Perspectives on a Way Forward

February 04, 2019

A panel discussion, streamed on February 6, featured speakers for each of the major plans proposed to the 2019 General Conference.

Connectional Conference Plan: The Rev. Chris Ritter

One Church Plan: The Rev. Mark Holland

Simple Plan: The Rev. Althea Spencer-Miller

Traditional and Modified Traditional Plan: The Rev. Rob Renfroe

Sponsored by UM News and recorded at United Methodist Communications.

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Human Sexuality

Jan Lawrence addresses Reconciling Ministries Network’s convocation held July 24-27, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in downtown Madison, Wis. Lawrence is retiring after serving as Reconciling Ministries Network’s executive director for nearly a decade. Many United Methodists credit her with helping to lead the denomination to a new day. File photo by Joscie Cutchens, UM News.

LGBTQ leader retires after pivotal changes

Jan Lawrence kept United Methodist advocates organized after the denomination strengthened bans against LGBTQ people and helped lead the way toward the longtime bans’ repeal.

Church Growth

The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr. has released “An Aura of Hope: United Methodism’s Next Chapter in the United States,” which offers advice for rebuilding the post-disaffiliation church. Book cover courtesy of Abingdon Press, graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Scholar offers guide for growth after division

The Rev. Lovett H. Weems Jr., a respected scholar of United Methodist leadership, has published “An Aura of Hope” — offering a roadmap for renewal after a season of church disaffiliations.

Multicultural Ministry

Leaders of the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean say the historic autonomy of churches in the region has helped the council navigate divisions within The United Methodist Church. Pictured from left are Bishops Juan de Dios Peña (president of CIEMAL) and Frank de Nully Brown (vice president) and Horacio Mesones, the council’s executive secretary. Photo illustration by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

Latin American Methodists stress unity amid church changes

CIEMAL leaders say the historic autonomy of churches in Latin America and the Caribbean has helped the region navigate divisions within The United Methodist Church without deep regional fractures.

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