Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org
WASHINGTON, April 19, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Institute on Religion and Democracy will be sending a team led by IRD President and UMAction Executive Director Mark Tooley to the 2012 General Conference of the United Methodist Church.
The United Methodist Church has over 11 million members in the United States, Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. The General Conference, which meets every four years, is the denomination's top legislative body.
The denomination is divided over hot button issues like homosexuality, Middle East policy and abortion, with U.S. church leaders being more theologically and politically liberal than their overseas counterparts. IRD/UMAction supports a conservative perspective that affirms traditional church teachings.
What: The United Methodist Church's General Conference
Who: Almost 1,000 Delegates of the United Methodist Church
Where: Tampa Convention Center, 333 South Franklin Street, Tampa, Florida
When: Tuesday, April 24 thru Friday, May 4
Tooley will have a book signing at the General Conference Cokesbury bookstore on April 26 from 1-2 p.m. Members of the professional media can obtain a review copy of the book at no charge by writing media@TheIRD.org.
Available for Interviews:
Mark Tooley -- Executive Director, The United Methodist committee (UMAction) and President of the Institute on Religion & Democracy. Mark is the editor of UMAction Briefing. Among the publications that have published his articles are The Wall Street Journal, The American Spectator, The Weekly Standard, Human Events, The Washington Times, Crisis, Touchstone, and The Chicago Tribune. Mark's second book, Methodism & Politics in the 20th Century: From William McKinley to 9-11, was recently released by Bristol House Publishers.
The Institute on Religion & Democracy works to reaffirm the church's biblical and historical teachings, strengthen and reform its role in public life, protect religious freedom, and renew democracy at home and abroad.
www.TheIRD.org
