Special Report: United Methodist Council of Bishops--Draft Plan Eliminates Jurisdictions, Would Create Central Conference for U.S.

A high-level group examining the global nature of The United Methodist Church is suggesting significant organizational and governance changes for the denomination.

The proposal would end the current system that splits the United States from the Central Conferences that govern the church outside the U.S. It would end the jurisdictional conference system and make the United States a Central Conference.

These proposals come from a joint task force of bishops and members of The Connectional Table, the key coordinating arm of the denomination. Since 1964, the church has had numerous studies, task groups and legislative attempts to clarify the world-wide nature of the denomination.

The draft plan given to bishops on Nov. 3 would revise the Book of Discipline into a “truly general book of doctrine, mission and discipline, deleting all portions that apply only to the United States.” Each Central Conference would have a book of discipline outlining rules applicable to its life and ministry. Other publications such as hymnals could be tailored for each Central Conference.

These changes would require approval by the General Conference. “These changes would strengthen our unity and missional effectiveness as a united church working on our continents,” the task force said.

While adding flexibility and support for regional units of the church, “the changes… do not solve all the problems facing the church… They do address the fundamental structures and processes,” the task force concluded.

The power of the General Conference will essentially remain the same, the task force said. General agencies will remain as agencies for the whole church. The Judicial Council would remain as a general church body elected by the General Conference. The Council of Bishops remains as the council for the entire church.

Central conferences would consider resolutions pertinent to their regions. They could create and fund their own agencies. They could establish their own educational requirements for clergy.

They could establish mission initiatives appropriate for their context.

The task force is continuing its work. It is inviting feedback from annual conferences, districts, and local churches. It has asked the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns to engage its partners in conversations on the ecumenical implications of a U.S. Central Conference. It is exploring what General Conference legislation will be required.

The group will make a second report to the Connectional Table and Council of Bishops in spring, 2007.

Bishops’ Unity Group Urges New Thinking on Division, Controversy, Debate
Bishops are being urged to take a “cross every line” approach when dealing with controversial theological and social issues before denominational caucuses.

The Council of Bishops’ Task Force on Unity called on bishops to invite colleagues “from a different corner” to join them when asked to speak on issues before the special-interest groups.
In its report, the task force said the council needs to take responsibility to cross theological, jurisdictional, and racial ethnic lines in bishops’ presence at such events. This is another move to focus the church on the need and benefit of holy conferencing.

Reflecting widespread concern over the tone of debate at General Conference, the group is developing a “Covenant for Conversation” it hopes will be a model, or “rules of engagement” for the 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth.

Stemming from Wesley’s General Rules, the biblical model is based on James 1:19, “Be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger,” and Ephesians 4:15, “to speak… the truth… in love… together.” The elements are:

- To speak: we invite all voices into the conversation
- The truth: it takes all voices to discern the truth; requires “I” statements
- In love: speaking to and about others with generous compassion
- Together: truth and love come only through community, the need to broaden the conversation, not to remain in isolated pockets

The recommendations are elements of a strategy focused on bishops taking a more proactive role in the time approaching General Conference. More discussion is continuing on bishops’ role in leading the church toward unity, in presiding at General Conference, how annual conferences handle controversial issues, and their interaction with caucus groups.

Study of Episcopacy Group Seeks Bishops’ Input on Change Ideas
The denomination’s Task Force to Study the Episcopacy is seeking input from bishops on a number of suggestions that have arisen out of its work. The task force is comprised of laypersons, clergy, and bishops.

Bishops are receiving a questionnaire asking them to rate the issues that rose from their work so far. Participants are asked to give ratings of 1 – absolutely not; 2 – worthy of exploration; and 3 – absolutely. The issues are:

- Limiting bishops’ terms to 8-12 years with an option for re-election.
- Ending a bishop’s term at retirement, and returning the bishop’s membership to the annual conference from which he/she is elected.
- Annual conferences pay for its bishop’s health benefits.
- Reduce the number of bishops in the United States.
- Establish a permanent office of presidency for the Council of Bishops.
- General Conference legislation on the complaint process, administrative leave for ineffective clergy, expanding 8 year assignments to 12 years.
- Designating bishops as a third order.
- Aligning changes in the episcopacy to a strong theology on the bishop’s relationship to making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Bishops are asked to provide their comments and additional suggestions to Bishop Sally Dyck of the Minneapolis Area.