General Conference Further Postponed to 2024; Statement from Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey

Nashville, Tenn.: As the pandemic continues and the wait time for visas stretches to over two years in some countries, the Commission on the General Conference announced today that the 2020 General Conference cannot be held in 2022 due to COVID-related and governmental policies/constraints.  
 

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• General Conference further postponed to 2024
• Commission chairperson Kim Simpson said the decision to postpone once again was an exceedingly difficult one, with many factors to consider -- including visas and passports
• The Commission will meet again on March 28 to continue the work of preparing for the postponed 2020 General Conference and looking ahead for possible solutions 

A Statement from Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey

I give thanks for the Commission on the General Conference, a committed and faithful group of laity and clergy. The Commission continues to serve tirelessly, and their work is deeply appreciated and valued. The decision regarding the postponement of General Conference rests with the Commission alone and does not come without significant study and care. The bishops do not serve as voting members of the Commission.

Now is the time to continue focusing on transforming our communities and expanding our witness, and we must persist in ministering to one another in the spirit of grace and reconciliation amid division. This focus happens every day in United Methodist churches all across the world, and it happens regardless, or even despite, a meeting of the General Conference.

The Council of Bishops will immediately begin to explore various pathways for sustaining the worldwide mission and witness of the United Methodist Church, given the announcement of this further and understandable delay.

God continues to do new things, making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. My prayer is that we have eyes to see, minds to know, and hearts to love.  

Meanwhile, I continue to marvel at the newfound ways our churches have employed to share the gospel, all of us on journeys to personal and social holiness. The energy our local churches have exhibited in making disciples and loving our neighbors during these last two years is praiseworthy in every sense.

Let us be reminded that we are The United Methodist Church, founded on a  Wesleyan theology of grace, anchored in Scripture, and based in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the continuing movement of the Holy Spirit.

Grace and Peace, 
Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey