07 April 2014
Heritage, mission and inter faith work top Church’s agenda
- Click here for the full list of Council papers
The Methodist Council met in Leamington Spa from 5 to 7 April to
consider some of the key issues that will be debated at this year's
Methodist Conference.
Council members discussed the development of work on inter faith
relations, including plans to strengthen the Church's network of
advocates and practitioners who work in this field.
The Council also welcomed the presentation of a new policy on the
preservation of Methodist historical artefacts. A range of guidance
documents will be produced to help people to identify, care for and
share such items in order to celebrate the depth and breadth of
Methodist Heritage.
How the Church might best release its buildings for mission was a
key focus for discussion at the meeting. Council members spent time
considering how the challenge of having 'too many' church buildings
might be translated into fresh opportunities to serve and minister
in local communities throughout Britain.
The Council also received a report on a review of the post of the
Secretary of the Conference/General Secretary, and agreed to
recommend a new model for the structure of the senior officers of
the Conference. Under this new model, the Secretary of the
Conference would be the senior person in a three person team where
the Assistant Secretary of the Conference and the Connexional
Secretary will report to him or her.
"The Council's agenda demonstrates the wide variety of challenges
and opportunities facing the Church today," said the Revd Gareth
Powell, Secretary of the Methodist Council. "Many of the items
which the Council has worked on this year will be considered at the
Methodist Conference, which is always an opportunity for worship,
debate and sharing with Methodists from across Britain and from our
partner Churches around the world."
These and other matters will be debated at the 2014 Methodist
Conference which will take place in Birmingham from 26 to 3
July.
The Methodist Council also approved a briefing on the arguments for
and against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Movement in
Israel/ Palestine. The briefing does not make a judgement on the
call of the BDS Movement, but considers the arguments in favour and
against it. It will be made available online after Easter.