A Brighter Future for the United Methodist Church

In the wake of General Conference 2019, large numbers of people who have not traditionally been engaged in the life of the church beyond their local context began to feel differently. Since 1972 when discriminatory language was added to the Book of Discipline, the church has been divided over how inclusive we are called to be. Many have had a desire to see this language removed from the Book of Discipline but in many instances, if the discrimination didn’t hit close to home, this desire didn’t necessarily lead to much in the way of action. When the Traditional Plan passed at GC19, many people stood up and said “enough is enough”. The Traditional Plan does NOT reflect the church we know and love.

Many conferences, including our North Carolina Annual Conference elected a slate of very diverse moderate to progressive delegates who reject the Traditional Plan and who are committed to working towards a more inclusive church. Resolutions were passed that tackle all sorts of justice issues, including one that supports full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ persons and also rejects the Traditional Plan.

A reconciling worship service was held at our Annual Conference and there was standing room only. There were opportunities for anointing and healing, we heard powerful testimonies of individuals who have been harmed by the church but who are staying in, offering grace to those of us to have done them harm. We sang and feasted at the Lord’s Table. It was powerful time of worship and you could sense the presence of the Holy Spirit.

NC UMC Next, Sacred Witness, the Reconciling Ministries Network, MFSA and Brighter Future movements have grown and the Holy Spirit seems to be moving as a lamplighter, midwife of change. Those led to participate in these various ministries are in prayer for the Spirit of God to lead and guide us as we seek to relate well to all people in our churches and communities and to join together in our shared mission.

The North Carolina Delegation met immediately following Annual Conference to elect officers and will be meeting soon to begin the process to select an episcopal nominee. Please be in prayer for the delegation as we go about this work.

Please join me in praying for the whole Church, those who are pleased with the outcome of our Annual Conference and others and those who are not. Let us seek to remain in relationship with one another and to seek to understand the perspectives of others. Let us pray for us all to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and for each of us to reflect the love of Jesus to one another and to the world.

Shalom y’all,