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"Moving Forward Together"
This fall there will be several conversations around the structure of the United Methodist Church and how we move forward together around current events in our society. The structure of the United Methodist Church is a mystery to many, and for most of us, it does not affect the way we are called to be the church in the community. Defined as a "connectional church," our churches are connected by a system to guide our work and govern our policies. It also allows us to pool our resources so that we may work efficiently administratively and in ministry throughout the world. To better understand these upcoming discussions, I felt it was important that we understand the "how" of our connection. We are linked as: Local Churches, Districts, Annual Conferences, Jurisdictions, and the General Conference.
Each of us is familiar with our LOCAL CHURCH. It is here we live out our mission statement, "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." We do this through worship, study, fellowship, and serving our community. This is where the work of ministry is done.
A DISTRICT is made up of a group of churches in a geographical location supervised by an ordained member of clergy. This District Superintendent (DS) works with churches in the District to arrange training events and other opportunities for ministry. There are 12 Districts in the North Georgia Conference. CFUMC is part of the Gainesville District and our (new) District Superintendent is Alice Rogers.
An ANNUAL CONFERENCE is a grouping all the churches in a larger geographic area supervised by a Bishop. It may include multiple states, an entire state, or part of a state. Georgia has two Annual Conferences, North Georgia and South Georgia, and our Bishop is Sue Haupert-Johnson. CFUMC is one of almost 1,000 churches in the North Georgia conference. Our connection as local churches through the Conference allows us to support ministries within our boundaries and throughout the world.
JURISDICTIONS are large regional divisions of the UMC within the United States and comprised of the Annual Conferences within their geographic boundaries. Delegates elected from Annual Conferences meet every four years to address ministry issues within this area. This is also the body that elects and assigns Bishops to Annual Conferences. The five jurisdictions in the United States are North Central, Northeastern, South Central, Southeastern, and Western. CFUMC resides in the Southeastern Jurisdiction.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
The General Conference is the highest legislative body in our denomination. Representatives from every Annual and Central Conference (regional conferences outside the United States) meet once every four years. Clergy and laity delegates (elected at Annual Conference) have the primary responsibility to enact legislation for our denomination. The organization, beliefs, and official policies of the UMC are contained in our Book of Discipline. At each four year meeting (called a quadrennial) the General Conference reviews the Book of Discipline and has the authority to rewrite any portion of it following very specific and well defined procedures.
Our last General Council was held in 2016 and there was much discussion about how we are called to serve as the church. There were debates about the issue of human sexuality and ministry which became very heated. In an effort to address the concerns of all represented, the Bishops appointed a group named The Commission on the Way Forward. These 32 clergy and lay persons were charged to identify different solutions dealing with this issue and its impact on the church. This is not a new discussion for the UMC. When I attended General Conference in 2004 this was one of many heated subjects addressed and discussion about human sexuality had been ongoing for at least the previous 8 years. After almost 2 years of work the committee has identified three ways for the UMC to proceed. In February 2019 the UMC will be participating in a called
General Conference session where delegates will receive and vote on the report from this group.
In the coming weeks we will have an opportunity to have conversations to better understand the three proposed plans: The One Church Plan, the Connectional Conference Plan, and the Traditionalist Plan. For some of us, it will be an easy conversation. For others it will challenge us and ask us to confront some longstanding beliefs. For all of us it will mean intentionally working together in love and grace. We are the people of God and called to do no harm. Let us take that thought to heart as we begin to have these conversations. Pray for each other, for me, for our DS, for our Bishop, for our Annual Conference, and for the General Conference. Pray God's leading and calm as we begin this season of discussion to seek God’s will.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kathy
Each of us is familiar with our LOCAL CHURCH. It is here we live out our mission statement, "to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." We do this through worship, study, fellowship, and serving our community. This is where the work of ministry is done.
A DISTRICT is made up of a group of churches in a geographical location supervised by an ordained member of clergy. This District Superintendent (DS) works with churches in the District to arrange training events and other opportunities for ministry. There are 12 Districts in the North Georgia Conference. CFUMC is part of the Gainesville District and our (new) District Superintendent is Alice Rogers.
An ANNUAL CONFERENCE is a grouping all the churches in a larger geographic area supervised by a Bishop. It may include multiple states, an entire state, or part of a state. Georgia has two Annual Conferences, North Georgia and South Georgia, and our Bishop is Sue Haupert-Johnson. CFUMC is one of almost 1,000 churches in the North Georgia conference. Our connection as local churches through the Conference allows us to support ministries within our boundaries and throughout the world.
JURISDICTIONS are large regional divisions of the UMC within the United States and comprised of the Annual Conferences within their geographic boundaries. Delegates elected from Annual Conferences meet every four years to address ministry issues within this area. This is also the body that elects and assigns Bishops to Annual Conferences. The five jurisdictions in the United States are North Central, Northeastern, South Central, Southeastern, and Western. CFUMC resides in the Southeastern Jurisdiction.
GENERAL CONFERENCE
The General Conference is the highest legislative body in our denomination. Representatives from every Annual and Central Conference (regional conferences outside the United States) meet once every four years. Clergy and laity delegates (elected at Annual Conference) have the primary responsibility to enact legislation for our denomination. The organization, beliefs, and official policies of the UMC are contained in our Book of Discipline. At each four year meeting (called a quadrennial) the General Conference reviews the Book of Discipline and has the authority to rewrite any portion of it following very specific and well defined procedures.
Our last General Council was held in 2016 and there was much discussion about how we are called to serve as the church. There were debates about the issue of human sexuality and ministry which became very heated. In an effort to address the concerns of all represented, the Bishops appointed a group named The Commission on the Way Forward. These 32 clergy and lay persons were charged to identify different solutions dealing with this issue and its impact on the church. This is not a new discussion for the UMC. When I attended General Conference in 2004 this was one of many heated subjects addressed and discussion about human sexuality had been ongoing for at least the previous 8 years. After almost 2 years of work the committee has identified three ways for the UMC to proceed. In February 2019 the UMC will be participating in a called
General Conference session where delegates will receive and vote on the report from this group.
In the coming weeks we will have an opportunity to have conversations to better understand the three proposed plans: The One Church Plan, the Connectional Conference Plan, and the Traditionalist Plan. For some of us, it will be an easy conversation. For others it will challenge us and ask us to confront some longstanding beliefs. For all of us it will mean intentionally working together in love and grace. We are the people of God and called to do no harm. Let us take that thought to heart as we begin to have these conversations. Pray for each other, for me, for our DS, for our Bishop, for our Annual Conference, and for the General Conference. Pray God's leading and calm as we begin this season of discussion to seek God’s will.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Kathy
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