Rev. Kermit Culver, superintendent for the Dakotas Conference Northwest District. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas UMC.

As I sit through another cold, snowy, windy Sunday here in North Dakota, my heart, mind, and spirit have all been transported to St. Louis, Missouri. Not just to seek a warmer climate, but to join our sisters and brothers from all over the world as they gather to “conference” about our beloved church. Through the wonders of technology, the full global nature of our Church has been on vivid display.

Beginning with a day of prayer and worship on Saturday, the delegates prepared themselves for the rest of the week. I’m glad we United Methodists still know how to pray - and still make it a priority!  It is not the only thing we do - but it may be the best thing we do - especially now.  

Prayer takes the focus of our eyes and hearts off ourselves, and hopefully places them on God.  I have prayed most earnestly about this General Conference, for God’s will to be done. I’ve come to realize that if I’ve honestly prayed for God’s will to be done, that forces me to acknowledge and then accept whatever outcome commences; as being God’s will. If I’m not willing to accept the outcome, then I’ve not really prayed for God’s will, I’ve predetermined what God’s will must look like. That is dangerous.

The Rev. Gary Graves reads the results of a Feb. 24, 2019, poll of legislative priorities among delegates to the Special Session of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church, held in St. Louis, Missouri. The conference was called to help the denomination find a way toward unity, despite deep conflicts over sexuality. The initial voting shows a preference for dealing first with pension and then with the Traditional Plan petition that would strengthen enforcement of church policies against LGBTQ individuals serving as clergy or being married in UM churches. Graves is secretary of the general conference. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS.

Today, the General Conference began its work. One of the first actions agreed upon was to prioritize all the approved petitions 76 before the body. It looked and felt like a “straw vote” process.  Knowing full well that this four-day conference will not likely have time to deal with all these petitions, This vote will help the delegates focus on those petitions most valued by the most folks. 

The areas of petitions that emerged highest from this ranking included; matters related to pensions, the traditional plan, how exiting congregations could leave with their property, and the One Church Plan. You can read more about this prioritization process here.

The Traditional Plan and the One Church Plan, and the Connectional Conference Plan are part of the work and recommendations from the Commission on a Way Forward. You can take a look at an overview of these plans here. 

If you are interested in the exact petitions or legislation that is being consider by the body at General Conference, you will want to take a look at the Daily Advocate, specifically the Advanced Daily Advocate here. 

I have asked myself repeatedly today - what do I hope for my churches in the Northwest District and across the Dakotas Annual Conference in light of the General Conference?  The answers have ranged widely, but they center on what has always been the center of The United Methodist Church. Some 280 years ago the Anglican Church of England was on the doorstep of death, and God raised up one family to change the world. The Wesleys—Samuel, Suzanna, John, and Charles were used by God to begin a movement that continues today.        

As your church or your small group gathers to pray; focus on God’s will, focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ, who will become Apostles, who will change the world. I don’t know what the UMC will look like come Friday, but it will likely be different than the one I’ve known and loved for 60 some years. What won’t be different, is the mandate and the invitation for each of us to be faithful disciples, joined in the mission of God. 

Don’t be in a hurry to decide anything except to continue being faithful. No matter what the future Church looks like, we will never go wrong just being faithful. I pray for you - and for God’s will to be done! 

Kermit