The posts on this blog and one or two others in recent day's have had an impact. We persuaded the Methodist Council that it would be wise to have more transparency in the way in which we compile papers on a contentious issues such as social media.
The Council accepted the ill fated paper but with several important amendments which included a second, wider consultation.
Possibly we have now become the first UK mainstream denomination to have an online consultation within its governance structures. If we can do it on social media we can do it on every single other issue that goes before Methodist Council.
This is a fantastic precedent. It is time that we were allowed online consultations on the issues of the day - climate change, abortion, gambling for example.
At the last Methodist Conference I had a conversation with a Church House official who said how sad it was that so few people ever responded to requests for views during consultations. That is because until recently they have had to cascade requests for views down through a massive committee structure.
Social media has set the precedent, social media can provide the platform for a greater participation.
The official statement reads:
"Following the Council’s response to the social media paper we have a brief opportunity to consult widely. To this end, a revised version of the paper is now online at
There will be a link on the Connexional website. Responses should go to ScottT@methodistchurch.org.uk.
The final time for comments is 5pm on Monday March 1, 2010
This is a great day for British Methodism!
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