General Conference has spoken for UMC

The church has spoken!
Every four years The United Methodist Church comes together in a General Conference to discuss issues relevant to all levels of ministry in the church. This meeting is the only “official voice” of the church, and as such it has been and remains a very serious and historical assembly.
This year I had the opportunity to attend a General Conference for the first time.
Although I probably went to Pittsburgh with several preconceived notions as to what I thought General Conference was or should be, I quickly put these thoughts aside and witnessed one of the truly great occasions of the church. I’m so glad I had the privilege of being there.
While I could mention all the different petitions that were brought forth and the debates and discussions that took place, I think it is more important, now that it is over, to try to understand something else that was going on.
As predicted, this General Conference was faced once again with huge divisions concerning our theology and our sociological understandings surrounding the homosexual issue. There seems to be no middle ground where each side can find comfort or conformity. As a result, groups were well defined by both rainbow colored stoles and conservative pronouncements.
The votes were finally taken, and we find that the majority of delegates to the General Conference took a more conservative stance toward the homosexual issues than we have taken in the past. The language is not only clearer but also stronger, and the percentage of votes for the adopted language and theological understanding larger. The church has now spoken.
In spite of this stance, what impressed me was the demeanor and actions of people on both sides of the issues.
What I truly believe and witnessed was that the Holy Spirit was present in the General Conference and that, as a result, there was a high degree of love, respect and civility. There were no outrageous demonstrations or accusatory language.
In the midst of the strong, clear affirmations of the church that were approved, there seemed to be a spirit of love and compassion.
The church has spoken, and now The United Methodist Church continues on. Even so, there still remain two definite sides within the church.
While there have been individuals speaking out on one side or the other concerning the future and whether decisions in Pittsburgh mean a possible schism or official division in the church, these are unofficial voices. The only official word of the church comes from the General Conference. As for now, that word is clear for the next four years.
What then is one to do with our continued conflict? There will probably be difficult days ahead for the church as we now live out and live with the decisions made at General Conference. Perhaps prayer for the church and all its members is in order.
As for me, I turn to the words of Abraham Lincoln as he reflected on the defeat of Union troops at the Second Battle of Bull Run in September 1862. With more than 25,000 casualties from that encounter, Lincoln said concerning the Civil War: “In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, but one must be wrong. God cannot be for and against the same thing at the same time.”
Right or wrong, we must pray for our church and how we can remain faithful to God. The church has spoken.