Over the fall season, I made a total of 10 presentations (two in each geographic district of the CTC) on the upcoming called Special General Conference 2019 to be held Feb. 23-26. This General Conference will receive and act upon the report of the Commission on the Way Forward. The Commission’s report focuses on three possible future pathways for the United Methodist Church in handling the presenting issues of human sexuality/LGBTQ+ (i. e. should United Methodist doctrinal definition of marriage be changed from one man and one woman to two adults, should United Methodist churches be allowed to hold same gender weddings in there facilities, should United Methodist clergy be allowed to perform same gender weddings, and should the church allow the ordination of “avowed practicing homosexuals.”) Below is a video recording of the one of the final two presentations. Each of the 10 District Sharings carried the same core messaging, with the exception that we had the Judicial Council's rulings on the three plans for the final two of our sessions, and I used the same PowerPoint presentation in each district (with the exception of editing based on the Judicial Council rulings). You can access the final version of the slides employed in the sessions in both PowerPoint and PDF formats at ctcumc.org/DistrictSharings-AWayForward.
Through it all, I urge us together to be in prayer (Praying Our Way Forward) for the future of the United Methodist Church. May we together stay focused on the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” This remains our WIG (Wildly Important Goal)! The driving values of 1) Christ at the Center, 2) Focus on the local church, and 3) Lay and clergy leadership development remain central to our ministry.
In all things, may we be found faithful in our trusting obedience to God in Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit! Come what may, "Breath Deep, Jesus is still Lord!"
To view, click on the image below; to view and share, visit the CTC Facebook page.; or visit the Conference Vimeo page to view and/or download.
Central Texas Conference District Sharings with Bishop Mike Lowry from Central Texas Conference UMC on Vimeo.