At General Conference, Sherry Parker-Lewis witnessed an air of grace, anticipation, and hope as The United Methodist Church moved toward unity of purpose.
REV. DR. SHERRY PARKER-LEWIS
Sr. Director of Church Relations, United Methodist Foundation of Michigan
Last week, I was privileged to observe the 2024 General Conference in Charlotte, NC. On Friday, the last day of the conference, I was powerfully moved by the song of benediction at the close of morning worship. Song leaders began to repeat the refrain from “Love Train” by the O’Jays. Delegates and observers joyfully joined in, many forming “dancing trains.” The song could have led me to recall watching Soul Train as a teen. Instead, I was taken back to February 26, 2019, in St. Louis, Missouri.
I attended the special 2019 General Conference as a reserve delegate and leaned in from the observers’ gallery when delegates voted whether to accept the Traditional Plan. Throughout the day of debate, it had become clear that the plan would most likely pass and that the Book of Discipline’s “incompatibility” language would remain and even be reinforced.
When the voting result appeared on the screen, showing that the Traditional Plan had passed, delegates and observers rose in a confusion of sound. Some sang, and others shouted or chanted. Songs of joy and cries of lament crashed against each other. On the conference floor, delegates with opposing views gathered in separate groups. The dissonance was painful. The special 2019 General Conference emphasized a divide that threatened to break the church.
By the last day of the 2024 General Conference in Charlotte, delegates described their legislative work as “historic” and “hope-filled.” While there were disagreements and the interminable parliamentary wrangling in which United Methodists indulge, there was an air of grace, anticipation, and hope. Our church moved step-by-step toward unity of purpose. Bishop Tracy Smith Malone preached that morning. She talked about “showing up” as the church. “We don’t show up in judgment, but in love to listen and to serve. We don’t show up being stingy with God’s grace, but we show up proclaiming the wideness of God’s love, of God’s compassion and God’s mercy.”
When the song “Love Train” broke out at the end of worship, I blinked back tears, and my heart was full. I watched people from around the world join hands and sing one song. I said, “This is the church!”
The way forward for United Methodists following this General Conference will not always be easy. But when has following the will and way of Jesus been without sacrifice and service? My prayer is that by the grace of Jesus Christ, our church will continue to sing and dance together for God’s glory. “People all over the world, join hands. Start a love train!”
Last Updated on May 8, 2024