2020 General Conference
Bishop Stanovsky Announces Greater Northwest Area 'Guiding Coalition'
In the wake of the exclusionary and punitive actions of General Conference 2019, Bishop Elaine JW Stanovsky has formed a Greater Northwest Area Guiding Coalition to "help to shape and lead a new movement of Methodism." Read more
Acts Defying Tightened Anti-LGBTQ Polices Continue
LGBTQ-friendly congregations continue to resist UMC's tightened policies against homosexuality and look toward a denominational split. Read more
Photo Courtesy of Christy Thomas
Holy Negotiation, Linkage, Leverage and Intensity
In this excerpt from a longer post, GC2020 delegate Frank Holbrook analyzes why the practices such as linkage and leverage could spell doom for all the future plans coming before General Conference. Read more
We're Not in Kansas Anymore
Insight Editor Cynthia B. Astle found this year's "futuring" program at the Church of the Resurrection's Leadership Institute proved that true reform for the UMC is unlikely to come from those invested in the existing institution. Read more
Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UMNS
Breaking Up Would Be Hard to Do
While there may be plenty of sentiment for breaking up The United Methodist Church in the United States, the reality of separating the worldwide denomination is fraught with obstacles. Read more
'Straws in the Wind' After Big 'Futuring' Event
Activities around the UMC's future around the question of LGBTQ+ inclusion ebbed this week, but they'll come back soon. Read more
United Methodism in a Fuddling Dilemma
An earthenware cup convinces the Rev. Jeremy Smith that the United Methodism Church would be "befuddled" if it were to accept the idea that its three units are not connected to one another. Read more
‘Sent in Love’ - Theological Statement Released by the UMC Committee on Faith and Order
The Committee on Faith and Order has produced a document on the nature of the church for the 2020 General Conference. Read more
‘Next Generation UMC,’ ‘Indianapolis Plan' Outlined at Gathering
Two high-profile proposals for the United Methodist Church's future – including separation into different denominations – were presented at the annual Leadership Institute held by the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. Read more
Leadership Gathering Revs Up Participants to Hold Conversations on UMC's Future
Part history lesson, part camp meeting and part church politics, the future of The United Methodist Church as a worldwide denomination took center stage at the 2019 session of the Leadership Institute at the United Methodist Church Read more
‘Plain Grace’ Offers ‘Gracious Affiliation’ Alternative to Acrimonious Split
A United Methodist layman in Tennessee has devised a plan to extend the discernment process for new denominations in order to foster continued connections among differing Methodist expressions. Read more
Three Students Selected to Speak at General Conference 2020
Three young adult students will present the Young People's Address next May at General Conference 2020. Read more
The Current Three-Way Standoff in the UMC
Dr. David W. Scott analyzes the dynamics of the forces involved in shaping a future for The United Methodist Church. Read more
GC2020 Legislation: The United Methodist Communion of Churches
Rev. Chris Ritter offers a more detailed option to creation a "communion" of United Methodist branches. Read more
Is God on Our Side?
The fundamental question in all our claims of religious authority isn't, “Is God on our side?” writes the Rev. Greg Weeks. Rather, it’s about “Am I really seeking God’s will or my own,” Read more
The Winding Road Ahead for United Methodism
There will be many twists and turns in the path to a future for United Methodism – even if the various parties involved can agree on one path, writes the Rev. Jeremy Smith. Read more
What Comes After GC2020 Petitions Deadline
Heather Hahn of United Methodist News Service provides an overview of the processes and procedures leading up to General Conference 2020. Read more
Black Leaders Meet to Discuss Future of United Methodist Church
Dozens of key African-American laity, clergy and episcopal leaders met in Chicago to discern and map out the future of the Black Church in The United Methodist Church as a prelude to the 2020 General Conference. Read more
Short Takes on the UMC's Future Plans
A revised Indianapolis Plan, a regional resource from New England, and a new proposal called "Plain Grace" are now in the works. Read more
The Bursting of the Methodist Wineskin
Methodism needs new wineskins for what's happening in the church because the old container of General Conference has become dysfunctional, writes the Rev. Morgan Guyton. Read more