Emboldened by the Spirit-Imagining the Church to Be is the theme for the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in Calvary, Canada, in 2026. Rev. Dr. Gloria Winston, Connie Wolf, and Caleb Parker shared information on the work leading up to this five-day conference, which will include representatives from all areas of our denomination. Every Episcopal area will be represented by at least one young adult.

Rev. Dr. Winston shared how the work would come directly from scripture, following our Wesleyan Heritage, using three questions:

• What are we teaching?
• How are we teaching?
• What are we doing?

In addition, the team added two questions that speak to where we are in this moment. They are:

• How do we support it?
• Why do we do it?

Connie Wolf shared with the conference the work that has been done in preparation for the upcoming gathering, including a 2025 survey of the entire denomination to gather feedback, multiple webinars, and a recent pre-gathering.

Caleb Parker explained to the conference how those gathered would be organized, including leadership, discipleship, impact, and stewardship. He noted that the gathering is not a legislative body but a consultative and exploratory group.

Wolf and Parker, with the help of Mentimeter, allowed those gathered at Annual Conference to participate in their continued efforts to collect feedback. The first question asked was “What should be the highest priorities of The United Methodist Church over the next decade?” The number-one answer was forming disciples who love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

Conference members were also asked to use a few words to describe one thing the denomination needs to change to thrive into the next decade. Some of the responses were:

• Be less afraid of change
• Stay true to who we are
• Scriptural engagement and deep spiritual formation
• Leave divisions behind

The final opportunity asked them to use one word to describe where they are experiencing joy in the church. The top answers included worship, music, connection, relationships, collaboration, fellowship, and more. 

Rev. Dr. Winston shared Psalm 78. Together, she and Wolf reminded those gathered how the work would help the church to become good ancestors for the youth who are watching. She said participants would tell the truth, refuse power or privilege, encourage all to participate, and ensure the work would sow seeds even though we may never see the harvest.

Ways that members of the conference can help support this work include:

• Participate and engage by sharing with their congregations
• Pray for wisdom, humility, and courage
• Believe that God is not finished with The United Methodist Church

Article written by Kim R. Smith
Photo by Suzanne Cobb