General Conference 2020 News & Resources
What is happening in The United Methodist Church?
In February 2019, a special called session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church convened in St. Louis, Mo. The session was called by the Council of Bishops to solely address human sexuality in The United Methodist Church. The delegates were assembled to consider three plans from the Commission on a Way Forward.
Delegates passed the Traditional Plan, which would “affirm the church’s current bans on ordaining LGBTQ clergy and officiating at or hosting same-sex marriage. It also boosts penalties and accountability for transgressions of those bans,” according to a report from United Methodist News Service on Feb. 26, 2019. The plan is set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2020.
Since then, several groups within the connection have gathered to offer alternative options for a way forward. Legislation has been submitted for consideration and possible enactment by the General Conference when it meets again in May of 2020.
Click here for information and responses from Greater Northwest leadership to the 2019 Special Session of General Conference.
What is happening in the Greater Northwest Area?
In anticipation of the 2019 Special Session of General Conference, Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky invited United Methodists in the Alaska, Oregon-Idaho, and Pacific Northwest Conferences to join her in an area-wide book study for what she coined a CrossOver year. That study continues until December 2019.
Each annual conference hosted and encouraged local churches to participate in Table Talk conversations to engage the church’s current discussion of human sexuality and the decisions made at the 2019 General Conference Session. Additionally, as conferences met in May and June for their 2019 Annual Conference Sessions they passed legislation for local action and General Conference Consideration.
Earlier this Fall, Bishop Stanovsky has formed a Guiding Coalition to help in shaping and leading a new movement of Methodism in the Northwest that fully includes LGBTQIA+ persons in membership, participation, and leadership. Workgroups of laity and clergy will examine areas where the conferences can shape or define a way forward.
What is happening in the Western Jurisdiction?
The five active bishops in the Western Jurisdiction announced that they are offering Safe Harbor to LGBTQ+ clergy and urged bishops and other United Methodists to join them during the Council of Bishop’s Fall 2019 meeting at Lake Junaluska, N.C.
More than 200 laypersons, clergy, and bishops gathered near Los Angeles, CA, on Nov. 14-16 for the Western Jurisdiction’s Fresh United Methodism Summit to help prepare for the coming year. While there, they affirmed a Theological Declaration and formed a 10-person visioning team to plan for a fully inclusive church; five of the 10 are from the Greater NW Area.
Upcoming key events and deadlines:
- Judicial Council Fall Session – Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2019
UMNS Summary | Decisions 1380-1399
The Judicial Council considered a number of items pertaining to the actions of the 2019 General Conference including the effect of portions of the Traditional Plan, the constitutionality of disaffiliation legislation, and actions of various annual conferences after GC2019.
- Council of Bishops Fall Meeting – Nov. 3-6, 2019
UMNS Reports 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Safe Harbor Declaration
The Council of Bishops met at Lake Junaluska Assembly in North Carolina to prepare for the 2020 General Conference, elect new officers, and ratify a constitutional amendment among other things. While there, the WJ College of Bishops offered their Safe Harbor Declaration.
- Wesleyan Covenant Association Global Gathering 2019 – Nov. 9, 2019
UMNS Report
The WCA, an advocacy group connecting orthodox churches, clergy, and laity, held its first global gathering since General Conference 2019 at Asbury UMC in Tulsa, OK.
- Western Jurisdiction Fresh United Methodism Summit – Nov. 14-16, 2019
Press Release | UMNS Report | Theological Statement
More than 200 laypersons, clergy, and bishops gathered near Los Angeles for the summit to strategize and align efforts for the coming year. While there, they affirmed a Theological Declaration and formed a 10-person visioning team to plan for a fully inclusive church.
- Traditional Plan goes into effect – Jan. 1, 2020
The portions of the Tradition Plan that were ruled constitutional by the Judicial Council last April will go into effect, including stronger prohibitions and punishments targetting LGBTQ+ United Methodists and their allies. A moratorium on charges, suggested by a plan (the Protocol) from a diverse coalition of leaders, is being honored by most episcopal leaders.
- Pre-General Conference Briefing – Jan. 23-24, 2020
This briefing gathered delegates, communicators, agency and annual conference staff and other interested parties, allowing them to hear directly from supporters of various plans.
- Judicial Council Spring Session – April 29-May 2, 2020
- Deadline for submission of docket items is Dec. 31, 2019
- General Conference 2020 – May 5-15, 2020
General Conference is the highest legislative body in The United Methodist Church. The voting membership consists of an equal number of clergy and lay delegates elected by the annual conferences. It is the only body that can speak officially for the denomination.
