World Methodist Council – 5 views on consensus

World Methodist Council (WMC) 2018

The  World Methodist Council is the governing  body of the world Methodist family. It met in Seoul Korea from July 12 – 15. The Steering Committee decided to provide training in consensus based decision making. They were convinced that the World Methodist Council needs a better way to conduct their business meetings.

The WMC wanted a process that would help them to be more respectful, inclusive and true to their Christian values. Terence Corkin and Julia Kuhn Wallace were invited to provide the training.

In the first session the principles and practices of a consensus based discernment process were presented. The content was tailored specifically to the World Methodist Council and showed how a consensus approach to meetings supported their values and goals as an organisation. Session two was a role play using a piece of business that was on the agenda.

Some participants were asked: What do you see as the potential for a consensus building approach in meetings? Here are there responses.

Gillian Kingston

Vice President of the WMC

I think it is an excellent methodology. There are concerns about how much time it can take but I think it is the way forward. The WMC should talk to the World Communion of Reformed Churches about their experience in moving in this direction. It will take longer and that may require an additional day for our meetings. It has a lot to offer.

Frank M Reid III

African Methodist Episcopal Church

The potential in consensus based decision making is extraordinary and necessary. One of the reasons that the church isn’t growing is because of the way that we treat people in meetings. We see people attend a meeting, get treated really badly and never return to church. The way we do meetings is one of the reasons that we can’t get millennials into leadership roles in the church.

David Jebb

Methodist Church in Britain

I find it clear. It encourages openness and genuine consultation which is very helpful.

Denny Nainggolan

Methodist Church in Indonesia

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I look at the culture in Indonesia and it is a place where we only ever hear from the older people and senior Ministers. The juniors, younger ones, then have to follow.  Using a consensus process helps people to find their voice. Older people need to change their way of thinking. This approach gives people the tools to help young people to speak in a respectful way.

Lasse Svensson

Uniting Church in Sweden

The experience of the WCRC

In July 2017 the World Communion of Reformed Churches implemented consensus discernment across every aspect of their meeting. We interviewed some people who were in Leipzig, Germany about their experience.

Where next for the WMC?

The Officers and Steering Committee of the WMC will receive a report on the feedback received after the training. Responses to the experience were strongly positive. The decision now has to be taken as to whether the WMC will introduce elements of a consensus building approach into the regular life of the Council when it meets again in 2021.