Bishops

Social Concerns
Schoolgirls journey home on a homemade raft they guide down a flooded street in Calumpit, Philippines, after Typhoon Carina in July 2024. As climate change continues to impact livelihoods, economies and habitats around the world, the Council of Bishops is reiterating its commitment to creation care. File photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Bishops prioritize creation care

In a response to the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, the United Methodist Council of Bishops affirmed their commitment to creation justice and encouraged church members to participate in this urgent work.
General Church
During its fall meeting Nov. 3-7, the Council of Bishops announced the ratification of four amendments to the denomination’s constitution — which each passed with more than 91% of the vote. Chief among the changes approved was regionalization, a restructuring of the denomination that de-centers the U.S. Image courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Regionalization starts taking effect

The United Methodist body that submitted the restructuring to General Conference met to take a victory lap and begin putting the newly ratified plan into practice.
General Church
Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. gives an update on plans for the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering, scheduled Oct. 20-24, 2026, in Calgary, Canada. Saenz is co-chair of the gathering’s Design Team. During the online fall meeting, his fellow bishops also elected Saenz as the incoming Council of Bishops president. Screenshot photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops Facebook page.

Bishops plan gathering to follow Spirit’s lead

United Methodist bishops heard an update on planning for next year’s Leadership Gathering that aims to help church leaders discern God’s guidance as the denomination starts anew.
General Church
Bishop Tracy S. Malone surveys the results of a delegate vote in favor of a worldwide regionalization plan as she presides over a legislative session of the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C., on April 25, 2024. The Council of Bishops announced Nov. 5 that annual conference lay and clergy voters have ratified regionalization. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

New United Methodist Church structure ratified

United Methodist voters around the globe have ratified worldwide regionalization — a package of constitutional amendments aiming to put the denomination’s different geographical regions on equal footing.

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