For several years there has been discussion, at the leadership levels of The United Methodist Church, about how our entire denomination might best be restructured. Since United Methodism now has millions of members outside the United States (primarily in Africa), some reorganizational work is probably necessary.

In preparation for the 2008 General Conference, twenty-three (23) amendments to The United Methodist Church's Constitution, which would have reorganized the denomination in a more worldwide way, were prepared. All of these amendments were endorsed by the Council of Bishops. Then these amendments were passed by the 2008 General Conference. Finally, all of these amendments were voted on by all the Annual Conferences across the denomination. Though the official vote counts have not yet been reported, it appears that these amendments were not approved or ratified by the Annual Conferences. That is surprising. After all, Annual Conferences often simply support proposals that come from the leadership levels of the denomination. Presumably, the Annual Conferences were trying to send a message to leaders of United Methodism. Exactly what that message is has yet to be discerned.

Still, the challenge to reorganize the church, in a more global or worldwide fashion, remains. So the Council of Bishops has formed a Study Committee on the Worldwide Nature of The United Methodist Church. On November 9-10, the Study Committee will meet at Lake Junaluska, NC to consider the task of reorganization. During its two-day meeting, the Study Committee will hear presentations from: Troy Plummer (Reconciling Ministries Network), Harriet Olson and Garlinda Burton (Women's Division), Lawrence J. Malone (United Methodist Men), Patricia Miller (Confessing Movement), Karen Greenwaldt (General Board of Discipleship), Pamela Crosby (Black Methodists for Church Renewal), Kathryn Johnson (Methodist Federation for Social Action), John E. Nuessle (General Board of Global Ministries), and yours truly (Lifewatch).

The Study Committee, in my little opinion, needs to be reminded that the reorganization process is a wonderful opportunity for the bishops to teach United Methodists about the truly Christian nature of the Church. We United Methodists generally understand the mission of the Church to be about making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Well and good. But at the same time, the Church has a particular -- maybe peculiar -- nature. The Church's nature can be summarized with the words of the Nicene Creed: one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.

The Church is unlike any other institution in this world. So to reorganize The United Methodist Church, her nature must be put front and center; her nature must be understood, taught, and observed. That offers the bishops a teaching moment, as they say, on the nature of the Church. Any proposed reorganization of The United Methodist Church should -- indeed, must! -- flow from the basic nature of the Church.

Your prayers, for this venture, will be much appreciated.