Way Forward in Nashville
The Commission on a Way Forward convened in Nashville, Tennessee, Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 2017. Photo by the Rev. Maidstone Mulenga
NASHVILLE, TN – The Commission on a Way Forward has drafted an interim report to share with the Council of Bishops in its task of finding a way forward for The United Methodist Church (UMC) on the extent of LGBTQ inclusion.
During the meeting in Nashville, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, members of the Commission agreed on presenting an interim report that emphasizes the need for unity of the UMC, yet recognizing the different theological understandings on LGBTQ identity.
“We are convinced that with love, we will continue to discern God’s vision for our church and listen and see what God wants us to be and to do,” said Bishop David Yemba, one of the moderators of the Commission.
The three-day meeting at the United Methodist Publishing House featured heartfelt and spirit-filled devotions and a deep desire to share the love of God to all of God’s people in the global church.
As a commission of the Council of Bishops, the interim report will be shared with the bishops during their meeting at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, next week. The members expect the bishops to offer feedback that would help the commission in getting to a final report next year in readiness for the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference.
About the Commission: The 32-member Commission on a Way Forward was appointed by the Council of Bishops to assist the bishops in their charge from the 2016 General Conference to lead the church forward amid the present impasse related to LGBTQ inclusion and resulting questions about the unity of the church.
For more information on the Commission on a Way Forward, visit umc.org/wayforwardFacebook: www.facebook.com/umcforwardTwitter: @UMCForwardInstagram: www.instagram.com/umcforward