MFSA leaders are once again calling the church to ministries of justice and peace through the articulation of a legislative agenda for General Conference 2004. While still in draft form, this agenda is shared below so that MFSA members and other interested parties might know the priorities being set by MFSA for General Conference. This agenda will continue to be refined, and specific resolutions drafted, to be approved at the April 24th MFSA Board of Directors meeting in Atlanta.

1. AFFIRM the openness of our Wesleyan tradition

• Affirm our Wesleyan heritage of theological openness and inquiry as we seek always to deepen our discipleship as faithful Christians.

• Celebrate the freedom of United Methodist pulpits and freedom of thought and expression in our universities and seminaries.

• Oppose all efforts to move the church toward becoming rigid in doctrine and creeds.

2. CLAIM the example of Christ’s non-violent love

• Call on the UMC to lead in the development of non-violent alternatives to conflict in our personal lives, our communities, our nation and our world.

• Call for the following change in Para. 165, Section C of the UM Book of Discipline:

— Delete “We therefore reject war as a usual instrument of national foreign policy …”

— Add in it's place “We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy …”

• Call on the UMC to oppose current U.S. policy of "preemptive first strike against potential enemies."

• Support efforts of those calling for a renewed emphasis on, and re-release of, the Bishops’ document, “In Defense of Creation.”

3. PROMOTE racial and interfaith justice and reconciliation

Work with the Commission on Religion and Race and the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns to support their efforts, focusing particularly on: immigration, racial profiling, urging action on offensive sports mascots at the General Conference level, the situation of Muslim Americans, understanding of the gifts of multi-racialism and multi-culturalism.

4. FOLLOW Jesus in demanding justice for those who are most vulnerable, particularly persons who are poor

• Support the excellent work of the Women’s Division as one of the church’s agencies that has done this most consistently – especially in ministries reaching out to women and children.

• Promote the Bishop’s initiative on Children and Poverty, particularly in addressing the systemic causes of poverty.

• Work with individuals and groups within the UMC seeking justice by addressing issues related to a living wage, pension and health care for those working within the church and in the larger society.

5. MANIFEST God’s hospitality to all persons

A. Sexual Orientation

• Admit the truth before God and ourselves: concerned, committed Christians within the UMC are not of one opinion about issues related to sexual orientation. Call for the following change in the Social Principles:

— Delete, “Although we do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching, we affirm that God’s grace is available to all.”

— Add in its place, “Differences of opinion regarding sexual orientation continue to deeply divide the church. We stand before God admitting that we have thus far been unable to reach common ground. As we continue to discern God’s will together, we are united in declaring our understanding that God’s grace is available to all.”

B. Understanding and ministry with transgendered persons

• Call for the General Conference to appoint a study commission, similar to that previously arranged to study homosexuality. The Commission would be appointed by the Council of Bishops.

6. PRESERVE and/or return to annual conference structures that ensure ministries of justice and peace

• Call for the General Conference to ensure that any restructuring efforts at the Annual Conference levels maintain structures that specifically support and promote peace and justice ministries.

Rationale: Restructuring within many Annual Conferences has had a negative impact on ministries of peace and justice in recent years. The elimination of Conference Boards of Church and Society, Commissions on Religion and Race and on the Status and Role of Women, in many annual conferences, for example, has led to a decrease in peace and justice ministries.

7. WORK for a fully participatory church where all voices and heard

• Support the current formula for assigning members to the General Boards and Agencies.

Rationale: Proposals are afoot to move to a formula for assigning members to the General Boards and Agencies based solely on numbers of members in jurisdictions. This is unjust. Paying attention to racial, geographic and gender distribution is important to make sure that all voices are heard – not just those with the power of numbers. One of the basic questions here is whether we see our boards and agencies as primarily serving the members of the church or as reaching out in mission and ministry and enabling church members to do the same. If the Boards and Agencies just serve the church, then a formula based strictly on numbers may make sense. But if we believe the role of our boards and agencies should include enabling members of the church to be in mission and ministry to the world – then the variety of voices represented is as, or more, important than a strictly numbers-based formula.

8. ADDITIONAL ISSUES:

MFSA will continue to monitor key justice issues in addition to those listed above. These will include:

· the environment

· restorative justice

· Middle East Peace, and

· reproductive choice.

MFSA leaders are currently discussing the increasingly urgent issue of violations of civil rights in the U.S. and what we believe the response of churches should be. On this, and other issues that emerge, MFSA will support actions of other groups and individuals as appropriate and move issues up to take proactive MFSA action where needed.