Help is at hand for those following General Conference

Several resources are available to help people understand and keep up with the work of the United Methodist Church’s 2004 General Conference.

The Web site of the General Conference, www.gc2004.org, features news stories leading up to the assembly and will include daily multimedia news coverage and video streaming of key events once the conference gets under way.

The site, administered by United Methodist Communications, also includes “About General Conference 2004,” offering an overview of everything from logistical details about the assembly to information on key legislation.

People interested in tracking legislation as it goes through the assembly will be able to do so with the new Online Legislative Tracking available on the General Conference site.

A free electronic newsletter subscription is also available through the site. Subscribers will receive news, feature stories and scheduled online offerings daily by e-mail.

United Methodist News Service will provide Web, video and audio news coverage daily at the site. Its reports will include stories in Spanish and Korean, as well as news of interest to Native American and African-American audiences.

An interactive online course, “Exploring General Conference: What, When, How” tells how General Conference operates and how it speaks for the denomination. The self-paced course provides a multimedia, “virtual” classroom experience that intermingles printed content, audio and video clips, quizzes, animated learning aids, and a threaded discussion board. The course is offered through April 28. Cost is $12. Go to www.training.umcom.org for details.

The denomination’s top lawmaking body will meet April 27-May 7 in Pittsburgh.

News media can contact Tim Tanton at (615)742-5470 or [email protected].


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Human Sexuality
The Rev. Izzy Alvaran (right) and others pray together on May 1 after the 2024 United Methodist General Conference, meeting in Charlotte, N.C., voted to remove the denomination's ban on the ordination of "self-avowed practicing” gay clergy — a prohibition that dated to 1984. Alvaran is on the staff of the Reconciling Ministries Network, which has unveiled a new strategic plan after success at last year’s General Conference. File photo by Paul Jeffrey, UM News.

LGBTQ advocates aim to build on 2024 gains

Reconciling Ministries Network, after success at last year’s General Conference, hopes to help the emerging United Methodist Church live into a more inclusive future.
Theology and Education
Graphic by Taylor W Burton Edwards based on The 2020/2024 Book of Discipline, Copyright 2024, United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.

Ask The UMC: Part 1, Local churches, annual conferences, and general agencies

Some are smaller, and some are bigger, but changes have come in the 2020/2024 Book of Discipline for local churches, annual conferences, and general agencies.
General Church
The United Methodist Church’s Committee on Faith and Order met alongside the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters. The Faith and Order Committee, whose members include United Methodist scholars and ecumenical leaders, is responsible for guiding the denomination in informed theological reflection and discernment. It also is helping the standing committee in developing a General Book of Discipline that includes the essentials for the denomination. Photo by Heather Hahn, UM News.

Committee begins theological work

United Methodist leaders are evaluating what parts of the Book of Discipline can be adapted in different geographic areas and which apply worldwide. The work is heading to General Conference regardless of whether regionalization is ratified.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved