1. Episcopal Address Part 1
Bishop Mike Lowry

2. for the Transformation
Making disciples of
Jesus Christ
for the Transformation
of the world

3.  Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. 4 Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. 5 Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:3-5 CEB

4. One Church Plan
Allows conferences, local churches and clergy to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons
Congregations control how facilities are used
Pastors retain the right to decide for whom they will or will not officiate a wedding
Bishops retain the right to decide who they will or will not ordain
Clergy Session still determines who will or will not get ordained
Definition of “marriage” changes from “a man and a woman” to “two adults”

5. Traditional Plan
Would retain the current UMC Book of Discipline Language regarding human sexuality and add enhanced levels of accountability and enforcement

6. Connectional Conference Plan
Create three (3) Connectional Conferences, each with clearly defined values and/or theology
Eliminates the five (5) U.S. Jurisdictions
Each Conference determines its affiliation with one of the three Connectional Conferences
Local Churches have the option to join a Connectional Conference different from the one chosen by the Annual Conference
Clergy may choose to join another Connectional Conference
Requires multiple amendments to the existing UMC Constitution

7. 2019 General Conference Petition Submission Process
Petitions may be submitted June 6 - July 8, 2018
Petitions may be submitted online or via
umc.org/contact/2019-general-conference-petition
Detailed instructions for formatting/submitting petitions at umc.org/contact/2019-general-conference-petition

8. Look for CTC-specific initiatives and details at
ctcumc.org/prayforward2018 coming soon

9. for the Transformation
Making disciples of
Jesus Christ
for the Transformation
of the world

10. Scott Gilpin Development/Stewardship Officer Centenary College
General Board of Discipleship Ministries
UMC Thought Leader in areas of development, financial resources and stewardship.

11. CTC Feasibility Study Task Force
Explaining “The Why” of Christian Stewardship
Helping Lay & Clergy Leaders live out an approach to stewardship that offers a biblical and theological vision of mission
Help local churches create a more vital future through a clarity of their mission and vision, strategic planning and stewardship
Mr. Scott Gilpin
Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory

12. CTC Feasibility Study Task Force
Not a Conference-wide
Capital Campaign
A comprehensive study on how the conference can help local churches of all sizes, types and locations across the conference best engage in faithful, Christ-honoring biblical stewardship.
Mr. Scott Gilpin
Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory

13. “The Best of all is,
God is
with us.”
- John Wesley