1. An Informational Session on Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church

2. Welcome & Introduction
Session Goals:
Review the structure of the United Methodist Church
Learn about the Special Session of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church on Feb
Learn about three reports from the “Commission on the Way Forward”
Good morning and welcome to Gary’s Informational Session on Human Sexuality and the United Methodist Church. This morning we will review the structure of the United Methodist Church, share information about the upcoming Special Session of the General Conference on Feb , and learn about the reports from the Commission on the Way Forward. The purpose of the Special Session is to receive and act on the reports from the “Commission on a Way Forward” that examined paragraphs in the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and explored options to strengthen the unity of the church. We have four speakers who will be leading today’s session, so let’s look at this morning’s schedule.

3. Schedule Welcome The Traditionalist Plan Worship & Prayer
The Connectional Conference Plan
How did we get here?
How will the Special Session operate?
Q & A
How can I learn more?
COWF
What can I do?
The One Church Plan
This morning we will begin with Call to Worship and Covenant Prayer, then we will discuss UMC structure and how the Special Session will operate. There will time for questions after those first sections, but we will need to move to on at 11am to talk about the proposals from the Commission on the way Forward. After each proposal, we will give you a minute to write down any questions you have about the plan. Our committee members will collect your questions and we will try to answer as many as possible once all the plans have be presented. Finally, we will end with a conversation on how you can learn more and what you can do. We do not have any breaks built in, so please fell free to take them as needed. We are expecting to end at noon. At this time, I would like to invite Pastor Chris up to lead us in the Call to Worship and Covenant Prayer.

4. Call to Worship When we have a problem,
When we want to get some work done,
Bring us to this table.
When we are hungry,
When we want to worship in the Spirit of Christ,
When we have a disagreement,

5. Covenant Prayer
Loving God, we gather in this space acknowledging your unbounded grace for all. We come from different backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities and we acknowledge our differences of opinions and perspectives. Yet we gather still, knowing that you call us. Help us to know that each of us has a place here and in you. Amen.

6. Introducing Lonnie Chafin
Northern Illinois Conference Treasurer

7. How Did We Get Here? Constitutional Structure General Conference
Council of Bishops
Judicial Council
Book of Discipline

8. How Did We Get Here?
1972 General Conference adopted Social Principles added the phrase, “We do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider it incompatible with Christian teaching,” to the phrase, “persons of homosexual orientation are persons of sacred worth.”

9. How Did We Get Here?
1980 GC added to the Social Principles, “We affirm the sanctity of the marriage covenant, which is expressed in love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a women.”

10. How Did We Get Here?
1984 Adopted, as a standard for ordained clergy, commitment to ‘fidelity in marriage and celibacy in singleness.”

11. How Did We Get Here?
1988 GC changed Social Principles to read, “Although we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider… this practice incompatible with Christian teaching, we affirm that God’s grace is available to all. We commit ourselves to be in ministry for and with all persons.”

12. How Did We Get Here? Continued General Conference debates
In light of overwhelming number of proposals, 2016 General Conference asked for bishops to find a way forward

13. How Did We Get Here?
Council of Bishops created the Commission on a Way Forward
Commission includes bishops, pastors, and laity
32 people from 9 nations
All jurisdictions
Wide spectrum of positions and theology

14. How Did We Get Here?
At the Special Session of the General Conference (Feb 23-26, 2019) in St. Louis, Missouri delegates will receive report from the Commission on a Way Forward and will act (vote).
Only delegates vote. The bishops have voice but no vote.

15. How will the Special Session operate?
What do delegates do?
Listen
Deliberate
Vote

16. How will the Special Session operate?
What is the process for decision making and how is voting done at General Conference?
Roberts Rules of Order

17. Question & Answer
What questions do you have about “how we got here” and/or “how the Special Session will operate”?

18. Commission on the Way Forward
“…to design a way for being church that maximizes the presence of the United Methodist witness in as many places in the world as possible, that allows for as much contextual differentiation as possible, and that balances an approach to different theological understandings of human sexuality with a desire for as much unity as possible.”
Daily Christian Advocate, 2019 Special Session of the General Conference Delegate Handbook
It is now time for us to move on to share three proposals from the COWF. I do want to provide a little background on the COWF: The Commission was asked to design a way for being church that maximizes the presence of the United Methodist witness in as many places in the world as possible, that allows for as much contextual differentiation as possible, and that balances an approach to different theological understandings of human sexuality with a desire for as much unity as possible.

19. Commission on the Way Forward
“…this unity will not be grounded in our conceptions of Human Sexuality but in our affirmation of the Triune God who calls us to be grace-filled and Holy people in the Wesleyan tradition.”
Daily Christian Advocate, 2019 Special Session of the General Conference Delegate Handbook
The Commission understood that this unity will not be grounded in our conceptions of Human Sexuality but in our affirmation of the Triune God who calls us to be grace-filled and Holy people in the Wesleyan tradition.

20. Commission on the Way Forward
“…make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
The Book of Discipline
The Way Forward Commission worked with Wesleyan consultation to develop their Theological and Missional framework; which affirmed that the church is called into being for the sake of the word to spread the good news of God’s mercy in Jesus Christ and to be a sign of God’s intention for peace, justice, and the flourishing of all creation. The Church embodies God’s mission for the world through making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. You can find more information about the United Methodist Church’s theology and mission in the Handbook, “Therefore, Go”. Copies are available on each table for you to take.

21. Commission on the Way Forward
Unity in Mission
Faithfulness
Humility
Contextuality
Creativity
Flexibility
Mutuality
Generosity
And so, as United Methodists we have unity in mission. The COWF states that “to be unified in mission requires: Faithfulness, Humility, Contextuality, Creativity, Flexibility, Mutuality, and Generosity.” With these frameworks in mind, and with convicted humility, the Commission set forth the following reports. I am going to introduce Michelle Sweeney to tell us about The One Church Plan.  

22. The One Church Plan
“ The church fulfills its mission not at the center of its institutional life, but at the edge, the margins where it engages the world in a variety of contexts.”
Pg130 Daily Christian Advocate, 2019 Special Session of the General Conference Volume 1 Delegate Handbook, Reports and Petitions 
Of the three plans, this plan is preferred by majority of the council of bishops and removes restrictive language from the Book of Discipline that prohibits same-sex weddings on UMC properties and ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals.

23. The One Church Plan UMC Social Principles by providing space
Honors human’s sacred worth
The church’s sacred obligation to end suffering
Adaptable to serve individuals, local churches and central conference missions
Recommended by a majority of Bishops
adds language to protect churches and pastors whose personal conviction differs from their congregation.
least likely to change anything at local levels unless a local church decides to re-write wedding policies to explicitly allow or forbid same sex-marriages to be performed on its property.
Covenant remains with bishop and local congregations to accept LGBTQ Pastors.
The One Church Plan is trying to keep space for choice and allow the church to be lead by the margins and create spaces for the UMC Mission to work worldwide making disciples of Christ

24. The One Church Plan
Denomination defines marriage is between two adults
Pastoral decision to preside at same-sex weddings and retain rights to discern readiness
Local churches decide whether or not same-sex weddings could take place on church properties

25. The One Church Plan
Annual conferences (clergy session and Board of Ordained Ministry) decide whether or not to ordain self-avowed, practicing homosexuals

26. The One Church Plan
Possible timeline: Vote at the Special Session of the General Conference could become effective January 1, 2020
Settling-in period recommended until December 31, 2020 to allow conversations, local decisions and central conference votes for changes to Book of Discipline
Gary Church would be able to decide whether weddings can take on church property (local Church Conference votes)
No vote unless we desire to change
Possible timeline Feb 26th General session  General Conference 2019  effective January 1, 2020*

27. The One Church Plan Questions?
Please write your questions about The One Church Plan on an index card. Questions will be reviewed and answered at the end of the session.
Carey: Thank you Michelle. At this time, we would like to give you a moment to write down any questions you might have about the One Church Plan on an index card. Committee members will collect your cards for a Q & A at the end of the session.
James Morris is going to talk about the Traditionalist Plan.

28. The Traditionalist Plan
Takes a firm position on defining The United Methodist Church based on the standards on human sexuality in the Book of Discipline.

29. The Traditionalist Plan
Effectively states that the current approach is a defining characteristic of The United Methodist Church.
Those that support ordination/marriage of LGBTQ would need to form another “autonomous, affiliated, or concordat” church.

30. The Traditionalist Plan
The Traditional Model provides freedom for progressive pastors, churches, and conferences to evangelize persons who they believe would best be reached by a form of Methodism that is fully inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities. At the same time, it provides assurances that traditional United Methodists can continue to make disciples among people who value traditional teaching on marriage and sexual behavior.
???

31. The Traditionalist Plan
LGBTQ persons may:
Attend worship services
Participate in church programs
Receive the sacraments
Communion
Baptism
Become members of local churches

32. The Traditionalist Plan
Broadens the definition of “self-avowed practicing homosexual” thus LGBTQ persons cannot:
Be ordained
Get married on United Methodist Church property or by United Methodist clergy
Participate as church leaders
“Self-avowed practicing homosexual” is understood to mean that a person openly acknowledges to a bishop, district superintendent, district committee of ordained ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry, or clergy session that the person is a practicing homosexual; or is living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or is a person who publicly states she or he is a practicing homosexual

33. The Traditionalist Plan
Implementation:
Requires certification that Book of Discipline standards on LGBTQ marriage and ordination will be adhered to and enforced
Certify or be asked to leave
Formal Certification Required:
Bishops
Annual Conferences
Informal
Clergy (Lose credentials if they perform an LGBTQ wedding as United Methodist)

34. The Traditionalist Plan
After annual conferences choose their direction, local churches may elect to follow annual conference (or not).

35. The Traditionalist Plan
Costs: Any annual conference or local church parting ways with the UMC would need to pay the UMC its share of unfunded pension liabilities*
*complex legal and financial implications affecting current and retired pastors and laity

36. The Traditionalist Plan
Effect of Plan:
The United Methodist Church
No LGBTQ Clergy
No LGBTQ Weddings
New form of Methodism
LGBTQ Clergy possible
LGBTQ Weddings possible

37. The Traditionalist Plan
Proposed Implementation Timeline Summary:
Jan-Feb 2020 – Annual conference discernment
Mar-Apr 2020 – Local churches and clergy discernment
Jan GCFA and annual conferences that leave may no longer exchange funds

38. The Traditionalist Plan
Questions?
Please write your questions about The Traditionalist Plan on an index card. Questions will be reviewed and answered at the end of the session.
Carey: Thank you, James. At this time, we would like to give you a moment to write down any questions you might have about the Traditionalist Plan on an index card. Committee members will collect your cards for a Q & A at the end of the session.
I would like to invite Greg Perisho up to present information on the Connectional Conference Plan.

39. The Connectional Conference Plan
The Connectional Conference Plan reflects a unified core that includes shared doctrine and services. This plan creates three value-based Connectional Conferences that have distinctive definitions of accountability, contextualization, and justice.

40. The Connectional Conference Plan
General Conference
Annual Conferences
Districts
Local Churches
Jurisdictional
Conferences (5)
Central
Conferences (7)
General Conference
As the primary legislative body, General Conference is the only entity with the authority to speak on behalf of the entire United Methodist Church. The General Conference meets every four years to consider the business and mission of the church. An equal number of lay and clergy delegates are elected from United Methodist conferences around the world to decide matters of policy and procedure for the denomination
Jurisdictional Conferences
There are five geographic jurisdictions, or regions, in the United States, which are comprised of 8 – 15 annual conferences each.
Central Conferences
In Africa, Europe and the Philippines, there are seven geographical regions, called central conferences, each of which is comprised of annual conferences and divided into several episcopal areas.
Annual Conferences
The annual conference is a geographical entity, an organizational body (made up of elected lay and glercy members) and a yearly meeting. It is the fundamental body of the church.
Districts
Each local church is part of a district, which is an administrative grouping of churches in a geographic area.
Charge Conferences and Local Churches
As the visible presence of the body of Christ, the local church is the place where members grow in faith and discipleship, putting their faith into action through ministry in the world.
GUMC is in the Aurora district of the Northern Illinois conference, which is in the North Central Jurisdiction.
For a variety of reasons, annual conferences outside of the US became autonomous in the 1930s and 1960s, particularly in most regions of Asia and in all of Latin America. A large majority of these autonomous churches are affiliated autonomous or affiliated united churches with The United Methodist Church and send non-voting delegates to General Conference.

41. The Connectional Conference Plan
5 geographical Jurisdictions
3 Connectional Conferences
Based on theology
Traditional
Unity
Progressive
Currently there are 5 geographical jurisdictions in the US. Under the Connectional Conference Plan, these would be replaced by 3 national connectional conferences based on theology, including perspectives on LGBTQ ministry:
Traditional = Marriage is between one man and one women, same sex marriages cannot be performed and practicing homosexuals cannot be ordained
Unity = Pastors are allowed, but not required, to perform same-sex weddings; annual conferences are allow, but not required, to ordain those practicing homosexuality; local churches are allowed, but not require, to receive an LGBT person as pastor; and in which no bishop, pastor or congregation is compelled to act against conscience in these matters.
Progressive = Same-sex weddings are performed by all clergy, all annual conferences ordain qualified LGBT persons, and all local churches welcome LGBT pastors who match the needs of the congregation and its ministry.
Jurisdictional conference would have the first level vote regarding connectional conference affiliation. Annual conference that disagree with the decision of their jurisdiction may decide to affiliate with a different connectional conference. No local church is required to take a vote unless it decides to join a difference connectional conference than its annual conference.

42. The Connectional Conference Plan
Each branch
Significant degree of autonomy
Sexual ethics
Teachings on marriage
Ordination standards
Other adaptable matters
All three branches
Share responsibility for and receive support from
Many general church boards
Many church agencies
Shared doctrinal standards
The Connectional Conference Plan reflects a unified core that includes shared doctrine and services. The three values-based connectional conference have distinctive definitions of accountability, contextualization and justice.
Continuing general agencies include: Wespath, Publishing House, GCFA (finance and admin), Archives & History, and part of GBGM (as determined in consultation among the connectional conferences inside and outside the US). Future structure of other general agencies would be decided based on which connectional confrences desire to participate in them, after a transition period. Any connectional conference could contract with any agency for fee-based services.
Each connectional conference would create its own Book of Discipline, which would begin with the General Book of Discipline, including Articles of Religion, Confessions of Faith, the General Rules, and other items that are commonly agreed upon by United Methodists. Each connectional conference also has the authority to adapt those items not included in the General Book of Discipline.
Each connectional conference is empowered to choose own name & insignia – may or may not include corss & flame and the name “United Methodist”.

43. The Connectional Conference Plan
Authority and accountability functions transferred to Connectional Conferences
The Council of Bishops a learning and support community for bishops
Bishops accountable to standards of their Connectional Conference
The Council of Bishops houses ecumenical relations and functions as a collegial learning and nurturing body across all 3 connectional conferences
Each connectional conference elects and (in the US) pays for its own bishops. College of Bishops provides episcopal leadership oversight & accountability for their connectional conference.

44. The Connectional Conference Plan
Bishops and clergy serve only within their Connectional Conference
Each Connectional Conference’s work funded and governed by that Connectional Conference’s theology and requirements
Cross-connection ministries and partnerships could continue
Bishops & clergy choose which connectional conference to affiliate with. They may make themselves available to more than 1 connectional conference. They may transfer to different connectional conference with approval by each annual conference Board of Ordained Ministry. May also serve in transitional appointment until options open in connectional conference they desire.

45. The Connectional Conference Plan
All U.S. Connectional Conferences would support the work in the Central Conferences
Central Conferences could:
Become their own Connectional Conference with power and authority equal to U.S. conferences
Join with other Central Conferences to become one Connectional Conference
Join one of the three theological conferences to become a global Connectional Conference
7 global Central Conferences (Africa x 3, Europe x 3, Philippines x 1). Central Conferences have the ability to combine, e.g., Africa could combine the 3 Central Conferences into 1 Central Conference.
All Connectional Conferences would continue to support mission work and sustain ministry in the areas outside the US.
Bishops outside the US would continue to be supported by all US annual conferences.

46. The Connectional Conference Plan
Annual Connectional Conferences required to adopt a number of Constitutional amendments
Every Annual Conference requires 2/3 of conference votes from ballots of all annual conferences to pass Constitutional amendments
No decision is permanent. Just like clergy being able to change Connectional Conferences, Annual Conferences may vote to align with a different Connectional Conference every 4 years. Churches can vote to align with a different Annual Conference.

47. The Connectional Conference Plan
Implementation
2019 – Approval of plan and Constitutional amendments, distributed to Annual Conferences
2020
Constitutional amendments approved by 4/15/20
Jurisdictional and central conference vote to determine their Connectional Conference
2021
Annual conferences may vote to join different Connectional Conference by 8/1/21
Bishops align with Connectional Conferences and begin meeting and planning with Transition Team for the organizing conferences
2022
Local churches may vote to align with different Connectional Conference by 7/1/22
Clergy align with Connectional Conference by 7/1/22
Organizational conferences of the Connectional Conferences 2H22
2025 – First General Conference of the new United Methodist Church followed by Connectional Conference Meetings
Implementation of the Connectional Conference Plan is the longest of the three plans, due to the complexity. The 2024 annual conference would be postponed to 2025 to allow time for the transition. This would disconnect succeeding General Conferences from the US election cycle.
Transition Team
~30 members appointed for skill & expertise
Represent all constituencies
Hired project manager
Responsible for administering and overseeing the transition process moving from General Conference 2019 to the organizing conferences in 2022

48. The Connectional Conference Plan
Questions?
Please write your questions about The Connectional Conference Plan on an index card. Questions will be reviewed and answered at the end of the session.
Carey: Thank you, Greg. Please take a moment to write down any questions you might have about the Connectional Conference Plan.

49. Question & Answer The One Church Plan The Traditionalist Plan
The Connectional Conference Plan
Now we are going to move on to the Q & A portion of our morning. Some questions were similar, so please don’t be offended if we don’t read your exact question.
QUESTIONS…. (Carey can “lead”. Michelle, James, and Greg please sit on stools that will be on the platform.)

50. How Can I Learn More? Find plans online at http://garychurch.org/
Live stream in the Anderson Room on 2/24
Post vote on website with links from General Conference

51. What Can I Do?
Pray for bishops, clergy, and delegates from 2:23-2:26 p.m. daily
Fast on Sunday, 2/24
Pray in the Chapel on 2/24
Scripture, Prayer, & Candle

52. Thank You!