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