Delegates listen
Delegates consider legislation at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Actions by the General Conference have been ratified by the worldwide denomination, resulting in a new organization and challenges to unity. (Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.)
Jan. 19, 2026
United Methodist bishops are seeking to educate and elevate new leadership for the worldwide denomination as it enters 2026 with a new structure and goals after half a decade of turmoil and disaffection. Toward those ends, three webinars are planned to describe and explore the new vision the bishops unveiled last summer, summarized as “"Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully and Lead Courageously.”
The webinars are intended to educate rank-and-file United Methodists about the denomination’s new direction and to prepare selected participants for a leadership gathering slated Oct. 24-26 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
“This gathering is about faithful leadership for such a time as this,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone, council president, in a press release. “We are being called to reimagine the Church—not to preserve what is familiar but to fulfill God’s calling and vision for our future. We will lean into the Spirit’s leading with boldness and humility, centering Christ in all we do, so that the witness of The United Methodist Church might be renewed, relevant, and rooted in justice, love, and hope."
The overarching theme of the sessions focuses on how Methodism’s founder John Wesley, and 18th century Anglican priest and scholar who sought to reform the church, interpreted God, forgiveness, love, service and Christian community.
The online sessions are:
- "Love Boldly,” 10:00-11:30 a.m. ET Jan. 24. Theme: "What is Wesleyan theology? Who are we as Wesleyans? Who are we as United Methodists?"
- "Serve Joyfully,”10:00-11:30 a.m. ET Feb. 21. Theme: Wesleyan understanding of mission, mutuality, decolonial mission, formation.
- "Lead Courageously,"10:00-11:30 a.m. ET March 21. Theme: Wesleyan understanding of what it means to be “church,” the unique Methodist structure known as “connection,” shared leadership and reimagining church life.
Coordinated with United Methodist Communications, the webinars are free, and recordings will be made available publicly. More information and registration details will be announced.
The October leadership gathering will include all active bishops and council officers; three leaders from each episcopal area selected by the bishop in consultation with area lay and clergy leadership; and the top executives of denominational agencies.
“The 2026 Leadership Gathering is expected to overflow with fresh energy—thought-provoking keynotes, creative workshops, worship that awakens new possibilities, and opportunities to form life-changing connections,” said a press release. “… Building on the momentum of the 2020/24 General Conference, the gathering calls the church to awaken hope, amplify vision, and set the stage for a renewed movement of faith.”
The UMC underwent a transformation in November 2025 when the Council of Bishops announced that four constitutional amendments had been overwhelmingly approved by the denomination. Immediately effective, the amendments restructured the UMC from a U.S.-based church with international regions developed through 19th- and 20th-century missions to a global organization with eight co-equal regions. Each region was given authority to devise its own operating rules according to its national and cultural contexts, but not to change the denomination’s core doctrines stated in the Book of Discipline, the UMC’s collection of church laws and policies.
The tasks before United Methodists now are to develop spiritual unity without requiring organizational uniformity and to inspire church leaders and members to fulfill the UMC’s official mission: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”