CONVERSATION ONA WAY FORWARD

Given by The Rev. Michael Mummeon June 3rd, 2018

General Conference – May 2016General Conference was at an impasse regarding “human sexuality.”

Conference asked the Council of Bishops to meet to that same day and report back the next day with a plan for a path toward unity.

General Conference – May 2016The Bishops met & returned with a statement:

"We recommend that the General Conference defer all votes on human sexuality and refer this entire subject to special commission named by the Council of Bishops to develop a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph in The Book of Discipline regarding human sexuality"

General Conference – May 2016And further:

"We will name such a commission to include persons from every region of our United Methodist Church, and we’ll include representation from differing perspectives on the debate."

General Conference – May 2016Several hours of discernment and meeting debate.

On the second attempt, moved that the General Conference “accept the report and act on it to move The United Methodist Church forward.”

A Way Forward - TimelineOctober 2016 – Members of the Commission on A Way Forward were named.

32 persons from 9 countries and diverse in the groups they represented-Including Reconciling Ministries Network and the Good News Magazine-Including our bishop, Robert Schnase

A Way Forward - TimelineJanuary 2017 – March 2018

The Commission on A Way Forward held 8 multi-day meetings.

The meetings were closed.

Developed a report given to the Council of Bishops.

A Way Forward - TimelineMay 2018

The Council of Bishops met, received the report, and added their recommendation.

A Way Forward - ReportThree possible “ways forward”:

1) The Traditionalist Plan

2) The One Church Plan

3) The Connectional Conference Plan

1) The Traditionalist PlanTighten the mechanisms of holding bishops, clergy, and churches accountable to church law (Discipline).

Stricter pledges/statements of loyalty to church law for those being ordained and currently serving?

Less inclusion and acceptance of LGBT persons

2) The One Church PlanRemoves the LGBT discriminatory language from the Discipline.

Respects the decision-making authority of various entities of the church:a) Pastors decide whose marriages they

will officiate.b) Churches decide what marriages will

occur in their buildings.c) Boards of Ministry in each Annual

Conference decide who can be ordained.

3) The Connectional Conference PlanLarge-scale restructuring of the church

Remove the 5 current US Jurisdicions-(Multi-state regional bodies that elect bishops)

Replace w/ 3 “Connectional Conferences”align based on theology or perspective on LGBTQ ministry:a) Traditionalistb) Allowing for a variety of approachesc) Progressive

Council of Bishops – May 2018Received the report

“Strongly approved” a motion to:

Recommend the “One Church Plan”-submitting the legislative language

Forward the Commission’s report, which included discussion of all three plans

Submit a timeline of events

Where are we now?From now until July 8 – Petitions can be submitted

Maybe not until July 8, the Council of Bishops’ recommendation, legislative language, and Way Forward report will be translated and released

Petitions for legislation will need to be translated (5 languages) and released in Fall 2018.

Where are we now?Special Session of the General Conference

February 23-26, 2019 in St. Louis

State of the DenominationLots of narratives/perspectives

Politicking/Advocacy for perspectives, both with the delegates and within the denomination in general

Confusion? Intentional? Political?- Expect a “monkey wrench”

Desire to move forward

Some desire a mechanism for exit

Thoughts:The Traditionalist Plan – Bishops don’t want this. Across the church, supported by vocal minority.

The Connectional Conference Plan –Very difficult to enact. Requires ratification of constitutional amendments.

Thoughts:The One Church Plan- Imperfect and incomplete measure of justice- Allows FUMC Austin to do the ministry we’ve been called to do.- Doesn’t force anyone/church to do ministry contrary to their conscience.- Potential for the largest subsequent body

What FUMC is doing:Working with “Next Steps” group- The 5 Austin Reconciling ChurchesCoordinating our actions,Advocate with General Conference Delegates,Present a unified witness to our Conference

What FUMC is doing:Keep you informed about the Way Forward- Next conversation will be on September 9th

Local action – not expected until after February 2019, but likely continuing into 2020.

Review our Marriage Equality Resolution after February 2019.

At FUMC AustinOur Mission:

First United Methodist Church exists to build a community where all people are invited to know God’s love and sent to join God in transforming the world.

At FUMC AustinOur Invitation:

We believe every person is a beloved child of God. We believe every person is on a journey to God, with God. We freely admit that we do not have all the answers, but we believe that Jesus points the way….

At FUMC AustinOur Invitation:

When we practice genuine hospitality, engage in heartfelt acts of service, advocate on behalf of the powerless and excluded, and embrace the gifts of people from different backgrounds and experiences, the church becomes the authentic expression of God’s unconditional love for us all.

At FUMC AustinOur Values:

Justice Active Learning

Bridge-Building Service

Storytelling Constructive Disruption

At FUMC AustinOur Mission:

First United Methodist Church exists to build a community where all people are invited to know God’s love and sent to join God in transforming the world.

First United Methodist Church of Austin

1201 Lavaca Street | Austin, TX 78701Ph: (512) 478-5684 | Fax: (512) 478-6169

fumcaustin.org