A Word with the Pastor

General Conference 2020—in 2024!

April 11, 2024

Friends, First Church is no stranger to the work of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. From playing a significant role in hosting the 2016 General Conference here in Portland—to following the work of Rev. Donna Pritchard as she served on the Commission on a Way Forward, leading up to the special 2019 General Conference—to paying close attention to previous General Conferences and the work of LGBTQ inclusion throughout our congregation’s more than 30-year history as a “Reconciling Congregation”—we care deeply about our connectional life as United Methodists. 

For those new to United Methodism, or for those who need a refresher, The United Methodist Church is structured similarly to the United States government. We have a judicial branch in the Judicial Council, who help in interpreting the Book of Discipline, an executive branch in the Council of Bishops, who help in offering guidance and vision to the denomination, and a legislative branch in the General Conference, the top decision-making body, made up of both lay and clergy members, who amend the Book of Discipline and acts as the official voice of The United Methodist Church. 

The General Conference is supposed to meet once every four years, but due to the pandemic, the 2020 General Conference is meeting this year in 2024. This General Conference will meet in Charlotte, North Carolina from April 23-May 3. The Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference Communications Team has put together this great webpage to learn more about our Oregon-Idaho delegation, along with all kinds of articles and information about the upcoming General Conference: umoi.org

As a General Conference veteran, having served as a lay delegate or reserve delegate from Central Texas in 2012, 2016, and 2019, I haven’t been able to help staying away from the fun and excitement of General Conference. Since October of last year, I have been assisting our Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN) friends with some organizing for General Conference, regularly meeting with and helping to support centrist and progressive delegates, primarily in the Financial Administration Legislative Committee and will be in Charlotte for part of the first week of GC as an observer. 

This will be a different General Conference from those in recent decades. Since 2021, 25% of US congregations have disaffiliated from The United Methodist Church. Now, the overwhelming majority of delegates from the US support the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life of the church. However, we are a global church, made up of people from myriad cultures and perspectives, from Africa, the Philippines, Europe, and the United States. The likelihood of an LGBTQ-affirming statement making it into the Book of Discipline at this General Conference is slim.  

And yet, there is hope. 

The RMN coalition has identified three legislative priorities for this GC: 

  1. Regionalization: this would be a structural change to the denomination, which would, first and foremost, allow the US to become its own “Regional Conference.” This would allow for the US to adopt a US-Regional Book of Discipline, and officially become an affirming denomination, at least in the US. The Central Conferences outside of the US already have the authority to function in a similar way. This would be an equitable change to our structure. The process for making this change takes time, as it requires an amendment to the “Constitution” of The United Methodist Church, which needs a 2/3 approval of GC delegates and a 2/3 approval within all the annual conferences.
  2. Revised Social Principles: The Social Principles give voice to our denomination’s commitment to social justice, mercy, and peace. A study committee, directed by the General Board of Church and Society has worked to update the Social Principles, making them more inclusive. These newly updated social principles would take the place of our current ones.
  3. Remove Harmful Language: Currently, there are prohibitions against LGBTQ people in several sections of the Book of Discipline. Up until 1972, The Methodist Church and then The United Methodist Church were neutral when it came to affirming LGBTQ people. This effort would bring the Book of Discipline back to that time and would help us in upholding our commitment to “Doing No Harm,” until a potentially approved US Regional Conference could convene and adopt affirming statements.

Now, friends, I know that many of us are exhausted by this fight within our church and are tired of waiting for progress to be made. Trust me, I know this feeling, and depending on the day, find myself weary as well. Nevertheless, this is our church. We have been called to this place by God—the one who loves each and every one of us and who calls us by name. There is nothing, nothing that can change that. 

Thankfully, here at First Church, in the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference, and in the Western Jurisdiction, we chose years ago to ignore the anti-LGBTQ sentiments in the Book of Discipline. Because of this choice, I have had the privilege of serving as the first openly gay pastor appointed to First Church. In my upcoming appointment to First Church in Salem, I will also be that church’s first openly gay pastor. In addition, I will be supervised by an openly gay District Superintendent and am receiving this appointment from our openly gay bishop. 

In so many ways, we are living into our call from God, and are already being and becoming the church we dream of—a church that is committed to the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in our life and ministry. 

In the days ahead, I invite you to be in prayer for the General Conference: for the delegates, for our bishops, the organizers and observers, and for our church as we watch along. And, I also invite you, no matter what happens, to commit to this place called Portland First United Methodist Church as, with joy and gladness, we keep following Jesus together. If we can do that, there is no doubt in my mind that we will fulfill our mission to transform the world. 

As always, Karyn, Lowell, and I are all here to talk with you should you have questions or concerns you would like to share about the upcoming General Conference. 

Blessings, 

Ethan 

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