Star-Telegram: Fort Worth to host world's Methodist leaders

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports:

When United Methodists from around the world gather in Fort Worth next week, they will focus on developing Christian leaders, starting new churches, ministering to the poor and eliminating some killer diseases more likely to be found among the poverty-stricken.

During the 10-day General Conference, which begins Wednesday, the policy-making group of nearly 1,000 delegates also will examine how to make the denomination's of more than 11 million members more relevant to young people, said Iowa Bishop Gregory Palmer, incoming president of the Council of Bishops.

"We're hoping this time together will transcend any routine legislation," he said. "We hope we really put heart and mind and spirit together to reaffirm our central mission and chart the way forward on how to pursue it."

The delegates - half of them clergy, half laity - meet once every four years. This year, they will consider more than 1,600 petitions, which run the gamut from encouraging healthier lifestyles of clergy to divestment in Israel to reconsidering bans on same-sex unions.

"I hope our conference will be respectful and loving despite passionate debate about things like human sexuality," Palmer said...

Organizations representing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people will hold vigils and other activities outside and near the Fort Worth Convention Center during the conference. Among them will be Soulforce, Affirmation, Reconciling Ministries Network and Methodist Federation for Social Action. The four groups want conference delegates to reconsider the ban on same-sex unions and ordination of gay clergy and to make a policy allowing transgender clergy, said the Rev. Troy G. Plummer, executive director for Reconciling Ministries Network.

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Fort Worth to host world's Methodist leaders
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