Despite Votes Ahead, Church Union Spiritual, Not Political, Says Bishop

(UMNS Photo/Paul Jeffrey)Bishop Peter Weaver of the Boston Area delivers the Episcopal Address during a session of the 2012 United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Fla. on April 25, 2012. Weaver delivered the address on behalf of the Council of Bishops.

United Methodist Church Bishop Peter Weaver told delegates gathered for the denomination's quadrennial legislative conference that the connection among church members was spiritual, not political.

The comments from Weaver, who leads the church in the New England area, came as the nearly 1,000 delegates at the 2012 General conference in Tampa, Fla. – in its second day - were set to split into small groups for "holy conversations" on the topics "Foundation on Identity and Theology" and "Human Sexuality."

The delegates - whose acceptance and rejection more than 1,200 resolutions over the length of the 11-day conference will steer the denomination for the next four years - will vote on measures meant to promote vital congregations amid declining membership and fiscal difficulties.

Earlier in the day, delegates, agreed to rules about voting on the various resolutions being considered.

"Before any of us had a resolution in our hands to vote on, we had a resolution in our hearts to devote ourselves to the living Christ," said Weaver, who delivered the Episcopal Adress to the 2012 General Conference on Wednesday, according to the United Methodist News Service.

 "The connection among United Methodists comes directly from being 'one in Christ,' not from agreeing on every issue that will be presented on the legislative agenda."

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