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April 23 Day 1 wrap-up: After years of delay, General Conference begins

The long-delayed 2020 General Conference began April 23 with another slight delay, this time by the fire marshal. During an inspection before opening worship, it was determined there was a lack of sufficient fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and emergency exit signage in the plenary hall of the Charlotte Convention Center.

Once the issue was resolved, the General Conference, postponed by four years and a few minutes, finally began with United Methodist bishops marching to the altar to the strains of Charles Wesley’s “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.”

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April 24 Day 2 Wrap-Up:

Legislative committee work begins

The second day of General Conference shifted from the celebratory opening worship to getting down to the business of the church, as delegates began working in their legislative committees and electing their chairs.

Leaders presented a sober picture of United Methodist finances, including the need to reduce bishops. At the same time, delegates heard hope for the denomination to pivot from church exits to revitalization.

Against a backdrop of past conflicts and division, both the Episcopal and Young People’s addresses offered hope for the denomination that will go forward from this gathering.

Bishop Holston: Become ‘who God needs us to be’

Bringing a word on staying who “God needs us to be” in spite of the ever-changing noise of this world, Bishop L. Jonathan Holston of the South Carolina Conference delivered the Council of Bishops’ Episcopal Address to kick off Day 2 of The United Methodist Church’s 2020 General Conference.

“When things are happening all around us, God uses the church to make a difference,” Holston proclaimed before the crowd of delegates, observers and volunteers gathered at the Charlotte Convention Center April 24. “The church was never built for our pleasure. The church is built for God’s purpose.”

April 25 Day 3 wrap-up:

Regionalization gets go-ahead, Eurasia leaves 

The plenary session on Day 3 of General Conference produced two historic moments: the passage of a constitutional amendment that aims to put The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions on equal footing and the approval of four Eurasia conferences’ official departure from the denomination.

Bishop Eduard Khegay, episcopal leader of the Eurasia Area, gave a moving farewell speech following the passage of a petition that will enable four Eurasian annual conferences to become autonomous. He expressed gratitude to the denomination, using the phrase for “thank you” in Russian: “Bolshoe spasibo.”

A green light for regionalization

General Conference has now passed much of the legislation that aims to give The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making.

In what outgoing Council of Bishops President Thomas J. Bickerton called “a historic day for our church,” delegates voted 586 to 164 for an amendment to the denomination’s constitution that will now go before annual conference voters for potential ratification.

A constitutional amendment requires at least a two-thirds vote at General Conference; the regionalization amendment received 78% of the vote. To be ratified, the amendment also will need at least a two-thirds total vote of annual conference lay and clergy voters. Annual conferences are church regions consisting of multiple congregations and other ministries.

April 26 Day 4 Wrap-Up:

Bishop urges delegates

to follow God’s lead

Delegates enjoyed a rousing worship service before heading into the last weekday of committee meetings.

Mississippi Conference Bishop Sharma Lewis dropped to one knee and implored delegates to put their trust in God despite the human tendency to be “control freaks,” as the General Conference of The United Methodist Church began its fourth workday.

Speaking during morning worship April 26, Lewis urged delegates to try to discern God’s plans before they settle on their own as United Methodism moves into uncharted territory.

Connectional Table

 shares hope

Leaders of the Connectional Table gave a report that emphasized the strength of the United Methodist connection even amid the fraying caused by COVID and church exits.

The Connectional Table is a body of United Methodist leaders from around the globe that coordinates the denomination’s mission and ministry. The leadership body played a key role in moving forward the regionalization plan that delegates approved the bulk of on April 25.

Bishops, delegates

 join rally for Palestine

While pro-Palestinian rallies are happening across the U.S., United Methodists at General Conference had their chance to gather in a peaceful show of support on the evening of April 25.

Sponsored by United Methodist Kairos Response, the rally brought together more than 100 United Methodist delegates and observers — along with at least six bishops — to hear from a variety of speakers and call attention to Palestine-related legislation before General Conference.

"Legislation has been written. Flights and rental cars acquired. Detailed plans have been made. But what matters most as we gather together in Charlotte, is our love for one another - how we treat one another, and how we discern together. May we empty ourselves, and prepare to listen deeply to one another and listen for the still small voice of God among us. May we gather in love, disagree in love, and prepare one another for future ministry with the love of Christ at the center of it all. In Jesus name, Amen."

-Jeff Campbell, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries

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