Commission on A Way Forward

The Commission on a Way Forward was proposed by the Council of Bishops and approved by the 2016 General Conference to do a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph of the Book of Discipline concerning human sexuality and explore options that help to maintain and strengthen the unity of the church.  Learn more about the Commission, catch the latest news, and review moderator updates. 

Please pray for the 32 members of the Commission on a Way Forward:  Jasmine Rose Smothers, Jorge Acevedo, Brian Adkins, Jacques Umembudi Akasa, Tom Berlin, Matt Berryman, Helen Cunanan, David Field, Ciriaco Francisco, Grant Hagiya, Aka Dago-Akribi Hortense, Scott Johnson, Jessica LaGrone, Thomas Lambrecht, MyungRae Kim Lee, Julie Hager Love, Mazvita Machinga, Patricia Miller, Mande Guy Muyombo, Eben Nhiwatiwa, Dave Nuckols, Casey Langley Orr, Gregory Palmer, Donna Pritchard, Tom Salsgiver, Robert Schnase, Leah Taylor, Debra Wallace-Padgett, Rosemarie Wenner, Alice Williams, John Wesley Yohanna, and Alfiado S. Zunguza.

The REPORT, SUMMARY, & Bishop Jones' Analysis

Below you will find information about our General Conference Delegation, upcoming Heart & Mind Listening Sessions, and Praying Our Way Forward.  You will also find videos from Table Talks and an informational Webinar, both led by Bishop Jones.  

Our General Conference Delegation

The Texas Annual Conference has elected the following individuals to form our delegation to the 2016 General Conference and the 2019 Special General Conference.  Feel free to contact our delegates with questions and/or share information that you feel they need to be aware of:

CLERGY:
Chap Temple               chappellt@christchurchsl.org
Kenneth Levingston     pastorl@joneshigherwayumc.com
Morris Matthis             mmatthis@txcumc.org
Laceye Warner           lwarner@div.duke.edu
Steve Wende              stevew@stevewende.com
Matt Idom                   matt@lakeviewmcc.org
Janice Gilbert             jjanicegw@aol.com
Edward C. Jones        theempoweredlife@yahoo.com
Keith Whitaker            kwhitaker@fumcpearland.org
 
LAITY:
Reggie Clemons        rclemons@fumcpearland.org
Don House                dhouse@rcc-inc.com
Gil Hanke                  ghanke@gcumm.org
Eddie Erwin               eerwin@txcumc.org
Andy Hernandez       andyher@consolidated.net
Tom Wussow            twussow@suddenlink.net
Sue Sullivan              sullivan@txk.net
Melba Wilson             highcottn@msn.com
Oscar Garza              olgarza@olgarza.com

Heart & Mind Listening Sessions

The Texas Annual Conference Core Leadership Team invites you to attend Heart & Mind Listening Sessions. These Listening Sessions approved by the body of the 2018 Annual Conference are presented to help you to discern the issues before our February 2019 General Conference. These sessions are different from the information sessions with Bishop Jones. Here you will be invited to engage in a “Holy Conferencing” atmosphere with guided discussions. Recommended pre-session reading will be listed on the Conference website to help each of us be fully informed and inquire how best to lead our churches during this time. The General Conference Delegation has been invited to participate in the discussion regarding the issues and voting that will take place in our United Methodist Church.

All sessions will be held at the designated location from 4:00 6:00 pm.  Refreshments will be served.  Childcare will be available by RSVP directly to the church telephone number provided below, or by link to register.  Please provide the age of your child so that age appropriate childcare can be arranged.

September 23     First UMC-Westchase, 3663 Westcenter Dr, Houston, 77042
4:00 - 6:00 pm     For Childcare: Ashlee Darden: adarden@fmhouston.com
                            Include: Parents information, Childs Name, Childs Age
 
September 30     Beaumont, Wesley UMC, 3810 N Major Dr, Beaumont, 77713
4:00 - 6:00 pm     For Childcare: (409) 892-7733
 
October 7            Longview, First UMC, 400 N Fredonia, Longview, 75601            
4:00 - 6:00 pm     For Childcare: (903) 753-4463
 
October 14          A & M UMC, 417 University Dr, College Station, 77840
4:00 - 6:00 pm     For Childcare: (979) 846-8731

Praying A Way Forward--UMCprays.org

This prayer movement is a response to the Council of Bishops initiative called Praying Our Way Forward.  We are called to a posture of prayer, praying for God’s leadership to guide us effectively in fulfilling the mission of the church.  We invite you – clergy and laity, conferences and congregations – across the denomination to pray for God’s guidance.  In prayer, we can be one in Christ.

This initiative has three phases.  During phase 1 in 2016, our bishops prayed daily for the work of the Commission on the Way Forward.  The second phase, January 2017-June 2018, involved the whole church by assigning each annual conference a week for intentional prayer for the mission of the UMC and the work of the Commission.  The third phase began June 2018 and continues into February 2019 when General Conference meets.

During the third phase, Methodists around the world are invited to pray for our church and its leaders.   Each weekly post will include names of delegates, bishops, and others who will be representing us at the special session of General Conference.  To see these weekly posts, visit UMCprays.org.

Videos from Past Events

Table Talks with Bishop Jones

In August 2018, clergy and laity joined together at gatherings across the Texas Annual Conference to learn more about the future of The United Methodist Church at “Table Talk with Bishop Scott Jones, Conversations on The Way Forward.”  Those in attendance should expected to gain a solid understanding of the three plans that will be presented as options at the special session of the General Conference in February 2019.  One of these gatherings was video recorded and is available to view at https://www.txcumc.org/thewayforward.

Webinar Led by Bishop Jones

On May 12, 2018, Bishop Jones lead a webinar discussing the plan coming out of the Commission on a Way Forward.  This webinar is available to view at www.txcumc.org/bishoplivevideo.