Global Methodism rolls through Pittsburgh—An overview
Church retains homosexual stance
Pain and protest—A Good News commentary
Is it time for an amicable and just separation?
Judicial Council clarifies church standards
Bishop calls life a song ‘waiting to be sung’
Episcopal address calls for new future
Forgetting ‘I’ and becoming ‘we’
African-American contribution celebrated
Issues: Marriage, bio-ethics, and Iraq
Prayer room offers praise in a variety of styles
Delegates support education, Africa University
African bishop urges delegates to fear the Lord
Eunice Mathews honored/ Apportionment ruling
Former presidential spokesman confronts church politics
Cote d’ Ivoire denomination joins UMC/Budget set
Biblical scholar speaks on homosexuality
Connectional Table replaces GCOM
Ministry with Young People/Pittsburgh by the numbers
Transforming Congregations—“compassion without compromise”
Episcopal Bishop Robert Duncan gives warning
The UMDecision 2004 team effort
Good News board responds to unity statement
Film Focus
Hollywood makes a pitch for marriage and family
COLUMNS
Editorial—A bittersweet 2004 General Conference
Renew Women’s Network
A violation of trust, space, and spirit
The Next Generation
Wading into youth ministry
The Great Commission
Beyond Samaria
From the Heart
Of bare feet and blackberries
Thousands of dreams came true when the 2004 General Conference voted overwhelmingly to approve a Division on Ministries with Young People. "This proposal has been met with enthusiasm and cooperation across the church," said Arthur Jones, delegate from North Texas, as he presented the petition to the conference. "This is exactly what the church needs."
The conference voted 780-109 to approve the division. The budget of $6.6 million, which included $1.8 million off the budget, was approved by a vote of 749-140.
"This is an historic moment," said Jeffrey Greenway, Western Pennsylvania delegate and chair of the legislative committee on discipleship. "The young people have shown us a model where the old things pass away and new things come into being."
The division will be at the UM Board of Discipleship in Nashville, Tennessee. As part of the proposal, the United Methodist Youth Organization and the Forum for Adult Workers in Youth Ministry will disband.
The value of the voices of youth and young adults was further affirmed when delegates voted strongly to add an address by a young person to the agenda for the 2008 General Conference.
"There has been an incredible celebration of youth and young adults as we continue to dream a church," said Jay Williams, young adult delegate from Western New York, as he proposed adding the address to the next conference. "There has really been a strong outpouring of love and support for young people. We have been encouraged to continue to be witnesses, to continue to dream and hope," Williams said.
"For a young person to make an address to the 2008 General Conference shows the entire church that young people can be in leadership and have a voice," said Julie O'Neal, Scottsdale, Arizona. Along with Williams, she co-chaired the Shared Mission Focus on Young People. "We have some good things for the denomination to hear."
Kathy L. Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer.
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