About the GNJ Way Forward Team
As most of our congregation knows, the United Methodist Church may be at a historical crossroads. Since the last Special Session of General Conference (Feb, 2019), there have been Annual Conferences throughout the world, each reacting differently to the recent controversy over “the church’s policies about engaging with and using the gifts of the LGBTQ community.” (Italicized quotes are from Bishop John Schol)
Our Greater New Jersey Annual Conference (GNJ) has formed a committee of 35 clergy and lay people who represent GNJ’s congregational, ethnic and theological diversity. Included on the committee are some familiar names: Rev. Kay Dubuisson, Rev. Tom Korkuch, Rev. David Wehrle, Rosa Williams , Rev. Michelle Ryoo.
This team was “affirmed at the March Special Session of GNJ Annual Conference to find a path that recognizes that GNJ has disciples who embrace the passage of the traditional plan at General Conference and the GNJ also has disciples that are hurt and in disagreement with the denomination’s plan concerning ministry with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
The GNJ Way Forward Team are basing their work grounded in the belief that in GNJ, disciples do not all think and act alike, but that they love and serve God together. The team believes that our congregations, leaders, mission partners and the people in our communities have similar hopes: to grow spiritually - to belong and be in community and connection with one another - to be mission-minded and purposeful - to contribute their experience and talents - to be free of judgement of and from others - to do well in our congregations and ministry - to live without fear and to have a voice.
They are basing their work grounded in the belief that in GNJ, disciples do not all think and act alike, but that they love and serve God together. The GNJ Team is Committed to being outward, and is rooted in two principles: 1) Bless and love one another in the things that unite us. 2) Grow spiritually as we connect with one another and with the people in our communities.
The GNJ Way Forward Team is hoping that Churches grow in attendance, vitality and impact, increase their stewardship, while Conflict and anxiety diminish and Clergy fulfill their calling and serve without fear.
The Team plans to:
As a part of the Team’s task, they will be scheduling “listening” sessions throughout the state, as well as over the internet, to gain input from other members of the GNJ. The first two sessions will be at the Conference Resource Center on Saturday, August 24 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday, August 27 | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Also, an open online survey for all is scheduled for the end of August.
https://www.gnjumc.org/the-way-forward/
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUOC1lLPI4I&feature=youtu.be
As most of our congregation knows, the United Methodist Church may be at a historical crossroads. Since the last Special Session of General Conference (Feb, 2019), there have been Annual Conferences throughout the world, each reacting differently to the recent controversy over “the church’s policies about engaging with and using the gifts of the LGBTQ community.” (Italicized quotes are from Bishop John Schol)
Our Greater New Jersey Annual Conference (GNJ) has formed a committee of 35 clergy and lay people who represent GNJ’s congregational, ethnic and theological diversity. Included on the committee are some familiar names: Rev. Kay Dubuisson, Rev. Tom Korkuch, Rev. David Wehrle, Rosa Williams , Rev. Michelle Ryoo.
This team was “affirmed at the March Special Session of GNJ Annual Conference to find a path that recognizes that GNJ has disciples who embrace the passage of the traditional plan at General Conference and the GNJ also has disciples that are hurt and in disagreement with the denomination’s plan concerning ministry with the LGBTQIA+ community.”
The GNJ Way Forward Team are basing their work grounded in the belief that in GNJ, disciples do not all think and act alike, but that they love and serve God together. The team believes that our congregations, leaders, mission partners and the people in our communities have similar hopes: to grow spiritually - to belong and be in community and connection with one another - to be mission-minded and purposeful - to contribute their experience and talents - to be free of judgement of and from others - to do well in our congregations and ministry - to live without fear and to have a voice.
They are basing their work grounded in the belief that in GNJ, disciples do not all think and act alike, but that they love and serve God together. The GNJ Team is Committed to being outward, and is rooted in two principles: 1) Bless and love one another in the things that unite us. 2) Grow spiritually as we connect with one another and with the people in our communities.
The GNJ Way Forward Team is hoping that Churches grow in attendance, vitality and impact, increase their stewardship, while Conflict and anxiety diminish and Clergy fulfill their calling and serve without fear.
The Team plans to:
- Identify ministries and programs that we currently share to help guide discussions on new and renewed connections
- Reach out to local congregations who would participate in one of three pilot programs, with a total of 75 (of the 540 in GNJ) congregations. The Three types of congregations are those that
- Hold a scriptural view that same gender weddings should not be performed in our churches and that LGBTQI+ persons should not be ordained.
- Hold different scriptural views and can be together recognizing there will be different practices and understanding of the LGBTQI+ community’s participation in the church.
- Hold a scriptural view that Jesus invites everyone to participate fully in the life of the church and that all churches should allow same gender weddings and that all churches should be open to the appointment of an LGBTQI+ clergy person.
As a part of the Team’s task, they will be scheduling “listening” sessions throughout the state, as well as over the internet, to gain input from other members of the GNJ. The first two sessions will be at the Conference Resource Center on Saturday, August 24 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday, August 27 | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Also, an open online survey for all is scheduled for the end of August.
https://www.gnjumc.org/the-way-forward/
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUOC1lLPI4I&feature=youtu.be
