Over the course of the 2008 General Conference that just finished it's work in Ft. Worth these four goals were adopted for the next 4 years of our church.
- Developing principled Christian leaders;
- Creating new places for new people by starting new congregations and renewing existing ones;
- Engaging in ministries with the poor; and
- Improving global health, especially attacking the killer diseases of poverty.
* the churches stance on things like Abortion, Homosexuality, Global warming, Aids, Immigration, Torture, and Many Different types of Justice issues.
* The churches Mission statement was changed, "The mission of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
* The membership vows of The United Methodist Church do not include witness, an integral part of laity’s role from earliest Methodism, in members’ participation in the church’s life. Because congregations repeat these vows along with new members, a pledge to “witness” will remind members to be witnesses in the community. This change to our Membership vows will help us to live out the "Great Commission" give to us by Jesus.
* The GC choice to reduce by one the number of Bishops in each US Jurisdiction so that the saved funds could be used to help bring Episcopal leadership to place like Africa and Asia were the Church's growth has happen so quickly that no money was available for needed leadership.
* Delegates voted to have a new United Methodist Hymnal presented to the next General Conference in 2012.
* Voted to study and present a plan to steamline the path to Ordained Ministry in 2012.
* Voted to restructure the Church so that we are a more Global church.
This is no where near all of the information about what our GC did over the last week and 1/2.
If you want more info chick on this link GC08.
In Jesus,
RevRick
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