Council of Bishops
United Methodist News Service Photo by Mike DuBose
United Methodist Bishops Call for a 'Clean Dream Act'
United Methodist bishops are calling on Congress, as a matter of faith, to enact a law to protect undocumented young immigrants brought to the United States as children. Read more
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Bishops Extend Christmas Greetings
In a Christmas message to the people of The United Methodist Church on behalf of the Council of Bishops, Council president Bishop Bruce Ough reminds us that disruptions in our lives are sometimes God's call for us to make room for Him. 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
Bishops Warned Their Funding Imperiled
Bishop Michael McKee said the giving decline reflects reaction to the contentious special General Conference and because people don’t value the UMC's apportionment system that funds ministries beyond the local church. Read more
Bishops Encouraged to Break Down Barriers
United Methodist bishops held a special service Nov. 5 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s fall and the peaceful revolution that led to reuniting East and West. Read more
Mainstream UMC Leaders Describe Meeting with Central Conference Bishops
Leaders of Mainstream UMC met with 15 bishops of the international Central Conferences to plead for a moratorium on clergy trials and discuss the denomination's future. Read more
Top Court to Look at Church Disaffiliation Rules
An amended request from the Council of Bishops asks the Judicial Council to review the rules for leaving The United Methodist Church adopted by the special called General Conference earlier this year. Read more
Bishops, Agency Respond to GC2019 Vote Probe
United Methodist bishops and the denomination's financial agency are responding swiftly to the request for action after the discovery of fraudulent voting at the special 2019 General Conference. Read more
Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS
Bishops' Salaries and African UMC Economics
Dr. David W. Scott explains the differences between U.S. and African church economics by looking at the salaries of United Methodist bishops. Read more
UMC Bishops Pose Five Questions to Judicial Council on Traditional Plan
The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church (COB) has asked the Judicial Council for a declaratory decision as to the constitutionality, meaning, application and effect of certain petitions adopted as the Traditional Plan. Read more
Why I’m Hopeful …
Bishop Elaine J. W. Stanovsky gives an inside account of the recent Council of Bishops' meeting. Read more
Bishops Plan to Explore 'New Forms of Unity'
Chastened by the results of the 2019 General Conference, the Council of Bishops pledges to listen more to the church and sets up a team to visit and hear ideas for the UMC's future. Read more
The Peril of All These Secret Meetings
The proliferation of secret meetings across the United Methodist Church show how rotten the institution has become, and what future path its members should seek, writes Cynthia B. Astle Read more
Traditionalists, Bishops Talk Church Future
Traditionalist groups requested a meeting with the bishops, which took place in private after previously being announced as a public gathering. Read more
Bishops Begin Meeting in 'Chaotic Moment'
Council of Bishops' President Ken Carter of Florida urged his sister and brother bishops "to welcome unconditionally, walk together and worship constantly" in the face of schism threat. Read more
COB President Calls for Forgiveness in Holy Week Letter
Council of Bishops President Ken Carter invites United Methodists to deeper contemplation of the practice of forgiveness in church life. Read more
UMC Bishops Prepare to Preside at Special Session of General Conference
The Council of Bishops has agreed to a "covenant of presiding" on how they will oversee the work of General Conference 2019 Read more
Looking Forward to General Conference
The Rev. Darryl W. Stephens provides a summary of what's coming at the special 2019 General Conference in February in St. Louis, Mo. Read more
Bishops Sound Alarm About Surge in Racism
The full Council of Bishops has committed itself to dismantling racism across the church, especially in the United States, after African-American bishops decried the politics of hatred taking place in America. Read more
Bishops Called to 'Scriptural Imagination'
In the midst of turbulent times, Bishop Kenneth Carter encouraged the Council of Bishops to try to view The United Methodist Church's future "through the lens that Scripture gives us." Read more
Court Ruling Propels GC2019 Strategizing
The Judicial Council didn't endorse any of the three models from the Commission on A Way Forward's report, but ruled on the constitutionality of petitions related to the options. Now comes the strategizing by plan backers. Read more