News

2012 General Conference brings surprises

By Rich Peck, United Methodist News Service, and Lisa Diehl, Kansas Area communications director United Methodists from five continents addressed a wide range of challenging issues, including church structure and human sexuality, and engaged in an Act of Repentance toward indigenous people during their 10-day legislative gathering. Members of the Kansas East Conference delegation at the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Fla....

Gately finds encouragement, surprises at General Conference

By Lisa Diehl, Kansas Area communications director Even though high-school junior Wes Gately, Wamego, thought he was prepared for what he would experience at General Conference, the event still held surprises for him. “I expected there to be debate. I expected there to be protests. What surprised me was the amount of stuff that happened,” he said. “I expected people to be passionate and things like that, but I really didn’t expect the amount of it.” ...

Delegates retain human sexuality language

Kansas East pastor proposes substitute for petition on Paragraph 161.F Delegates to the General Conference rejected two amendments to the Book of Discipline that would have added language that United Methodists agree to disagree on the topic of homosexuality. The “Book of Discipline,” Paragraph 161F states: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching.” Petition 21032,...

End to 'guaranteed' appointments approved

By Lisa Elliott Diehl, area communications director General Conference voted twice today to end the United Methodist Church’s history of guaranteed clergy appointments. Petition 20303 was part of the Consent Calendar adopted this morning. The recommendation came from the Study of Ministry Committee. The petition deleted language that refers to security of appointment and added language that described next steps if an elder or associate member is not continued under appointment. If...

Global contexts complicate, enrich General Conference

By Lisa Diehl, Kansas Area communications director First-time delegates from the Kansas East Conference are getting a taste of the global nature of The United Methodist Church. “It truly is worldwide, and things get more complicated because of the different contexts involved,” said Bryce Bowers, alternate lay delegate. “We have to start being comfortable with that change.” From left,...