United Methodist General Conference 2008

The United Methodist Church’s global legislative body is gathering in Fort Worth, Texas, from April 23 through May 2. This 2008 General Conference faces big decisions for the future of the United Methodist Church:

• Fort Worth Convention Center (Photo courtesy Fort Worth Convention Center/UMC)

  Will the UMC build unity by reaffirming the Christ-centered, Biblical, Wesleyan beliefs or will the church follow the Episcopal Church, which is now splitting over its election of an openly homosexual bishop?

• Will the UMC learn from the experience of the fast-growing UM churches in Africa (and many U.S. local churches) which preach and live the traditional Christian Gospel—and the theologically and politically liberal churches which are losing members and dying?
• Will the UMC remain a united global church—or will we partially segregate the U.S. church from the growing, faithful United Methodism in Africa and the world?
• When the General Conference elects members of the Judicial Council (United Methodism’s supreme court), will it elect persons who will respect and enforce the UM Book of Discipline, or elect judicial activists who will undermine and rewrite the Discipline?
• Will United Methodist membership vows continue to have meaning and integrity, or will the UMC slide into “anything goes” membership?
• Will this General Conference adopt divisive political resolutions, or will it unite the church with Biblical Christian stands on clearly key issues—and refuse to allow any faction to use the UMC as its political party?

UMAction Recommendations for General Conference 2008

General Conference Blog—Keep up-to-date with the most current news from Fort Worth, posted as it happens.

Daily Briefing Papers—Read a daily summation of General Conference events and happenings. (.pdf format)

• Wednesday, April 23
• Thursday, April 24 
• Friday, April 25
• Saturday, April 26
• Sunday, April 27
• Monday, April 28
• Tuesday, April 29
• Wednesday, April 30
• Thursday, May 1
• Friday, May 2

Daily Photo Gallery—Images from the General Conference.

• Wednesday, April 23
• Thursday, April 24 – UMAction Luncheon Celebrating the African Delegation
• Friday, April 25
• Saturday, April 26
• Sunday, April 27
• Monday, April 28
• Tuesday, April 29 – IRD Luncheon on the Importance of Religious Liberty
• Tuesday, April 29 – Scenes from the Convention
• Wednesday, April 30
• Thursday, May 1

UMAction “White Papers”—Informational reports on key issues at the General Conference. (.pdf format)

• What You Should Know About United Methodism’s Washington Lobby Office
• Marriage and Homosexuality
• Addressing Political Resolutions by the Church
• War & Peace
• Empowering United Methodists Outside the United States
• Israel & Divestment
• Accountability in the Church?
• Fact Sheet on the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice

A Message from the Church in Africa: Declaration to the 2008 General Conference

• English
• French
• Portuguese

Articles and Press Releses from IRD

• Amid Controversy, The United Methodist Church Gathers in Fort Worth (April 14)
• Commentary: Gay Rights Activists Target United Methodist General Conference (April 25)
• Press Release: UMAction Questions Charge of Manipulation in Providing Cell Phones to International Delegates (April 26)
• UMAction Celebrates Downfall of Anti-Israel Divestment Proposals (April 28)
• United Methodists Elect New Judicial Council Candidates (April 29)
• Bishops Attend Pro-Homosexuality Caucus’ Service (April 30)
• Soulforce Panel Equates Disapproval of Homosexual Behavior with Racism (April 30)
• Press Release: United Methodists Vote to Uphold Traditional Marriage (May 1)
• Transgender Activists Accuse Church of Exclusion (May 2)
• Press Release: United Methodists Celebrate Admission of Ivory Coast (May 2)
• Press Release: UMAction Affirms U.S. Surgeon General Nominee’s View of Marriage (May 2)
• Press Release: United Methodist General Conference Takes Steps to Affirm Life (May 3)

Recent News Coverage of IRD at General Convention

• “As Methodist Meeting in Fort Worth Ends, Union Embodies Lingering Divisions,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram (May 3, 2008)
• “Methodists Struggle To Reflect Diversity,” Washington Post (May 3, 2008)
• “Protesters at Methodist Conference in Fort Worth Decry Take on Gays,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram (May 2, 2008)
• “Methodists Uphold Traditional Marriage,” American Family News Network (May 1, 2008)
• “Saving Methodism,” National Review (May 1, 2008)
• “U.S. Christians Don’t Feel Pains of Persecution,” United Methodist News Service (April 30, 2008)
• “New Council Members May Tilt Methodist ‘Supreme Court’ to Left,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram (April 29, 2008)
• “Methodist Liberals Attack Hospitality of Renewal Groups,” PowerBlog (April 28, 2008)
• “Methodists’ Council Picks Could Affect Sensitive Issues,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram (April 26, 2008)
• “Doubts Arise Following Gifts of Cell Phones,” United Methodist News Service (April 25, 2008)

For more coverage of IRD at General Convention, go to IRD in the Media.