceforth will promise to be faithful in "their witness" as well as in their "prayers, their presence, their gifts and their service."

Final session

The final gavel came down May 2 at 11:15 p.m., followed by worship, which ended shortly before midnight. The next General Conference will be in 2012 in Tampa, Fla.