2012 General Conference

The 2012 General Conference was held in Tampa, FL from April 24-May 4. This is a meeting held every four years and is the only body that speaks for the 13 million member denomination. Four lay delegates and four clergy delegates represented the Northern Illinois Conference, of which our church is a part. In total, 988 United Methodist delegates from five continents (40% from Africa) attended the event.

General Conference is a time of worship, music, fellowship and decision-making.

Delegates participated in "An Act of Repentance toward Healing Relationships with Indigenous Peoples," confessing that the church has "participated in the violation, the exploitation, and even the killing of indigenous people" of all nations.

Some of the decisions resulting from the approximately 1200 pieces of legislation processed were:

• Elimination of "guaranteed appointments" for clergy
• United Methodist Women becoming an autonomous organization, no longer operating under the church's missions agency
• Creation of a national ministry plan for Pacific Islanders
• Adoption of a $603.1 million budget for the 2012-2016 period
• Decision not to divest from 3 companies whose products are used by the Israeli military in the occupied Palestinian territories.

A major issue considered the wording in the Book of Discipline regarding homosexuality. Instead of adopting language that would have said United Methodists are not of one mind on this issue, the delegates voted to retain the current stance that states that the denomination considers all persons to be "individuals of sacred worth. However, the church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching."

Northern Illinois Conference Bishop Hee-Soo Jung issued this statement following the General Conference:

"In the midst of strong debate and genuine struggle, I grieve for those who came to the conference praying for reform in the struggle to embrace diversity and move away from condemnation based on sexuality. It is difficult for us to let go of firm beliefs without fearing that we are betraying our beliefs. Yet, faith is a journey and not a fixed position.

To those harmed by actions of this General Conference, I offer my prayers and support. We are a broken and fallible people who do not always follow the rules set forth by John Wesley to 'Do Good, Do No Harm, and to Stay in Love with God.' Each of us stumbles on our journey, but may we always treat one another with love and compassion, harboring hope - grounded in faith."