General Conference opens with hope
Personal ministry makes disciples
UMC formally admits Ivory Coast
Madam President, Mama President
Church retains stance on human sexuality
Pain and protest: A Good News response
Young people: a church to call home
Doubts arise following cellphone gifts
Sometimes a cellphone is just a cellphone
Deeds, not words, make disciples
Former abortion clinic owner shares story
U.S. Christians don’t feel persecution pain
Moved by the “water and the Spirit”
Church key to fighting AIDS crisis
Episcopal address focuses on hope
General Conference tackles global issues
Points of order, points of grace
CONFERENCE COMMENTARY
United Methodist teambuilding: Acevedo
Looking to the future with hope: Hamilton
Priorities transcend differences: McCurry
The dilemma of 3 Simple Rules: Reisman
COLUMNS
Editorial Reflections on the 2008 General Conference
RENEW Women’s Network Aftermath
Culture in View To Be a Friend of Caspian
Next Generation Responding to Speakaphobia
The Great Commission Brokenness
From the Hear Prison Praise
General Conference 2008 gathered in Ft. Worth, Texas, and Good News staff, board members, and associates convened to take part in the quadrennial proceedings.
The UMDecision 2008 team was comprised of the Renewal and Reform Coalition members Lifewatch, The Confessing Movement, Transforming Congregations, UM Action, the Renew Women’s Network, and Good News. Over fifty people in total worked throughout the Conference. Through a providential avoidance of the sweeping lodging problems, Good News was able to enjoy easy access to the Convention Center thanks to the Rev. Mike Walker’s labor in procuring lodging and work space at the nearby Hilton.
The Coalition had been working steadily to identify vital issues coming before the church, draft petitions, and assess proposed legislation for the Conference. During the Ft. Worth fracas, the Renewal and Reform Coalition worked hand in glove to offer an array of services for delegates, both stateside and visiting from abroad, assisted greatly by the labor of the Rev. David Flagel.
Breakfast Briefings: Good News hosted a briefing for delegates and visitors every day at 7 a.m., attended by both old hands and rookies. As the conference wore on, this meal and briefing became an all the more necessary service as delegates’ exhaustion set in and the chance to eat became increasingly attractive. Evangelist and musician Wes Putnam served the gathering by leading worship every day. The Rev. Tom Lambrecht, chair of the Good News board, provided briefings on the previous day’s events and the upcoming day’s legislative tasks. Good News President Jim Heidinger also offered greetings and encouragement to our numerous friends and supporters, while Rev. Walter Fenton led Good News’ networking and development efforts. The Renew Women’s Network also provided cheerful hospitality bags, Texan style, to Central Conference delegates at a briefing breakfast.
Hospitality Room: A meeting room was established where the Renewal and Reform Coalition, comprised of delegates and visitors, could meet to debrief, report on committee and plenary decisions and actions, and to grab lunch and a late night snack. Good News team member Patti McPeake provided stellar hospitality to the many people hurrying in and out, laying out food and beverages, including the gracious donation of hundreds of sandwiches by the kind folk at Benbrook United Methodist Church.
Focus Newsletter: This daily newsletter published by Good News was once again distributed by many early-rising volunteers to the breakfast briefing and also outside the convention center every morning. Each Focus newsletter contained news, commentary, and edifying devotional material from Christians throughout the ages. Good News magazine staff Jim Heidinger, Steve Beard, Bob Rempfer, and Elizabeth Turner provided the material to help delegates sift through issues and land on top priorities.
Perspective: A daily email was also provided for the numerous Good News supporters around the globe who wished to be updated on General Conference business. This included the day’s Focus as well as pressing prayer concerns. Additionally, further digital updates were given via the Wesley 21 Facebook group, linking young, up-and-coming United Methodists with the distinct Good News perspective on photos, news, and video of General Conference events and breaking scuttlebutt.
Prayer: A prayer guide was made available on the UMDecision 2008 website to lead intercessors around the world in prayer for General Conference and the Renewal and Reform Coalition. In addition to this, prayer groups, churches and Bible studies around the United States lifted up fervent prayer on behalf of Good News staff. Good News will never know the extent of these prayers, and remains deeply indebted to all who labored in this capacity.
Hospitality: UMDecision 2008 offered a hospitality room where delegates, in particular international delegates, could gain access to the internet. Snacks and conference resources were also available. In addition to the hospitality room, displays were also featured by the various members of the Renewal and Reform Coalition, providing brochures, complimentary magazines, and books.
Many complimentary luncheons were also given throughout General Conference. An Africa Luncheon hosted by UM Action featured Liberian District Superintendent Rev. Jerry Kulah. Additionally, Renew hosted a lunch with discussion of the recent publication, Recovering the Wesleyan Social Witness: Offering Christ, with greetings brought from Episcopal Bishop Jack Iker (Fort Worth Diocese) and Salvation Army Major Mark Brown. Dr. Randy Yarhouse and Trista Carr spoke at Transforming Congregations’ lunch on human sexuality.
Lifewatch hosted former abortion clinic owner Carol Everett to tell her journey from service provider to life protector. The Institute on Religion and Democracy featured Faith McDonnell, who spoke on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world.
In the midst of grueling hours, technological difficulties, temperamental weather, and the weight of concern for General Conference legislation, camaraderie became not important, but essential, as the Renewal and Reform Coalition worked on behalf of local congregations, jurisdictions, and conferences at home and on the other side of the globe. The Good News family continues to grow, and Good News remains thankful to all, named and unnamed, who worked hard to contribute to the Coalition effort at Fort Worth
—Good News Editorial Team
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