Name of conference: Indiana Conference
Location of conference gathering: St Luke’s United Methodist Church, Indianapolis
Dates of conference gathering: June 3-6
Did the gathering have a theme or slogan, and if so, what was it? ALL IN: Multiplying Love
Officiating bishop: Bishop Tracy S. Malone
Guest speakers and memorable points or quotes by speakers: The Rev. Dr. Michael Beck in our Teaching Time and Bishop Malone in her episcopal address:
Beck presented on “Leading and Discipling in a Post-Pandemic, Post-Disaffiliation and Politically Polarized World.” In light of current attitudes toward Church in the U.S., he challenged members of the annual conference to consider fresh expressions — having church outside of a church building, like Paws of Praise, which meets at a park (and asks simple questions like, “If God were a dog, what kind of dog would he be?”) or Bible studies that meet in tattoo parlors, Mexican restaurants, yoga studios or pickleball courts.
Learn more
To read more about the Indiana Conference’s 2026 gathering, visit www.inumc.org.
“We need to use these beautiful spaces and resources of the saints, but we can’t just do that anymore,” he said. “We need to get back to some of the early Methodist practices, the Incarnational Church. That’s what Jesus did.”
Bishop Malone presented her episcopal address titled, “Rooted in Christ’s Love, Formed for Faithful Witness.” She referenced the annual conference theme verse John 15:9-17: “‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love … I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.’ There is a connection between abiding and bearing fruit. Between remaining in Christ and reflecting the life of Christ. Between being rooted and becoming fruitful,” she said.
Main actions enacted by the conference:
- Adopted the 2027 budget.
- Multiple resolutions and amended resolutions passed, aspiring things like freedom and liberties of people with disabilities, support for associate members and local pastors, condemnation of online betting and sports gambling, rejection of Christian nationalism, and justice for our immigrant neighbors.
Is the conference planning any new initiatives? No
Did the conference take any action related to the upcoming General Conference? No
Did your conference approve redistricting or redrawing of conference lines? No
Is your conference planning to merge with another conference or conferences? No
Number of churches that closed because no longer sustainable (please list each church): 14
- Bridgeton United Methodist Church
- Columbus Mt. Olive United Methodist Church
- Edwardsport United Methodist Church
- Gentryville United Methodist Church
- Hamlet United Methodist Church
- Hancock Chapel United Methodist Church
- Lexington Pleasant Ridge United Methodist Church
- Memphis United Methodist Church
- Monroe City Hamline Chapel United Methodist Church
- New Zion United Methodist Church
- Soloon Creek United Methodist Church
- Reynolds United Methodist Church
- Utica United Methodist Church
- West Middleton United Methodist Church
Has your conference adopted a reaffiliation policy and if so, did any churches return? No
Any special annual conference set: No
What budget did the conference pass and how did it change from last year?
The 2027 budget as presented for the Indiana Conference is $10,063,225, down from $11,864690 in 2026.
Resolutions adopted by the conference: Resolutions #1-8
Names of delegates for both General Conference and jurisdictional or regional conferences, and designation of lay or clergy: N/A
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership:
- 2 persons were recognized as associate members.
- 2 persons were ordained as deacon.
- 3 persons were ordained as elder.
- 2 persons were commissioned for ministry.
- 8 persons were recognized for completion of Course of Study.
Number of clergy retired: 30, for 675 years of combined service.
Membership stands at 102,218, down 4,484 from the previous year.
Worship attendance stands at 35,110, down 1,229. Online worship stands at 31,236, up 2,198.
Church school attendance stands at 8,908, down 142.
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2025: 394, down 97 from 2024.
Adults and young adults in small groups for 2025: 21,707, down 105 from 2024.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2025: 27,161, up 1,952 from 2024.