General Conference

General Church
Bishop Tracy S. Malone surveys the results of a delegate vote in favor of a worldwide regionalization plan as she presides over a legislative session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 25, 2024. The Council of Bishops announced Nov. 5 that annual conference lay and clergy voters have ratified regionalization. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

New United Methodist Church structure ratified

United Methodist voters around the globe have ratified worldwide regionalization — a package of constitutional amendments aiming to put the denomination’s different geographical regions on equal footing.
General Church
West Ohio delegates raise their arms in praise during morning worship at the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. From right are the Revs. April Casperson and Dee Stickley-Miner and Tracy Chambers. On Nov. 5, the Council of Bishops announced annual conference voters ratified four ballots of constitutional amendments passed at General Conference. In addition to regionalization, the ratified amendments deal with inclusion in church membership, racial justice and educational requirements for clergy. Casperson helped lead the task force that championed the passage of the amendment on inclusiveness. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Church strengthens stands on inclusion, racism

In addition to regionalization, United Methodist voters ratified three other amendments to the denomination’s constitution including changes that make clear the church’s belief that God’s love is for all people.
Church Leadership
Participants in the 2025 United Methodist Church Deacons Gathering sing during opening worship at the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. From left are the Rev. Shannon Howard, the Rev. Tina Marie Rees, the Rev. Sherry Brady and Candace Brady. A focus of the event was deacons’ new sacramental authority approved at last year’s General Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Deacons explore new sacramental authority

United Methodist deacons are discussing best practices now that General Conference has approved their new responsibility to preside at baptism and communion “when contextually appropriate.”
General Agencies
Delegates prepare to do their legislative work during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., in Charlotte, NC. The board of the General Council on Finance and Administration approved a request for $1.5 million to pay for a whole software system to track legislation at General Conference. The current system has been in use for nearly 40 years. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Big update planned for General Conference tech

The United Methodist Church’s finance agency board approved a $1.5 million grant for the first major upgrade of General Conference’s legislative tracker in decades.

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