Global Relations is a Multi-year Focus for LYNC

Connectionalism and conferencing serve at the core of the United Methodist Church’s structure and theology. The breadth of our worldwide missions and ministries is a testimony to the strength of our connectional system—we have a collective impact together that would not be achievable in isolation.

However, the international nature of the United Methodist Church makes connection difficult between General Conference delegates of different nations, separated by thousands of miles. These delegates may see each other once every four years. And relationships are difficult to maintain with COVID delays and the changes of elected delegates. As a result, there are few opportunities in place for delegates to build relationships with one another.

To bridge this gap, the Love Your Neighbor Coalition provides space for delegates from inside and outside the United States to build relationships through the Global Relations Team.

Pastor Richard Bentley began to seek ways to build relationships after organizing at the 2008 General Conference. At the time, there were very few connections between delegates from the US and delegates from outside the US.

International guests and hosts at a home visit hospitality meal in Portland, Oregon during the 2016 General Conference, (Jim Quinn photo)

At the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, Florida, and in Portland, Oregon in 2016 relational bridges formed around hospitality dinners that resulted in trusting relationships. These relationships continued to grow with a 2018 gathering in Portland that directly impacted the later work of the Christmas Covenant to develop regionalization. Gathering leaders from Central Conference and US Jurisdictions, “Listening with Open Hearts: Building Bridges and Deepening Relationships” gave a space outside of an official conference to make connections. Rev Dr Izzy Alvaran of Reconciling Ministries was one of the attendees, He noted, “A lot of what we have done in the last eight years, around regionalization, happened because of the Portland gathering.”

As delegates prepare to for the 2024 General Conference, LYNC’s Global Relations Team is increasing its efforts to provide spaces where trusting relationships can be formed. This work has already begun as the team offered nine online cultural competency training sessions to LYNC volunteers and United States delegates. A worldwide worship service will take place on April 21 which Pastor Bentley describes as a “great opportunity” to build connection. To find out more about these events and to learn how you can participate, go to the LYNC website events page.

Additionally, the Global Relations Team offers translation services not available outside the General Conference floor. For example, translation services allow delegates to draft legislation in their native languages. Also, international delegates will sell craft items to raise money for home ministries that will be sold at the Global Craft Market, featuring 50-60 vendors.

Holy conferencing and connectionalism cannot happen without relationships. The Global Relationships Team builds bridges where people can hear one another. As Pastor Bentley states, “You can’t have any kind of relationship without communication, you can’t have any kind of relationship without listening.”