Each of the four plans I summarized in my first blog have some foreseeable, and some unforeseeable consequences for congregations, clergy, bishops, Annual Conferences, Boards and Agencies. Call them "collaterals," not in the sense of "damage," necessarily, but certainly in the way of necessary changes in the way we have been organized and do business as a church.
While it is impossible to anticipate all the implications of whatever plan is affirmed by the majority of delegates to General Conference--and while it will take years for all of the changes to take place--the chart you will find at this link comparing three of the plans is very helpful (our Conference Board of Ordained Ministry reviewed and discussed this chart at their February meeting, which Pastor Carrie attended):
https://www.wnccumc.org/files/websites/www/gc2019-comparison-three-plans-edited.pdf.
You will notice that the Simple Plan is not represented in the chart. The advocates of this position maintain, as I understand it, that there will be no necessary changes to any of the structures or agencies of the general church. Rather, the restrictive language in the Book of Discipline would be removed. As a consequence, Annual Conferences would examine and ordain clergy regardless of matters of sexuality and apart from consideration of such questions. In the case of gay marriage, congregations would discuss and discern whether or not such marriages would be held on church property, and pastors would determine for themselves whether or not to conduct such a service.
I hope you will take time to look over this chart. I find it quite helpful.
The amblings, opinions and experiences of a workaday, garden-variety pastor that, I hope, will give insight into the world of scripture and the life of faith. The first posts below related to the 2019 special session of the United Methodist General Conference (2/23 - 2/26); newer posts comprise sermons, sermon notes, thoughts-at-large, reflections. Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment.
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Fishing for the Future
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