209 - Provisional General Conference

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Rejected

Comments

[Cindy Smith]

Traditionally as a denomination, we have always said that one of the hallmarks of Free Methodism is that we are a "connectional church". My concern with this type of organization would be that our "connectionalism" would be greatly diminished. For many the only time people get together outside of their own Annual Conferences in at General Conference every four years. I know that I certainly look forward to seeing people at General Conference that I don't see otherwise. Furthermore, although this will most certainly relieve our Bishops of extra duty, how will we spread our missionaries around? Will we have to do away with such events as Missions Power Lunches, and college alumni receptions? Has thought been given to what will and will not be included or whether each General Conference will be scheduled separately so as to give attendees the full experience they now have?

[Curtis Turner]

In the 1950's and 60's, we use to have "Zone Rallys" in which Free Methodist Youth would gather for times of fun, fellowship and spiritual nurture within the same conferences. A large geographic area would not facilitate that kind of "body life," in my opinion. Today we have International Youth events that gather the enire church youth together in a place like Colorado Springs for these kind of activities. We also have Bible quizing which encorages that kind of thing. We need more "body life," not less.

[Howard W. Lehman]

What I see in this resolution is an increased cost of administration. Each General Conference will have to have a budget for support of administrative personnel.
Another factor in considering this is how is the foreign missions going to be supported. It seems to me this will decrease the support that is needed to carry on this part of our church thrust. And we can question the effectiveness of outreach in other areas.
I can see however the cultural effects. The Southern mind set is sometimes different from the Northern mind set and this can be a factor in the effectiveveness of church outreach.
In the overall assesment of this resolution it should be thought out very thoroughly. I would suggest it be rejected.

[Rev. Vaughn W. Thurston-Cox]

As a member of the North Michigan Conference, I think we need to be wary here.

I agree with Cindy that this resolution would work against the very connectionalism we should be encouraging. Connectionalism is our strength, as well as a lived out expression of a spiritual reality.

I find it strange that at this time the two United Methodist conferences in Michigan are moving towards a merge. Four hundred churches comprise the West Michigan Conference, and many, many more in the Detroit Conference. They are looking at their mission and ministry, and seeing that working together is better than working apart. In a time when our own conference is stable to declining, how is it that we might consider cutting ourselves off from the church at large?