Decision of the Liberia Annual Conference, United Methodist Church on Five Proposed Constitutional Amendments

on May 24, 2017

This year, each of the several dozen annual conferences into which the United Methodist Church is geographically organized must vote on whether or not to ratify five proposed amendments to the denomination’s constitution. 

While annual conferences in the United States generally have their annual meetings in May or June, annual conferences elsewhere in the world convene at other times throughout the year. 

The following is a report on how the 184th session of the UMC’s Liberia Annual Conference in West Africa voted on each of the five amendments in February, with an explanation of why. It was received from the Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah P. Kulah, Dean of the UMC’s Gbanga School of Theology in Liberia. 

 

 

Introduction

By decision of 2016 General Conference of the United Methodist Church that each of the annual conferences of the global UMC must make a decision on the following five proposed Constitutional Amendments; the Liberia Area of the UMC is pleased to submit its report …. The vote cast by a delegation of 956 comprising of laity and clergy made the following decisions:

Proposed Amendments number one and two were given a “no” vote by the Liberia Annual Conference, while Amendments number three, four and five were given a “yes” vote. The analysis and position of the Liberia Area of the UMC regarding each vote is stated after each proposed amendment below.

 

Proposed Constitutional Amendment #1:

In the 2012 Book of Discipline, Division One, add a new paragraph between current ¶¶ 5 and 6: As the Holy Scripture reveals, both men and women are made in the image of God and, therefore, men and women are of equal value in the eyes of God. The United Methodist Church recognizes it is contrary to Scripture and to logic to say that God is male or female, as maleness and femaleness are characteristics of human bodies and cultures, not characteristics of the divine. The United Methodist Church acknowledges the long history of discrimination against women and girls. The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate discrimination against women and girls, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large. The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that threaten the cause of women’s and girl’s equality and well-being. [emphasis added]

If voted and so declared by the Council of Bishops, this would become the new ¶6, and the current ¶¶ 6-61 would be renumbered as ¶¶ 7-62.

Our Analysis & Position: We are in total agreement, and consistent with Scripture (Genesis. 1:26-27; 9:6; I Corinthians 11:7), that humanity is made in the image of God. Therefore both male and female are of equal value before God. We also stand strongly opposed to discrimination against women and girls, for we are all God’s children. However, we strongly opposed the reference that “it is contrary to Scripture and to logic” to acknowledge or claim the maleness or fatherhood of God. The Scripture is replete with references to God as Father. When Jesus taught his disciples, (and, by implication, us) how to pray, he taught them to call God “Our Father” (Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2); throughout his teaching and preaching ministry, Jesus often referred to God as “Father” (Matt. 5:16; 6:9,26; 11:27; Luke 2:9; John 2:16; 4:21; 10:17,30; 14:6-11; 15:9). When he prayed, while carrying the sin of the entire world on the cross, he addressed God as his Father (Luke 23:34). After Jesus’ resurrection, he informed his disciples that he was returning to his Father and their Father (John 20:17). In addition, the Apostles referred to God as “our Heavenly Father” (Romans 8:15; Phil. 2:11; 1 John 1:3; 2:15, 22-23). Furthermore, to accept this inclusion, “The United Methodist Church recognizes it is contrary to Scripture and to logic to say that God is male or female, as maleness and femaleness are characteristics of human bodies and cultures, not characteristics of the divine would undermine the doctrine of the Trinity, nullify our affirmation of faith (Apostle Creed), and portions of the Bible as non-scripture. Therefore, we voted “NO” to this proposed amendment with a “no” vote of 956; a “yes” vote of 0; and abstention vote of 0.

 

Proposed Constitutional Amendment #2:

In the 2012 Book of Discipline, Division One, ¶4, Article IV, amend by deletion and addition as follows

After “all persons” delete “without regard to race, color, national origin, status, or economic condition”. After “because of race, color, national origin,” delete “status,” and “ability”. At the end of the paragraph, add “nor shall any member be denied access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church because of race, color, gender, national origin, ability, age, marital status, or economic condition.”

¶ 4 would read: The United Methodist Church is part of the church universal, which is one Body in Christ. The United Methodist Church acknowledges that all persons are of sacred worth. All persons shall be eligible to attend its worship services, participate in its programs, receive the sacraments, upon baptism be admitted as baptized members and upon taking vows declaring the Christian faith, become professing members in any local church in the connection. In the United Methodist church, no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member or any constituent body of the Church because of race, color, national origin, ability, or economic condition, nor shall any member be denied access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church because of race, color, gender, national origin, ability, age, marital status, or economic condition.

Our Analysis & Position: We acknowledge that this proposed amendment seeks to make changes to Paragraph 4 on inclusiveness. We support inclusiveness, because all of humanity is of sacred worth. However, as the proposed new paragraph stands, it asserts that “all persons shall be eligible… to receive the sacraments.” We disagree because only baptized persons are eligible to receive the sacrament of Holy Communion. Second, it asserts that “In the United Methodist church, no conference or other organizational unit of the Church shall be structured so as to exclude any member… nor shall any member be denied access to an equal place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church because of race, color, gender, national origin, ability, age, marital status, or economic condition.” We disagree because we believe membership into the local church should not be based on baptism and making a vow only. The pastor (s) must continue to have a shepherding role (counseling, training, church discipline, etc.,) in determining when a person is ready for full membership. Also, we believe that a member may be denied “an equal place in the life, worship and governance of the church” based on a person’s spiritual gifting or maturity; or, if a person’s doctrinal beliefs or choice of lifestyle contradicts the teaching of Scripture (eg.: a practicing polygamist; sorcerer; self-avowed homosexual, unrepentant criminal, etc.). Therefore, we voted “NO” to the proposed amendment with a “no” vote of 955; “yes” vote of 1; and abstention vote of 0.

 

Proposed Constitutional Amendment #3

In the 2012 Book of Discipline, Division Two, Section VI, ¶ 34, Article III) amend by addition as follows:

After the first sentence, add, “Such elections shall include open nominations from the floor by the annual conference, and delegates shall be elected by a minimum of a simple majority of the ballots cast.”

¶ 34 would read: The annual conference shall elect clergy and lay delegates to the General Conference and to its jurisdictional or central conference in the manner provided in this section, Articles IV and V. Such elections shall include open nominations from the floor by the annual conference, and delegates shall be elected by a minimum of a simple majority of the ballots cast. The persons first elected up to the number determined by the ratio for representation in the General Conference shall be representatives in that body. Additional delegates shall be elected to complete the number determined by the ratio for representation in the jurisdictional or central conference, who, together with those first elected as above, shall be delegates in the jurisdictional or central conference. The additional delegates to the jurisdictional or central conference shall in the order of their election be the reserve delegates to the General Conference. The annual conference shall also elect reserve clergy and lay delegates to the jurisdictional or central conference as it may deem desirable. These reserve clergy and lay delegates to the jurisdictional or central conferences may act as reserve delegates to the General Conference when it is evident that not enough reserve delegates are in attendance at the General Conference.

Our Analysis & Position: This proposed amendment requires nominations from the floor and election of delegates by simple majority vote.  It will standardize the process of election, so all annual conferences elect their delegates to General and Central or Jurisdictional conferences in the same form and manner. We therefore voted “yes” to this proposed amendment with a “yes” vote of 956; no vote of 0; and abstention; 0.

 

Proposed Constitutional Amendment #4 : General Conference timing

In the 2012 Book of Discipline, Division Three, ¶ 46, Article I, amend by addition, as follows: To the end of the paragraph, add “provided that Episcopal elections in central conferences shall be held at a regular, not an extra, session of the central conference, except in the case where an unexpected vacancy must be filled.”

¶ 46 would read: The bishops shall be elected by the respective jurisdictional and central conferences and consecrated in the historic manner at such time and place as may be fixed by the General Conference for those elected by the jurisdictions and by each central conference for those elected by such central conference, provided that Episcopal elections in central conferences shall be held at a regular, not an extra, session of the central conference, except in the case where an unexpected vacancy must be filled.

Our Analysis & Position: This proposed amendment requires that Episcopal elections in the central and jurisdictional conferences be held at a regularly scheduled conference, for effective coordination and effectiveness in the elections of persons as bishops without fear of foul play. We voted “yes” with a vote of 956; “no” vote of 0; and abstention vote of 0.

 

Proposed Constitutional Amendment#5: Accountability

In the 2012 Book of Discipline, Division Three, ¶ 50, Article VI, amend by addition, as follows:

After the last paragraph, add “These provisions shall not preclude that adoption by the General Conference of provisions for the Council of Bishops to hold its individual members accountable for their work, both as general superintendents and as presidents and residents in Episcopal areas.”

The bishops, both active and retired, of The Evangelical United Brethren Church and of The Methodist Church at the time union is consummated shall be bishops of The United Methodist Church. The bishops of The Methodist Church elected by the jurisdictions, the active bishops of The Evangelical United Brethren Church at the time of union, and bishops elected by the jurisdictions of The United Methodist Church shall have life tenure. Each bishop elected by a central conference of The Methodist Church shall have such tenure as the central conference electing him shall have determined.

The jurisdictional conference shall elect a standing committee on episcopacy to consist of one clergy and one lay delegate from each annual conference, on nomination of the annual conference delegation. The committee shall review the work of the bishops, pass on their character and official administration, and report to the jurisdictional conference its findings for such action as the conference may deem appropriate within its constitutional warrant of power. The committee shall recommend the assignments of the bishops to their respective residences for final action by the jurisdictional conference. These provisions shall not preclude that adoption by the General Conference of provisions for the Council of Bishops to hold its individual members accountable for their work, both as general superintendents and as presidents and residents in Episcopal areas.

Our Analysis & Position: This proposed amendment enhances accountability for bishops by allowing the Council of Bishops (COB) to hold its members accountable.  This would allow the COB to step in any case or problem that has to do with any of their colleagues when the complaint process against a bishop fails. We voted “yes” to this proposed amendment with a vote of 956; a “no” vote of 0; and abstention vote of 0.

  1. Comment by Mike Childs on May 24, 2017 at 5:11 pm

    I will vote exactly as our United Methodist Brothers and Sidters in Liberia voted. Their convictions and values reflect my own. I am a member of the Mississippi Annual Conference meeting in June.

  2. Comment by Prentice Durwood Worley on May 26, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    Amen dear brother.

  3. Comment by Jonathan Razon on May 24, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    The Northeast Philippines Annual Conference voted the same: NO for 1&2; and YES for 3,4 &5.

  4. Comment by Prentice Durwood Worley on May 26, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    God Bless the Philippines!

  5. Comment by Larry Collins on May 25, 2017 at 12:00 am

    VERY sound reasoning on their part regarding all of the Amendments. Let’s hope the US Confetences follow their lead and line of thinking.

  6. Comment by Gwendolyn Fulkerson on May 25, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    Amen! I wholeheartedly agree and am praying for the United Methodists in Americas will hold true to their historical, Scriptural position, as John Wesley, its founder set forth.

  7. Comment by Prentice Durwood Worley on May 26, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    Amen!

  8. Comment by Nancy M on May 25, 2017 at 11:13 pm

    Amen!

  9. Comment by Aaron on May 26, 2017 at 12:49 am

    for amendment 2: Should we deny veterans and soldiers access to our church also? War is 100% incompatible with the teachings of Jesus Christ we believe as UMs…so why do we celebrate veterans day. smh.

  10. Comment by Prentice Durwood Worley on May 26, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    I pray for you to “get a clue”

  11. Comment by Linda Cebrian on May 26, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Aaron, have you not heard of the Just War Theory? Jesus was not a pacifist.

  12. Comment by Lance Thomas on May 26, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    I will vote exactly as our United Methodist Brothers and Sisters in Liberia voted. I join the prayers for the United Methodists in America to hold true to Scriptural authority and Wesleyan tradition.

  13. Comment by Steve Smith on May 26, 2017 at 6:00 pm

    Amen and Amen! Pastor Steve

  14. Comment by Glen Dunn on May 26, 2017 at 10:26 pm

    Amen to all. I hope that the Memphis Annual Conference votes in the same way. “Hello” to Durwood Worley.

  15. Comment by David C. Wold on May 28, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    I agree with Liberia AC for the simple reason is complying with the UMC tradition and structure, while it at same time states that we all are accountable to each other. The view expressed by a few North American clergy is ‘watering out’ any structure, doctrine and commitment we take as members of UMC.
    Worship is one thing, membership require more and when it comes to answering the ‘calling’ it should not be something you are ‘entitled’ too as a ‘human’, and it should be valid only as long as person has the ‘calling’ and work to improve themselves . Therefore at all and every step we needs to be held accountable by our Church.

  16. Comment by Linda on May 30, 2017 at 8:51 am

    I am impressed that out of all 900+ voting members, there was mostly a 100% agreement with all these proposed amendments. That just does not happen in my conference.

  17. Comment by Roger D. VanCleave on May 30, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    I will vote exactly as the Liberian Conference did! I am a lay delegate to the Memphis Conference meeting next week at Collierville, TN. I pray that enough Christians show up at the same time to do the same, both clergy and lay delegates!

  18. Comment by Bob on May 30, 2017 at 4:57 pm

    It seems extremely odd to me that nearly all the votes went in one direction. Is this because the voters were all imbued of the exact sane spirit OR were they pressured in any way to follow the lead of those sitting at the top? It is odd for humans to almost COMPLETELY agree with one another. Perhaps things are different in other parts of the world. Just a thought….

  19. Comment by Peter Moore-Kochlacs on May 30, 2017 at 10:32 pm

    It looks like the work of the IRD, the Good news caucus, the Southeastern Jurisdiction, etc. How can you be so naive about God language, etc. I thought we had dealt with the nature otherness of God beyond mere maleness when I attended a good UMC Seminary in the early 1970’s.
    This is mostly retrograde think comparable to the believe humanity is only 6,000 years old or so. My goodness, are we really wanting to go back to the Dark ages!
    Clearly it’s time for the moderate and progressive UMCs to work out a fair and equitable separation from rightwing Methodists.
    This whole idea of a global UMC church was a disaster from the start. The global conferences should have stayed just with the World Methodist Council. This was my position from at least as far back as the early 90’s. Clearly the Bishops. pastors and conferences abroad wanted financial subsidies, however now you are moving the US Denomination backward in time though politics and contemporary theological illiteracy. It is very sad. Jesus is in tears and the great Thou of Universal is appalled.

  20. Comment by Lloyd E. Fleming on May 31, 2017 at 5:55 am

    As a member of the N. Georfia conference, I will vote yes of all items.

  21. Comment by Tammy L.Estep on June 1, 2017 at 7:28 am

    We as united methodists believe in an open table and that communion is a converting sacrament. We do not limit the sacrament of holy communion to the baptized so the argument in number two does not hold true in the UMC

  22. Comment by David Boger on June 2, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    Good logic — I agree and support this type of thinking and voting.
    Pray for the UMC – especially in America.
    Shalom, pastor Dave, Virginia Conference

  23. Comment by David on May 9, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    It’s sad that a bishop of the UMC has apparently not read our denominational writings on the sacrament of Holy Communion and is leading an entire conference astray on who may participate.

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