The General Conference of the UMC April 23-May 3 2024
This year the General Conference takes place in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is the first General Conference since the pandemic after a tense 2019 Special Conference. The last General Conference was set to happen in Minneapolis, Minnesota until the pandemic made it necessary to postpone the quadrennial legislative event until 2024. At the upcoming conference, legislation slated for GC2020 will be addressed. At the end of March this year, an ad hoc group of 270 US delegates outlined their priorities, often called the “three R’s”: regionalization, the Revised Social Principles, and the removal of exclusionary language against LGBTQ people. The delegates noted that they, “Are part of the 75% of U.S. congregations that remain United Methodist.” They also say they are eager to work with fellow United Methodist delegates in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines in healing, reconciliation, and rebuilding the denomination. (“US delegates name General Conference goals,” by Heather Hahn, March 22, 2024 | UM News, accessed 4/2/2024).
“My heart really yearns for a church that, first of all, is Christ-centered,” said the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, one of the delegate signers. “I also yearn for a church that really embodies what it means to have open doors and open hearts and enables some contextualism in our global connection.” She goes on to say, “Methodism began as a movement, in small groups around kitchen tables. The ministry of Susanna, John, and Charles [Wesley] reflected the contextual needs of the day,” she said. “I see that same spark now as delegates come together dreaming and planning for a church that is Christ-centered, celebrates diversity … and models collaboration locally, regionally and worldwide.” (“US delegates name General Conference goals,” by Heather Hahn, March 22, 2024 | UM News, accessed 4/2/2024).
On April 13 we hosted the MN Reconciling Congregations annual spring gathering at Hennepin Avenue UMC. It provided the opportunity to hear from Rev. Carol Zaagsma and Dave Nuckols, the MN Annual Conference delegates to General Conference. They spoke the key issues that will be considered at General Conference. You can find a recording of the gathering HERE.
General Conference Resources
As the “split” becomes more highly publicized in the coming weeks, be sure to have the most accurate information.
What is the General Conference?
General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church. The assembly meets at the beginning of each quadrennium to consider revisions to church law, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs for the next four years.
Congregants who desire to keep up with the day-to-day happenings at the General Conference can rely on UM News’ General Conference News and Commentary page to provide the latest information and updates as they are available. Subscribing to the Daily Digest makes it easy to stay in the know, as it delivers the latest news directly to email inboxes.