General Conference quotes
by Heather Williams

I have heard the following statements…

“ The image of General Conference I hold is that of a tent large enough to the family of faith, even one that doesn’t always agree.” Jim Perry

“Our polity holds us together. It is in our conferencing that the truth surfaces.” Bishop Joe Pennel

“The demonstration created an atmosphere of inclusion after a feeling of exclusion.” Jim Perry

“ This is a pretty muddy situation” (referring to the Damman decisions) Bishop Joseph Yeakel

“We’ve been talking about sex all day and sex makes ya tired!” A delegate at the end of Tuesday’s debates

“We are moving towards listening to one another than moving apart.” Bishop William Oden

“Painful votes of the day.”

The global church will work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ around the world. The “great physician, “as claimed by Wesley, can only do an adjustment of the heart. Delegate

“The authentic unity of the UMC is found in the power of God who can do far more than we dare ask or imagine!” Bruce Robbins

“There needs to be space for those who believe that the policies of the United Methodist church are offensive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ” which includes both sides of the homosexuality debate. Bruce Robbins

“ I had no idea of the combustibility of a speech I gave over breakfast, not meant for the rest of the conference. I just meant it for the World Wide Web…my editorial comment.” Bill Hinson, president of the Confessing Movement

“ Our pain is deep due to the refusal of the United Methodist Church to acknowledge the deep division in the church. “ Kathryn Johnson of MFSA

“The focus of the Methodist Federation for Social Action coming to General Conference was to look honestly at the divide and to find ways to live together. We deny that when we against the resolution to claim it..” Kathryn Johnson, MFSA executive director