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From the Desk of Bishop Mark J. Webb: United Methodist Bishops recommend a way forward

May 4, 2018 / By Bishop Mark J. Webb

On May 4, 2018, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Mark J. Webb, sent the following letter to the Upper New York Conference. 

“As Bishops of The United Methodist Church, we affirm that WE ARE OF ONE HEART in our desire to discern the mind and will of Jesus Christ for our leadership and the church. In the Northeastern Jurisdiction and around the world we experience great diversity of thought and practice within The United Methodist Church. In partnership with Bishops from around the world, we will continue to lead collectively and individually to value and provide room for our diversity as United Methodists.”

-The Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Over the last week, the Council of Bishops (Council) met in Chicago to receive the final report from the Commission on a Way Forward (Commission) and discern the recommendation that would be sent to the special session of General Conference to be held in St. Louis, MO in February of 2019.  This meeting was bathed in prayer, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and caring, honest conversations.

The Council of Bishops adopted the following:

Motion

Having received and considered the extensive work of the Commission on a Way Forward, the Council of Bishops will submit a report to the special session of the General Conference in 2019 that includes:

• All three plans (The Traditionalist Plan, The One Church Plan, and The Connectional Conference Plan) for a way forward considered by the Commission and the Council.

• The Council’s recommendation of The One Church Plan.

• An historical narrative of the Council’s discernment process regarding all three plans.

Rationale: In order to invite the Church to go deeper into the journey the Council and Commission has been on, the Council makes all the information considered by the Commission and the Council of Bishops available to the delegates of the General Conference and acknowledges there is support for each of the three plans within the Council. The values of our Global Church are reflected in all three plans. Most of the Council recommends The One Church Plan as the best way forward for The United Methodist Church.

While a majority of The Council of Bishops did express a preference for the One Church plan, this report and its recommendation reflects the wide diversity of perspectives within the Council of Bishops on our best way forward as a denomination. It also provides the General Church with three specific and detailed options for moving out of our current impasse. Ultimately the decision on this matter lies within the 800+ clergy and lay delegates from around the world who will convene at the General Conference in St. Louis on February 23-26, 2019.  Please pray diligently for the members of our Upper New York delegation.

Full details of the plans and accompanying legislative proposals will be released as soon as final editing of the entire report is completed and translated into the official language(s) of the General Conference. It is estimated this will be no later than July 8. 

Over the next few months, we will announce ways in which we may gather together throughout the Upper New York Area for continued conversation and prayer. These are indeed critical and anxious days for our beloved United Methodist Church. Yet, let us remember Jesus is Lord of the Church, the mission of the Church is clear, and our calling and opportunity to use the gifts of God’s Holy Spirit remain.

Let us pray and not be paralyzed; let us hope in the midst of our uncertainty; let us care for one another in the midst of hurt; let us love one another in the midst of disagreement; let us be the Church effectively and fruitfully “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

As always, I am blessed to share this journey of following Christ with you.  You remain deeply in my prayers. 

Sincerely,

Mark J Webb

Editor’s Note: Click here for the full press release on this meeting.