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1272 DCA Advance Edition Summary Report to General Conference from the Study Committee on the Worldwide Nature of The United Methodist Church

From August, 2009 to July, 2011, the Study annual conference members: increased financial burdens Committee on the Worldwide Nature of The United due to an added layer of bureaucracy; weakening of the Methodist Church held six meetings to fulfill its man- denomination’s connectional unity; and relativization of date. It spent significant time in listening sessions in the the Social Principles. United States, the Philippines, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Congo, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Europe. What the Since the earliest forms of central conferences in Study Committee heard was both a deep commitment to 1884 there have only been slow modifications with addi- the worldwide unity of The UMC and a deep yearning tional powers given to them up to the union of 1968. for change. All over the world people wanted to be part Despite repeated calls for changes, the denomination’s of one global church and yet there were many ideas for worldwide structure remained the same, mainly due to how to live more fully into our worldwide nature. the US church’s preoccupation with its own local con- cerns and interests. It is now imperative for The United The requests for change were many: greater equality Methodist Church to reconsider the global realities of its among the parts of the church; less United States domi- connection, as its parts outside the bounds of the United nance of General Conference; locating General Confer- States, in particular in Asia and Africa, rapidly grow as ence in countries besides the United States; moving never before. The Committee’s report, with three peti- cultural issues out of General Conference into central tions and one model for conversation, constitutes its conferences; greater emphasis at General Conference on response to what its members heard. The Committee the mission of the Church. We heard requests for more believes that living more fully into the worldwide nature opportunities for interaction among the central confer- of our church is a long process and it offers four next ences. We heard negative comments on the politicization steps to the General Conference. Three are petitions to of elections, both of delegates and of bishops; we heard change the Book of Discipline. The most important of concern about salary inequalities and desire that eco- these is a covenant to continue shaping our hearts, nomic conditions in episcopal areas be taken into minds, and behaviors throughout our denomination. account in determining bishop salaries. We heard many Another of these offers clarity about what parts of the comments about The Book of Discipline, in particular of Book of Discipline are truly global and what parts can be its irrelevance to impoverished portions of the world and adapted by central conferences. Another proposed the need for a more useful and contemporary book. We change instructs general agencies to “build up and heard requests for a smaller global Book of Discipline empower ministry through sustainable programs and containing only those things necessary to the identity infrastructure which enable local and regional units to and common mission of The United Methodist Church, increase ownership and responsibility.” and for separate Books of Discipline dealing with what are currently the adaptable portions of the Discipline. The Committee’s fourth contribution is a model to There were many issues concerning boards and agen- stimulate and guide the continuing conversation about cies, structural problems, financing, social principles, the most appropriate global model for our worldwide and the great need for more educational opportunities structure. The key lesson of the constitutional amend- in Africa and in the Philippines. The Study Committee ments passed by the 2008 General Conference is that the is aware that some of these issues, such as salary church must take time to think these issues through as inequalities, are not addressed in the proposed model, carefully as possible. The Committee is proposing a but that they should require further study for integral model for conversation during the next quadrennium. change. This model, we hope, will stimulate proposals for action in the 2016 General Conference to change our world- The Committee has sought to address the concerns wide structure. The Committee strongly believes that raised regarding the constitutional amendments passed significant conversation on our worldwide nature must by the 2008 General Conference and not approved by continue. 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1273

Independent Commissions 1273 Report to General Conference from the Study Committee on the Worldwide Nature of The United Methodist Church Our Vision Study Committee was divided into four listening groups when the next meeting was held in Africa, August 2010. The Study Committee sees a worldwide United The Study Committee met people in Liberia, Congo, Methodist Church driven to make disciples of Jesus Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Cote d’Ivoire. Between Christ for the transformation of the world. To live more the meetings the Study Committee has been working in fully into this vision, we are working toward (1) deeper small working groups with different tasks to make the connections throughout the church, (2) greater local work move forward to the next meeting. Phone confer- authority, (3) and more equitable sharing of power, rep- ences and e-mail have been used in this work. The last resentation, and responsibility around the world. two meetings were held in the United States, in Dallas, Texas, and Chicago, Illinois, in 2011 to finalize the work. Our Process The twenty members of the Study Committee and What We Heard its thirteen consultants represent the rich diversity within The following is a summary of what the study com- The United Methodist Church. Its first meeting was held mittee as a whole or in small groups heard across the in Atlanta, United States, August 23-26, 2009. At this connection. meeting, the Committee organized and identified issues, and adopted its policies and procedures. Members I. General Conference shared experiences from central conferences and juris- 11. GC should be limited to issues essential to dictional conferences. They listened and asked ques- identity and essence of UMC (Philippines, tions, seeking to understand the life of The United Maputo). Methodist Church throughout the world. Learning from 12. Too much time is spent in GC on US issues previous work, the Study Committee saw the importance (Philippines, Europe); central conferences of transparency throughout the whole process. Out of are forced into US issues (Europe). this first meeting a process started with the leading 13. Take cultural items out of GC and place words: transparency, listening, and being in conversa- them either in central conferences, annual tion. In order to be transparent and to get knowledge conferences, or jurisdictions (Maputo). about the worldwide church, the Study Committee actively sought input from The United Methodist 14. US not sensitive enough about keeping cul- Church around the world. Invitation was send out to tural differences in mind (Kamina/ boards and general agencies, to caucuses and other Lubumbashi). church-related interest groups, to come and present their 15. We need time and space opportunities at GC view of a worldwide church. Input was solicited from all for central conferences to meet together affiliated autonomous and united churches. Members of around pan-continental central conference the Study Committee attended a variety of meetings to issues (Liberia). listen and share our process, including the World 16. Need opportunities at GC to share central Methodist Council Executive Committee, Global Young conference issues with the whole church, People’s meeting in Europe, the European Methodist such as bringing issues that particularly Council meeting in Spain, and the Methodist Church of affect African churches to the whole church Great Britain (with representatives of Methodist (Liberia). Churches in Ireland, Portugal, and Italy). A website was 17. Central conference decisions made at the started where everyone could give their input to the level of central conferences should be pre- process and get information about the process. To be sented to GC (Liberia). able to listen and be in conversation you need to meet 18. We need greater transparency in central con- people, therefore the Study Committee decided to place ference election of delegates to GC, and two of the six meetings in central conferences. The first training should be made available to help meeting outside United States was held in Manila, delegates to fulfill their responsibilities Philippines, April 18-21, 2010. To be more effective the (Zimbabwe). 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1274

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19. We should de-politicize the election of dele- 12. Widespread unavailability of BoD leads to gates to GC (Philippines). arbitrary decisions (Zimbabwe) and to use 10. The varying cultures of the worldwide of 1988 BoD as determinative (Maputo). church should be taken into account in GC 13. Need for more general global BoD (Zim- worship services (Cote d’Ivoire). babwe, Congo, Liberia, Philippines, Europe). 11. The US location of GC, and the length of 14. Central conference persons should write CC time it requires away from one’s home adaptations of BoD (Liberia). responsibilities are problematic both finan- 15. Central conference adaptations should be in cially and missionally (Philippines). the language/s of the CC’s (Congo). 12. GC too focused on legislation and too occu- 16. Current ability to adapt BoD to CCs very pied with parliamentary rules (Europe). important (Congo, Philippines, Europe). 13. We are too focused on doctrine and polity 17. Assimilate practices of central conferences and not enough on mission and life together into BoD (Liberia). (Europe). 18. No functional BoD (Maputo). 19. What general Church requires does not fit II. Bishops domestic and cultural needs of central con- 11. Consistency in election is critical; the diver- ferences; need freedom and power to adapt sity of term elections/elections for life/ Discipline and ministerial practices to local re-election brings chaos to continent of context (Philippines). Africa (Congo, Maputo). Limit terms of office 10. Current BoD does not reflect cultural diver- so that more people can become bishops sity (Europe). (Liberia). 11. Current BoD overwhelmed with too detailed 12. Need consistency in election practices regulations (Europe). across church (Philippines). 12. Better to keep a global BoD for at least a 13. Where there is no itineration of bishops, the ten-year period, thus requiring fewer trans- affected episcopal area does the election lation and publishing costs (Europe). (Zimbabwe). 13. A global BoD can only give general guide- 14. Bishops should be able to itinerate (Maputo). lines, not precise legal stipulations, because 15. Inequality of salaries between bishops and of the wide differences of cultural and legal pastors a problem (Philippines, Liberia). settings (Europe). 16. For the election of bishops, have a monitor- ing system with independent observers who IV. Social Principles supervise the process from nomination 11. Must be sensitive to cultural differences through election (Zimbabwe). (Zimbabwe). 17. Necessity, given strong cultural and lan- 12. Very strong social ministry across African guage differences, for AC’s to elect their own conferences and in Philippines (noted in bishops (Maputo, Kamina, Lubumbashi). every area we heard from). 18. More bishops are needed, but episcopal 13. Best to take cultural differences (homosexu- funds are allocated to travel to US for retired ality) out of Book of Discipline and leave bishops rather than for appointment of more such issues to central conferences (Maputo). bishops as needed (Zimbabwe). 14. Child labor an issue (Cote d’Ivoire); in 19. College of African Bishops only has fund- Liberia, child apprenticeships. Work with ing to meet once a year (Zimbabwe). parents, such as family farms, a norm. 10. Elections of bishops highly politicized 15. Human trafficking and sex trade an increas- [partly due to salary inequities] (Philippines). ing problem (Cote d’Ivoire). 11. District superintendents are extensions of 16. In US, “justice” orients mission; in Cote office of bishop, and should be funded just d’Ivoire, mission is to help people, and to as bishops are funded (Philippines). train people to help. Organized humanitar- ian work, and fight against discrimination III. Book of Discipline (BoD) (Cote d’Ivoire). 11. No common BoD in Africa (Zimbabwe, 17. Mission of church transcends races and Congo). regions (Philippines). 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1275

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V. Agencies 13. CCs must do their share in contributing 11. Agencies/donors typically do not listen to financial resources to the whole church needs and priorities of local church. Ideally, (Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Philippines). AC leaders would meet, share, and list con- 14. Pastors are paid less than they can live on; cerns, organize workshops together, then necessary to provide pastors with living ask for funding. Programs are typically wage (Congo, Liberia). determined by US; if a US group wants 15. GCFA doesn’t cover travel within continent, church to do something, money is available, but only to US (Zimbabwe). but if Zimbabwe initiates it, funding is diffi- 16. Power and financial resources linked too cult to find (Zimbabwe). strongly; hence non-monetary resources of 12. Why not African Board of Missions, funded African church not recognized as valuable by African conferences? (Zimbabwe). (Zimbabwe). 13. UMCOM training not applicable to African 17. Rising new communities do not have the situation (Zimbabwe). resources available to sustain growth of the 14. Some boards and agencies of GC are irrele- church (Maputo). vant to situation of CC’s (Philippines). 18. Churches in Europe give more per capita 15. Need for regional boards and agencies than US churches. European Central (Philippines). Conferences contribute to general funds and 16. Although GBOD has planted an Upper to mission projects and theological educa- Room ministries office in South Africa, the tion. European Central Conferences do var- greater needs for educational/spiritual ious ministries cooperatively on equal terms resource materials throughout the continent (Europe). outstrip the financial capacity to print, dis- tribute, or purchase them (GBOD). VIII. Education 17. GBOD experimenting with hiring local peo- 11. Ministerial education problematic and ple for onsite training systems; “We need uneven across church (Philippines, Liberia). strong and robust regional efforts to build 12. Accessible educational institutions a huge sustainable local ministry efforts” (GBOD). need (Liberia). 18. Boards and agencies US oriented; come to 13. Difficulties of intra-African travel make par- European Central Conferences with US- ticipation in Africa University difficult for based perspective or resources. Difficult for non-Zimbabwean Africans. them to understand fully the cultural and 14. Poverty makes tuition requirements a huge social contexts of the Central Conferences barrier (Congo). (Europe). 15. Lack of education and no common language are two of greatest barriers to progress and VI. Pan-Connection Issues ability to work within the connection 11. Easier to travel to US than to various (Congo). African ACs/CCs. Funding available from 16. Lack of basic structural needs, such as elec- US for former, not latter. tricity, dormitories, and mattresses for stu- 12. Need time and place and funds to meet. dents in new UM University (Congo). 13. Appreciate ability to share experiences 17. Need for lay education at all levels (Liberia, through central conferences (Cote d’Ivoire). Zimbabwe). 14. There are regional issues, and the regions of 18. Need for local educational resources The UMC need to gather to address regional (Zimbabwe). issues (GBOD). 19. Need for African developed educational VII. Finances resources for whole church (Zimbabwe). 11. Poverty in Africa leads to financial depend- 10. Lack of clarity regarding relationship ence on US church. between the conference and Africa 12. Strong desire that US funds be used to start University board (Zimbabwe). projects that will provide sustainable source 11. Only a minority have internet access; need of African income so that African churches for hard copy accessibility (Zimbabwe). can be more self-supporting (Liberia, Congo). 12. Need education for women, laity. 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1276

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IX. Laity and the Autonomous Methodist Churches in Latin 11. Association of Conference Lay Leaders US America and the Caribbean dominated; need regional association of lay 11. Affirm a mutuality of mission, extending leaders (Zimbabwe). itself in both directions. 12. Need for Council of Laity, parallel to 12. Create a comprehensive committee on con- Council of Bishops (Zimbabwe). nectional program, to meet once per qua- 13. Education for laity—especially staff parish drennium. committees—essential (Liberia, Zimbabwe). 13. Encourage ongoing program of visitation of 14. Board of Laity holds seminars to train lay bishops and lay and clergy leaders to facili- leaders; also, have a Lay Leadership tate mutual understanding of each partner’s Academy (Cote d’Ivoire). context of mission and ministry. 14. Support and enable direct relationships X. Other between local churches and annual confer- 11. Legal issues in Maputo involving courts, ences. break-away pastors. 15. Activate the Conference of Methodist 12. UMC presence in South Africa creating Bishops. problems as Methodist Church of South 16. All communications between The UMC and Africa members switch to UMC, especially the Methodist churches of Latin America because of its more democratic structure and the Caribbean be conducted through (Maputo). official lines of authority in the official lan- 13. Need for greater transparency and greater guages of the receiving churches. democracy in all processes of global and 17. Official Web pages include links to each local church life, but especially in terms of other’s Web pages. pastoral appointments (Maputo). 18. All GC documents be translated into 14. Disparity between nature and practice of Spanish and made available to delegates central conference churches and jurisdic- whose language preference is Spanish. tional churches an enduring problem 19. That all our churches join in being a (Philippines). prophetic voice in the face of multiple social 15. Missionaries from Africa and Philippines to justice issues, particularly to injustices US (Philippines, Liberia). caused directly and indirectly by US inter- 16. Crucial for European churches to be and national policies. remain part of the worldwide UMC in order to be fully recognized as a church and not a A Covenant for The United sect. Ecumenical relations very important Methodist Church as a Worldwide (Europe). Church 17. Current UMC structures too complex and place unnecessary strain on small local con- gregations (Europe). Proposed New ¶ after ¶ 124 18. Need for clarity and details concerning any United Methodists throughout the world are bound restructuring proposals, and for teaching together in a connectional covenant in which we support sessions across the church prior to any and hold each other accountable for faithful discipleship General Conference legislation (Confessing and mission. Integrally holding connectional unity and Movement). local freedom, we seek to proclaim and embody the 19. We promote our catholicity by taking our gospel in ways responsible to our specific cultural and diversity seriously, such as by promoting social context while maintaining “a vital web of inter- regional boards and agencies in places other active relationships” (¶ 131). Through a worldwide than the United States (National Association covenant relationship, we carry out our missional call- of Asian American United Methodists). ing beyond national and regional boundaries. For our connectionalism to become a living practice, we need to XI. From the Report of the Study Committee on carry the worldwide nature of The United Methodist the Relationship Between The United Methodist Church Church deep into the life and mission of our local con- 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1277

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gregations. Only when we commit ourselves to interde- People: We uphold equity in our relationships, pendent worldwide partnerships in prayer, mission, and structures, and responsibilities for the denomination. worship can connectionalism as the Wesleyan ecclesial Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we vision be fully embodied. Guided by the Holy Spirit, enter afresh into a relationship of mutuality. United Methodist churches throughout the world are All: With God’s grace we joyously live out our called afresh into a covenant of mutual commitment worldwide connection in mission for the transformation based on shared mission, equity, and hospitality. of the world.

In covenant with God and with each other: Global Book of Discipline Petition

We affirm our unity in Christ, and take faithful New Part II, ¶ 101 (Renumber Parts III, IV and V) steps to live more fully into what it means to be a world- wide church in mission for the transformation of the The Book of Discipline reflects our Wesleyan way world. of serving Christ through doctrine and disciplined Christian life. We are a worldwide denomination united We endeavor to understand, respect, and embrace by doctrine, discipline, and mission through our con- the diversity of ethnicity and culture in our denomina- nectional covenant. The Book of Discipline expresses tion, and commit ourselves to mutual love and trust. that unity. Each central conference may make changes and adaptations to the Book of Discipline to more fruit- We participate in God’s mission as partners in min- fully accomplish our mission in various contexts. istry, recognizing that our God-given gifts, experiences, However, some portions of the Book of Discipline are and resources are of equal value, whether spiritual, not subject to adaptation. The following parts and para- financial, or missional. graphs are not subject to change or adaptation except by action of the General Conference. The Standing We commit ourselves to full equity and inclusion in Committee on Central Conference Matters has primary our relationships, structures, and responsibilities for the responsibility for proposing to General Conference revi- denomination. sions to this paragraph.

We enter afresh into a relationship of mutuality, Parts I-IV (new Parts I-V) creating a new sense of community and joyously living 11. Constitution ¶¶ 1-61 out our worldwide connection in mission for the trans- 12. Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological formation of the world. Task ¶¶ 101-104 13. The Ministry of All Christians ¶¶ 120-142 Litany for the Covenant of The Worldwide 14. Social Principles Preface, Preamble, and United Methodist Church ¶¶ 160-166 Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we Part V (new Part VI) affirm our unity in Christ. 15. The Local Church and Church Membership People: We will take faithful steps to live more ¶¶ 200-205 fully into what it means to be a worldwide church in 16. a. The requirements, definition, and mean- mission for the transformation of the world. ing of membership ¶¶ 214-242, Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we 16. b. local church organization ¶¶ 243-252, endeavor to understand, respect and value one another. 259-260 People: We embrace and celebrate the diversity of 16. Ministry of the Ordained ¶¶ 301-341, 343, ethnicity and culture in our denomination, and commit 346-348, 353-369 ourselves to mutual love and trust. 16. a. Paragraphs 324.3 through 324.7 are not Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we global participate in God’s mission as partners in ministry. 17. The Superintendency ¶¶ 401-417, 419-435 People: We gratefully recognize that our God- 18. The General and Central Conferences given gifts, experiences, and resources are of equal ¶¶ 501-11, 540-591 value, whether spiritual, financial or missional. 19. The Annual Conference ¶¶ 601-612.1, 631, Leader: In covenant with God and each other, we 635, 657-658 commit ourselves to full equality. 10. Administrative Order 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1278

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16. a. General provisions ¶¶ 701 continue to occur in jurisdictions. Central con- 11. Church Property ¶¶ 2501–2512, 2524, 2532 ferences would not alter the Global Book of 12. Judicial Council ¶¶ 2601-2612, 2701-19 Discipline, which could be changed only by action of the General Conference. Addition to ¶ 335.(3) as a new (e): Annual conference 4. Existing central conferences will remain the boards of ordained ministry outside the United States same, except that a larger central conference are empowered to set different educational standards for shall have the right to create jurisdictions within candidates for full conference membership and ordina- its boundaries. tion as elders so long as they include courses in United 5. Central conferences across the connection shall Methodist history, doctrine, polity and evangelism. be decision-making bodies for initiatives, pro- grams, and matters related to their particular Addition to ¶ 330.(3) as a new (d): Annual conference missional contexts. boards of ordained ministry outside the United States 6. There will be a reconfiguration of agencies are empowered to set different educational standards for including some agencies that are global and oth- candidates for full conference membership and ordina- ers that are regional. tion as deacons so long as they include courses in United 7. There will be a reconfiguration of connectional Methodist history, doctrine, polity and evangelism. funding to the effect that some funds will be global and under the authority of the General Conference, and others be local and under the General Agencies Petition authority of the central conferences. Amend ¶ 701.3 and create new ¶ 701.4: 8. Economics within episcopal areas shall be taken Insert the following after “capable of rapid into account in determining bishops’ salaries. response”: THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE

They contribute to the mission and ministry of The 1. The Book of Discipline shall be comprised of United Methodist Church both in the United States and two volumes. in other parts of the world through a collaborative sys- 2. Volume I shall be the Global Book of Discipline, temic and holistic approach. They build up and which is amendable only by the General empower ministry through sustainable programs and Conference: infrastructure which enable local and regional units to 2. Parts I-IV increase ownership and responsibility. 2. • Constitution ¶¶ 1-61 2. • Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task 4. ¶¶ 101-104 2. • The Ministry of All Christians ¶¶ 120-142 A Model for the Worldwide 2. • Social Principles Preface, Preamble and Structure Of The United Methodist ¶¶160-166 Church Part V STRUCTURE 2. • The Local Church and Church Membership ¶¶ 200-205 1. As the highest legislative body of The United 2. • The requirements, definition, and meaning of Methodist Church, the General Conference has membership ¶¶ 214-242 the authority for all things distinctively connec- 2. • Local church organization ¶¶ 243-252, 259- tional and is the only body that speaks for the 260 entire church. 2. • Ministry of the Ordained ¶¶ 301-341 (with the 2. The United Methodist Church shall consist of exception of ministerial educational stan- central conferences. dards), 343, 346-348, 353-369 3. A central conference shall be created in the 2. • The Superintendency ¶¶ 401-417, 419-435 United States comprising the five jurisdictions. 2. • The General and Central Conferences ¶¶ 501- The US Central Conference shall have the rights 11, 540-591 and privileges defined by the Constitution 2. • The Annual Conference ¶¶ 601-612.1, 631, except for the election of bishops, which would 635, 657-658 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1279

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2. • Administrative Order • Educational Standards and Opportunities for 2. • H General provisions ¶¶ 701 Clergy and Laity 2. • Church Property ¶¶ 2501–2512, 2524, 2532 • Lifting up Lay Leadership 2. • Judicial Council ¶¶ 2601-2612, 2701-19 • Existing central conferences may meet as they do currently; and the US Central Conference may 3. Volume II shall consist of all paragraphs not meet either before or after General Conference. included in Volume I and be adaptable by the The general Church fund shall provide for the central conferences in accordance with their expenses of the sessions of central conferences. missional and cultural contexts. • Judicial Court FUNCTIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY Jurisdictions • Election of Bishops and Episcopal Assignments General Conference • Establishment of Boundaries for Annual • Worship and Worldwide Missional Celebration Conferences and Episcopal Areas • Maintaining the Connection • Formulation of Petitions to the Central • The Global Book of Discipline (Volume I) Conference for changes in Volume II of the Book including Social Principles of Discipline • Reports from the central conferences concerning Annual Conferences changes made to their respective Volume II of the Book of Discipline • Election of Delegates to General, Central, and • Opportunities for central conferences to engage Jurisdictional Conferences with other central conferences in their geograph- • Formulation of Petitions to General Conference ical area to address common issues for the Global Book of Discipline (Volume I) and • Election of Judicial Council to Jurisdictions and/or Central Conference for • General Church Programs and Initiatives changes in Volume II of the Book of Discipline • Financial Action on Global Funds IMPLEMENTING PROCESS • Accountability for Global Agencies 1. The Study Committee on the Worldwide Nature • Doctrines and Rituals for Worldwide Use of The United Methodist Church will present a • Membership model for a new worldwide structure at the 2012 • Opportunities to engage with Ecumenical Partners/ General Conference. Affiliated Churches delegates 2. The Study Committee will develop a study Central Conferences guide on the proposed worldwide structure of The United Methodist Church for study and • Central conferences shall have the right to create response by annual conferences during 2012- jurisdictions within their boundaries for reasons 2014. such as the geographical size of the conference or 3. The Connectional Table shall enable a process different language areas within the conference. to support the study and receive the results. In • Election of Bishops and Episcopal Assignments the fall of 2014, the Connectional Table shall in Central Conferences without Jurisdictions oversee the development of recommendations, • Establishment of Boundaries for Annual petitions, and constitutional amendments for the Conferences and Episcopal Areas in Central 2016 General Conference based on their consid- Conferences without Jurisdictions eration of the study results. • Formulation of Petitions to General Conference for the Global Book of Discipline (Volume I) and Membership of the Study Committee making changes in Volume II of the Book of Bishop Christian Alsted, Northern Europe Central Discipline Conference • Equitable Sharing in the Mission and Support of Dr. David Beckley, Mississippi Annual Conference the General Church Ms. Elisabeth Englund, Sweden Annual Conference • Financial action on central conference funds Rev. Ruby-Nell Estrella, Philippines Annual Conference • Accountability for relationships with regional Ms. Sandra Ferguson, Baltimore-Washington Annual agencies (United Methodist or ecumenical) Conference 843504028428_005.qxp:QK005.qxd 1/24/12 4:51 PM Page 1280

1280 DCA Advance Edition Dr. Richard Grounds, Oklahoma Indian Missionary Consultants: Conference Bishop John Innis, West Africa Central Conference Bishop Minerva Carcaño (Affiliated Autonomous Bishop Scott Jones, chairperson, South Central Churches in Latin America) Jurisdiction Bishop Lindsey Davis (General Council on Finance and Rev. Dr. Ilunga Kandolo Kasolwa, North Katanga Administration) Annual Conference Rev. H. Eddie Fox (World Methodist Council) Mr. Matthew Laferty, East Ohio Annual Conference Bishop Larry Goodpaster (Council of Bishops) Rev. Forbes Matonga, West Zimbabwe Annual Mr. Moses Kumar (General Council on Finance and Conference Administration) Rev. Dr. Timothy McClendon, South Carolina Annual Bishop Bruce Ough (General Board of Global Conference Ministries) Ms. Christina Mlambo, East Zimbabwe Annual Bishop Gregory Palmer (Council of Bishops) Conference Mr. Thomas Kemper (General Board of Global Rev. Lyssette Perez, Greater New Jersey Annual Ministries) Conference Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader (Ecumenical Officer) Rev. Joon-Sik Park, West Ohio Annual Conference Bishop Roy Sano (Affiliated Autonomous Churches of Rev. Dr. Bruce Robbins, Minnesota Annual Conference Bishop Leo Soriano, Philippines Central Conference Asia) Rev. Dr. Cathy Stengel, Upper New York Annual Rev. Stephen Sidorak (General Commission on Conference Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns) Dr. Marjorie Suchocki, California-Pacific Annual Bishop Patrick Streiff (Standing Committee on Central Conference Conference Matters) Ms. Monalisa Tuitahi, California-Pacific Annual Bishop Mary Ann Swenson (General Commission on Conference Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns)