RESOURCES
DSC Way Forward“I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 CEB
2016 Book of Discipline & Social Principles
What is the denomination’s position on homosexuality? Find paragraphs from the Book of Discipline and details from our Social Principles.
Desert Southwest Conference Book of Resolutions
Find all Resolutions adopted and referred to Conference Committees, including petitions submitted to the General Conference.
Desert Southwest Conference Way Forward
Just the facts guide answering questions about what happened, what it means for the local church, how to stay informed, and the what’s next.
“The distinguishing marks of a Methodist are not his opinions of any sort. His assenting to this or that scheme of Religion, his embracing any particular set of notions, his espousing the judgment of one man or of another, are all quite wide of the point. Whosoever therefore imagines that a Methodist is a man of such or such an opinion is grossly ignorant of the whole affair; he mistakes the truth totally. We believe indeed, that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, … But as to all opinions which do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think. So that whatsoever they are, whether right or wrong, they are no distinguishing marks of a Methodist.”
Theology Statement
Inclusivity Statements
ABOUT DISAFFILIATION
- Wespath rules for individual congregations
- Need help calculating unfunded pension liabilities? Contact Randy Bowman at rbowman@dscumc.org.
2020 General Conference
- All Proposed Plans
- Bard Jones Plan
- Central Conference Christmas Covenant
- Comparison Chart of Proposals
- Connectional Table’s U.S. Regional Conference Legislation
- Dreaming of a new Methodism brochure
- Indianapolis Plan
- New Expressions Worldwide (N.E.W.) Plan
- Protocol of Grace Through Separation
- Protocol Translation-AMHARIC
- Protocol Translation-KOREAN
- Protocol Translation-SPANISH
- Protocol Translation-TAGALOG
- UMCNext Plan
RECOMMENDED READING
- Confronting the Controversies, by Adam Hamilton
- Conversation Matters, by Henry Knight & Don Saliers
- Holy Love, by Steve Harper
- Homosexuality and Christian Faith: Questions of Conscience for the Churches, by Walter Wink
- How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, by Douglas Stuart and Gordon Fee
- Our Strangely Warmed Hearts: Coming Out Into God’s Call, by Bishop Karen Oliveto
- Sideline Church, by Thomas G. Bandy
- The Trevor Project
- The Trevor Project National Survey 2019
- United Methodists Divided, by Dale McConkey
- United Methodist Hymnal Statements of Faith, pages 880-889
- What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality, by Daniel L. Helminiak
- When the old way of doing things no longer works but a way forward is not yet clear…
- Where Do We Go From Here, compiled by Kevin Slimp
- Documents on Context by First UMC, Yuma
Way Forward Grant
Recent News
Video Explanations
Intro to Inclusion Series
Serie de inclusión
Page Anderson & Lex
Frontera Wesley
Coming Out in the Church
Salir de closet en la Iglesia
Page Anderson & Trent
Frontera Wesley
It’s All About Jesus. That’s what we’re doing here.
Todo se trada de Jesus
Bailey & Kelli
Frontera Wesley
Se Que Pertenezco Aqui
I know that I belong here
Lex & Jesus
Frontera Wesley
Se Que Mi Dios Me Ama
I know my God loves me
Lex & Mireya
Frontera Wesley
Barking for the Illusionist, 1 of 5
Rev. Jonathan Arnpriester
Pastor
Chandler UMC
Up on the High Wire 2 of 5
Rev. Jonathan Arnpriester
Pastor
Chandler UMC
Contortion Distortion 3 of 5
Rev. Jonathan Arnpriester
Pastor
Chandler UMC
In the Lion’s Mouth – Divorce 4 of 5
Rev. Jonathan Arnpriester
Pastor
Chandler UMC
The Clown Car
5 of 5
Rev. Jonathan Arnpriester
Pastor
Chandler UMC
FOUR, THREE, TWO, ONE
William Lawrence
Prof Emer of Am Church History
Perkins School of Theology
Implications & Consequences
Anne Burkholder
Assoc Dean of Methodist Studies Candler School of Theology, Emory University
My Grandmother’s UMC
Ted Campbell
Professor of Church History
Perkins School of Theology
More Than Meets The Eye
Cheryl Anderson
Professor of Old Testament
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
A Plea to The United Methodist Church
Bishop Richard Wilke
Author of “Disciple Bible Study”
How We Got Here
Recent News
Updates regarding General Conference
Updates and key dates regarding General Conference
Tools for preparing your congregation for General Conference
Find resources like the chart of proposed plans about the structure of The UMC and more through Desert Southwest Conference communications channels. Subscribe, follow, and join, then tell others to do the same.
WJ First Elected Delegates agree to legislative goals for General Conference 2020
Western Jurisdiction delegates’ statement of hope for the Protocol of Grace and Reconciliation through Separation and other legislative goals.
Annual Conference deadlines – Heads Up
By Christina Dillabough, Director of Communications The 2020 Annual Conference planning committee, called Sessions, met on January 27 to begin planning this year's Annual Conference Session and set some deadlines. However, with General Conference looming before us,...
DSC Way Forward – Three teams combine
By Christina Dillabough, Director of Communications In the midst of uncertainty, the Desert Southwest Conference continues to be a beacon of love, hope, and inclusion. Almost one month after the Traditional Plan is in place, in the Desert Southwest Conference, despite...
Progress Report from Fresh UM WJ Summit working group of 10
The following report from January 6 is shared on behalf of the WJ Fresh Summit Working Group, the ten-person team elected by attendees of the summit in November 2019.
GC2020: Proposed Plans & Resources
A Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation is the newest proposal for the reorganization of The United Methodist Church. It will be offered to delegates to General Conference 2020. Visit ResourceUMC to access links to each of the major proposals as well as a downloadable comparison chart.
Response to the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation
While there are still many questions and details to be addressed, the Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace Through Separation offers a ray of hope.
Words of Grace for Today and Beyond
Since the conclusion of General Conference 2019, the date of January 1, 2020 has loomed as a feared time of escalation of restrictive prohibitions against LGBTQIA+ siblings and pastors who officiate at same gender weddings. Now that January 1 is upon us, I would like to share some of my thoughts related to these new restrictions.
What came out of the WJ Fresh United Methodism Summit
The Western Jurisdiction’s Leadership Team, which called for the gathering, concluded that the summit was a “movement moment in The United Methodist Church. The future of the church will come out of the vision of our younger people, leaders who stepped into the forefront of work of the summit.” But what does that mean for your church?