General Conference Reports
United Methodist News Service
Linda Bloom*
April 27 | April 28 | May 5 | May 6 | May 7 | May 10
APRIL 27 - Assembly Begins with Worship, Bishops' Address
Different voices joined in a common song as the 2004 United Methodist General Conference officially opened with an April 27 worship service at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
In the afternoon's traditional Episcopal Address, Bishop Kenneth L. Carder of the Mississippi Area told the nearly 1,000 delegates that God is calling the church to be a sign and instrument of a new creation.
But the denomination's bishops also expressed concern about the international delegates who didn't make it to the church's top legislative meeting because they were denied visas by the U.S. government. About 25 delegates from Africa and the Philippines were unable to travel to Pittsburgh because of visa problems.
International presence was celebrated, however, in the worship, which featured drummers from diverse cultures, singing in Korean, Swahili, Spanish and French, and an African dance that reminded the audience of the words of Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!"
Water played an integral role in the service, as Bishop Janet Riggle Huie of the Arkansas Area and Bishop Peter Dabale of Nigeria scooped water from a large basin and let it fall, proclaiming the General Conference theme, "Water Washed, Spirit Born."
In his sermon, Bishop Ruediger R. Minor of Moscow, president of the Council of Bishops, remembered being sent to Russia 12 years ago and discovering that baptism was not about a few drops of water, but being scrubbed clean.
"We all need to be scrubbed clean, even if you've developed an expertise in cleaning the dark spots of other people," he said. "A symbolic washing won't do it."
In his later address, Carder reminded General Conference participants that while the church has extraordinary opportunities to live into God's vision of a healed creation, it is lacking in vision, will and financial commitment.
"God is calling us to be a community in which all know their identity as beloved children of God, where all barriers are removed and where justice enables the lowly to be exalted and the least and the last and the lost to be welcomed with joy at the table in God's cosmic home."
The Episcopal Address is the only time the Council of Bishops addresses General Conference. Bishops preside over plenary sessions, deliver sermons and participate in worship, but have no vote at the assembly. A proposal from the Committee on Plan of Organization and Rules of General Conference to have bishops chair each of 11 legislative committees -- rather than continuing the tradition of electing lay or clergy delegates to fulfill that role -- was narrowly defeated by delegates.
The bishops may expand their current Bishops' Initiative on Children and Poverty, according to Bishop Donald A. Ott, coordinator, to focus on points raised in the Episcopal Address. The proposed new initiative would reclaim the bishops' responsibility to be teachers of the church, Ott said.
In a lunchtime press conference, the bishops also expressed concern over the initial denial of visas to 42 delegates from Africa and the Philippines, and called the visa process both racist and unjust. By the time General Conference convened, 25 still did not have visas and were unable to attend. White European delegates had no problems securing visas, Bishop Felton E. May of Washington pointed out.
During the afternoon plenary, delegates remembered one prominent United Methodist and heard greetings from another. The passing of Boris Trajkovski, the president of Macedonia who was killed in a February plane crash, was marked by a moment of silence. First Lady Laura Bush, a lifelong United Methodist, sent personal greetings to the assembly, thanking delegates for their hard work. President and Laura Bush had received an invitation to appear at General Conference.
Some 82,500 cookies, compliments of church members throughout Western Pennsylvania, are being provided during breaks at General Conference. Convention center rules required the cookies to be placed in sealable plastic bags, three to a pack, labeled and placed in pizza boxes for delivery.
April 28 - Delegates Hear Restructuring Report, Laity Address
How United Methodists relate to one another, both structurally and spiritually, was a topic of discussion during the April 28 session of the denomination's top legislative body.
Delegates to General Conference received a report from the churchwide Council on Ministries called "Living into the Future," which proposes merging the work of program and finance agencies into a "Connectional Table." In that structure, leaders from around the church would coordinate the work of most of the denomination's agencies and would oversee ministries budgeted at more than $500 million per quadrennium.
United Methodists in all regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe and North America, would be represented at the table, along with the Council of Bishops and agency officials.
Under the proposed plan, the General Council on Ministries and General Council on Finance and Administration would fold into the Connectional Table by Jan. 1, 2007. Ten other agencies would retain their own board of directors but be accountable and represented at the table.
"The plan is about bringing mission and money to the same table," said Darlene Amon, a delegate from the Virginia Annual Conference and one of the voices in the video describing the benefits of "Living into the Future."
Bishop Joseph Yeakel described the proposal in terms of "connecting the connection." A rejection of the plan by General Conference would amount to the church choosing to "retain a disconnected structure," he said.
Delegates will vote on the document during the week of May 3. Gloria Holt, lay leader of the North Alabama Annual Conference, gives the Laity Address In the General Conference Laity Address, Gloria Holt told delegates that until each individual church member is willing to let go of "me, myself and I" and make a concerted effort to become "we, ourselves and us," the denomination will continue to be involved in "power struggles, selfish decision-making and un- Christian action toward each other."
Most troubling is the "apparent unwillingness" of laity and clergy to be equal partners in ministry, according to Holt, president of the United Methodist Association of Annual Conference Lay Leaders.
"If clergy are singing their own song while the laity are dancing to their own beat, how in the world are we going to get in sync with one another?" she asked. "Unless we do, the church will not be creating the music for which God gave us the notes."
She also urged the international assembly to move away from doing things in the same old way and to realize that the absence of youth and young adults in local congregations could be due to an unwillingness to change in ways that would welcome that age group.
In the morning worship service, Bishop Bruce Blake of Oklahoma noted the legislative concerns over budget issues.
"Our attitude is one of giving until it hurts, rather than heals. Everything is focused on our limited resources when, in fact, if United Methodists would give until it heals we would have so much money to facilitate God's mission in the world that conferencing would be a celebration of sharing rather than our experience of divvying up a shrinking pie."
He suggested that United Methodists have lost the connection between grace and giving, and he challenged the delegates to live a gospel of giving until it heals.
MAY 5 - Delegates Clarify Chargeable Offenses for United Methodist Pastors
Unfaithfulness in marriage and not being celibate in singleness can be considered chargeable offenses for United Methodist clergy.
In a May 4 session, delegates attending the United Methodist Church's 2004 General Conference clarified immorality and identified the practices the church considers as violations of Christian teaching.
Delegates to the denomination's top legislative assembly amended the paragraph in the Book of Discipline outlining chargeable offenses to clarify the language and to give bishops, pastors and other clergy and diaconal ministers a list of offenses that could result in a trial.
The delegates also expanded Paragraph 2702, which contains items for which clergy may be charged. Delegates added "being a self-avowed practicing homosexual, conducting ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions and performing same-sex wedding ceremonies" to the list of offenses that might evoke a trial.
"The language speaks to the needs of our church at this time," said Jon Gray, a delegate from Kansas City, Mo., and newly elected member of the denomination's Judicial Council.
In a vote of 455-445, the delegates changed Paragraph 2702 to state: "A bishop, clergy member of an annual conference, local pastor, clergy on honorable or administrative location, or diaconal minister may choose a trial when charged (subject to the statute of limitations in 2702.4) with one or more of the following offenses: a) immorality, including but not limited to, not being celibate in singleness or not being faithful in a heterosexual marriage; b) practices declared by the United Methodist Church to be incompatible with Christian teaching, including but not limited to: being a self- avowed practicing homosexual; or conducting ceremonies which celebrate homosexual unions; or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies."
What the decision does, Gib Walton of the Texas Conference says, is to place the various disqualifications for ordination found in Paragraph 304 into the chargeable offense section to increase the clarity for clergy of what constitutes an offense.
According to the Rev. Linda Campbell, New England Conference, it is important to be clear about every issue that is considered to be incompatible with Christian teaching. "Incompatible is incompatible," she said.
Campbell said the church is increasingly moving toward what has been historically known as a period of inquisition, adding, "It has been very important for the inquisitor to have a clear definition of what it is the person ... is charged with."
MAY 6 - Proposal to Dissolve UMC, Gay-rights Demonstration
The floating of a proposal to dissolve the United Methodist Church into two separate denominations sparked hallway discussions at the church's top legislative meeting. This proposal and a morning demonstration by gay-rights supporters overshadowed May 6 legislative actions.
Although it appeared unlikely that such a proposal to separate the 10- million member denomination would come to the floor of the 2004 General Conference before its May 7 adjournment, two key conservative church leaders openly talked about an "amicable" divorce over "irreconcilable differences." Conference business was peacefully interrupted around 11:10 a.m. when more than 500 people circled the floor for 35 minutes, carrying banners and singing hymns of reconciliation. The demonstration was led by Soulforce, a non-denominational gay rights advocacy group.
Earlier in the week, delegates had upheld the denomination's positions on homosexuality, including the belief that the practice of homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching" and that "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" should not be allowed into the ordained ministry.
Dressed in liturgical robes, some members of the group walked to the altar and poured water into the baptismal font, symbolizing a common bowl. "We've been holding water at the entrance to General Conference every morning and inviting people to remember their baptism," explained Marjorie Carlson, a participant in the demonstration. "We brought that water here to remember what we bring to the church –– that we are of one faith and baptized by one God."
Speaking to the proposal, yet to be presented to the delegates, the Rev. William Hinson, president of the Confessing Movement, said, "United Methodist is an oxymoron. We haven't been united for a long time."
The Rev. James Heidinger, president of the Good News organization, believes there is "no expectation" that agreement will ever be reached among the various constituencies of the church. "This is a deep theological divide."
But other conservatives do not endorse the idea of separation. The Rev. Eddie Fox, a delegate and director of World Evangelism for the World Methodist Conference, said, "I don't want to go there, and there are many who would take the same stand. I know a lot of people have strong feelings, but that's not where I am."
Three liberal groups supporting gay rights also rejected a split. The Common Witness Coalition, made up of the Reconciling Ministries Network, Methodist Federation for Social Action and Affirmation, said it was not in favor of a schism and was fully committed to inclusion of all opinions.
Retired Bishop C. Dale White called the proposal hurtful and destructive. "Why should we destroy a great church on the basis of peripheral issues? On the core issues of ministry and theology, the whole church agrees, even if we articulate them differently."
In the worship service before the day's business began, Bishop Robert E. Fannin, Birmingham, Ala., tried to keep things in perspective by reminding the delegates, "If we cannot agree that our primary task is the presentation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, then some of you got on the wrong bus, came to the wrong town and the wrong conference."
In the May 6 morning session, delegates continued to struggle with overwhelming needs around the world and pressing financial concerns of local churches.
While the church's top fiscal agency proposes a 2005-2008 budget of $585 million, the financial administration legislative committee at General Conference estimates the 10-million-member church could apportion a total of $612 million.
By the end of the morning, delegates had added another $43.8 million to the $585 million budget proposed by the General Council on Finance and Administration. That agency will consider all requests for additional funds before making its final presentation on May 7, the final day of the assembly.
Whatever the final figure is, the organization of the church will be somewhat different after 2004, according to action taken by delegates. Beginning Jan. 1, a "Connectional Table," with 47 members, will help guide the work of general agencies.
What was adopted by delegates is an alternate version of the "Living into the Future" proposal presented to General Conference by the denomination's Council on Ministries. That group had proposed that the new Connectional Table would have performed both its own functions and that of the General Council on Finance and Administration, meaning that both agencies would have gone out of existence.
Instead, the finance agency will remain intact, while the Council on Ministries will cease to operate after a transitional period.
The new table will be composed of 28 people elected through jurisdictional and central conferences; the presidents of most of the church's general agencies; a member from each of the racial-ethnic caucuses; one youth and one young adult from the new Division on Ministries with Young People; and the general secretaries of the agencies, who will have voice but no vote.
Building on evangelism efforts in Africa, southeast Asia and Europe, delegates approved a $4 million Global Education Fund to assist the 748 Methodist schools, colleges, universities and seminaries in 69 countries. Administered by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the fund will help in its training of new generations of clergy and lay leaders.
One proven success is the United Methodist-related Africa University in Zimbabwe, which serves 1,123 students from 22 African nations. Delegates approved $10 million in apportioned funds and an additional $10 million, to be raised through World Service Special Gifts, for the university over the next four years.
In other business, delegates ordered the United Methodist Board of Pensions and Health Benefits to conduct a study on the feasibility of providing health care coverage that would effectively unite all U.S. annual (regional) conferences into one single plan.
If it is feasible, the pensions agency would provide detailed information to the annual conference boards of pensions by Jan. 1, 2007, and work with those boards to produce the most acceptable plan for submission to the 2008 General Conference.
General Conference delegates also:
*Approved the creation of an African-American Methodist Heritage Center, which will be housed at the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History at Drew University in Madison, N.J., until a permanent facility is built at one of the denomination's historically black colleges or universities.
*Created a task force to study the connection between teen sexual identity and suicide risk and publish a resource on the issue for congregations and families.
*Rejected petitions that would have changed or eliminated the mandatory retirement age of 70 for bishops, clergy and general agency staff.
*Supported the Okinawan government and its people in their efforts to remove or substantially reduce U.S. military bases and U.S. military personnel on the island of Okinawa.
*Urged all agencies of the church, local congregations and affiliated organizations to purchase coffee for corporate and personal use through a fair trade partner, such as Equal Exchange.
*Joined previous General Conferences in requesting that the U.S. government lift its economic embargo against Cuba and seek negotiations with the Cuban government for the purpose of resuming normal diplomatic relations.
MAY 7 - Church Adds Members, Affirms Unity
In their final day of deliberation, delegates to the United Methodist General Conference voted on legislation ranging from the denominationwide budget to the conflict in the Sudan to a declaration on unity.
The unity resolution, supported by 95 percent of delegates during a May 7 vote, was sparked by talk of a proposal from a group of conservatives that would dissolve the United Methodist Church into two separate denominations. The proposal was never presented to the floor but was the subject of hallway discussions and attracted significant media attention.
The Rev. John Schol of Eastern Pennsylvania introduced the resolution, which reads: "As United Methodists, we remain in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement, and affirm our commitment to work together for our common mission of making disciples throughout the world."
Schol said he felt the need for such a declaration after receiving telephone calls from people back home who had heard the church was about to split. "It's important to send a clear message that we are unified, a United Methodist Church which is not splitting," he told reporters after the vote.
Other decisions required more negotiation. Delegates spent more than three hours debating the amount of money local churches would be able to contribute for worldwide ministries before finally approving a four-year, $612.5 million budget.
That figure represents a 12.2 percent increase over the 2001-04 budget and will be apportioned to each of the 63 U.S. annual conferences. The amount each conference is assessed is based on net expenditures, regional factors, including per capita income, and church attendance.
Delegates not only reaffirmed church unity but also managed to instantly increase its total size by about 1 million members by voting to receive the Protestant Methodist Church of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) into full membership. The formerly autonomous denomination had become a "mission" church through the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
The process into full membership had been expected to take another four years. Started in 1924 by the British Methodist Church, the French-speaking denomination became autonomous in 1985. The Cote d'Ivoire church will be responsible for funding its own bishop over the next four years and then be incorporated into the denominationwide Episcopal Fund.
Youth and young adult members also were acknowledged May 7 when delegates agreed to a proposal that the next General Conference include an address by a young person.
"For a young person to make an address to the 2008 General Conference shows the entire church that young people can be in leadership and have a voice," said Julie O'Neal, a co-chairperson of Shared Mission Focus on Young People. "We have some good things for the denomination to hear."
Global conflict became a focus on the floor when delegates passed a resolution on the Sudan.
The Sudan resolution expresses concern for the 5 million people displaced in that East African country and the estimated 2 million people killed by violence and starvation there. United Methodists participate in an interchurch effort to care for Sudanese refugees entering the nation of Chad, but the denomination has no congregations in the Sudan.
In other business, General Conference delegates:
*Adopted "This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion" as the official interpretive statement of the theology and practice of Holy Communion in the denomination.
*Approved new pension plans for clergy and employees of United Methodist agencies.
*Learned the Judicial Council is deferring requests for declaratory decisions on clergy pensions and the Connectional Table plan until its fall meeting.
*Supported a Congressional study of reparations and the effect of slavery on the lives of African Americans today and urged passage and signing of House Resolution 40.
*Agreed that, except in cases where mandatory reporting is required by civil law, clergy will be allowed to "listen to their own conscience" in deciding whether or not to report a case of suspected child abuse or neglect.
MAY 10 - Wrap-up: 2004 General Conference
After 10 days of debates and demonstrations, petitions and prayers, delegates to the 2004 United Methodist General Conference firmly committed themselves to the unity of the church.
The nearly 1,000 delegates joined hands and sang the hymn, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds," then overwhelmingly agreed that "As United Methodists, we remain in covenant with one another, even in the midst of disagreement, and affirm our commitment to work together for the common mission of making disciples throughout the world."
During the April 27-May 7 meeting, the delegates processed petitions through 11 legislative committees; engaged in daily worship and prayer; and crafted - through floor vote and debate - the final legislation that will be printed in the 2004 Book of Discipline, the church's book of law and social principles, and the 2004 Book of Resolutions, which focuses on global concerns and social justice issues.
In what probably was the largest single addition of membership since the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren churches merged in 1968, the denomination officially took the 1 million-member Protestant Methodist Church of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) into full membership. The Rev. Benjamin Boni, leader of the formerly autonomous West African church, called the vote "a moment of great joy."
The city of Pittsburgh got a taste of how United Methodists put mission into action when bishops and delegates helped load 50-pound bags of potatoes into a truck headed for the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The "potato drop" was sponsored by the Society of St. Andrew, an ecumenical, nonprofit organization, and United Methodist Men.
Here are some highlights of the 2004 General Conference at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh:
Unity issues
The floating of a proposal to dissolve the United Methodist Church into two separate denominations sparked hallway discussions and considerable media attention. Although the proposal never came to the conference floor, two conservative church leaders, the Rev. William Hinson and the Rev. James Heidinger, talked openly about an "amicable" divorce over "irreconcilable differences."
But other conservatives, as well as a number of bishops and representatives of liberal groups, told reporters they rejected the idea of a split. The Rev. John Schol of Eastern Pennsylvania, who brought the unity resolution to the floor May 7, said he felt the measure was needed to block "a movement to drive a wedge in our denomination."
Differences that exist within the church body include disagreement over the denomination's official position that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." Expressing disappointment with that view, more than 200 United Methodists stood in front of the convention center on May 4 in silent witness to their desire for inclusiveness.
Two days later, Soulforce, a gay rights advocacy group, staged a peaceful interruption of the morning conference session, as several hundred people circled the floor carrying banners and singing hymns of reconciliation.
Sexuality issues
Delegates solidly reaffirmed the denomination's positions on homosexuality, and their action was backed by Judicial Council decisions announced during the conference.
Paragraph 161.G of the church's Social Principles continues to state that homosexual practice is "incompatible with Christian teaching," although a clause was added that United Methodists "will seek to live in Christian community." An attempt to add another sentence to the paragraph recognizing that Christians disagree on the homosexuality issue was defeated.
Prohibitions against the ordination of self-avowed practicing homosexuals were upheld, and attempts to adjust language in Paragraph 162.H, which deals with equal rights regardless of sexual orientation, were defeated by 2-1 margins.
Annual conference treasurers and councils on finance also now have the authority to ensure that church money is not being used to promote the acceptance of homosexuality. Exceptions to the rule are for ministries addressing HIV/AIDS or educational events where the church's official position on homosexuality is evident.
Paragraph 2702 in the Book of Discipline was amended to clarify language and give bishops, pastors and diaconal ministers a list of chargeable offenses that could result in a church trial. Those offenses include not being celibate in singleness or being unfaithful in a heterosexual marriage; being a self-avowed practicing homosexual; conducting ceremonies that celebrate homosexual unions or performing same-sex wedding ceremonies.
The Judicial Council ruled that it had no authority to review the outcome of the Karen Dammann trial. Dammann, a Seattle-area clergywoman, was found not guilty in March of engaging in "practices incompatible with Christian teaching," even though the trial jury found she openly admitted to being a practicing homosexual.
Social/international issues
Without debate, delegates voted to join several other communions in the National Council of Churches, as well as the council itself, in observing the Taco Bell boycott initiated by the Florida-based Coalition of Immokalee Workers.
The consumer boycott is in protest of Taco Bell's refusal to address the issue of alleged worker exploitation by its tomato suppliers. The criteria for lifting the boycott include Taco Bell convening "serious three-way talks" with the workers and tomato suppliers. United Methodists will establish a monitoring committee to assess the progress of negotiations.
At the end of the conference, delegates also decided, in a close vote, to support a boycott of Mount Olive Pickle Co. products until the Farm Labor Organizing Committee and the company reach an agreement on collective bargaining. Support of the boycott reaffirms the church's justice witness for migrant farm workers.
Denominationwide boycotts are rare in the United Methodist Church and can only be approved by General Conference, the top legislative body.
In the last minutes of the conference, delegates approved a resolution supporting calls for a full investigation of alleged abuses of Iraqi prisoners by the U.S. military. The resolution also calls for adherence to the Geneva Convention regarding the treatment of prisoners of war.
In a resolution regarding stem-cell research, the church opposed the creation of embryos "with the intention of destroying them for research purposes." The resolution also condemns the production of more embryos than needed for reproductive purposes, but supports "those persons who wish to enhance medical research by donating their early embryos remaining after in-vitro fertilization procedures have ended."
In related action, delegates voted 467-421 to create a task force to research issues surrounding artificial insemination and other reproductive methods.
A task force will be created to study the connection between teen sexual identity and suicide risk, and the report will be published to use as a resource for congregations and families. Delegates also asked the Board of Discipleship to identify or create resources on the problems facing today's African-American family.
Delegates were unanimous in passing a resolution of concern for 5 million displaced persons in the Sudan and what could become genocide in the southern part of that East African nation. They condemned the government-sponsored violence and resulting humanitarian crisis which has killed an estimated 2 million people.
Other international resolutions called for creating a Global AIDS Fund by the church; ending the economic embargo against Cuba; withdrawing U.S. military presence from the island of Okinawa; and purchasing coffee through fair trade partners.
Budget issues
After a three-hour debate, delegates adopted a four-year, $612.5 million budget for worldwide ministries, representing a 12.2 percent increase over the 2001-04 budget. That total will be apportioned to each of the 63 U.S. annual conferences. The amount each conference is assessed is based on net expenditures and regional factors, including per capita income and church attendance.
The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits was ordered to conduct a study on the feasibility of providing a single health- care plan for all U.S. annual conferences. A new pension program also was approved for clergy and employees of United Methodist agencies.
Organizational structure
Delegates re-crafted the "Living into the Future" proposal presented by the General Council on Ministries. Their action sets up a 47- member "Connectional Table" to help guide the work of the denomination's general agencies, eliminates the Council on Ministries and leaves the General Council on Finance and Administration intact.
The creation of a Division on Ministries with Young People was overwhelmingly approved and will be related to the denomination's Board of Discipleship. As a result of the action, the United Methodist Youth Organization and the Forum for Adult Workers in Youth Ministry will disband. The Shared Mission Focus on Young People will be folded into the new division.
In organizational elections, four people were elected to the Judicial Council and four to University Senate, a group that determines which academic institutions meet the criteria for affiliation with the United Methodist Church.
A long-standing mission organization, United Methodist Women, was recognized in honor of its 135th anniversary.
Evangelism/membership plans
Delegates voted to continue all of the denomination's current plans for reaching different groups inside and outside the church. Those programs include the Native American Comprehensive Plan, Korean- American National Plan, Asian-American Language Ministry Study, National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry and Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century. An African-American Methodist Heritage Center also is to be created.
Two special mission programs "Holistic Strategy on Africa" and "Holistic Strategy on Latin America and the Caribbean," to be funded and coordinated through the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, were approved. A study on the relationship between United Methodists and autonomous Methodists in Latin America and the Caribbean also will be conducted.
Acknowledging the value of the voices of youth and young adults, delegates agreed to add an address by a young person to the agenda of the 2008 General Conference.
Delegates voted to establish a Global Education Fund, which will be used by the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry to assist 748 Methodist schools, colleges, universities and seminaries in 69 countries. Funding for the church-related Africa University in Zimbabwe also was continued.
In an effort to support rural ministries, General Conference continued its support for the National Comprehensive Plan for Town & Country Ministries and later directed that funding come through the Board of Global Ministries. Older-adult ministries in local churches also were strengthened through the creation of a council on such ministries in each annual conference.
Delegates voted to expand the denomination's media campaign - with the message of "Open Hearts. Open Minds. Open Doors." - over the next four years. United Methodist Communications, which coordinates the campaign, also received approval for a separate youth component to the campaign and a plan to improve communications for church members in countries outside the United States.
A concordat agreement between the United Methodist Church and Methodist Church of Puerto Rico was approved as a way of continuing the special relationship of the two bodies.
Worship
Daily worship was a mainstay of General Conference. The April 27 opening worship featured drummers from diverse cultures; singing in Korean, Swahili, Spanish and French; and an African dance that reminded the audience of the words of Psalm 150:6, "Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!"
On a more somber note, an April 30 "Service of Appreciation" honored and celebrated African Americans who did not leave the denomination because of racism but remained as members of the church and its predecessor bodies. The service recognized wounds and encouraged healing as delegates confessed to the sin of racism in the church.
A May 4 "Service of Christian Unity" was held before a wide array of ecumenical guests and featured Bishop McKinley Young of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Two United Methodists - the Rev. Bruce Robbins, former chief executive of the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, and the Rev. Robert Edgar, chief executive of the National Council of churches - were recognized after the service for their contributions to ecumenical relations.
The 2008 General Conference will be in Fort Worth, Texas.
*Bloom is a United Methodist News Service news writer.