Germany Central Conference

Bishops
The Rev. Werner Philipp has been elected as a United Methodist bishop by delegates at the Germany Central Conference. Photo courtesy of Klaus Ulrich Ruof; graphic by UM News.

Germany elects Werner Philipp as bishop

The Germany Central Conference elected the 57-year-old district superintendent on the seventh ballot.
Episcopal Elections of the Central Conference of The United Methodist Church. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Germany Central Conference Balloting 2025

Voting has begun for episcopal elections in the Germany Central Conference. UM News is tracking the balloting as it happens and will have coverage as the bishop is elected.
Bishops
The Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, an international United Methodist leadership body, gathers in front of the entrance to a medieval castle in Braunfels, Germany. During a meeting in Braunfels, the group discussed the challenges facing its proposed Africa Comprehensive Plan, which would add five more bishops to the continent. Photo by Klaus Ulrich Ruof, Germany Central Conference.

Plan to add 5 African bishops faces challenges

An international United Methodist group has long been working to increase the number of bishops on the African continent but learned of financial and other difficulties now facing the plan.
General Church
The three European central conferences of The United Methodist Church covering 32 countries and 10 time zones are making plans for a proposed denomination-wide split. Four bishops (clockwise from top left), Edward Khegay, Christian Alsted, Harald Rückert and Patrick Streiff, have drafted next steps should a separation plan win General Conference approval. Image courtesy of the bishops.

Europeans make plans for separation

Under a proposed separation plan, some European churchgoers expect to remain with The United Methodist Church while others join a new traditionalist denomination.

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