[Love Train] A worldwide journey!

For those who love riding trains, a cross-country trip from New York to San Francisco in a sleeper suite would be a real treat. But that ride would be longer and three times more expensive than flying. Only those privileged with time and resources can afford that train ride. The way we do church can be just like that. Some regions enjoy privilege and access, while others don’t. 

The Love Train can and should accommodate as many people as possible – from all over our United Methodist connection, especially those struggling to get on board. Surely we want to extend respect, equity, and the ability to minister effectively in each of our distinct missional contexts. We might not think alike, as John Wesley said, but we can love alike. 

We are proud to say that our RMN staff provided organizing leadership in the years leading up to and throughout General Conference. And the work continues. Our journey to a fully inclusive and affirming Church includes a critical next stop: ratifying (at the annual conference level) the Worldwide Regionalization (WWR) petitions adopted by General Conference.   

What is Worldwide Regionalization? WWR reorganizes our current Church structure into regions with equal legislative authority to enhance effective ministry in every missional setting. We are on a worldwide journey together and the Love Train spans the globe. Regionalization lays down the tracks to make this a smoother ride. This flyer sums it all up. Here is a more detailed presentation.  

What is the impact in each region? WWR gives the United States its own Regional Conference with the authority to legislate more LGBTQ+ affirming policies and practices – applicable only in the U.S. This restructuring of our polity also allows for conversations to continue in all regions still wrestling with the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons in the life of the Church. It is crucial that our annual conferences ratify the constitutional changes in this legislation.

What is the ratification process? The petition to “amend the Constitution to create Regional Conferences on a worldwide basis” was adopted by 78% of General Conference delegates, but that was only step one. Constitutional changes also require a two-thirds aggregate vote across all annual conferences around the world. A successful ratification vote by the annual conferences is required for Worldwide Regionalization to take effect.

How can RUMs make a difference? 

  • Host a discussion about WWR in your Sunday school class or small group ministry. Talk to your pastor about facilitating a church-wide conversation. 
  • Contact your annual conference office or your general conference delegation for resource persons. You can use these materials and the “Ask UMC series.”
  • Visit with your pastor about serving as the local church lay delegate to your AC. 
  • If the lay delegate(s) from your local church are already secured, contact your district office and volunteer to serve as a district/at large/equalizing delegate. (ACs use different terms for this same type of delegate)
  • Every clergy person, active and retired, has a vote at Annual Conference but not all retired clergy attend each year. Look for ways to encourage and support retired clergy so they can be present and cast a vote for ratification.

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All trains need a conductor, and that’s true of the Love Train as well. Who’s driving this one? 

Some might assume that the institutional Church would take the lead and serve as a strong proponent of moving us forward, but that expectation is probably not realistic. In fact, since General Conference (GC), we’ve noticed that leaders in some Annual Conferences (ACs) have continued a pre-GC posture and are prioritizing the fears of the more conservative members in our United Methodist family.  

The truth is, our Reconciling movement and especially our Reconciling Churches and Communities are driving the Love Train. Reconciling Ministries have the experience and have made the commitment, not just to the absence of mandated discrimination achieved at GC24, but to a future of LGBTQ+ safety and affirmation, and to intersectional justice. Reconciling United Methodists (RUMs) and Reconciling Ministries continue to lead the way – serving in key roles throughout their districts and conferences, and encouraging churches in their areas to help keep the train on track and moving in the right direction.   

What does that look like in practice? Here are some suggestions.

  • Contact your AC office and inquire about their plans to help churches engage in conversation about what is now possible after the changes to the Book of Discipline. 
     
  • Consider hosting a study in your community or district. Consider this new RMN resource: Next Faithful Steps: A Guide for Reflection & Action After General Conference 2024
     
  • Email churches in your district letting them know you are available to help facilitate conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion.  
     
  • Reach out to churches in your area who already lean toward inclusion and visit about their interest and potential in exploring that calling. Offer to share stories of the Reconciling process at your church. 
     
  • Start planning ahead to AC 2025. Visit with other Reconciling Ministries about offering a workshop at AC next year. Ask the Conference Office to make this part of the official schedule. 
     
  • Visit with your pastor about the important votes on the agenda at AC 2025, and volunteer to serve as a lay delegate. 
     
  • If lay delegates from your local church are already secured, contact your district office and volunteer to serve as a district/at large/equalizing delegate. (ACs use different terms for this same type of delegate)
     
  • Contact your District Superintendent (DS) and/or Bishop about serving on the District Committee on Ordained Ministry (DCOM) or the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM). (The DS, in consultation with others, nominates persons to serve on the DCOM. The bishop, in consultation with others, nominates persons to serve on the BOOM)

This is just a brief list of helpful actions that we hope you and/or your Reconciling Ministry will consider. Depending on the needs of your specific setting, you may have additional ideas to share and brainstorm. We’d love to hear from you! 

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Is your church feeling called to a season of discernment to see if affiliating with RMN is the right witness for you? The “All-Stations Train” refers to a Reconciling journey that includes a longer, more detailed process of exploration, relationship building, and learning together. Like all meaningful journeys, it begins with a faithful first step. 

We’ve developed and curated resources for a healthy and thorough process. We’re also available to meet with your leadership team to customize a path best for your particular church. 

Let’s start here! This 28-minute video is a brief overview of the recommended process, and a great starting place for local church leaders.

What’s next? While we value flexibility and tailoring a process best for your church, there are several study topics that we hold dear and consider essential. Here are a few. 

  • Read the Foundational Reconciling Statement that all new Reconciling Ministries must vote to adopt.
  • A study guide for the Foundational Reconciling Statement can be found here. 
  • Visit this page on our RMN website to learn more about intersectionality.
  • Click here to access “Building an Inclusive Church Toolkit 3.0”
  • To get a general idea of how long a thorough process might take, click here to assess how your church typically responds to change. 
  • Learn more about the three components of RMN’s organizing work. Changing: Hearts & Minds, Policy, Practice
  • When your church or group is ready for study resources, here’s a short list to consider. 
  • For a written outline of the Reconciling process, click here. 
  • Click here to support this life-giving, life-saving work with a financial gift. 
  • All of this and more can be found on our website as well. Click here.

Though affiliating with the Reconciling movement and serving as a voice for intersectional justice is a stated goal, this learning opportunity and discernment process very often includes a huge bonus: deepened relationships and a stronger church family. It’s a win-win!

We’re excited about the future of the UMC and look forward to adding your local church leadership to our unfolding story! 

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As an RMN organizer, nothing is more exciting than opening an email from a church or group that is ready to be that bright Reconciling light in their community, district, or conference.  

We’re celebrating a steady stream of new churches and communities making the decision to affiliate with RMN and engage in this continued journey as a Reconciling Ministry. These friends recognize this important moment in the life of the UMC and are stepping up to help lead – to model a Church that values and advocates for diversity, equity, full inclusion, and intersectional justice. 

This 3rd installment, in a summer series we’ve called The Love Train, is for churches or groups who have felt a call toward Reconciling. You might have hosted a conversation. Maybe you even took a few next steps, but something else demanded your attention, and launching an official process was moved to the back burner. Perhaps GC outcomes inspired you and you’re ready to get started!

This is your ticket to next steps as well as enthusiastic, unlimited support from your organizer!

If you’d like to brainstorm about more personalized ideas for your local church or group, please email your RMN Organizer. We’re excited to support your process. 

Finally, we recognize that some churches and groups might prefer to skip the “Express Train” and board the “All Stations Train” instead. This is a journey that includes a longer, more detailed process of exploration, relationship building, and learning together. The next email from our Organizing Team will highlight the All Stations Train. 

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Welcome to the second installment of our summer series centered on the Love Train. On June 9th, we outlined what it means to keep the Love Train fueled. This week we’re exploring who’s on board. Spoiler alert: we hope it’s everyone! 

There’s both room and a deep desire for everyone to journey together. We also acknowledge that, as passengers on this train, we’re pretty diverse travel companions. Let’s explore some of the people we might meet as we move through the train cars. 

Friends who have been on board for years, decades, perhaps from the very beginning 

  • If you are a Reconciling United Methodist, we’re talking about you. The people, churches, and small groups that are part of the Reconciling movement have been taking risks, sharing stories, spreading the good news, and inviting friends for a very long time. Simply saying “thank you” is grossly inadequate. Your courage, skills, and energy are invaluable and our gratitude runs deep. We journey forward together with the benefit of our collective experiences and wisdom. 

Friends who hoped this train would someday arrive and jumped on board as soon as they could

  • There are many who have been longing for the changes we achieved at GC, but for various reasons were hesitant to get on board before the prohibitions were removed. Maybe your small group or church has been wanting to explore becoming Reconciling and now you feel liberated to do so. Check out this page on our website to learn more. And please reach out to your organizer for more support whenever needed. 

Friends who appreciate the potential of the Love Train, but who are unsure about how their church might respond

  • It might be that your local church chose to stay UMC, but the members remain theologically diverse. Perhaps the conversations over the past several years have left you a little tired, and not yet ready to explore what is now possible. You’re happy with the changes and possibilities, but not sure how this will play out in your local context. You’d like to rest for a bit and then take next steps at a slower pace.  
  • When you’re ready, here is a study that might help you get started – Unity of the Church and Human Sexuality: Toward a Faithful United Methodist Witness from the Global Board of Discipleship. Again, if you’d like a conversation partner, don’t hesitate to email your organizer. We’re happy to offer support. 

Friends who are disappointed with the GC outcomes and aren’t sure about their next steps

  • We recognize that some are feeling deeply uncomfortable with the new changes to our UM Book of Discipline and are discerning how to continue on the journey with our UMC family. We affirm that all are invited to share in God’s table of grace, and all are called to love our neighbors and care for the least in the communities we serve. As the Love Train chugs along, may we recommit to that grace-filled work and continually create more time and opportunities to share our stories of faith.

As we must often do, we’re holding two important things in tension. We hope those struggling to envision a future UMC that affirms LGBTQ+ will not hop off the train too quickly. Even in our disagreement, we hope folks with open hearts will choose to continue the journey. At the same time, we can’t throw one group of friends under the train in order to keep another group on board. To be more specific, we’re unwilling to dismiss or downplay the recent policy changes in an effort to prevent further disaffiliations. We are proud of and grateful for the changes, and don’t want to hide that light under a bushel. 

While we celebrate the removal of mandated discrimination, the option to discriminate is still very much available, and this fact calls RMN and our Reconciling family to continue the journey. There is space on this journey… a seat on the train for everyone. We recognize that United Methodists may be boarding the Love Train from different places and perspectives. That’s okay. 

“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may.”

John Wesley