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GC2004 Updates

 NIC VOICE General Conference Update (#56) 

NIC VOICE is a network of laity in the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.

If you have links to GC2004 Reports that may be of interest, please send the link to:  nicvoice@nicvoice.org.   

If you are unable to read this update, please go to www.nicvoice.org where the reports are being posted on-line.  When posted on-line, this will be the link and description: 

·        NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 56   (Options for the Future With Some Strategic Implications)

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Editor’s Note:  The following link and introduction to “Options for the Future” is posted at the website of the Faithful Christian Laity of the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference.  We have included the introduction to the document written by Cathy A. Bihler, who is  one of the members of the Steering Committee for The Faithful Christian Laity of the United Methodist Church, a group formed in the Pacific NW Annual Conference of the UMC seeking reclamation of Wesleyan Methodism.  We concur with Cathy’s assessment.  Following her introduction are links to three articles we have sent previously that provide background.  

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Options for the Future

http://www.faithfulchristianlaity.org/options_for_the_future.htm

With Some Strategic Implications

Summer 2004

What now, Lord?  What are the options for the UMC?  What is Your will, Jesus?

The following document was the basis for discussions of the Good News Board at their Board of Directors meeting in August 2004.  The authors, Mark Dicken, Scott Field, Phil Granger, and Tom Lambrecht, have done an excellent job in presenting the current status of The United Methodist Church and outlining some possible options for the future of the UMC.  Following is the document in PDF format. 

We are a house divided and we cannot stand, regardless of the wishful thinking expressed in the “unity resolution” passed by General Conference in 2004.  There are two major “sides” in the UMC, which have diametrically opposed and mutually exclusive goals.  Read through this document prayerfully.  I believe that each of us in the UMC will be faced with some hard, but necessary, choices.  I think the time is coming sooner than later.  What is the Lord telling the UMC?  I pray that this document is helpful as a beginning point for prayer and serious theological study. 

In Christ,

Cathy A. Bihler

 

Recommended Related Articles: 

 

Is it time for an amicable and just separation? By Bill Hinson:  http://www.goodnewsmag.org/magazine/3MayJune/mj04hinson-rev.htm

Speech heard round the world By James V. Heidinger II:  http://www.goodnewsmag.org/magazine/3MayJune/mj04hinson-split.htm

 

Good News board responds to unity statement: http://www.goodnewsmag.org/magazine/3MayJune/mj04UpholdUnity-final.htm

Good News To Explore Unity/Separation Issues in New Quadrennium; Says GC Unity Resolution
Already Violated:  http://www.goodnewsmag.org/news/083004Unity_Seperation.htm

 

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NIC VOICE Reports on GC2004 are on-line with descriptions at:  General Conference Reports.

 

Updated NIC VOICE Report Directory

The following NIC VOICE GC2004 reports link to reports, articles and commentary, including UMNS, Reporter Interactive, Good News, Confessing Movement, Institute for Religion and Democracy, Reconciling Ministries Network national and PNW, Affirmation, CorNet, SoulForce, links to various video, audio and transcripts and more:

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 36 (press reports, Commentary and reports from AC's in the North Central Jurisdiction)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 35 (press reports, Commentary and reports from AC's in the Western Jurisdiction and Illiff Seminary)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 34 (press reports, Commentary:  HOW SHALL WE DEAL WITH UNITED METHODIST HERETICS)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 33 (press reports, Commentary:  IN THE END WHAT DID WE ACCOMPLISH)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 32 (press reports, A Statement of Conscience by Bill Hinson)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 31 (Today at General Conference Newsletter - May 7 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 30 (press reports, Resolution on Church Unity)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 29 (press reports, Statement by Dr. James V. Heidinger II, Good News)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 28 (Today at General Conference Newsletter - May 6 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 27 (UMNS:  Conservatives consider 'separation' of United Methodist Church)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 26 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 25 (press reports on proposed UMC split)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 24 (IRD Press Release:  An Amicable and Just Separation)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 23 press reports, Commentary:  FUNNY BUT SAD)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 22 (Today at General Conference Newsletter - May 5 and Text for Judicial Council Decision 985)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 21 (IRD Press Release:  Renegade Bishop Participates in "Gay" Church Service) 

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 20 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 19 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups, commentary, Judicial Council elections)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 18 (Today at General Conference Newsletter - May 4 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 17 (UMNS Daily Wrap-Up - May 3 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 16 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 15 (Reports from PNW RMN and from Delegate Mark E. Williams)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 14 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 13 (Today at General Conference Newsletter - May 3 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 12 (press reports and reports from advocacy groups, Commentary:  THE LANGUAGE OF THE SHEPHERD)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 11 (press reports and reports from advocacy groups, Commentary:  A CERTAIN PEACE) 

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 10 (UMNS Daily Wrap-Up - May 1 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 9 (Judicial Council Decision 984 and UMNS - GC asks court to re-examine acquittal of lesbian pastor)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 8 (UMNS Daily WrapUp - May 1 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 7 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 6 (UMNS Daily WrapUp - April 29 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 5 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 4 (UMNS Daily WrapUp - April 29 and more)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 3 (press reports and reports from various advocacy groups)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 2 (Today at General Conference Newsletter - April 27)

·         NIC VOICE - GC2004 Updates 1 (How to Watch/Listen to GC2004, Council of Bishops Pastor Letter, 04/26/2004)

 

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