tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post1315740121060900306..comments2024-03-22T08:29:51.173-05:00Comments on UM & Global: Philip Wingeier-Rayo: The United Methodist Representational Problem, Part IIIDavid W. Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17024204453848260271noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-24767203157259996232019-05-29T09:38:35.943-05:002019-05-29T09:38:35.943-05:00Imho,and, in due respect,I believe this thinking h...Imho,and, in due respect,I believe this thinking has made us what we are. Dues paying is not kind,compassionate, nor loving. And, it lacks understanding of how youth think. The world has changed and so must the UMC if is to continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16540712958103600852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4615496199721498323.post-68571836769409205882019-05-18T16:08:29.822-05:002019-05-18T16:08:29.822-05:00In defining the representational quality of the me...In defining the representational quality of the membership in the UM General Conference, the nature of the organization is the primary agent of determination. The annual conference, a membership organization, is the basic unit from which delegates are elected. Membership has its privileges, among them the right to hold elected offices. Membership in the conference itself is a requirement for clergy delegates to General Conference and membership in a local UM Church is at least an assumed qualification for lay delegates. The representational quality of the quadrennial body that meets as the General General Conference is assumed to be that of the active membership of the annual conference and its member churches. While UM annual conferences take on geographical identities in their naming that may suggest the larger demographics of their geographical boundaries, and the denomination itself seems enthralled by a worldwide corporate identity, it is the membership base and the respective conference electoral processes that determine the profile of the elected delegates/delegations.<br />While I agree with Phillip’s aspirations to see a more diverse demographic representation among General Conference delegates, I am not at all sanguine about that happening through a set of new electoral rules and/or meeting regulations. If it becomes a reality, it will be the result of the intentional evangelistic outreach of our churches and the nurturing of those under represented membership groups into the organizational culture of the UMC. <br />I am not willing to support shortcuts to attain gains in diversity in General Conference membership. Most General Conference delegates have “paid their dues” by serving various functions/offices in the connectional life of the church that enrich the quality of their participation. Pre-empting this run-up to election as a General Conference delegate sacrifices the knowledge and experience it takes to make informed judgments and decisions at the highest level of church policy making. <br />And it should be recalled that membership of the general agencies that administer the policies and programs of the general church are selected from among the General Conference delegates. This requires a level of commitment based upon experience that goes far beyond an episodic appearance in a General Conference delegation. I have a deep appreciation for this reservoir of talent that populates general agency membership each quadrennium. That selection process, not without fault, is guided by existing disciplinary standards of inclusiveness that enlarge the selection pool as required including the need for special expertise and youth. Emphasizing experience over the fresh perspectives of these categories is an acknowledged liability. <br />As for doing better, a post GC2019 focus has turned to the limitations of the exercise of the electoral franchise by some conferences in Africa. Issues such as infrequency of meetings, travel distances, lack of transport, communications/language/tribal issues and financial hardship prevent the functioning of connectional bodies at a level of efficiency and accountability that accompany a UM disciplinary approach. Cultural norms of authority subvert representational decision making. The end result is a compromised effectiveness and confidence that is expected/required in a body with global consciousness. This can be and hopefully will be addressed by leadership across the connection when it learns to overcome it’s timidity in dealing with inter-cultural relations and responsibilities. <br />Robert J. Harman<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Get Outlook for iOSRobert Harmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14846547721123021765noreply@blogger.com