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
“Becoming a Global Church” is the most important issue facing General Conference according to delegates who participated in a survey by the Connectional Table and the General Council on Finance and Administration,Denominational identity and unity, homosexuality and human sexuality, the church budget and finances, and the clergy ordination process rounded out the top five issues for General Conference
• Nearly 43 percent of respondents are attending General Conference for the first time, while nearly 19 percent have attended 3 or more conferences.
• Over 37 percent of respondents attend a church with 1,000 or more members, while 17 percent attend a church with fewer than 200 members.
• Nearly 90 percent of respondents have been members of the UM Church for more than 20 years; over 74 percent have been life-long United Methodists.
• Over 38 percent of respondents believe the UM Church has ideas, but no clear vision, goals or direction. More than half believe United Methodism is always ready to try something new; 71 percent of respondents are excited about the future of the UM Church.
• While 65 percent of all respondents have a good idea of where they stand on issues, nearly 75 percent of all respondents expect to learn more at General Conference; over 81 percent plan to study the issues and vote their conscience.
• Half of respondents regularly tithe 10 percent or more of gross income; an additional 26 percent regularly tithe 10 percent or more of net income.
For more information contact research@gcfa.org, or access the full report online after General Conference at www.gcfa.org/analysis.html.
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