Young People Say UMC Moves Too Fast on Restructure

United Methodist News Service Photo by Mike DuBose

Bethany Amey addresses the United Methodist Church's Connectional Table, meeting in Nashville, TN, in May 2011. Ms. Amey represents the church's Division on Ministries with Young People.

Some of The United Methodist Church's youngest leaders announced this week that they think the denomination is moving too quickly toward a radical restructuring that will severely limit the diversity of leadership in the global church.

Instead of the radical restructuring plan called for by the Connectional Table, nembers of the executive committee of the Division on Ministries with Young People urge no changes in the church's organization at the 2012 General Conference. Their statement reads in part:

As we have had a chance to prayerfully reflect on all that is recommended, we believe further conversation is needed throughout the Church. We, too, are concerned but hopeful about the future of The United Methodist Church. However, as a Division we are worried that in our haste to make changes, we have not been able to fully engage the width and depth of our connection.

Life prevails over death, and even in the midst of decline, God creates possibilities for new life. As we seek God’s will for our future, this belief gives us opportunities to ask tough questions and seek transformation—not just of our boards and agencies but also of our churches, annual conferences, jurisdictions, central conferences, and leaders throughout the Church.

Ultimately, any changes must focus not solely on the structure but equipping the people called United Methodists for intentional, transformative relationships with one another and with God. The future of our church and its organization should include the witness and input from people of all walks of this tradition.

Change is necessary. The work that has been done, both by the Interim Operations Team and the General Agencies, is a beginning; but we believe the church needs more time to discern and dialogue before a new structure can be implemented. Rather than restructuring this year, we hope the work begun in the Call to Action will move us into a quadrennium and future of deep, Christ-centered, and Spirit-led conversation.

The statement was signed by all members of the executive table for young people's ministries: spokespeople Will Green and Earlie Pasion, along with Lauren Godwin, Dani Diehl, Cesar Cauende, Nhoris Ngoy, Evaline Asmah, Stefanie Schutz, Bethany Amey and David Cosmiano.

Young People's Statement

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Call to Action / the root of the thing!

Look beyond the $$$ saved and look at the root of this action! If we love God with all our hearts, mind and soul and our neighbor like our-self then tell the truth.
http://inaweofhimumc.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/call-to-action-is-new-age/

Robin Williams more than 1 years ago

Not a question of speed

The "radical" changes that are being presented at GC aren't a question of speed but of solution.(as in this is their solution) The Call to Action Report is correct when it says that we have a problem with leadership. Their Report is evidence of the problem. We need radical change in the UMC, we needed 45 years ago and every year since. Our merger was just another attempt to bandaid a deeper problem. The way our Episcopacy works is the most glaring of our problems. First our Bishops are the result of an electoral process which is driven by "recognition and popularity"(has this person served as a G.C. delegate, what does the resume say about them? Are they "connected") and politics( does this person exibit characteristics that fit the pervasive need for balance that we UMC's think we should look like to the world, i.e. are we ethnically and gender balanced enough to meet the proper perception by the world) Rarely are Bishop's elected because they have demonstrated a calling to the office and demonstrated effectiveness as an Institutional Administrator. Even if we had the most qualified person's in the Episcopacy the office itself is so mired in expectations and commitments that the best administrator wouldn't be able to effectively manage our Conferences', let alone do the work of the General Church. As frightening as it is we need deeper and more radical change in our Church. It needs to begin with the elimination of the Administration of the Episcopacy. If we cut this out of our budgets it would save us money and would cut through a felt distance between the GC and Local congregations. We will still need the sacred office of Bishop but their duties begin and end with the Ordination Process and relations to the Orders and should probably be filled as a part time position by an Elder going into retirement. Administration of Conference's would then fall to District level and in the short run appointments would go ahead like usual.

John Palmer more than 1 years ago

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Comments (2)

Call to Action / the root of the thing!

Not a question of speed