Basic info about General Conference 2020 Basic info
![Basic info about General Conference 2020 Basic info about General Conference 2020](https://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-1.jpg)
Basic info about General Conference 2020
![Basic info about General Conference 2020 May 5 -15 in Minneapolis, MN – 862 Basic info about General Conference 2020 May 5 -15 in Minneapolis, MN – 862](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-2.jpg)
Basic info about General Conference 2020 May 5 -15 in Minneapolis, MN – 862 delegates – 4 for Pen Del and 8 for EPA Writes the Discipline every 4 years Legislation passed must be Constitutional or there is a 2/3 bar for it to be passed and requires a ratification by a 2/3 rd vote of the annual conferences the following year.
![Basic info about General Conference 2020 This is a critically important year because we Basic info about General Conference 2020 This is a critically important year because we](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-3.jpg)
Basic info about General Conference 2020 This is a critically important year because we are talking about a separation known as “The Protocol” The Protocol was crafted by a group of 16 UM people from across the spectrum of United Methodism, including our Central Conference people (outside the US). The services of a professional mediator were involved.
![Protocol components There is a recommended moratorium on all complaints and trials with regards Protocol components There is a recommended moratorium on all complaints and trials with regards](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-4.jpg)
Protocol components There is a recommended moratorium on all complaints and trials with regards to homosexuality between now and the General Conference.
![Protocol components The Protocol keeps the global UMC in tact. (Though not a part Protocol components The Protocol keeps the global UMC in tact. (Though not a part](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-5.jpg)
Protocol components The Protocol keeps the global UMC in tact. (Though not a part of the Protocol there a plan is to have the UMC be organized in regions that will determine their way of living with regards to paragraphs about homosexuality into the future. The regional option however would require 6 amendments to the denomination’s Constitution to become a reality. That must get 2/3 ratification at GC and then 2/3 of the total votes at AC after that. This would take more than 2 years to form. It is unclear if the paragraphs that are against homosexuality would be able to be removed at this GC for the Post Separation United Methodist Church). There will still be a United Methodist Church no matter what.
![Protocol components The Protocol allows the Traditional churches and conferences to leave with their Protocol components The Protocol allows the Traditional churches and conferences to leave with their](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-6.jpg)
Protocol components The Protocol allows the Traditional churches and conferences to leave with their assets and join a Traditional denomination. A sum of $25 million dollars will be paid over the next 4 years to that Traditional body toward this end. As a result there will be no court battles over property matters. It also allows for entire conferences to vote to join the Traditional denomination. There must be a 57% majority for an annual conference decision. When a church votes, the local church council decides the percentage (either 50% plus one or 2/3)
![Protocol components Churches that don’t wish to join their conference’s decision can vote to Protocol components Churches that don’t wish to join their conference’s decision can vote to](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-7.jpg)
Protocol components Churches that don’t wish to join their conference’s decision can vote to remain United Methodist and can be aligned with another annual conference. The deadline for churches to decide what to do is December 31, 2024 according to the Protocol. The deadline for whole conferences to decide is May 2021. Also there could possibly be more than one Traditional denomination option. Everyone that is leaving is still expected to pay their full apportionments through December 31, 2020. -Annual conferences that wish to remain United Methodist do not have to vote.
![Protocol components The Protocol sets aside $39 million dollars from both the UMC and Protocol components The Protocol sets aside $39 million dollars from both the UMC and](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-8.jpg)
Protocol components The Protocol sets aside $39 million dollars from both the UMC and the Traditionalist denomination for reparations in acknowledgement of the harm done to people of color during past changes in structure and system. These funds are to support programs, training and agency work to ensure the health and vitality of our ethnic constituencies going forward.
![Protocol components The Protocol also sets aside $2 million dollars for any future denomination Protocol components The Protocol also sets aside $2 million dollars for any future denomination](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-9.jpg)
Protocol components The Protocol also sets aside $2 million dollars for any future denomination that might want to also be developed. They must meet a criteria that is being established and the deadline is May 2021. Any new denomination must have at least 100 churches as one of the requirements. -The Protocol ensures that clergy will still keep their invested pension dollars as everyone will continue to have Wespath Pension services.
![Protocol components The Protocol allows for Disaffiliation for churches that wish to go on Protocol components The Protocol allows for Disaffiliation for churches that wish to go on](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-10.jpg)
Protocol components The Protocol allows for Disaffiliation for churches that wish to go on their own as independent. However, they must follow the Disciplinary paragraphs regarding this process, whatever that will be. The 2019 GC Taylor plan is still being discussed in the Judicial Council as to its viability (due to inaccurate votes that were detected at the 2019 GC). That may also be a conversation at General Conference.
![Other plans: Other plans have also been sent into General Conference for consideration. Two Other plans: Other plans have also been sent into General Conference for consideration. Two](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-11.jpg)
Other plans: Other plans have also been sent into General Conference for consideration. Two of the plans that were submitted earlier, Indianapolis and UMC Next, are supporting the Protocol. New Expressions Worldwide suggests that we vote to dissolve the denomination completely and create 4 new entities.
![What do we do in the meantime? Dispel any rumors that we have already What do we do in the meantime? Dispel any rumors that we have already](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-12.jpg)
What do we do in the meantime? Dispel any rumors that we have already “split” as a denomination. All of what I have said is contingent on the vote at General Conference. It may or may not happen. Various parts of the plan may change by amendment. None of this is a sure thing at this time. Continue to follow the news articles about the developments with the Protocols (umc. org).
![What do we do in the meantime? Attend the General Conference delegate listening sessions What do we do in the meantime? Attend the General Conference delegate listening sessions](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-13.jpg)
What do we do in the meantime? Attend the General Conference delegate listening sessions that will be happening this spring. Talk about this at your churches so that people know what is happening. Continue with the ministry and mission of the church. Make disciples! Be the presence of Christ’s love in this world.
![What do we do in the meantime? Most importantly PRAY. Pray for the United What do we do in the meantime? Most importantly PRAY. Pray for the United](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-14.jpg)
What do we do in the meantime? Most importantly PRAY. Pray for the United Methodist Church and its witness to the world. It is my hope that moving forward what we decide at General Conference will ultimately multiply our witness and we will be poised to reach more and more people for Jesus Christ.
![Personal Lament The Pauline teaching about the “Body of Christ” is a central part Personal Lament The Pauline teaching about the “Body of Christ” is a central part](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-15.jpg)
Personal Lament The Pauline teaching about the “Body of Christ” is a central part of my theology and heart. With a divided body, we will be less whole. A denomination or any church that separates over their understanding of God’s truth has left itself without the possibility of more understanding and growth. We can only mature spiritually and personally by the refining fire of discourse and collective prayer with those with whom we disagree. When we go to our respective “corners” I believe we will soon discover that we are “less than” we could be without the other. Saddest of all is I am convinced that our ministry to the margins will suffer if we break up.
![Personal Lament However, we have striven together for 47 years and it might be Personal Lament However, we have striven together for 47 years and it might be](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-16.jpg)
Personal Lament However, we have striven together for 47 years and it might be a season for this Protocol to be enacted for many practical reasons. I am sorry for our sisters and brothers in the LGBTQIA community who appear to be the epicenter of this controversy. It is so hurtful. I am most sure that this is more about power and control than 6 verses in the Bible. I am sorry for our friends in the Central Conferences, particularly Africa, who feel blamed for the outcome of the 2019 General Conference, which tilted enforcements to a higher level.
![Personal Lament Our witness has taken a serious hit as people from the outside Personal Lament Our witness has taken a serious hit as people from the outside](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-17.jpg)
Personal Lament Our witness has taken a serious hit as people from the outside see us as a warring body and much ministry time has been spent engaging in disagreeable conversations. Breaking up is just one more example of our spiritual immaturity.
![Personal Lament May there come a day when we get back together, we people Personal Lament May there come a day when we get back together, we people](http://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/b3acb4bcb6435a37b936844aea222bd6/image-18.jpg)
Personal Lament May there come a day when we get back together, we people called Methodists. Just as the Apostle Paul apparently reconciled with John Mark (II Timothy 4: 11) after separating from Barnabas over a dispute that had something to do with Mark’s desertion (Acts 15: 37), I am praying that we too can find our way back together in the future.
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