Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

GC2012 Around the Blogosphere for 4/24/2012

Can we become the church God wants us to be or will we settle for a church that some of our “successful” pastors think we should be? Will we explore the outcomes we discern as God’s will or shall we pursue the outcomes we want that allow us to be the church we want to be? These are hard questions. These are important questions. These are the questions we must address at General Conference, and it doesn’t help when people who are asking them are dismissed as faithless or afraid.

“The Call to Compliance”byDan Dick

Tonight, however, many of the amendments offered from the floor had a subtext that had little to do with the rules as such (e.g., limiting the ability of bishops to announce a recess because in the past these breaks have allowed gay rights supporters to engage in carefully orchestrated witness). We have a lengthy “holy conferencing” listening session about human sexuality scheduled for tomorrow; I wish we had waited for that opportunity to listen to each other instead of beginning the session with power plays expressed through rule amendments. I suspect that even the proposed “bedtime” will in some quarters be filtered through this “pro-gay/anti-gay” lens… just don’t ask me how!

“In Which Mom Fails to Give the Delegates a Bedtime”byThe Kenagston Family

So there were 18 amendmentssuggested and sent to therule committee who are working as I write to sort it out and they will come back with recommendations tomorrow morning so we can finish adopting them all. If this is an omen of things to come, it is not a good one. Instead of adjourningat 9:30 like we were supposedto, we adjourned at 10:30…hmmm.

“April 24 Day One Complete”byMark Holland

Want to keep up with Methodist related bloggers? Visithttp://methoblog.comto find more.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Social Concerns
Bishop Julius C. Trimble. Photo by Tessa Tillett for the Indiana Conference.

Love demands compassionate response, prophetic witness

United Methodists have a long history of advocating for the needs of others. Today, that call continues.
Theology and Education
Cliff White. Photo courtesy of the author.

Why our church is in trouble

United Methodist leaders should stop pursuing ideological goals and instead focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ, says a longtime church member.
Church Leadership
Anna Riddle. Photo by Heather Gaydeski Photography.

Carrie Parrish's legacy holds lessons for today

A trailblazer for women clergy in The United Methodist Church, Parrish championed equality and fought to tear down barriers in her day.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved