What Is One Thing ... Week 1

Change. There are probably two basic gut reactions to that word. You either just cringed at what may come next or got excited thinking about the possibility of something new. There may be some in-betweeners, but I think, for the most part, change triggers something in us that makes us want to hunker down and cling to our foundation. Brace for impact.

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This is my nature when it comes to change. It is something that I have been working on for more than a decade now and will probably work on till the day I see Jesus face to face. Someone said to me in my early twenties that part of how they no longer fear change or live into anxieties brought by change, besides a lot of prayers, is accepting that change is coming and expect change to happen. When you switch your mindset from anxiously waiting for the other shoe to drop to moving towards being ready to catch the shoe, it levels out some of the control battles and puts your mind into a space prepared for what may come.

Now, that is easy to just type out and read but living into it is another matter. Ex. 2020. I am sure we are all over the memes of 2020 and trying to predict what Jumanji level we are on next. We want to see the trailer to 2021 before we buy a new calendar. This year has been crazy. Period. We are six full months in and not sure of a defined end in sight.

Some of you may have found your new routine and rhythm, while others may be struggling to make it through another week.

We introduced a series of questions at the Laity Session of our one-day Annual Conference that I wanted to share with you in a short series. This process has become part of my routine that feeds my nerd side along with my Enneagram 3 personality, type J, all the things, and helps me move forward in decision-making and change. But I feel that this process can also be streamlined for others who don’t naturally find themselves quickly in self-evaluation.

The four-question series are below:

  1. What is one thing that you are doing well?

  2. What is one thing that you would like to improve?

  3. What is one thing you will stop doing?

  4. What is one thing you want to start doing?

 

How often do you spend time reflecting on things going well in your life, work, or ministry? Do you find yourself overwhelmed when trying to answer that question? Try to narrow down your focus. Focus on the past month, week, or yesterday. Focus on yourself individually or on your ministry context. What were your big wins or accomplishments from the past week? Make a list and try to narrow it down to 3 – 5 important things that you are doing well. From that list, identify the one you are most proud of.

When we take the time to look at what we are doing well and acknowledge it, we tend to become more willing to look at what may need improvement or stop doing. 

Next week, we will look into more about what we need to improve. If you are the type of person who likes listening to organizing/scheduling/planning/goal setting type content, you should check out the Focus On This podcast. It is a podcast from the Michael Hyatt Company and while they walk through using their planner system with the podcast, there is so much good information that can be used without using their product. For now, here are some of the responses from the Laity Session when answering what is one thing their church is doing well.

  • Live streaming services/VBS/extra communication

  • Keeping the doors open/adapting to pandemic/restoring order/continued connection with members

  • Faithful giving to the church/extra giving during a pandemic

  • Outreach/Serving Community/Adopt an elementary school

  • Food Pantry/Food box/Community garden

  • Strong children’s program/day school/engaging children of the community

  • Zooming Sunday School/Meetings/Bible Studies

  • Strong youth program/Wednesday night meals

  • Inclusive/Welcoming/Supportive

  • Missional giving and presence

  • Collect change/Pay shared giving on time

  • Prayer Chain/Drive-by prayer every Wednesday

  • Fixed/Restored facility to better serve the community

  • Radio ministry

  • Didn’t stop face to face ministry during the pandemic. Helped members feel safe in transitioning back to in-person worship

  • Leadership guiding church in the study of Scriptures

  • Drive thru communion

  • Supporting children with meals and paying for camps

  • Christmas Eve Service

  • Paid off debt

  • Hosted life recovery group

  • Hispanic ministry

  • Added new people and past members after returning from COVID

  • Community VBS

Bishop Nhiwatiwa elected president of Africa College of Bishops; scholarship fund announced in Bishop Yambasu's name

 
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Bishop Nhiwatiwa elected president of Africa College of Bishops; scholarship fund announced in Bishop Yambasu's name

WASHINGTON, D. C. - (August 17, 2020) Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa, Resident Bishop of the Zimbabwe Area of The United Methodist Church, was elected today as interim president of the Africa College of Bishops. He follows Bishop John K. Yambasu, the Resident Bishop of the Sierra Leone Area who died in a road accident on Sunday.

In electronic balloting, the active bishops in Africa selected Bishop Nhiwatiwa as their new leader. He serves the Zimbabwe East and Zimbabwe West conferences in the Africa Central Conference. There are 66 active bishops in The United Methodist Church throughout the world. 

Bishop Nhiwatiwa has served the church in various capacities from local, district and conference levels.  He was elected a bishop of the church in August 2004. He currently serves as the Board member and Chair of the Finance Committee of the Africa University Board of Directors. 

Bishop Yambasu, who was also the newly elected Chancellor of Africa University, died in an accident while he was on his way to attend a funeral service for one of his pastors. 

Bishop Nhiwatiwa and other bishops in Africa will make a recommendation to the Council of Bishops on which bishop would serve ad interim as resident bishop of Sierra Leone Area.

“While remaining extraordinarily sensitive to the grief we all share there was a need to fill this role as they will soon begin their work to identify persons to fill the vacancy left by Bishop Yambasu’s death,” noted Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, President of the Council of Bishops.  “Bishop Yambasu played a critical leadership role in the church, ecumenical outreach, government and of course the broader global church.  His death leaves a void of leadership particularly in Sierra Leone. The College is well aware of this and will recommend to the Council of Bishops coverage for this interim assignment.” 

Africa University Board of Directors will select a new chancellor.   

Endowed Scholarship Fund established in Bishop Yambasu’s name

Africa University has also announced that it has established an endowment for scholarships in memory of Bishop Yambasu.  

The endowment was established with a generous gift and will ensure annual scholarship support for at least one student to matriculate at Africa University in the area of peace, leadership and governance. A named scholarship requires a minimum of $10,000.00 and a perpetual scholarship endowment has a goal of $130,000.00.

Bishop Trimble, Bishop of the Indiana Area of the United Methodist Chair and chair of the Africa University Board and Advisory Development Committees said, “The best way to honor great leaders is to help train future leaders.”

“The Bishop John K. Yambasu Endowed Scholarship Fund is an intentional and lasting tribute to a leader who served his episcopal area and the global United Methodist Church family with great compassion, wisdom and commitment,” said James H. Salley, associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement.

“Bishop Yambasu believed in scholarships and the power of education to transform lives and communities,” said Salley. “That four members of his family have graduated from Africa University is clear evidence of his confidence in the life-changing educational experience AU offers.”

Daughters Adima and Rebecca Yambasu earned a master’s degree in Peace Leadership and Governance (2014) and a bachelor’s degree in Nursing (2017) respectively, from Africa University. In June, Bishop Yambasu’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth, and foster daughter, Janet Kalma Thorley, completed master’s degrees in Public Policy and Governance. The two 2020 graduates have been sheltering in place at the AU campus in Zimbabwe since March, when countries closed their borders and imposed travel restrictions in response to the spread of COVID-19.

For more information, please call 616.340.7438 or write to audevoffice@gbhem.org. To invest in The Bishop John K. Yambasu Endowed Scholarship Fund at Africa University, visit support-africauniversity.org or mail your check made out to “Africa University” to the Africa University Development Office, P O Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007. Gifts can also be made by text to 615-258-7259.

Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Director of Communications
Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

Bishop John Yambasu dies in road accident in Sierra Leone

 
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Bishop John Yambasu dies in road accident in Sierra Leone

Bishop John K. Yambasu, the Resident Bishop of the Sierra Leone Area of The United Methodist Church, died in a road accident this morning (August 16, 2020) just outside Freetown in Sierra Leone.   

He was on his way to attend a funeral service for Rev. Edward Kamara in Yonibana in the north of the country, according to Phileas Jusu, the director of communications for Sierra Leone Annual Conference.

“Our hearts are broken, and we're devastated by this sudden departure of Bishop Yambasu. This is a great blow to the people called United Methodists! It is our hope and prayers that God will comfort the family in particular and The United Methodist family at large! May his soul rest in perfect peace,” said Bishop Samuel Quire of the Liberia Episcopal Area.

Bishop Yambasu was instrumental in bringing together a diverse group of representatives from United Methodist advocacy groups with contrasting views and bishops from around the world to collaborate on a proposed agreement for the separation of The United Methodist Church.

The agreement, the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation, was achieved on December 17, 2019, and announced early this year and will be considered at the next General Conference of the church set for 2021.

Bishop Yambasu was also president of the Africa College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church.

Born in southern Sierra Leone, Bishop Yambasu studied at United Methodist mission schools. He was ordained a deacon in 1987 and an elder in 1990. He served churches in Moyamba and Freetown until he began to focus on Christian education and youth ministry.

A graduate of Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Bishop Yambasu taught in many schools, including the denomination's Harford School for Girls in Moyamba. He also was the Sierra Leone Conference's director for Christian education and youth ministries and founded the Child Rescue Centre in Sierra Leone, serving as its executive director until he became a regional missionary in 2000.

He was elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church in 2008 and installed in 2009.

Bishop Yambasu is survived by his wife, Millicent, and their five children — Rebecca, Adima, John, Emmanuel and Elizabeth.

 Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Director of Communications
Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church

Colorado City Churches host a Unity and Prayer Event

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In the midst of challenging times and troubling news, the church of Jesus Christ is stepping up to represent the Kingdom of God in many ways…online worship services, meetings via ZOOM and other virtual meeting sites, mailing necessary items to persons in need, etc.  Recently the church in Colorado City, TX decided together to tackle many of the issues facing our community, nation, and world. 

 It all stemmed from an impromptu community wide prayer service on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st in response to the death of a 16 year old girl who overdosed on drugs.  At that meeting, which was put together just four days before, more than 80 people participated, and five churches were represented.  It took place on the courthouse lawn.  We prayed for justice in this young lady’s death, healing for her family and friends, and grace to be brought to all.  Since we have prayed, 11 arrests have been made, and the family has received much love and support from Christians in our community.

Instead of the usual “God and Country” gathering, the Mitchell County Ministerial Alliance sense the Holy Spirit leading in another direction…to have another community gathering at the courthouse lawn to seek unity and to pray together as a community over otherwise divisive issues and among groups that seem to be becoming more polarized.  “We may not have influence over our nation and world, but, as pastors, we have influence in our churches and community” was the consensus among the pastors who regularly meet to pray together and plan events for Mitchell County and specifically, Colorado City.

We invited many of the county leaders to speak to our current context answering three questions: 1) What challenges are you currently facing in your area of influence? 2) What do you need from the churches in the community? & 3) How can we pray specifically for you?  We asked all to be “real” and respectful.  Various issues were addressed from systemic racial injustice to struggles and fears faced by law enforcement officers to denominational and ethnic unity to coronavirus to new challenges facing public education.  Civic leaders who supported and participated in the event included our county judge, county attorney, county sheriff, county health officer, Colorado City Police Chief, and CISD Superintendent.  After each gave a short message, a local pastor prayed over them and their area of influence. 

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This has opened the lines of communication between our civic leaders and churches.  We now receive texts and phone calls from the police chief, sheriff, and county health officer asking for prayers.  Fellowship between churches and ethnic groups has opened up further as well.  Present that night were “black, brown, and white.”  Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Pentecostals were represented among those at the service.  Over 100 participated on-site and practiced social distancing and gave many “air hugs” to each other.  Online, over 800 hundred have participated in this event.  Our theme was REPRESENT AND RECONCILE based on 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

The churches have also begun planning an outreach and evangelistic event called Light the Darkness, in which we will have “Gospel Meetings” on July 20-22 to clearly present the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to bring more into a relationship with God and plugged into area churches.  We are troubled by much of the news we hear, but we are also excited that the Holy Spirit is still moving and using His church to represent God’s kingdom and reconcile people to God and to each other.  

                                                                    Donald A. Ward-Pastor, FUMC-Colorado City, TX  

United Methodists Sets to Unveil "Dismantling Racism" Initiative

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Nashville, Tennessee: United Methodist Church leaders will launch a plan of action to galvanize church members and others to actively stand against racism in the wake of the death of George Floyd and protests across the U.S. 

The “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” initiative is a multi-level effort throughout the church to initiate a sustained and coordinated effort to dismantle racism and promote collective action to work toward racial justice. The church-wide effort will kick off on June 19, 2020, to coincide with Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. An announcement from members of the United Methodist Council of Bishops will be broadcast at 11:00 am CT on UMC.org/EndRacism and Facebook.

Participating in the event will be Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey of the Louisiana Episcopal Area, president of the Council of Bishops and the first Hispanic woman to hold that post, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi of the Pittsburgh Episcopal Area, Bishop Bruce Ough of the Dakotas-Minnesota Episcopal Area, Bishop Gregory Palmer of the Ohio West Episcopal Area, and Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the New York Episcopal Area.

"Words are great, words are important – but action is really important," said Bishop Harvey. "Pick up your pen, pick up your voice, pick up your feet, and do something."

A day of prayer and worship will follow on June 24, 2020, with an online service to be broadcast at noon CT on UMC.org/EndRacism and Facebook. There will also be a denominational virtual town hall event on July 1.

Regional and local worship events and town hall meetings involving community partners will subsequently take place, either online or in keeping with social distancing protocols. 

United Methodist Communications has launched a national advertising campaign on social media and news websites across the U.S., as well as digital billboards in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Houston, and Louisville. The ads direct viewers to a website, UMC.org/EndRacism, where they can find resources to help them learn more and take action.

The United Methodist Council of Bishops has asked all United Methodists to join in prayer at 8:46 a.m. and p.m. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time the officer held his knee on George Floyd’s neck, for at least the next 30 days. 

Advocacy and worship resources will seek to equip leaders, members, and the public to join in this important racial relations work. To encourage wide participation, a variety of materials will be made available in English, Korean, Spanish, French, and Portuguese translations.

The denomination has a long-standing history of advocating for justice. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church recognize racism as a sin and commit to challenging unjust systems of power and access. Additional information and resources are available online at UMC.org/EndRacism.

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United Methodist Bishops: Act now to end racism and white supremacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the aftermath of police killings of unarmed Black people, the bishops of The United Methodist Church today called on all United Methodists to act now by using their voices, pens, feet, and hearts to end racism.  

In a statement released by Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, the bishops are urging every United Methodist to reclaim their baptismal vows to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. 

“We ask every United Methodist to name the egregious sin of racism and white supremacy and join together to take a stand against the oppression and injustice that is killing persons of color,” the statement said.

The bishops said they are joining with other church leaders and boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church to add strength to the message that “we will no longer remain silent nor complicit but must act now!”  

As part of that pledge, for at least the next 30 days, all United Methodists everywhere are asked to join in prayer at 8:46 a.m. and p.m. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the time the officer held his knee on George Floyd’s neck.  “Pray for all persons of color who suffer at the hands of injustice and oppression.  Pray for our church as we take a stand against racism.”

Click here to read the full statement from the Council of Bishops.

 

COVID-19 & Digital Church Resources

Resources for meeting digitally and in homes while our communities are social distancing due to COVID-19.

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Live streaming is a great first step of stepping into the digital world of the church. Here are some other ideas that can go beyond just live streaming Sunday morning. Consider using this time to be innovative and try new ways to reach your community. Most of these tips are great resources to plant in your church routine for the long run!

This Is Not The Crisis, But It Is Just A Few Weeks Away Article - From Christianity Today

Online Church Community:

  1. Live stream Sunday service on one or multiple platforms.

    • Make sure that you have the streaming license with CCLI if you are streaming your songs! If you just stream your sermon, you should be ok. www.ccli.com

  2. Choose an “Online Pastor” to host the chat and engagement. This could be a volunteer or staff member.

  3. Create a simple webpage that lists all of your online expressions (live streaming, giving, etc.). 

    • If you are not set up on a website already, Square Space is a great resource for a simple drag and drop website. They also have a price for integrated online giving resources. www.squarespace.com

  4. Pick a day like “Wednesdays or Thursdays at Home” and stream a devotional from the pastor or staff.

  5. Emphasize small groups and live ‘watch parties’. If governments allow small gatherings at home, micro-communities can gather to watch the Sunday service live and pray for one another.

  6. Have a daily, live online ministry time on social media that includes things like prayer, communion, and scripture reading.

  7. Move as much financial giving to automated online options by speaking openly and candidly to the church.

Read the full article from Benjamin Windle here.

Here is a great resource from Ministry Brands on Using Technology to Prepare Your Church. This resource covers several topics including streamlining communication, live streaming, online giving, create video messages, and keeping your website and social sites up to date to stay informed.

Some of the online giving tips from Ministry Brands are as follows:

  • Share your giving options often via email, social media, on your church website, and other online places your church community hangs out (so people know they exist!)

  • Include the link to your giving page when communicating and include step-by-step instructions on how to set up an account

  • Use branded donation pages to promote a familiar giving experience, providing comfort to people that want to ensure they’re giving to your church

  • Adopt new giving options for people to donate using their phones (like mobile

    apps or text-to-give)

  • For older generations, speak to the security measures your platform has in

    place, helping them understand there is minimal risk of fraud due to the high standards the payment card industry must achieve to facilitate online giving

Basic Outline for Calculating Views and Interactions on Digital Platforms:

  • Facebook Live: Use "1-Minute Video Views" as the number for metrics reporting.

    • You can also view the analytics on the Facebook Business page on how long people watched and when they stopped watching. 

  • YouTube: List the number of unique views. View an illustration here. 

  • Vimeo: List views over a 7-10 day period. 

  • Other Streaming Services: Unique IP addresses or peak viewers.

  • Multiplier: As often households watch the service together, you may need to multiply the views/viewers by a number to account for this. Multiply by 1.5 if your normal physical attendance is comprised of mainly couples and singles. Multiply by 2 if at least 1/3 of your attendance is comprised of families with children. If you have good reason to use a different multiplier (e.g. a singles church should probably multiply by 1), feel free.

    • These multiplier numbers are used on the number of views that match the guidelines above.

  • TV or Radio Services: Contact your local station and ask about the estimated audience size. Don’t use a multiplier in this case. This may also be recorded under online attendance.

  • Be sure to wait at least 24 hours after the video is published to count the number of views the video received.

Below are resources. We will keep adding to the list over the next several weeks. If you have a platform you love using, let us know and we will add it to the list!

5 Things to do During COVID-19 - Mikey Littau

TMF Resource - Being a Virtual Church - Updated Regularly with New Resources

Live Stream Resources

Small Group Resources

Online Giving

Non-Digital Members

  • Set up a phone tree to keep those informed that my not be on social media or have emails.

  • Send postcards or cards in the mail.

Serving and Mission

  • Have people in your church or community that might not be able to get out to get groceries or go to appointments? Set up a team of volunteers that are willing to go shopping or errand running for them. Remember to practice social distancing.

  • Divide your church community into sections and gather a team of people to check in weekly with their call list! Share announcements, prayer, scripture, and more!

  • Start a digital prayer vigil through a program like Sign Up Genius to have members sign up for prayer slots. Could also have them sign up on a google doc form or shared google doc excel spreadsheet!

Children’s & Youth Resources

Graphics for Sharing and Updating

Communications

Discipleship Ministry & UMCOM Resources

DisAbility Ministries Committee of the UMC 

Council of Bishops Announce Dates for Jurisdictional Conferences in 2021

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

UMC Bishops announce dates for postponed 2020 Jurisdictional Conferences

WASHINGTON, D.C.  — The Council of Bishops (COB) has announced new dates for the 2020 Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States which have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States will be held on November 10-12, 2021. The days prior to and after can be used at the discretion of each Jurisdictional Conference.

In the call letter to Jurisdictional Conferences secretaries and heads of delegations, COB President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey noted that the dates chosen by the bishops intentionally followed the postponed 2020 General Conference, which will now take place August 29 - September 7, 2021, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn.

The bishops have the authority to set dates for the Jurisdictional Conferences as per Division Two - Section II - Article IV of The Constitution of The United Methodist Church (¶26 of The Book of Discipline, 2016).

As per ¶30 of The Book of Discipline, Central Conferences outside the United States will be held within a year following the postponed 2020 General Conference that will now be held in 2021.

“The Council of Bishops encourages the entire United Methodist Church to continue in deep, unceasing prayer for the Holy Spirit to guide us through these unprecedented times of challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. God, who has been with us on this journey, will see us through and bring us together in praise and worship,” the call letter stated.

Click here to read the letter sent to the Heads of Delegations, Jurisdictional Conference Secretaries, Secretary of the General Conference, and the Chairperson of the Commission on the General Conference.

 

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Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Director of Communications
Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
Washington, D.C. 20002(202) 748-5172 www.unitedmethodistbishops.org

 

Commission on the General Conference

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2020


Commission sets dates for postponed General Conference; will explore new uses of technology 

Nashville, Tenn.: The Commission on the General Conference has announced new 2021 dates for General Conference following the postponement of the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The quadrennial legislative event will take place on August 29 - September 7, 2021, at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn. 

"We're grateful that we were able to secure new dates while keeping the site of General Conference in Minneapolis. Nearly seven years of pre-planning and preparations by the host team have gone into this event," said Kim Simpson, chair of the Commission on the General Conference.

The Commission decided to focus on 2021 as it was not feasible to schedule any earlier with so much uncertainty over international travel and the spread of COVID-19. Business manager Sara Hotchkiss was authorized by the Commission in March to pursue negotiations for new dates with the venue and area hotels after the Convention Center canceled May events due to concerns over coronavirus.

Hotchkiss said that it was surprising to find an available time block long enough to accommodate General Conference needs with so much competition for event space and lodging with other events shifting their dates as well.

“The hospitality industry has been devastated by COVID-19 with staffing levels significantly reduced, so negotiating amid the pandemic was a much slower process. I am grateful for our partnerships in the industry we have built over the years that assisted us in getting our foot in the door early enough to find any dates in 2021,” said Hotchkiss. “Another challenge was to secure agreements for the number of hotel rooms and room types that we needed. Again, many of our partners faced furloughs and reduced staff hours.”

In making the announcement, the Commission expressed regret that they were not able to accommodate a request from a group of young delegates regarding the reported dates of the postponed General Conference.  The group asked the Commission to not schedule meeting dates that would conflict with the start of the academic year in the U.S. They cited concerns that the timing would disproportionately affect young leaders and hinder their participation, as well as that of educators who might not be able to take off work at that time.

The leadership of the Commission met with the group and invited them to address the full Commission, which includes young adult members, at their May 16 meeting to hear the requests directly and consider their concerns. 

“Including young adults in the General Conference is always an important consideration. We affirm that their voices need to be heard,” said Simpson. “Unfortunately, this request did not come to the Commission until late in the process. By that time, the available dates were secured and any attempt to change the dates would endanger the carrying forward of the deposits to the newly agreed upon dates. This is at least a half-million dollars. To move the event now would require either finding a new meeting location and host annual conference(s) or pushing the event to 2022, both of which would involve canceling contracts and significant penalties.” 

Simpson said the impact would go beyond finances. “To meet in 2021, if at all possible, is very important in the life of the church. Many things hinge on the dates for General Conference. Pushing it to 2022 affects budgets, jurisdictional conferences, central conferences, the election of bishops, bishops’ retirement dates, terms of office of general agency boards and elected denominational leadership, and more. After listening carefully and discussing it thoroughly, we felt we had to proceed with the dates we’ve secured.” 

Hotchkiss said “Our partners in the hospitality industry moved mountains in good faith with us to help us find dates for a postponed General Conference. There could be significant repercussions, not just financially, but also affecting those who would even be willing to assist us into the future if we do not honor our agreements and all the work that has gone into this.”

However, the Commission did take steps to address a second request contained in a letter from the young adult group to consider alternative methods of accommodating full participation, including utilizing technology to enable virtual voting. 

In response to this request, the Commission voted to gather a group of creative thinkers, including young delegates, to explore the implications of options for accommodating full participation at General Conference, including, but not limited to, the possibility of utilizing technology and online voting at the General Conference. The recommendations of this group will be presented to the Commission for consideration.
“We know this would not be a simple task,” said Simpson. “We must consider the integrity of the voting and credentialing processes, legal ramifications, and the global nature of our church.”

The coronavirus pandemic is not the first health crisis to affect the timing of a General Conference. According to historical documents, the start date of the 1800 General Conference was moved up from October 20 to May 6 because of the prevalence of yellow fever during the fall – which is how the General Conference came to be held in May. 

The topic of General Conference dates was also discussed at a meeting of the Joint Commission on Unification of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South in 1920. Bishop Richard Cooke said, “The General Conference has full power to do many things. But it is lacking in divine omniscience, and cannot predict the possibility of an epidemic … Now, if there should arise any time in the providence of God such an epidemic as would render the meeting of the General Conference impracticable, the Commission would have the right … to fix such other time as might be necessary.”

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About General Conference
General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church. The conference can revise church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs.

Media contact:
Diane Degnan presscenter@umcom.org
615.742.5406 (o) 615.483.1765 (c)