Prayers For The United Methodist Church General Conference
More Light Presbyterians
Please join us in holding The United Methodist Church in prayer as they discuss and vote on welcoming LGBT persons and their families into full membership and ministry in the Church. The General Conference meets in Tampa, Florida from April 24 to May 4, 2012.
“I absolutely believe that change is possible in the United Methodist Church. After policy change for Lutherans, then Presbyterians, my thought and prayer has been and is “Methodists are next!” I am praying that the United Methodist Church will reflect God’s heart in Tampa during their General Conference,” Michael Adee, Executive Director & Field Organizer
“We call upon all More Light Presbyterians and others who believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news for all persons including God’s LGBT children and their families to hold the United Methodist Church in your prayers during their General Conference,” Rev. Heidi Peterson, Co-Moderator.
The United Methodist Church, the second largest Protestant denomination in the United States, is the latest denomination to address the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of the church. The denomination will meet in its General Conference April 24-May 4.
Various groups have been working within the United Methodist Church for many years to advocate for policies that are more LGBT-welcoming, including permitting marriage equality and dropping barriers to ordination for LGBT people. The Book of Discipline is considered official law and doctrine for the United Methodist Church. In order to enact more LGBT-welcoming policies, language within the Book of Discipline needs to be removed that says, “homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The General Conference is held every four years, and this is the only time when changes can be made to the Book of Discipline.
There are three ways to follow the progress of the General Conference:
- Love Your Neighbor, official site for the pro-LGBT Common Witness Coalition
- General Conference 2012, official site for The United Methodist Church
- Legislation Tracking, all legislative decisions are updated here. Search by KEYWORD “Homosexuality” to read LGBT legislation.
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Image courtesy of Reconciling Ministries Network