Church Leadership

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.
General Church
Bishop João Filimone Sambo prays during the Southern Africa Regional Conference’s strategic retreat held April 9-11 in Maputo, Mozambique. Sambo was the host bishop for the gathering. Delegates at the retreat crafted a roadmap for contextualized mission and ministry in Southern Africa. Photo by Roque Facela, UM News.

Southern Africans live into regionalization

Church leaders in The United Methodist Church’s Southern Africa Regional Conference craft a roadmap for contextualized mission and ministry.
Local Church
CRCC Madang is a training program for Korean pastors serving in cross-racial appointments. Graphic courtesy of CRCC Madang.

Madang marks 10th anniversary with renewed vision

Over the past decade, CRCC Madang has grown into a vital support network for Korean American clergy navigating cross-cultural ministry.
General Church
Bishops Tracy S. Malone and Ruben Saenz Jr. preside over a memorial service on April 26 during the bishops’ spring meeting in Jacksonville, Fla. Saenz is the new Council of Bishops president and co-convener of the 2026 Leadership Gathering’s design team. Malone, the council’s immediate past president, said the Oct. 20-24 event is part of the bishops’ commitment “to providing strategic, visionary, inclusive, innovative and missional leadership for the church.” Photo by Paul Gómez, United Methodist Communications.

Survey gives shape to Leadership Gathering

United Methodists participating in the Leadership Gathering got a preview April 25 of what they will be working on when they meet in October.

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