The United Methodist Church held its 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas on April 23. The Institute on Religion and Democracy had an active presence at the conference, reporting regularly on the www.TheIRD.org website, and issuing regular press releases throughout the 10-day event. For our friends in the media, we are providing the following resources:
Media Contacts
Jeff Walton—Communications Manager
[email protected]
(202) 413-5639
Policy Experts
Mark Tooley—Executive Director, UMAction
Mark Tooley directs the United Methodist committee (UMAction) of the Institute on Religion & Democracy. UMAction helps traditional United Methodists working to reclaim America’s third largest religious body for historic Christian beliefs. Mark is the editor of UMAction Briefing, a publication with a circulation of 475,000 households. Among the publications that have published his articles are The Wall Street Journal, The American Spectator, The Weekly Standard, Human Events, The Washington Times, Crisis, Touchstone, and The Chicago Tribune.
Mark’s recently published book, Taking Back the United Methodist Church, is available for purchase on the IRD website
Jerald Walz—Vice President for Operations
Jerald Walz is Vice President for Operations for the Institute on Religion and Democracy. He has been a delegate to four United Methodist Annual Conferences, and has observed two United Methodist General Conferences and two General Assemblies of the National Council of Churches. In March 2005, Jerald was elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Evangelicals. With a B.A. from Asbury College and a M. A. in Government from the Johns Hopkins University, Jerald has taught as an adjunct professor of Public Policy in Pepperdine University’s Washington DC program. He is a member of Oakton United Methodist Church in Vienna, VA. Jerald and his wife, Anita, live in Arlington, VA.
John Lomperis—Research Associate
John Lomperis, research associate, has been on the IRD staff since January 2004, with an emphasis on his own United Methodist denomination. In 2003, he graduated from the University of Chicago as a Religious Studies major with a concentration on American Methodist history. He lives in Washington and is an active member of Central United Methodist Church.
“White Papers” on Issues Before the 2008 General Conference
- 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
Press Releases
More Press Releases Coming Soon
IRD-Sponsored Events in Fort Worth
- Thursday, April 24—UMAction luncheon celebrating the African delegation to General Conference. The Rev. Jerry Kulah, a district superintendent in Monrovia, Liberia will be the keynote speaker. (12:30 PM, Hilton Crystal C Ballroom)
- Sunday, April 27—Book Signing of Taking Back the United Methodist Church. UMAction Executive Director Mark Tooley will be signing copies of his recently released book. (4:30 PM, Hilton Crystal C Ballroom)
- Tuesday, April 29—IRD luncheon on the importance of religious liberty. Faith McDonnell, Director of Religious Liberty Programs at the IRD will be the keynote speaker. (12:30 PM, Hilton Crystal C Ballroom)
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