Jonathan LeMaster-Smith

Welcome to Global Methodist General Conference Q&A no. 1.

I’ll answer the questions you gave me to the best of my knowledge and ability.

1)It seems like they are voting on things really fast without discussion, are they not allowing for discussion on purpose or did they have meetings ahead of time?

If you are not part of the group having the conference, it often feels like things are moving very fast. The reality is, they had been planning this for month, and people had copies of the Transitional Book of Doctrine and Discipline, the agenda, the episcopal nominees, the Plan of Organization and Covenant. .They also have delegation meetings and online trainings for what was happening. Their transitional leadership team had been doing this work for some time and wanted to make this as smooth as possible.

That being said, even in The UMC people were voting on agenda items out of trust. Hundreds of consent calendar items were voted on in blocks. The delegates put a trust in leadership team, legislative teams, and other groups in order to smooth out the process.

2) Where did the Book of Doctrines and Discipline come from?

The Transitional Leadership team developed a book of Doctrines and Discipline based on previous Methodist and Wesleyan denominations with some new modifications for their needs. This is the Discipline they approved at the first day of General Conference. This is a barebones Discipline that they will modify and flesh out with legislation both at this conference and in the future.

3) How do their bishops work and why did they have to elect them even if they were already bishops?

They do not currently have an election process for bishop. Petition 29 must be approved by legislative committee and then by plenary. This petition will set the process for election. In this petition, bishops can serve up to two six-year terms. This petition allows for an exception in the case of Bishops Jones and Webb can stand for election in 2026 (they were elected for a two year term to continue their roles as transitional bishops). This was petition Petition 113.

Also, those elected at this General Conference will be considered interim bishops as they will only be serving a two year term. They will be able to stand for re-election in 2026 if they receive 2/3 votes. This is in Petition 114, and must still be approved for it to take effect. These persons will be elected and then consecrated.

Bishop Jones and Webb were already consecrated in a predecessor denomination so they did not require consecration, although they may be celebrated as part of this event as well.

Bishops will serve both in regional episcopal areas and in the general church (the same as UMC Bishops).

4) What is their appointment making process?

Presently, their appointment process is a consultation model in which the bishop, presiding elder, and pastor-parish committee all have voice.

If any party raises concerns in an appointment the parties have to give substantive explanation related to their concerns. The church cannot outright reject someone and the bishop cannot appoint someone without reason and explanation. But this process is appointive, it is not an open call. The bishop makes the appointment. The process is also rolling. While the annual conference receives a list of appointments at each regular session, these can change as the need arises throughout the year.

Finally, there is no guaranteed appointment. Appointment is, on paper, based solely on need and effectiveness. Moreover, if a clergyperson wishes, they may seek appointment in another annual conference. This is encouraged as well. If a bishop chooses not to appoint someone they must provide in writing their rationale.

I know some folks will note that we can rationalize anything to get past issues of race, gender, personality, or politics, but this is also true in The United Methodist Church, we just guarantee some sort of appointment that protects vulnerable populations in some cases and protects ineffective populations in others.

5) Will they bring back class meetings as a primary role of faith formation and accountability?

While they allow for small groups and there is encouragement to participate in class meetings, they do not require or emphasize this in their present Discipline or any legislation.

6) What is their actual statement on Human Sexuality?

Per their social witness in their discipline, marriage is a monogamous relationship between one man and one woman. They uphold a scriptural understanding of gender and sexuality. I will not try to define that.

They do have a statement in their judicial complaint process that a clergyperson can be charged with engaging in sexuality activities outside of a loving marriage (and list some of them).

There is a petition that would change this to remove the word loving and add homosexuality to the list of activities. There are some questions here. First, sexual activity already includes homosexual activity, and two, why remove loving? But also, this makes it more biblically accurate.

All petitions related to ordination of folks within the LGTBIA+ community have been deferred to 2026. Therefore, they do not prohibit ordination of these communities in their current discipline. In fact, the phrase homosexual does not appear in their current Discipline.

7) You’re not actually blocking people are you?

Yes, I did during The UMC General Conference and I will during this one if I see the need. I am fine with disagreeing. I will not be harassed or trolled.