Nashville, Tenn.: The Commission on the General Conference of The United Methodist Church has invited representatives of Good News, MFSA, Love Prevails, Reconciling Ministries, and The Confessing Movement to share in a listening session during their upcoming meeting in Portland, Oregon April 20-24, 2015.
“Our goal for the day is not to attempt to convince anyone of any particular position or to influence legislation, but rather to hear where you are and to see how we might move forward together as we prepare for the 2016 General Conference,” wrote Commission Chairperson Judi M. Kenaston in her invitation.
The decision to engage in these conversations came as an attempt to faithfully respond to the charge given to the Commission in the closing hours of the 2012 General Conference, to move General Conference debate from issues of governance and towards building consensus on ministry and treating the $12 million investment in the General Conference as a means for advancing the mission of The United Methodist Church and our global effort to transform the world.
A motion to engage in listening sessions was made at the October 2014 Commission meeting and, in consideration of issues of expense and space availability, the number of group representatives invited was limited.
The listening sessions will be held on the opening day of the meeting, which is the Commission’s last scheduled meeting before the 2016 General Conference.
About General Conference
The General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church, and meets once every four years to consider revisions to church laws, as well as adopt resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for churchwide programs for the next four years. The next General Conference takes place May 10-20, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.
Media Contact:
Diane Degnan ddegnan@umcom.org
