I recently had the opportunity to serve as a reserve delegate from the Great Plains Annual Conference at the 2020(4) United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. This historic gathering brought together delegates from around the world to make important decisions that will impact the future of our church.
When I returned, a Sunday school class at the church I serve asked me to share about the major outcomes of the General Conference. I thought it might be helpful to create a presentation that others could use as well.
I’ve put together some PowerPoint slides and a script that you can download at the bottom of this post. These materials are designed to be adaptable for use in your own church or small groups. I’ve also uploaded a video of the presentation on YouTube if you prefer to watch it there.
The presentation covers key topics such as regionalization, the end of the clergy ban on LGBTQ+ individuals, and the revision of our Social Principles. These changes invite us to consider how we can be more inclusive, just, and faithful in our local churches.
I want to acknowledge upfront that I may have missed some points or made some mistakes in the presentation. I’m certainly not an expert on all things related to General Conference, and I’m always open to feedback and suggestions. My hope is that this presentation can serve as a starting point for conversation and reflection as we navigate this transformative time together and continue our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
I hope you find this presentation useful, and I’d love to hear your responses, thoughts and feedback in the comments.
Rev. Andrew Conard 