General Conference 2024 - Part 2
As promised, Pastor Gene and I are delighted to share with you two articles summarizing the outcomes of the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church. Last week, Pastor Gene delved into how our church addressed the topic of faith and human sexuality, tying it to the recent legislation passed at the General Conference.
Covering every update from over 1,000 petitions before the delegates is a monumental task, but I'll do my best to provide you with the Cliff Notes version. For those eager for more detail, you can click here to explore further.
Central to the discussions was the commitment to upholding our longstanding principle of maintaining a 'big tent' model while simultaneously guiding the church into the next phase of its continuous evolution. It was vital for leaders at the conference—both clergy and laity—to cultivate an environment that fosters unity among members despite differing views.
In addition to the legislation concerning human sexuality mentioned in Pastor Gene's letter last week, the 2024 General Conference yielded several significant decisions:
Budget Approval: Delegates sanctioned a denominational budget reflecting a decrease of 38% to 41% compared to the 2016 General Conference, partly due to the loss of a quarter of U.S. churches through disaffiliation.
Reduction in US Bishops: A plan to reduce the number of active bishops in the United States from 39 to 32 was approved.
Future Direction and Conversation: Panel discussions underscored the church's inclusive stance and underscored the necessity for ongoing dialogue and adaptation to cultural shifts resulting from the conference's decisions.
Emphasis on Church Unity and Mission: Church leadership emphasized envisioning a future where the church embodies unity, reconciliation, and inclusivity, nurturing hope and constructing God's beloved community.
Judicial Council Decisions: The Judicial Council issued rulings on various legal questions related to church law, and new members were welcomed to the council for the 2024-28 quadrennium.
Other Notable Votes: The General Conference passed resolutions concerning climate justice and financial investments, among other topics.
One legislative decision that hit home for me was the resolution to grant sacramental authority to deacons. Historically, deacons in the UMC have been valued for their service and ministry to the marginalized, yet their sacramental authority was limited. While I was granted special permission to preside over the Eucharist and baptize members, it's significant that, after January 1, 2025, this authority will be extended to all deacons without requiring special requests. This decision acknowledges the vital role of deacons in bridging the gap between the church and the world.
Extending sacramental authority to deacons validates the integral role of deacons in ministry and broadens the channels through which sacramental grace is experienced by congregants and the broader community. Empowering deacons to administer sacraments enables the church to meet people where they are, fostering deeper connections with communities and facilitating spiritual growth and transformation.
As the conference ended, Bishop Tracy Malone reminded us of the mission Jesus calls us to. She concluded with these words:
"As you go forward from this General Conference, tell the world about Jesus. As you go, tell them about his love. As you go, be love. … Let’s walk together, beloved, and let us never grow weary of doing the work of the kin-dom."
Can I have an Amen?
Amen!
-Deacon Deb