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No More Videos Until June
Hey Y’all, With the end of the semester, my vacation, and my need to handle some church things, I will not have any more Eight Minute Methodism Videos until June. I have these videos roughly scripted: -It’s Not Over: What Comes Next After General Conference -2020/24, explaining the what, why, and how’s of the dating… Continue reading
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How the change in funding bans impacts local churches
Petition 20191, which passed at General Conference, deletes all prohibitions for annual, jurisdictional, central, or General conference board, agency, committee, commission, or council giving to pro LGBTQIA+ organizations. It replaces it with a prohibition on giving to anti-LGBTQIA+ entities for these same entities. A couple questions came my way. Question 1: I am a conservative,… Continue reading
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Deacons and Sacraments: A Matter of Authority
Deacons in The United Methodist Church have now been given authority to preside over sacraments (Holy Communion and Baptism) and Charge Conference (the annual meeting of the leadership of the charge) beginning January 1, 2025 (or before, if their bishop chooses to grant it earlier). I have received a few questions and comments on this.… Continue reading
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The Sunday After…
Below are my thoughts on speaking into the anxieties and hopes that come next. You did not choose me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. – John 15:16With General Conference… Continue reading
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Judicial Council Decision 1499
Judicial Council Decision 1499 is related to Calendar Item 296 which amends ¶409 to state “A retired bishop is a bishop of the church in every respect and continues to function as a member of the Council of Bishops at their own expense in accordance with the Constitution and other provisions of the Discipline.” (the… Continue reading
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Judicial Council Decisions 1498
Judicial Council Decision 1498 lets us know Bishops retirement age is not attached to elder retirement age. Bishop’s mandatory retirement age (At the time of the request and decision) was 68, elder retirement age is 72. Bishop’s must follow a retirement age, if it set for them. Thus, form the decision: A bishop in a… Continue reading
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Sacramental Authority for Deacons
With the passing of calendar item 554, Deacons in The United Methodist Church are granted sacramental authority. The phrase: “the deacon is authorized to preside at the celebration of the sacraments” is what does it. I know many deacons have longed for this day as they seek to more fully live into their vocation. It… Continue reading
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Social Principles with “Double Barrel” Definition of Marriage
With the passing of Calendar Item 535, we have completed our work on revising The Social Principles to be more reflective of our global denomination and more rooted in historical and biblical tradition. This item includes the revision of the definition of marriage and human sexuality. We now have two different definitions of marriage to… Continue reading
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No More Disaffiliations
With the passing of Calendar Item 422, the *already expired* disaffiliation related ¶ 2553 has been removed from The Book of Discipline. And, as far as I can tell, no petitions related to alternate disaffiliation process are viable. Therefore, we no longer have a way for a local church to leave The United Methodist Church. Continue reading
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Queer Folks no longer banned from Ministry
With the passing of the Consent Calendar (A05), we have deleted paragraph ¶ 304.3 This includes the phrase: “Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching” and the ban on queer folks being candidates, licensed, commissioned, or ordained in ministry. Continue reading