1. What our church needs to know about…

2. Why we’re here today
Share information to prepare for GC2019 (Commission on a Way Forward, Council of Bishops’ work).
Learn strategies and resources for helping our local church prepare for the post-GC2019 church.
Practice “3 Simple Rules”: Seek to do all the good we can, to do no harm, and to stay in love with God.
Not here to advocate a position, change your mind, push a particular course of action
Offer information about what is happening, my perspective on what to watch in the coming months/years

3. Way Forward Covenant
“Finding a Way Forward” Handbook Page 13
What covenantal practices are so essential to our work together that we must perform them with excellence in order to fulfill our mission?
What behaviors are so harmful that they put the success of our mission at risk?
The Commission on a Way Forward, for which I will give some history in a moment, is made up of 32 persons and 3 moderators. They come from all across the church and represent multiple perspectives on this issue. They have met 7 times since January of last year. Early on, they had to decide how they were going to work together in the midst of significant theological, cultural and geographical contexts.
In response to these two questions, they developed a covenant which is in the handbook, and which they have lived by for the last 13 months.
If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me, and I am asking that for our time together this morning, we live by a covenant that is similar to theirs.

4. Our Covenant Truth with love Trustworthiness
For today and beyond
We will carefully listen to one another.
We will be careful not to judge one another.
We are not here to change one another’s positions.
We will ask questions.
Treat one another with respect
Assume the best in others
See each other in best possible light
Speak the truth with love
Practice and expect trustworthiness
Offer grace
Create an atmosphere of hospitality
Moderate our anxiety through mutual encouragement and good humor, with genuine love for one another

5. Our Covenant We will speak our truth in love.
For today and beyond
We will speak our truth in love.
We will assume trust, not suspicion.
We will protect the confidentiality of the conversation.
Let everyone participate, no one dominate and allow all voices to be heard.
Listen actively to others
Seek first to understand rather than to be understood
Ask for clarity/help from others
Remain attentive to cultural, language and contextual diversity
Be patient with one another
Foster hopefulness and mutual encouragement

6. ‘Way Forward’ purpose Design a way for being church:
United Methodist witness
Contextual differentiation
Balance differences and unity
Ground our unity in the Triune God
From Mission, Vision and Scope document (p.12)
Design a way for being church that:
Maximizes the presence of a United Methodist witness in as many places in the world as possible
Allows for as much contextual differentiation as possible
Balances an approach to different theological understandings of human sexuality with a desire for as much unity as possible
Our unity will not be grounded in our conceptions of human sexuality, but in our affirmation of the Triune God, who calls us to be a grace-filled and holy people in the Wesleyan tradition

7. How We Got Here
2016 General Conference: Asked Council of Bishops to lead in overcoming UMC impasse on homosexuality.
Council of Bishops: Proposed creating commission to examine every paragraph in The Book of Discipline related to human sexuality and provided possibility for a called General Conference.

8. How We Got Here
January 2017: Commission convenes for first of a dozen meetings.
January 2018: Handbook released for use by the UMC.
May 2018: Council of Bishops decides what Commission will present to 2019 General Conference.

9. How We Got Here
July 2018: Council of Bishops asks Judicial Council to rule on constitutionality of three plans submitted for consideration – the One Church Plan, the Traditional Plan, and the Connectional Conference Plan – based on the work of the Commission on a Way Forward.

10. One Church Plan
Would eliminate Book of Discipline language: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.”
Would delete requirement that ordained clergy not be “self- avowed practicing homosexuals.”
Conference boards of ordained ministry, clergy sessions could set standards for ordination/certification re: human sexuality.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

11. One Church Plan
No annual conferences, bishops, congregations or pastors would be “compelled to act contrary to their convictions.”
Where civil laws allow, no United Methodist elder or deacon would be required to celebrate/bless same-sex union.
Clergy would not be prohibited from performing same-sex marriages, unions or blessings.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

12. One Church Plan
Clergy who cannot in good conscience continue to serve in a conference or church based on the standards for ordination regarding homosexuals would be able to seek to transfer.
Local church members would be able to decide in church-wide vote whether to allow same-sex marriage on church property.
Changes would apply only to U.S. jurisdictional conferences, not central conferences, which would be allowed to retain language on homosexuality in the 2016 Book of Discipline. 
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

13. Traditional Plan
Would affirm current Book of Discipline language banning “self- avowed, practicing” gay clergy, blessing of same-sex unions.
Would broaden definition of “self-avowed, practicing homosexual” to include anyone living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or who publicly states that he or she is a homosexual.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

14. Traditional Plan Would set minimum penalties and swifter consequences.
Would require bishops and annual conferences to certify that they would uphold, enforce and maintain disciplinary standards on LGBTQ marriage and ordination. 
Would provide way for churches, annual conferences that disagree with strict enforcement to set up “autonomous, affiliated, or concordant” churches or conferences.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

15. Traditional Plan
Would prohibit bishops from consecrating, ordaining or commissioning a “self-avowed homosexual,” even if that person had been elected or approved by the relevant jurisdictional conference or clergy session.
Would create Council of Bishops’ Council Relations Committee to review status of bishops who could not certify they would uphold the discipline.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

16. Traditional Plan
Would allow local churches that disagree with a conference decision not to enforce the discipline to remain with UMC.
Would allow local churches that disagree with a conference decision to enforce the bans to join the “autonomous, affiliated, or concordant” church.
Would require conference boards of ordained ministry to conduct an examination to ascertain whether a clergy candidate was a practicing homosexual.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

17. Connectional Conference Plan
Would replace the five geographic U.S. jurisdictions with three connectional conferences that are “values-based.”
Current central conferences (outside the U.S.) could join one of the three U.S. values-based conferences or create their own connectional conference. 
Each connectional conference would create its own Book of Discipline that includes items “commonly agreed upon by United Methodists,” with the authority to adapt other items.
e their own connectional conference. 
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

18. Connectional Conference Plan
Each connectional conference’s College of Bishops would provide episcopal oversight and accountability, would handle elections, assignments and funding.
UMC Council of Bishops would focus on ecumenical relations and shared learning.
Shortened General Conference would retain authority over shared doctrine, continuing general agencies; would serve as a gathering place for worship, inspiration, sharing best practices.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

19. Connectional Conference Plan
Each connectional conference would have:
Its own administration and financing.
Its own policies re: LGBTQ weddings and ordination.
Its own standards for clergy.
Cross-connectional conference cooperation and partnerships would remain; all connectional conferences would continue to support mission work and ministry outside the U.S.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

20. Connectional Conference Plan
First level of connectional conference affiliation would be at the jurisdictional level.
Annual conferences that disagree could choose a different connectional conference.
No local church would be required to take a vote unless its choice is different than its annual conference.
This sketch also specifically protects the rights of those whose conscience will not allow them to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ people.
This sketch would result in a denomination in which some pastors/churches/annual conferences/jurisdictions/regions of the world (this has yet to be clarified) would continue their current practices regarding marriage and ordination, and others would not be in violation of the covenant should they choose to perform same-gender weddings or ordain LGBTQ persons.

21. Judicial Council rulings
Oct. 26, 2018: Judicial Council:
Rules One Church Plan largely constitutional as written.
Outlines several constitutional issues that would have to be addressed within Traditional Plan.
Does not rule on Connectional Conference Plan.

22. Where we go from here
February 23-26, 2019: General Conference will act on Commission on a Way Forward’s report.
We know something but not everything about the rules by which the General Conference will function.

23. Where we go from here
The General Conference will determine whether petitions are “in harmony.”
The General Conference can choose – by a two-thirds vote – to consider petitions that are not in harmony with the Council of Bishops’ report.
What we don’t know:
What the bishops will forward to General Conference 2019
What the General conference will do with it
How local churches, annual conferences, and regional bodies will respond.
What we do know:
If the bishops forward any version of what the Commission is suggesting, there will be a process outlined for churches to exit the denomination.
There are individual Christians in every United Methodist Church that may respond to anything that is done or not done by leaving.
The church at every level will be impacted by the decisions being made.

24. Where we go from here
We are a global church, and General Conference delegates are not only from the United States.
Only the General Conference can make changes in the Book of Discipline. We do not know what they will decide to do with the legislation before them.
What we don’t know:
What the bishops will forward to General Conference 2019
What the General conference will do with it
How local churches, annual conferences, and regional bodies will respond.
What we do know:
If the bishops forward any version of what the Commission is suggesting, there will be a process outlined for churches to exit the denomination.
There are individual Christians in every United Methodist Church that may respond to anything that is done or not done by leaving.
The church at every level will be impacted by the decisions being made.

25. Where we go from here
We can anticipate that the denomination will not look the same as it does now – but we do not know how it will be different. The change could be large or small.
What we don’t know:
What the bishops will forward to General Conference 2019
What the General conference will do with it
How local churches, annual conferences, and regional bodies will respond.
What we do know:
If the bishops forward any version of what the Commission is suggesting, there will be a process outlined for churches to exit the denomination.
There are individual Christians in every United Methodist Church that may respond to anything that is done or not done by leaving.
The church at every level will be impacted by the decisions being made.

26. Preparing our local church
Some useful language
Non-compatibilists: People whose convictions mean they are unwilling to remain affiliated with a church that allows others to violate their convictions. 
There is an excellent video by Tom Berlin, a Virginia pastor and member of the Commission on a Way Forward, that illustrates this idea. These are his definitions.
Traditionalist Non-Compatibilists: satisfied with the current restrictive wording of the BOD on same-sex marriage and the ordination of people who are practicing homosexuals. Personal holiness is a high value. Concerns about change are of such importance to them that they would rather be in a church where we all agree on these matters than feel personally compromised by a church with a diverse view on human sexuality.
Traditional Compatibilists: Theology is in line with what I have just described. They understand that there are pastors and churches who would like to have the option of offering marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples. They do not want to be forced to do so, but they can live in a denomination where this occurs.
Progressive Compatibilists: These persons have a theology rooted in Jesus’s care for the marginalized and the call of Scripture for justice to all people. They would like to see the church offer ordination to all people and same-sex marriage to committed Christian couples. They respect the right of traditionalists and do not want them to be forced into situations that would violate their personal beliefs.
Progressive Non-compatibilists: People in this space focus on the two points of biblical interpretation above and work for full inclusion in the life of the church. This is such a high value for them that they only want to be in a church that reflects this belief and will work for change as long as the church does not.

27. Preparing our local church
Some useful language
Traditional non-compatibilists: Unwilling for the denomination to alter its current stance on this issue and committed to strong lines of accountability for those who break the covenant.
There is an excellent video by Tom Berlin, a Virginia pastor and member of the Commission on a Way Forward, that illustrates this idea. These are his definitions.
Traditionalist Non-Compatibilists: satisfied with the current restrictive wording of the BOD on same-sex marriage and the ordination of people who are practicing homosexuals. Personal holiness is a high value. Concerns about change are of such importance to them that they would rather be in a church where we all agree on these matters than feel personally compromised by a church with a diverse view on human sexuality.
Traditional Compatibilists: Theology is in line with what I have just described. They understand that there are pastors and churches who would like to have the option of offering marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples. They do not want to be forced to do so, but they can live in a denomination where this occurs.
Progressive Compatibilists: These persons have a theology rooted in Jesus’s care for the marginalized and the call of Scripture for justice to all people. They would like to see the church offer ordination to all people and same-sex marriage to committed Christian couples. They respect the right of traditionalists and do not want them to be forced into situations that would violate their personal beliefs.
Progressive Non-compatibilists: People in this space focus on the two points of biblical interpretation above and work for full inclusion in the life of the church. This is such a high value for them that they only want to be in a church that reflects this belief and will work for change as long as the church does not.

28. Preparing our local church
Some useful language
Progressive non-compatibilists: Want every UMC congregation to hold same-sex marriages and allow openly gay clergy to serve, and they will work toward this goal until it happens.
There is an excellent video by Tom Berlin, a Virginia pastor and member of the Commission on a Way Forward, that illustrates this idea. These are his definitions.
Traditionalist Non-Compatibilists: satisfied with the current restrictive wording of the BOD on same-sex marriage and the ordination of people who are practicing homosexuals. Personal holiness is a high value. Concerns about change are of such importance to them that they would rather be in a church where we all agree on these matters than feel personally compromised by a church with a diverse view on human sexuality.
Traditional Compatibilists: Theology is in line with what I have just described. They understand that there are pastors and churches who would like to have the option of offering marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples. They do not want to be forced to do so, but they can live in a denomination where this occurs.
Progressive Compatibilists: These persons have a theology rooted in Jesus’s care for the marginalized and the call of Scripture for justice to all people. They would like to see the church offer ordination to all people and same-sex marriage to committed Christian couples. They respect the right of traditionalists and do not want them to be forced into situations that would violate their personal beliefs.
Progressive Non-compatibilists: People in this space focus on the two points of biblical interpretation above and work for full inclusion in the life of the church. This is such a high value for them that they only want to be in a church that reflects this belief and will work for change as long as the church does not.

29. Preparing our local church
Some useful language
Compatibilists: People who have strong convictions, but do not demand absolute conformity to their biblical interpretation of sexuality as a condition for being in communion. 
There is an excellent video by Tom Berlin, a Virginia pastor and member of the Commission on a Way Forward, that illustrates this idea. These are his definitions.
Traditionalist Non-Compatibilists: satisfied with the current restrictive wording of the BOD on same-sex marriage and the ordination of people who are practicing homosexuals. Personal holiness is a high value. Concerns about change are of such importance to them that they would rather be in a church where we all agree on these matters than feel personally compromised by a church with a diverse view on human sexuality.
Traditional Compatibilists: Theology is in line with what I have just described. They understand that there are pastors and churches who would like to have the option of offering marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples. They do not want to be forced to do so, but they can live in a denomination where this occurs.
Progressive Compatibilists: These persons have a theology rooted in Jesus’s care for the marginalized and the call of Scripture for justice to all people. They would like to see the church offer ordination to all people and same-sex marriage to committed Christian couples. They respect the right of traditionalists and do not want them to be forced into situations that would violate their personal beliefs.
Progressive Non-compatibilists: People in this space focus on the two points of biblical interpretation above and work for full inclusion in the life of the church. This is such a high value for them that they only want to be in a church that reflects this belief and will work for change as long as the church does not.

30. Preparing our local church
Some useful language
Traditional or progressive compatibilists: Value unity as an expression of Christian community. Willing to live within the same denomination as those who believe differently than they do. Respect for individual conscience.
There is an excellent video by Tom Berlin, a Virginia pastor and member of the Commission on a Way Forward, that illustrates this idea. These are his definitions.
Traditionalist Non-Compatibilists: satisfied with the current restrictive wording of the BOD on same-sex marriage and the ordination of people who are practicing homosexuals. Personal holiness is a high value. Concerns about change are of such importance to them that they would rather be in a church where we all agree on these matters than feel personally compromised by a church with a diverse view on human sexuality.
Traditional Compatibilists: Theology is in line with what I have just described. They understand that there are pastors and churches who would like to have the option of offering marriage ceremonies to same-sex couples. They do not want to be forced to do so, but they can live in a denomination where this occurs.
Progressive Compatibilists: These persons have a theology rooted in Jesus’s care for the marginalized and the call of Scripture for justice to all people. They would like to see the church offer ordination to all people and same-sex marriage to committed Christian couples. They respect the right of traditionalists and do not want them to be forced into situations that would violate their personal beliefs.
Progressive Non-compatibilists: People in this space focus on the two points of biblical interpretation above and work for full inclusion in the life of the church. This is such a high value for them that they only want to be in a church that reflects this belief and will work for change as long as the church does not.

31. Preparing our local church
What is your story?
What’s the best thing that has happened to you in the United Methodist Church?
Is your identity more rooted in the traditionalist/progressive axis or the compatibilist/non-compatibilist axis?

32. Preparing our local church
What is our congregation’s story?
What are the key points in our history that shape who we are as a community of faith?
What are the most important things to our congregation about being United Methodist?
Key points in church history that shape who they are:
-previous split or persons leaving the church (doctrine, problems with pastor, etc.) will experience this conversation in a different way than churches who have not had this kind of conflict
-churches with persons who have affiliated or are actively watching groups involved with non-conciliar strategies will have a different conversations than churches who have fewer people tuned in to those groups.
Which of the sketches proposed by the Commission are personally most palatable to you and your church’s members?
Which of the sketches proposed by the Commission do you believe will best further the mission of the church around the world?

33. No matter what happens Focus on the mission of the church.
Continue to focus on the mission of the church.
Be calm.
Trust that God is present in the midst of the uncertainty.
Key times to pay attention:
Something will be released about the Council of Bishops’ work in February and May.
Early July the full legislation will be released.
The fall will be a good time for prayer, study, and education in your congregation.

34. Resources Key times to pay attention:
Something will be released about the Council of Bishops’ work in February and May.
Early July the full legislation will be released.
The fall will be a good time for prayer, study, and education in your congregation.

35. tinyurl.com/UMCfaultlines
Resources
Faultlines – Cokesbury resources to encourage and inform robust conversations about challenging questions being debated by faithful United Methodists.
tinyurl.com/UMCfaultlines
Key times to pay attention:
Something will be released about the Council of Bishops’ work in February and May.
Early July the full legislation will be released.
The fall will be a good time for prayer, study, and education in your congregation.
Cokesbury is releasing many books that may be helpful from a theological perspective.

36. A Covenant Prayer in the Wesleyan Tradition (UMH 607)
I am no longer my own, but thine. Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt. Put me to doing, put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee, exalted for thee or brought low for thee. Let me be full, let me be empty. Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.

37. Questions? The Rev. Kathy James kljames@umcsc.org
Director of Connectional Ministries South Carolina Conference The United Methodist Church