Connectional Table

April 24 wrap-up: Legislative committee work begins

The second day of General Conference shifted from the celebratory opening worship to doing the business of the church, as delegates began working in their legislative committees and electing their chairs.

General Agencies

The Rev. Reggie Clemons, a General Council on Finance and Administration board member (center, with microphone), and the Rev. Theon Johnson III, a Connectional Table member (on keyboard), join together to lead worship at a joint Feb. 19-20 meeting to finalize the proposed denominational budget heading to General Conference. In developing the 2025-2028 budget, the GCFA board and Connectional Table found common ground at the recent meeting in Franklin, Tenn., even as they grappled with shrinking the budget to account for church disaffiliations. Photo by Melissa Jackson, General Council on Finance and Administration.

Amid church losses, proposed budget slashed

The United Methodist Church’s financial leaders met to finalize the proposed denominational budget heading to General Conference. Their work included making more cuts while shoring up financial support for the bishops.

Central Conferences

Bishop Tracy S. Malone blesses the communion elements during a service at the East Ohio Annual Conference on June 8. Malone is the convener of the joint task force that brought together members of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, the Connectional Table and developers of the Christmas Covenant to refine proposed legislation that would put the different geographical regions of the global church on more even footing. File photo courtesy of East Ohio Conference Communications.

Efforts for regionalization move forward

Two United Methodist leadership bodies each unanimously affirmed the direction of legislation, still being refined, to put regions of The United Methodist Church on more even footing.

General Church

Council of Bishops President Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton addresses a joint meeting of the Connectional Table and the General Council of Finance and Administration board on May 18 in Nashville, Tenn. He said United Methodist bishops want to join in the conversation of how to reduce the number of U.S. bishops strategically without damaging the church’s mission. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

As church exits rise, proposed budget drops

In the wake of projected losses from church closures and disaffiliations, The United Methodist Church’s finance agency continues to shrink the proposed budget heading to General Conference.

Sign up for our newsletter!

UMNEWS-SUBSCRIPTION