This category contains articles related to the 2020 General Conference held in 2024 after 3 postponements: location, logistics, lodging, volunteer opportunities,etc. This conference has been postponed 3 times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now being held in Charlotte, North Carolina April 23, 2024-May 3, 2024.
The General Conference originally planned for 2020 in Minneapolis was derailed, as was much of the world's activity in 2020 by the SARS-CoV2 virus and the disease it caused, COVID-19. It was rescheduled 3 times, and finally happened in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 23-May 3, 2024. This conference was called the "Postponed 2020" GC, but was finally labelled the 2024 General Conference. Here is the main web site for most information about the actual conference. This site has the full agenda, legislation to be considered, legislative committees, Daily DCA, Proceedings, news, and much more:
Here are some important links:
- A Beginners Guide to GC
- UM Communications Videos
- MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) General Conference Position Papers
- ADCA: The "Advance Daily Christian Advocate" is the complete legislation which will be considered. The timely passage of some of it, such as the "Protocol," expired, and was quickly dealt with. Some has already received updates, requiring a 2024 supplement document. It's a massive undertaking.
Regionalization is a major proposal for restructuring the denomination to remove the US-centric and colonial aspects of the present structure. This proposal was adopted and is now referred to all the annual conferences in the world for ratification.
Revised Social Principles: The "Social Principles" are statements of belief concerning many areas of human social interaction. This page includes multiple language versions, and summaries. The final PDF draft is here. Not many modifications were made, but check the definition of marriage in the final published version. Marriage was defined as the union of a man and a woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age...
The Reconciling Ministries Network has these resources on GC 2020/2024
Removal of harmful language: A document detailing all the deletions which must be made to remove the language which harms LGBTQ+ persons, including clergy.
UM-Insight continues to be an important resource for the issues relating to the denomination, including the GC20/24. Here is one story about what to know about this GC. Here's another story detailing the concerns of UMs from outside the USA who have had many difficulties getting the proper documentation for visas to the Conference, as well as their concerns about the continuing influence of some of those whose allegiance lies with the Global UMC and WCA.
Jeremy Smith's Hacking Christianity Blog has been an important source for insightful commentary on the happenings in the denomination
Summary articles:
- Historic Assembly Sets United Methodists on New Path (Hahn)
- Closing Press Conference (video)
- Closing Was a Time for Mourning As Well as Celebration
- May 3 wrap-up: Historic conference comes to a close
- Wrap-Up Video
- Western Jurisdiction Video (10 bishops comment)
Three of the inspirational sermons:
- Bishop Bickerton's Opening Sermon (see especially at 29:50-39:10)
- Bishop Easterling's Sermon on the silence of the church on sexual violence
- Bishop Karen Oliveto's "Methonerd" Sermon
By Heather Hahn
April 21, 2020 | UM News
After the pandemic-caused postponement, the new prospective dates for The United Methodist Church’s General Conference are Aug. 31-Sept. 10, 2021. [Update: postponed again to 2022, now postponed a third time to 2024!]
The Council of Bishops disclosed the proposed dates, including a Council of Bishops meeting starting Aug. 26, in an email to its members and other church leaders. The proposed dates also were discussed among delegates of at least one jurisdictional conference in late March.
General Conference organizers have not confirmed the dates.
Possible steps after General Conference delay
By the Rev. William B. Lawrence
March 24, 2020 | CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (UM News)
Without question, the decision to find another time for the General Conference of The United Methodist Church was the necessary and appropriate thing to do amid a global pandemic.
Bishops ask for postponement of General
Conference due to Coronavirus Pandemic
For Immediate Release
March 13, 2020
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has asked for the postponement of the 2020 General Conference, set to begin in six weeks, because of the new Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic.
In a letter to Kim Simpson, Chairperson of Commission on the General Conference and Rev. Gary W. Graves, Secretary of the General Conference, the bishops cited travel restrictions to the US and possibility of potential spread of the virus and quarantine as the main reasons for seeking the postponement.
Church leaders postpone 2020 General Conference
By Heather Hahn
March 18, 2020 | UM News
With the coronavirus disrupting lives worldwide, General Conference organizers determined they have no choice but to postpone The United Methodist Church's top legislative assembly.
The Minneapolis Convention Center — scheduled to host the 2020 General Conference — announced it is now canceling gatherings of 50 or more people through May 10. The shutdown covers the first five days of the denomination’s 10-day meeting, which was set to draw 862 delegates, 66 bishops and others from four continents.