General Church

Theology and Education
Cliff White. Photo courtesy of the author.

Why our church is in trouble

United Methodist leaders should stop pursuing ideological goals and instead focus on making disciples of Jesus Christ, says a longtime church member.
Bishops
Bishop Richard Byrd Wilke, who with his wife, Julia Wilke, developed the popular Disciple Bible Study, died on Easter, April 20, 2025. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishop Wilke, beloved Bible study creator, dies

United Methodist Bishop Richard Wilke died Easter Sunday. He and his wife, Julia, developed the popular Disciple Bible Study series. He also was a voice for LGBTQ inclusion.
Bishops
Bishops Daniel Wandabula (at left in purple robe) and Emmanuel Sinzohagera welcome Burundi President Evariste Ndayishimiye and First Lady Angeline Ndayishimiye to the installation celebration at Ingoma Stadium in Gitega, Burundi, on March 29. More than 4,000 people gathered to celebrate Sinzohagera’s installation as a United Methodist bishop in the newly created East Africa Central Conference. He will lead the Burundi-Rwanda Episcopal Area and serve as the central conference’s president. Photo by Priscilla Muzerengwa, United Methodist Communications.

Burundi celebrates new bishop, episcopal area

United Methodists from Burundi and Rwanda united for the installation of the area’s first bishop and establishment of the East Africa Central Conference.
Social Concerns
The John Henry Ensemble, led by the Rev. John Henry on trombone (left), plays a jazz concert on the evening of April 5 during the Peace Conference in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Henry, a United Methodist pastor and director of the music program at A&T University in Greensboro, N.C., also sang and played trombone during the conference’s worship service. Photo by Crystal Caviness, United Methodist Communications.

Building peace in a dangerously polarized US

A United Methodist Peace Conference drew some 200 clergy and laity to discuss breaking down national divisions. Some joined a Hands Off! rally that drew a cross-section of people.

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