I am simply an outsider (although an ordained elder in the #UMC) watching the @arkansasumc Special Session. However, an outsider perspective may be helpful on these disturbing and troubling events in #UMC #ARUMC. /1 #GMC #GMChurch

Watch it here: @arkansasumc As a person who has attended Annual Conferences (plus JCs and GCz) my whole life- what happened at this Special Session Annual Conference is unprecedented and not healthy. /2 #UMC #ARUMC #GMC #GMChurch

What's one thing folks learning about the divide happening in United Methodism should know that's often undiscussed? A seemingly small, but immensely impactful part of polity: the Restrictive Rules- & the (in)ability to change doctrine! What are Restrictive Rules? 🧵/1 #UMC #GMC The first 2 Restrictive Rules are most important. They are found in Part 1, Division Two, Section III of the Constitution in the 2016 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. The Discipline is defines and encourages the UMC "connexion." /2 #UMC #GMC

Reporters always have an angle, even when trying to be unbiased. Also, it's good to have reporters who come at stories from different backgrounds and beliefs. But this situation with @Newsweek reporter @CarlyMayberry, @edstetzer, & others is beyond disturbing! #Journalism #Faith

https://twitter.com/edstetzer/status/1437821285438984193

To help folks follow, I've tried to put this together in a thread 🧵to understand. It started with a @ChristianPost essay by @lucasmiles in which he criticized Christian leaders for not supporting @larryelder for @CAgovernor in recall election. christianpost.com/voices/calling… /2

Many have asked me: What lessons can the #UMC learn from the conflict between @revjody of @mtbethelumc & General Superintendent @SueHaupJohn of @ConnectNGUMC? So many, but one is lost and overlooked (alluded to here vimeo.com/556425900) so I made a context 🧵to help folks. /1 It is important because if the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace is passed, each new branch from United Methodism will have to deal with it. Put simply: there is a lack of accountability for the power of General Superintendents (@UMCBishops). /2 #UMC

After the last few days, I've decided to add a third context thread🧵for understanding Rev. Dr. @revjody of @mtbethelumc & General Superintendent @SueHaupJohn of @ConnectNGUMC before delving into the story itself: "Leadership and Power in the @UMChurch" /1 #UMC A general trend to understand about Church-life, at least in the US, is that large congregations are making up a larger percentage of the overall membership of ecclesial traditions/denominations. /2 #UMC

Second context thread🧵for understanding Rev. Dr.
@revjody of @mtbethelumc & General Superintendent
@SueHaupJohn of @ConnectNGUMC Story: "Apportionments in the @UMChurch" #UMC Apportionments are the funds assigned to each congregation for the work of the "connexion" in @UMChurch.