The (Still) United Methodists

The rumors had been stirring all week at the 2004 General Conference in Pittsburgh. As had been true for many years, the issue of human sexuality (specifically the place in the church for homosexual persons) had been an issue of contention. Demonstrations had been held (as usual) on the floor of the conference, and the level of tension was high. The word was spreading that representatives from both the left and the right side of the church political spectrum had been secretly meeting, and that a proposal was on the table for an amicable separation (a rumor based on a leaked position paper which found it’s way to the delegates). While I had experienced stressful conferences in the past, the talk going around seemed to suggest that our ability to remain together was very tenuous at best.

So when I entered the room with the Committee on Agenda on the Wednesday morning following Tuesday’s protests, I wasn’t sure what to expect. For those who don’t know, the Committee on Agenda is, by default, one of the most powerful groups in the operation of the General Conference. This committee controls what and when legislation and proposals come to the floor. They work closely with the chairs of the other committees and the presiding bishops to ensure that the work of the conference is carried out, and their decisions often influence the direction of the conference. My job on the conference secretary’s staff, was to coordinate their work, serving as an executive secretary of sorts to communicate information to and from the committee. Every morning of the General Conference this committee, the legislative committee chairs, and the presiding bishops gather for breakfast at 6 a.m. to plan the day, and we gathered that Wednesday as usual trying to anticipate what was to come.