Worldwide Regionalization & Ratification Webinar (UMC Connectional Table)

The Regionalization Task Force, a collaboration of the Connectional Table and Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, will host a Worldwide Regionalization & Ratification Webinar on February 20, 2025, at 10 a.m. CST.  This informative session, presented by United Methodist Communications (UMCom), will address the significance of worldwide regionalization within The United Methodist Church, its implications for the U.S. church and the potential impact of inaction. The webinar will be held via Zoom for registered attendees and livestreamed on ResourceUMC.org and the United Methodist Videos YouTube channel.

Worldwide Regionalization represents an organizational vision designed to enhance adaptive evangelism, emphasize our denomination’s global nature and strengthen our connection by prioritizing our mission and ministry. This strategic plan was overwhelmingly endorsed by delegates from around the world at the 2020/2024 General Conference and now awaits ratification by the Annual Conferences of The United Methodist Church. The webinar is one of many training resources developed for members across the United Methodist connection to be used in local contexts, and to equip voting members for their annual conference sessions.

The collaborative webinar will feature UMCom, the Connectional Table, the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, members of the Christmas Covenant writing team and The Council of Bishops. Attendees can gain insight into the ratification process, engage with key leaders and learn how regionalization enhances adaptability, equality and mission efforts.

The event will be moderated by Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, chair of the Regionalization Task Force. Presenters and topics covered include:

Overview of resources available to empower action shared by Joe Iovino, UMCom’s team lead of denominational content strategy

A theological framework for regionalization presented by Dr. David Scott, director of Mission Theology at the General Board of Global Ministries

Clarification on the constitutional amendment process and transparency efforts by the Commission on the General Conference (COGC) from Secretary of the General Conference, Rev. Dr. Aleze Fulbright

Practical implications for the U.S. led by Heather Hahn, UM News’ assistant news editor and the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards, lead of Ask The UMC

A question-and-answer session guided by Hahn will close out the event. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions on the registration form or during the live Zoom session.

The webinar will be presented in English and real-time American Sign Language (ASL) with live interpretation for Spanish and Korean-speaking participants. After the event, the transcription and supportive resources will be translated into all of the official languages of the church and posted to ResourceUMC.org.

Each annual conference was tasked with identifying two representatives to attend the webinar and then later disseminate their learnings within their conference. These individuals, paired with additional conference members that opt to attend, can equip their conference with knowledge and resources to navigate change, ask critical questions and advocate for the church’s future at the local level.

An on-demand webinar recording will be available after the completion of the event.

Though this session will speak to the cultural context of U.S. church members, it will provide insights for United Methodists around the world. The webinar follows a recent in-person training in Africa.

Those interested in joining the webinar can visit ResourceUMC.org/RegionalizationWebinar for details and to register for the Zoom session.