So, What do we know?



Dear Friends,

It was Jesus who said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) We must admit that leading up to the Special Session of General Conference and during most of it we, as United Methodists, have not always demonstrated the kind of love that marks us as true followers of Christ. Yet, through the grace of God, we must continue to hold on to our belief that the Church can still give evidence of faithful discipleship, capable of transforming the world in Jesus’ name and spirit.

On February 26th, the Special Session of the General Conference approved the Traditional Plan, maintaining and, in some instances, tightening the language about sexuality currently present in the Book of Discipline. As we have seen in the weeks after the decision, members of our denomination have experienced a flurry of emotions. The Council of Bishops and I recognize these emotions and understand that for some members of the UMC, the church no longer feels like a safe space.

For those whose votes were affirmed by this decision, remember your siblings in Christ who are in pain. Likewise, for those whose votes were disavowed by this decision, understand that as a body, we are here to uplift you and love you, as Christ loves us.

The next steps for our church are uncertain. While the Traditional Plan was passed at General Conference, it has been sent to the Judicial Council for further review. The outcome of this meeting won’t be known until the end of April. Until then, and even after then, many of us, understandably so, may be left with unanswered questions about its implications for seminarians and individual churches. Also, the 2020 General Conference is just around the corner. It offers us another opportunity to show that we are truly a body of Christ.

So, what do we know? We know that as bishops of the church, we have not always done right by our members. We know that through our actions, we have not honored all the members of our church. For that, I am sorry. I am sorry for any hurt or pain we caused. I am sorry that we have not always affirmed the members in the way they needed to feel love.

As we move forward, I pray that we remember that God’s love is supreme, and that God’s spirit will lead us forward. I also pray that we remember John’s words: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8).

Marcus Matthews is Bishop-in-Residence for Wesley and
Executive Secretary for the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church


To read other articles from this issue of the Journal, click here.
You can view the entire issue of the Journal here.

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