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Leaders presented a sober picture of United Methodist finances, including the need to reduce bishops. At the same time, delegates heard hope for the denomination to pivot from church exits to revitalization.
During their annual meeting, members of Black Methodists for Church Renewal looked toward future advocacy work, while also discussing denominational concerns, including budget cuts, disaffiliations, a more regionalized global church structure and the coming General Conference.
In wide-ranging joint board meetings at Emory University, officials with the United Methodist boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education plotted an ambitious future despite the continuing challenge of diminishing resources.
The budget proposal coming to the General Conference meeting April 23-Mary 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina, represents the largest reduction in the history of the denomination. This article explores what that means for each of the seven general church funds and implications are for the future.