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Here is everything (or almost) that you will need to be ready for General Conference. Logistics: Dates:                                   February 23-26, … [Read more...] about Local Church Guide to GC 2019

Author: Rev. Dr. Mark R. Holland, Clergy Delegate, Great Plains Annual Conference. Executive Director, Mainstream UMC. If we the delegates cannot trust our Bishops, we need to take a long look in the mirror. A Reminder: Our Bishops were once chosen by our annual conferences to serve with us as delegates. Our Bishops were lifted up for candidacy by us the delegates. Our Bishops were … [Read more...] about Can GC Delegates Trust Our Bishops?

Author: Donald P. Wiley, Philanthropy, Estate Planning and Probate Attorney - Lay Reserve Delegate, North Texas Conference Daniel Soliz, First Alternate Lay Delegate, North Texas Conference Rev. Owen Ross, clergy delegate, Director, Center for Church Development, North Texas Conference Tim Crouch, lay delegate, Chair, North Texas Conference delegation John Wesley gave us his … [Read more...] about Rushing To Exit and Unintended Consequences

Author: Rev. Ronald J. Williams, retired clergy, Great Plains Conference                 First, perhaps I should introduce myself.   I am half of a clergy couple who served small and rural congregations.   My wife and I had our religious beginnings in United Brethren Churches in small Kansas Towns. … [Read more...] about Schism in the Evangelical United Brethren Churches

Author: A small town pastor in the Midwest with a big heart Dear Delegates to General Conference, Thank you all so much for your time, dedication, and care as we approach this special session of General Conference. You are in my prayers daily. As you discern how God is calling you to vote this conference, I would invite you to consider voting for the One Church Plan. I’m writing to you … [Read more...] about Open Letter to Delegates

Posted by: Mark Holland The One Church Plan is a strong, calm oasis among the clanging gongs and noisy cymbals of the other options at General Conference.  This well thought out One Church Plan was created by the Commission on the Way Forward, endorsed by the Council of Bishops, and upheld by the Judicial Council.  It is not radical.  It does not force anyone out of the church or … [Read more...] about Calm Amidst Chaos & Crisis

Posted by Mark Holland Here is a letter I received from a pastor in the South Central Jurisdiction.  It is personal and powerful and speaks to the importance of the work at General Conference 2019.  I am sharing it with the family’s permission, with the names altered for privacy.  Such is the state of our church…I pray for the day we do not need to alter our names to tell our truth. Dear … [Read more...] about Anonymous Letter

A Small Step for Some, a Huge Step for Others Author: Christine Schneider, Lay Delegate, Switzerland-France-North Africa It is easy for me to support the One Church Plan. Diversity is normal in Western Europe where I live. Actually, I find it hard to explain to friends why the UMC still treats people differently because of their sexual orientation. The opposite is true for United … [Read more...] about The Diversity of UM’s in Europe