Statement on the Delay of General Conference
Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) commends the Commission on General Conference for their decision to prioritize equity in the difficult decision to delay the General Conference until 2024. We acknowledge the wisdom of the commission during these turbulent times and wholly support this decision.
While the decision to delay is the best option at this time, it continues the United Methodist Church's (UMC) harm and discrimination of our LGBTQ+ siblings. The continued delay of the General Conference compounds our fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and frustration. These are all valid and natural responses, and we feel them too. We mourn, we weep, and are outraged by the perpetuation of oppression by our beloved church. We are uncertain about the future, but we are still responsible for our actions and inaction. God has dropped a plumbline in the midst of our church. We have not been centered in justice.
We do not have to wait for the General Conference or a legislative change to give us permission to seek justice. We do not have to wait for someone else with more power or authority to give us the go ahead. We can boldly work for justice even if it means we break a few unjust rules because this is what loving God and our neighbor looks like.
We call on the Council of Bishops to continue to hold in abeyance all complaints against LGBTQ+ clergy and complaints against clergy presiding over Christian marriage with LGBTQ+ couples.
We call on our movement of Justice-Seeking People of Faith to continue to do the important work of understanding the systems of oppression (colonialism, white supremacy, hetero-patriarchy, etc.) and actively work against them in ourselves, our communities, the church, and the world. We will work to disrupt and dismantle these sinful mindsets and worldviews in all of the spaces and places we inhabit. We call on our movement to center ourselves in justice.
While this decision continues to delay our ability to make policy change, it does not affect our ability to seek justice in the UMC. While we won't be able to change the discriminatory policies, we can continue our work to center ourselves in justice by working to dismantle the multiple intersectional systems of oppression that harm our planet and ourselves.
We invite you to take action with us
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