critter1969
Geneseo, IL
Bio: Chris Ritter is the author of "Seven Things John Wesley Expected Us to Do for Kids" (Abingdon Press, 2016). He is the Directing Pastor of Geneseo First Methodist Church which has been honored for its high number of new professions of faith. An ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church, Chris graduated magna cum laude from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Evangelism. He shares life with his wife of 35 years, Becky, and the couple are the parents of four young adults.
People Need Jesus 
Thank you for sharing
Chris,
It was good to meet you and visit with you briefly at GC.
Please email or text message me your e-address and/or phone number.
I need to tell you about something quite promising and ask you to consider adding your voice and knowledge to the conversation.
Yours in Christ,
David
Memphis Conference Lay Leader
Leader of the Memphis Conference Delegation 2019 GC
drreed@frontiernet.net
731-431-5654
Thanks, David!
Thank you and God bless you
It seems to me that you could do Option 1 in the spirit of Option 2-The ‘ole smoke room’ process that would be presented to GC. But the problem I see by using the current Constitution is the geographic restrictions when non-geographic conference relationships may be desirable for all concerned. Lyle Shaller’s suggestion of ‘suspending the Constitution’ might be a procedural tool to give create leaner and responsive ministry systems. As I look at my own conference, I think there needs to be a Clergy Conscience Provision that allows for pastors to continue to serve in a geographic area but who want to align with a different expression of Methodism. My prayer is for generous hearts and win/win solutions. We can do it. Post-1844 Methodism thrived!
Chris, could you give clarification on a comment added to your “Recent Additions “ articles, on 6-14-19, saying reliable sources say that elected delegates numbers were high enough to uphold the Traditional Plan in 2020. Did you make that comment or did the author of the 6-17 post make it? Thanks- I’m just not sure:)). Also, thank you so much for this informative and thought- filled site.
That is from me. Thanks.
Is it possible that the lay delegations under annual conferences were manipulated through the lay equalization process in the BOD? We typically get an email requesting additional nominees but did not this year (at least I didn’t). Could it be that the “formula” for this election included only preferred charges? If so, could that be the foundation for unseating a delegation?
I think Virginia Conference has something like 500 lay equalization delegates. So, yes.
Chris. I have recently retired and relocated back to Villa Grove Illinois and have taken on a leadership position again at the VGUMC – where we first met while you were at the Camargo UMC. I attended a dinner and meeting of the WCA in Indianapolis at the Indiana UMC Annual Conference last fall when I still lived there and am interested in becoming involved in the Illinois WCA. My email address is m.cline.pe@gmail.com and my cell # is 317-502-7888.
Thank you for all your efforts with this important Association!
Mike Cline
Great to hear from you, Mike! I will send you an email.
Chris, I have been following your blog with great interest lately. Can you point me to a place where the terms “centrist” and “progressive” are defined? Thanks!
This has been the nomenclature for quite a while. Let me see if I can surface a link.
http://tomlambrecht.goodnewsmag.org/how-centrist-is-uniting-methodists/
A “centrist” is unable to unite conflicting opinions, but, rather, self-identifies as one able to define both sides of a debate, without favoring one or the other.
The link above might help
Perhaps this will help:
A “centrist” is someone who sits atop a fence between conflicting constructs in order to virtue signal their open-mindedness and not alienate either side of the debate.
A “progressive” is someone who believe that all their notions, if followed, will bring progress to human civilization.
Historically, once progressives gain full power and remove their opposition, they, also, require the fence sitters to move one way or the other.
I have a copy of Paul Ramsey’s comments/concerns re: the original language if you are interested. PM on Facebook or email.