GCFA

A multigenerational choir and praise band help lead worship Oct. 4 at the 100th anniversary celebration of First United Methodist Church in Portland, Texas, a city on the Gulf Coast. The church offers an example of the growing number of professions of faith through confirmation that U.S. United Methodist churches saw last year. Photo by George Banda, Rio Texas Conference.

Amid decline, US professions of faith rise

The United Methodist Church continued to see its U.S. membership slide in 2025. But data collected by the denomination’s administrative agency also shows signs of growth.

General Agencies

The board of The United Methodist Church’s finance agency on Aug. 21 heard a midyear review on the state of denominational finances. The news was generally positive. Photo illustration by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Church giving shows signs of stability

The board of the United Methodist Church’s finance agency heard a midyear review on the denomination’s finances.

Judicial Council

Retired Bishop Marcus Matthews and other United Methodist bishops process into the opening worship service of the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 23, 2024. The Judicial Council, the denomination’s top court, has released three decisions, including one related to the allocation of active U.S. bishops. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Church court overturns bishop funding structure

The United Methodist Church’s top court has ruled unconstitutional some changes General Conference made that affect the funding of U.S. bishops.

General Church

The Rev. Moses Kumar, top executive of the United Methodist General Council on Finance and Administration, speaks on April 24, 2024, at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. Kumar is retiring at the end of March after more than 17 years as head of the denomination’s finance agency. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

Kumar looks back on helming finance agency

The Rev. Moses Kumar, retiring after 17 years, shepherded the denomination’s finances during a tumultuous time.

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