- Last Updated: Friday, 03 May 2019 02:17
- Published: Saturday, 26 January 2019 16:56
Here is a collection of opinion pieces about the Special Called General Conference of The United Methodist Church held in St. Louis, February 23-26, 2019.
Review this backgrounder on the four major plans, especially this article on the final 78 petitions deemed "in harmony" with the amended call to this Conference.
Important articles from Central Conference members and delegates
Albert Otshudi Longe is a layperson from the West Congo Annual Conference, currently living in the United States. He is a graduate of United Methodist-related Africa University. He exposes currently-alive neocolonialism in the UMC.
The Rev. Israel I. Alvaran is an elder in the Philippines Conference. He is appointed to serve as Western Regional Organizer with Reconciling Ministries Network and is active in WMJM. He writes from the experience of colonization, and points out some parallels with the Traditionalist Plan. He recalls the baptismal covenant as the first covenant with United Methodists.
The Real United Methodist Crisis: Loss of U.S. Political Power to the Growing Church in Africa
The Rev. Lloyd T. Nyarota, an African United Methodist clergyman, contends that true motivation for a schism is U.S. church leaders' fear of losing their political clout to leaders from Africa, where the UMC is growing.
African delegates need information before forming opinions
The Rev. Lloyd T. Nyarota, an African United Methodist clergyman, asks, What use is an “opinion” based on one-sided or flawed information?
GC2019: May They Be One as We Are One
Albert Otshudi Longe is a layperson from the West Congo Annual Conference, currently living in the United States. He is a graduate of United Methodist-related Africa University.
Important points of view from U.S. United Methodists
Hacking Christianity:
HackingChristianity (HX.net) is the personal website of the Rev. Jeremy Smith, a United Methodist Elder serving as Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington (USA).
- The Betrayal of Good News: How a 2004 Blueprint created the #GC2019 Endgame
- On the "Cruelty" of the Traditionalist Plan on Clergy Pensions
- On the Wesleyan Covenant Association (WCA)
- On the Traditionalist Plan: "More of the Same"
- with links to many more of Jeremy's writings
- On some central claims of the WCA
- The UMC is already “substantially different” from the vast majority of Christendom
- The "incompatibility" clause was not "carefully crafted."
- More conversation means change, not a reason to give up and leave.
- Resurrecting the UMC: The Simple Plan
- Rage Against the UMC: The Traditionalist Plan
- Realigning the UMC: The One Church Plan
- Reversing the UMC: The Connectional Conference Plan
Snarky Pastor's Rants
Rev. Sara Baron, an elder in Upper New York Conference, reflects on the Plans:
- The Devil in the Details: on the effect on pensions of "disaffiliation." "Stealing!"
- The Un-"gracious Exit" Plan
Historical Perspectives
- Elaine Robinson: Thoughts upon GC2019 via Methodist historyThoughts upon GC2019 via Methodist history
professor of Methodist Studies and Christian Theology at Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University - Gil Caldwell: Have we been blind to a coup taking place in the UMC?
a veteran of the U.S. civil rights struggles, refers to Lloyd Nyarota's article above, and points out parallels between "negrophobia" and homophobia. - Ashley Boggan: Timeline, 1964-2014 (PDF)
PhD. Student, Drew University, Intern at the Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church, Compiled May 2015
GLBTQIA Voices
- Israel I. Alvaran: Grace is not up for a vote
- Alex da Silva Souto: Tearing People To Pieces
- Dorothy Benz: The Sin of Patience
- Greg Gross: United Methodist Church: Care for the Children
- Reconciling Ministries Network Stories
- Certified Candidate Kipp Nelson, Miami
- Jorge Lockward, Minister of Worship Arts, NYC
- Book: Our Strangely Warmed Hearts,by Bishop Karen P. Oliveto
- Video: Matthew Vines, Young Adult Bible Scholar, Reformation Project
- Web site: Affirmation: United Methodists for LGBTQ Concerns
- Web site: United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus (UMQCC)