Worldwide UMC Central and Jurisdictional conferences

1. OurCovenantforthe Worldwide UMC Core values Comparisonof Central and JurisdictionalConferences Reflections on present Central conferences Key question on thesituationofthe US Worldwide UMC Central and Jurisdictionalconferences

2. A Companion Litany to Our Covenant for the Worldwide UMC Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we affirm our unity in Christ. People: We will take faithful steps to live as a worldwide church in mission for the transformation of the world. Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we commit ourselves to be in ministry with all people. People: In faithfulness to the gospel, we will cross boundaries of language, culture, social or economic status as we grow in mutual love and trust. Worldwide UMCOurcovenant

3. Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we participate in God’s mission as partners in ministry. People: We share our God-given gifts, experiences, and resources recognizing that they are of equal value, whether spiritual, financial, or missional. Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we commit ourselves to fullequality. People: We uphold equity and accountability in our relationships, structures, and responsibilities for the denomination. Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we enter afresh into a relationshipofmutuality. People: With God’s grace, we joyfully live out our worldwide connection in mission for the transformation of the world. Worldwide UMCOurcovenant

4. Becoming partakers of God’s mission in this world and in accord with the Covenant for a Worldwide UMC(BOD 2012, ¶ 125), wevalue: • Deeper connections throughout the church • Greater local authority • More equitable sharing of power and representation around the world Worldwide UMCI. Core values

5. As a Connectional Table, our objectives are: * To uncover all matters relating to the worldwide nature of The United Methodist Church and connecting them with the common mission, vision, core values and resources. * To facilitate conversations across the connection that may lead to legislative changes relating to the worldwide nature of The UMC at General Conference. Worldwide UMCI. Core values

6. The 2008-12 study on the worldwide nature of the church made 8 recommendations for further study: 1: GC remains for all things distinctively connectional 2: UMC shall consist of central conferences 3: A Central conference created in the US, comprising the 5 Jurisdictions 4: CCs outside US may create Jurisdictions 5: CCs as decision making bodies in particular missional contexts 6: Reconfiguration of agencies (global vs. regional) 7: Reconfiguration of connectional funding 8: Bishop’s salaries according to economics Worldwide UMCII. Comparison Central andJurisdictionalConferences

7. Annual conferencesarethe fundamental bodies. In the US, theMethodistscreated a (delegated) General conferencewithdelegatesfrom all annualconferences. Central conferenceswerecreatedforregional cooperation Annual conferences outside the US wereatfirstonlyrelatedto General conferenceupuntilthecreationofcentralconferences. Worldwide UMCII. Comparison Central and JurisdictionalConferences General conference Central conference Annual conference Annual conference

8. CCs outside US: MEC 1880’s in Asia EUBC 1922 (Evang.Church) MEC South 1926 MEC 1928: Petition that US become a CC Worldwide UMCII. Comparison Central and JurisdictionalConferences JCs only inside US: 1939 Methodist Church: creation of JCs including central JC

9. 1968 United Methodist Church: • Central Jurisdiction dissolved • Other Jurisdictions in US remain • Outside US: Central conferences remain • Unified general superintendency (all bishops are equal) • Up until 1984: only GBGM had a mandate outside of the US, no other general agency Worldwide UMCII. Comparison Central and JurisdictionalConferences

10. CCs outside US (¶ 31): • Promote interests of Church • Election of bishops • Establish CC Boards • Boundaries of AC’s • Committee on appeals • Adapt parts of BOD • Create Judicial Court Worldwide UMCII. Comparison Central and JurisdictionalConferences • JCs only in US (¶ 27): • Promote interests of Church • Election of bishops • Establish JC Boards • Boundaries of AC’s • Committee on appeals • ------------

11. CCs outside US: ¶ 543.Powers and Duties—1. To a central conference shall be committed for supervision and promotion, in harmony with the Discipline and interdenominational contractual agreements, the missionary, educational, evangelistic, industrial, publishing, medical, and other connectional interests of the annual conferences, … within its territory and such other matters as may be referred to it by said bodies or by order of the General Conference; and it shall provide suitable organizations for such work and elect the necessary officers for the same. Worldwide UMCII. Comparison Central andJurisdictionalConferences JCs only inside US: • ¶ 525.Powers and Duties of Jurisdictional Conference—The jurisdictional conference shall have powers and duties as described in the Constitution. It shall also have such other powers and duties as may be conferred by the General Conference. It shall act in all respects in harmony with the policy of The United Methodist Church with respect to elimination of discrimination based upon race.

12. Worldwide UMCIII. Reflections on present Central Conferences • From the report of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters to General conference 2012: • “A careful examination of current practice and conditions shows that central conferences in many parts of the world lack the capacity to function according to their intended mandate. Time did not allow for deeper conversation about more effective and efficient structures, about numbers and boundaries of central conferences, and about new creative ways to structure the work of the UMC outside the US in order to fulfill its mission and ministry in ways that are the most efficient.”

13. Aim: A Central conferenceshallsupervise and promote theconnectionalinterestsrelatedtomission and ministry in its Annual Conferences. In general, a Central conferencecomprisesat least: • morethan 1 Annual conference; • at least 1 Episcopal Area; • at least 1 country. Itremains an open questionhowmany Annual conferences, Episcopal Areas and countries maymakeup a singlecentralconferenceand still remain an effectiveandefficientconnectionforthemissionandministry in itsregion. Worldwide UMCIII. Reflections on present Central Conferences

14. Where shall the UMC in the US “conference” on US-related matters for greater effectiveness in the mission of the church?A) as at present on the worldwide level of the general conference? B) in establishing a central conference for the US (as other regions in the world)? C) in establishing a new structure? e.g. a joint meeting of all US jurisdictional conferences or other ideas? - Please specify your idea for a new structure Worldwide UMCIV. Key question on thesituationofthe US

15. Related to this key questions, please discuss and give feed-back on the following: Which of the three options A, B, or C, would you prefer and why (and why not the other options)? How would your preference enhance or detract from our disciple-making capacity? Please reflect and comment on how you perceive the consequences of your preferred option on: - the present general conference?- the present jurisdictional conferences in the US?- the present central conferences outside the US?- the general agencies? - the annual conferences?- the local churches? What are other matters to consider, linked to your preferred option? Worldwide UMC IV. Key question on thesituationofthe US

16. Additional question:Should a name change for “central conferences” be considered because of the painful history of the central jurisdiction in the US between 1939-68?And if so, would you opt for “regional conferences” instead of “central conferences”? or would you propose a different name? Worldwide UMC IV. Key question on thesituationofthe US