Healthy Congregations and Effective Leaders in Every Place Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World
Dear United Methodist friends, Grace and peace to you in this new year. I write to encourage your gracious and prayerful attention to the proposal for the future of the United Methodist Church released today by a diverse group of United Methodist leaders. The proposal is the outcome of a skillfully mediated process in which… Continue Reading→
For Immediate ReleaseFriday, August 16, 2019 UMC Bishops agree to ask Judicial Council to review Special Session votes WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops, in response to a request from the Commission on General Conference, has voted to ask the Judicial Council to rule on the implications of the invalid votes discovered during the… Continue Reading→
General Conference organizers have determined enough improper voting likely took place at the 2019 special session to nullify a key vote on how congregations can leave The United Methodist Church. The Commission on General Conference — meeting behind closed doors during its Aug. 7-9 meeting — reviewed an investigation that found “credible objective evidence” of… Continue Reading→
For Immediate ReleaseJune 27, 2019 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church (COB) has asked the Judicial Council for a declaratory decision as to the constitutionality, meaning, application and effect of certain petitions adopted as the Traditional Plan by the 2019 General Conference held in St. Louis, Missouri, in February…. Continue Reading→
The Council of Bishops expresses its deep gratitude to the Judicial Council for its careful review of the actions of the 2019 General Conference. The Judicial Council’s decisions are clear and sound, and they give helpful guidance to the Church. Read the full letter on UMC.org.
For Immediate Release April 23, 2019 The Council of Bishops is inviting the people of The United Methodist Church to be in prayer for the Judicial Council, which is in session this week. The Judicial Council will be discussing the constitutionality of matters related to the Special Session of the General Conference held in February…. Continue Reading→
WASHINGTON, D. C. – Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, president of the Council of Bishops, has issued a pastoral letter based on James 5:13-16 following the conclusion of the Special Session of the General Conference. “James does not call us to identify the sins of one another. He calls us to confess our sins to one… Continue Reading→
Dear United Methodist friends, May you hear and receive the powerful, ancient greeting of the universal church: grace and peace of Christ to you. The Traditional Plan, approved by the General Conference and now before the Judicial Council in April, continues and strengthens the language of the Book of Discipline relative to homosexuality. We lament… Continue Reading→
Dear United Methodist friends, Grace and peace to you as the General Conference concludes the Called Session. The Session was tumultuous, demonstrating the difficult intersections of Biblical interpretation, contextual ministry and the global nature of our church. The Traditional Plan was affirmed by 53% of General Conference delegates with strong support from conservative regions of… Continue Reading→