Some congregations have spoken extensively about the key issues surrounding The United Methodist Church, and some have merely scratched the surface.
Throughout the season of disaffiliations following the 2019 special session of General Conference in St. Louis, some people unfortunately chose to spread false information about the denomination and made assumptions about beliefs and principles.
The Great Plains Conference has tried to help in both of these circumstances by commissioning the drafting of a discussion guide for local congregations on matters of human sexuality, and by developing a series of videos and a single-page, front-and-back downloadable PDF explaining the beliefs of the denomination that are nearly impossible to change.
The Great Plains Conference has developed an issue guide to help clergy and congregations in a time of ecclesial discernment and possible restructuring in light of the eventual decisions of the General Conference. The purpose is to provide a tool for creating respectful, structured, and productive space for listening and sharing, praying and discerning. Download the guide.
What United Methodists believeThe United Methodist Church finds itself in a season of splintering. Following district gatherings in the Great Plains Conference, the cabinet and conference staff created a document to clarify the denomination’s core doctrines and to answer key questions arising around church disaffiliations. Download the PDF.
United Methodists’ understanding of General Conference can range from complete unawareness to deep appreciation to frustrated confusion. Help your congregation better grasp what General Conference is, its purpose and its impact with the help of the tips and resources listed below. Share them in upcoming meetings, gatherings, newsletters and social media posts to ensure everyone feels informed and connected.
Don’t hesitate to go back to the basics. Assume that everyone needs a refresher course on the definition of General Conference and what it means to the worldwide denomination.
Encourage your church members to pay close attention to publishing sources when they see articles online or on social media. Getting news and updates from official sources will ensure the information is accurate and truthful.
It is important to remind congregants that the work of General Conference moves quickly and changes rapidly. For example, something discussed on Monday might be null by Thursday. Very little is fully set until a final vote takes place.
As General Conference ends its meeting, your Great Plains Conference communications team, UM News and ResourceUMC.org will post articles and videos that sum up key happenings — from voting results to highlights of special presentations and much more. Share this content with congregants so that they are aware of what took place at General Conference and how the business handled there will impact the denomination’s future.