Special Called General Conference: Understanding the Traditional Plan

2. Schedule Welcome & Prayer Overview Micro Groups Opening Question Traditionalist Plan Overview Small & Large Group Dialogue Closing Prayer

3. Upcoming Weeks Session 1 – Introduction Session 2 – One Church Model Session 3 – Connectional Conference Session 4 – Traditional Plan

4. Opening Prayer [Your text here.]

5. Guideline / Covenant [Your text here.]

6. Goals Information about Special Called General Conference February 2019 Build trust and deepen relationships Learn from one another

7. Hymn [Your text here.]

8. Micro Groups Is there anything keeping you from being fully present?

9. Question • What are your biggest concerns for the Special Called General Conference in 2019?

10. The Traditional Plan Would reaffirm The United Methodist Church’s present standard on human sexuality. United Methodist clergy would not be allowed to preside at same-sex weddings, and same-sex weddings would not be allowed on United Methodist property.

11. The Traditional Plan Self-avowed, practicing homosexuals would not be eligible for ordination in The United Methodist Church. United Methodists who could not live within the standards set by the Book of Discipline would be encouraged to leave the denomination to form a new church consistent with their beliefs.

12. The Traditional Plan Annual conferences and local churches leaving the denomination could keep their property, could continue to participate in Wespath for pension and health benefits, and could continue to cooperate with UMC on mission programs and partnerships.

13. The Traditional Plan Annual conferences would be required to vote whether or not they would uphold and enforce the Discipline – if not, they could no longer use the United Methodist name.

14. The Traditional Plan Bishops would be required to certify whether or not they would uphold and enforce the Discipline – if not, they would be referred to the Council of Bishops for possible leave of absence or retirement.

15. The Traditional Plan There would be a mandatory minimum penalty for clergy who perform same-sex weddings. Only persons who certify they will uphold and enforce the Discipline could serve on conference boards of ordained ministry.

16. The Traditional Plan Bishops could not dismiss complaints unless they had no basis in law or fact. Just resolution of complaints would require a commitment not to repeat an offense.

17. The Traditional Plan Annual conferences could vote to leave the UMC and form a new denomination, but local churches in those annual conferences could vote to stay within the UMC. Institutions affiliated with the annual conference would stay connected to that annual conference.

18. The Traditional Plan Local churches could vote to leave the UMC and join the new denomination, keeping their property and assets. Payments made by churches leaving would cover their fair share of pension liabilities.

19. The Traditional Plan Would NOT require annual conferences to adopt Constitutional amendments.

20. Small Group Dialogue • Any questions about the Traditional Plan?

21. Break

22. Small Group Dialogue • What can you affirm in the Traditional Plan?

23. Small Group Dialogue • What in the Traditional Plan raises questions?

24. Small Group Dialogue • What causes you the most concern about the Traditional Plan?

25. Small Group Dialogue • If the Special Called General Conference adopted this plan I would…

26. Large Group Dialogue What did your small group affirm about the Traditional Plan?

27. Large Group Dialogue What questions were raised about the Traditional Plan?

28. Large Group Dialogue What caused your small group the most concern about the Traditional Plan?

29. Large Group Dialogue One thing you learned from our time together is…

30. Small Group Dialogue • What is your greatest hope for the United Methodist Church?

31. Hymn [Your text here.]

33. Closing Prayer [Your text here.]