General Conference Postponed Until 2024

In case you have not heard the news, General Conference in the United Methodist Church is postponed until 2024. This means that there will not be a General Conference in 2022. The decision to postpone was reached with the aftermath of the Covid world pandemic and the challenge of global delegates obtaining visas in time to travel for the conference.

Our Bishop, David Graves, has written the following regarding the postponement.

“I am aware this decision sparks many emotions. Some of you are relieved that this allows us to focus on ministry for the next two years and others are disappointed that proposed legislation will not be discussed.”  

He also shared some personal thoughts.
 
“I have preached over the years we move forward in ministry together. The constant discussions about General Conference do not need to distract us. It is doing more harm and distracting us from mission. I was consecrated as a UMC Bishop and will remain one. I see great opportunity in the midst of the chaos of the United Methodist Church. While my prayer has been that each Clergyperson and church live into what God is calling them to be, I want to encourage you to stay in the denomination. No, we do not know what this will be, but we have many years of history that we will build upon. We are better when we focus on leading than leaving. There is a place for you in the United Methodist Church.”

In my role as your Lead Pastor, I want to affirm these words of the Bishop. The speculation of the General Conference meeting or not meeting and what will happen has been a huge distraction.

I challenge us to share the good news of Jesus like never before! Let’s focus on making disciples of Jesus. As Jesus said in Matthew, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”  (Matthew 9:37b-38).

In 2022, right now, the harvest is great! So let us get to work!

Shalom,
Philip

Philip McVay

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