2020 General Conference
Scripture Key to First Draft of WCA Discipline
The Bible is the supreme arbiter of right and wrong when it comes to marriage and every other issue, states a 53-page first draft of a guidebook for a potential new denomination spun out of The United Methodist Church. Read more
African Female Bishop Frankly Lays Out Unity Plan
Bishop Joaquina Nhanala, the first female United Methodist bishop in Africa, speaks frankly about the region's refusal to support breaking up the UMC. Read more
Bishops' Group Backs U.S. Regional Conference
The Central Conference bishops’ endorsement of the Connectional Table's proposal for a U.S. regional conference is a big deal for an idea that previously has faced strong opposition. Read more
Separation Outlook: It's All in the Details
More than one region of the worldwide United Methodist Church is considering options around human sexuality and whether that conflict will split the denomination. Read more
Budgeting for an Uncertain Future
The GCFA board unanimously approved 2020 agency spending plans — almost all based on a 70% apportionment collection rate. Read more
Group of Bishops Calling for ‘Deeper Conversations’
Signers of the “Deeper Conversations UMC” said the recent commitment by some for a moratorium on all complaints related to LGBTQ clergy and clergy performing same-gender weddings violate the Book of Discipline and illustrate the UMC's brokenness. Read more
Central Conference Bishops Wholeheartedly Support Proposal for a U.S. Regional Conference
Central Conference bishops say they like the idea of making the United States its own regional conference in hopes of moving most U.S.-centric legislation away from the worldwide General Conference. Read more
GC2020 – Is There Cause for Optimism?
United Methodist layman Frank Holbrook thinks some good can come from the 2020 General Conference if delegates take the opportunity to ponder questions about the nature of the UMC's life together. Read more
Courtesy of Andrew Thompson
Why Isn't Perfection in Love Good Enough for Wesleyan Theology?
A laity-led spiritual renewal weekend prompts the Rev. Morgan Guyton to ask why the time-honored Methodist tradition of "being perfected in love" isn't sufficient for the church's core theology. Read more
Another UMC Departure, New Group Top Latest Developments
Disaffiliation, proposed changes regarding sexuality and discontent among LGBTQ+ students at Duke Divinity School mark the latest happenings in the UMC struggle. Read more
UMCom map by Cindy Caldwell
The UMC and Jared Diamond’s Upheaval, Part 3: Ability to Act in Crisis
In his third installment, Dr. David W. Scott assesses The United Methodist Church's ability to respond to the crisis it now faces. Read more
North Central Delegates Call for Moratorium on Clergy Charges, Trials
General and Jurisdictional delegates from the North Central Jurisdiction have joined other U.S. United Methodists in calling for a moratorium on clergy charges and trials on issues related to anti-LGBTQ stances. Read more
Steering Committee Begins Planning Pre-General Conference 2020 Orientation for Central Conference Delegates
The idea for a pre-conference orientation for Central Conference clergy and lay delegates originated with the General Secretaries Table (a group of chief executives of denominational agencies). Read more
20 Years Late and Out of Breath
The new pre-General Conference orientation session for Central Conference delegates is a highly laudable addition, but it may be too late to counteract similar past efforts by traditionalist forces, writes Cynthia B. Astle Read more
The Forces BEHIND Political And Religious Discord: Who Profits?
So who profits in a UMC split of some sort? The Evangelicals. The UMC is ripe for the pickings because of the fragile nature of our connection and the massive underlying financial assets. Read more
Making Faithful Choices
Unlike other analyses looking at specific plans, Uniting Methodists has taken a bird's-eye view of the implications and potential drawbacks of most of the future proposals. Read more
A Proposal for Moving Forward
United Methodist layman Edmund Baird of Virginia has scrutinized all the future proposals for the UMC and synthesized an approach based on its mission statement as the template for choosing a way forward. Read more
The Other Schism in the UMC
The Rev. Darren Cushman Wood, one of the 12 original drafters of the Indianapolis Plan, examines the perspectives behind his group's proposal for the UMC's future. Read more
Analyses Begin of Future Plans
Commentators around the UMC are looking into the various plans for the denomination's future, while the Western Jurisdiction means business about its "Safe Harbor" project. Read more