Live Streaming of General Conference

[GraceSeeker]

If you are interested you can watch the General Conference live here while it is in session in Portland. Please be advised that all times are Pacific Daylight Time. So, if it says something is at 8:30 AM, then that would be 11:30 AM in New York, 10:30 AM in Chicago, and 9:30 AM in Denver.

 

[Radicchio]

I have been watching some of the Conference. Seem to be a lot of disagreement on Rule 44. Can you fill me in on what may be so controversial.

 

[GraceSeeker]

Every year they begin General Conference by setting the rules by which the conference is going to run. This year that included Rule 44, so named because it is the 44th (and last) of the suggested rule changes.

Rule 44 suggested a change from the traditional process of sending legislation to various subcommittees (large committees of 150 people) to be debated, amended, and then brought to the floor of the General Conference for final action. And every 4 years the process, while easily understood, produces a result like the proverbial horse built by a committee that ends up looking like a camel. We've gotten to the point that everything at GC is being held hostage to the disagreement regarding the UMC's response to homosexuality in the church. The plan proposed by Rule 44 is that rather than go through the same old process to try a new one that involved many more smaller committees of not 150, but 15 people. These committees would meet at tables where people could face one another and the point would be to listen to each other rather than produce legislation. Of course, they could still produce legislation and the hope was that it would be the sort that would get us beyond our impasse. But to produce the legislation from so many sources there were multiple levels of people who were to facilitate and monitor the conversation. Then a small team of only about 6 people were to collate the various suggestions into legislation that would be brought back to the whole GC for action.

Now, I don't know which would be the better way to debate, or if it really makes any difference. But, I can expect that people will have preferences between the status quo and a new option. Some people probably think the method of debate favors one side or another. And, because everything in the UMC is right now seen through the lens of how one feels about the issue(s) associated with homosexuality, the debate over Rule 44 becomes a proxy war for the larger issue.

 

[civilwarbuff]

There has been a big issue here in Columbus OH over the last few days where a Methodist Pastor "married" his partner of 28 years. I believe a Methodist minister oversaw the "union" and it was intended to stir controversy up in your GC. Any word about what happened here?

 

[GraceSeeker]

It was indeed done to stir things up. The GC won't deal with that particular situation though, that will have to be handled by the bishop and annual conference in Ohio.

 

[civilwarbuff]

So it needs to be handled at a more "local" level then?

 

[civilwarbuff]

It has made the front page of both the main and metro section for about 3-4 days now.....the writing tends to be "sympathetic"....though that should not be surprising....

 

[GraceSeeker]

So it needs to be handled at a more "local" level then?

Not sure what "it" is that needs to be handled, so I can't say.

General Conference sets the standard for the UMC and establishes what is expected of its congregation, membership and pastors. It is equivalent to Congress in that it is a legislative body writing the rules we are governed by.
Disciplining of "law breakers" is carried about by the executive branch of the church, i.e. the bishop who oversees the pastors in any given region.

 

[civilwarbuff]

Not sure what "it" is that needs to be handled, so I can't say.

General Conference sets the standard for the UMC and establishes what is expected of its congregation, membership and pastors. It is equivalent to Congress in that it is a legislative body writing the rules we are governed by.
Disciplining of "law breakers" is carried about by the executive branch of the church, i.e. the bishop who oversees the pastors in any given region.

Thanks. I know homosexuality/SSM has been an issue within the UMC for some time (as in other Protestant denominations); was curious as to how it might be handled....I just thought it must be handled on a national level so the same rules applied to everyone.

 

[actionsub]

Thanks. I know homosexuality/SSM has been an issue within the UMC for some time (as in other Protestant denominations); was curious as to how it might be handled....I just thought it must be handled on a national level so the same rules applied to everyone.

In theory, it is handled nationally according to the Book of Discipline. However, many clergy, including some bishops, have taken the law into their own hands in order to force the issue, and have been doing so with impunity. The sanctions for violating the BoD have been minimal, if any.

 

[GraceSeeker]

Thanks. I know homosexuality/SSM has been an issue within the UMC for some time (as in other Protestant denominations); was curious as to how it might be handled....I just thought it must be handled on a national level so the same rules applied to everyone.

In theory, it is handled nationally according to the Book of Discipline. However, many clergy, including some bishops, have taken the law into their own hands in order to force the issue, and have been doing so with impunity. The sanctions for violating the BoD have been minimal, if any.

Among the things the Book of Discipline says is that when someone violates the Book of Discipline
1) Charges need to be filed. Charges can only be filed by people with standing, meaning someone from within their own conference. So, if I who am a member of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference learn through our conversation hear in CF that either circuitrider or Romans8 has violated the Discipline (or they learn that of me) because we are members of different Annual Conferences none of us have standing to file charges against each other. No charges, no sanctions.

2) When charges are filed the Discipline makes it clear that the purpose is not punishment, but correction. Correction can come in the form of a trial with punishment, but the Discipline also offers the option of what is called "just resolution." Many bishops have chosen to follow this option for dealing with clergy who are brought up on charges.

 

[civilwarbuff]

2) When charges are filed the Discipline makes it clear that the purpose is not punishment, but correction. Correction can come in the form of a trial with punishment, but the Discipline also offers the option of what is called "just resolution." Many bishops have chosen to follow this option for dealing with clergy who are brought up on charges.

Are you saying that individual members can make charges as long as the "accused" is in the same conference?
I would assume the Bishop can do just about anything from dismissing the complaint to excommunication (or whatever UMC may call it)?
What happens if the laity of the conference is convinced that the Bishop is in error in his decision?

 

[GraceSeeker]

Yes, any member of the annual conference can bring charges.

As long as the process that is followed is in accordance with the Discipline, no one can challenge the decision that is arrived at.

 

[civilwarbuff]

Thanks for the info.....

 

[GraceSeeker]

You may find the following articles helpful for further clarification....

From the Discipline: paragraph ¶ 363. Complaint Procedures

About halfway down through this article it mentions that complaints must be in writing, not just a phone call or informal accusation.

The Complaint Process: What to do when something happens.

Detailed Outline of the United Methodist Judicial Process

Church Trial Q&A as outline by the Wisconsin Annual Conference


And if you are able to wade through all of that you'll know more about the process than I do, so from now on we'll be asking these questions of you.

 

[circuitrider]

United Methodist Bishops, while invested with a good deal of authority, cannot just act with impunity in dismissing a pastor or member of an Annual Conference. By the Constitution of the UMC every clergy member has a right to trial if charges are brought against them. You can't just be discipled or defrocked at a Bishop's whim.

 

[civilwarbuff]

Will the results be known of any changes within UMC at the end of GC or will it take longer than that?

 

[circuitrider]

Will the results be known of any changes within UMC at the end of GC or will it take longer than that?

Most of the changes would be known by the end of the week. The exception would be if later the Judicial Council overturns a decision of the GC.

 

[civilwarbuff]

Interesting....anywhere I can get a "UMC for dummies" lesson?....something short and concise about the organization and beliefs?

 

[GraceSeeker]

Interesting....anywhere I can get a "UMC for dummies" lesson?....something short and concise about the organization and beliefs?

Best bet is to buy a copy of the Discipline and read it.