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What
In the World Are We Talking About?
An Invitation to a Conversation
What
is a Forum on the Future?
A
Forum on the Future is an attempt to involve as
many participants as possible in conversation about
the future of the United Methodist Church, the church
of Jesus Christ and the world in which we find ourselves.
Where will these conversations take place?
These conversations will occur online with simultaneous
participation by participants in a variety of locations,
both individually and in groups. Ideally, a group
of individuals from a church, a district, an annual
conference, a seminary, or a general agency will
gather around a computer and listen via the Internet
to the conversation and respond by e-mailing, calling,
or faxing in their questions.
When will these conversations take place?
The Forums on the Futures are planned to
be two events, one broadcast from the Nashville,
Tennessee on February 26, 2003 and the other broadcast
from Manila, Philippines on March 26, 2003. Presenters
on the forums will be inclusive and diverse. The
list of presenters is currently being finalized
and names will be released in the near future.
How will these conversations take place?
The format for the events will be to have
a moderator who will ask questions, communicate
email real-time questions from online participants
and help presenters in sharpening their responses.
In addition to the moderator, up to 5 presenters
will participate in each forum giving their thoughts
and insight on the general issue/question supplied
for that particular forum. Presenters will not be
arguing opposing points or set in debate posture.
Rather, this is a dialogue setting for expression
of many points of view and an opportunity for honest
question and answer between the presenters and online
participants. The presenters will be asked “in
relation to the general topic, from your area of
expertise and experience, what do you think needs
to be said about that topic?”
Who will participate in these conversations?
Initially, presenters will be from both
religious and secular arenas and will have approximately
10 minutes each to express their particular thoughts
and understandings.
After
the presenters have made their initial statements,
a program of interaction with online participants
and telephone calls will follow under the direction
of the moderator.
In
addition, the presenters will dialogue between
themselves as the conversation grows. The moderator
will encourage exchange of ideas and keep the
program on track.
Why are these conversations taking place?
The Forums on the Future are being developed
as part of the General Council on Ministries (GCOM)
response to the General Conference mandate assigned
to them in relation to using the five transformational
directions which were developed by the Connectional
Process Team last quadrennium. The planning for
the Forums on the Future is being done by a committee
which represents several of the general agencies
of the UMC (GBPHB, GCORR, GCCUIC, GCUMM and others
with staff support and oversight carried by GCOM.)
The transformational directions are:
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Center
on Christian Formation |
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Call
Forth Covenant Leadership |
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Empower
the Connection for Ministry |
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Strengthen
Our Global Connection and Ecumenical Relationships |
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Encourage
Doctrinal and Theological Discourse
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To submit a question
for the Forums on the Future, prior to the event
itself, please e-mail them to [email protected].
You may also use this e-mail address to sign up
for the list-serve to begin the conversation.
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