Connectional Table

A diverse, 16-member group of United Methodist bishops and other leaders offered a proposal that would preserve The United Methodist Church while allowing traditionalist-minded congregations to form a new denomination. The nine-page “Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation” was released Jan. 3. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Reaction aplenty to separation plan

United Methodists offer a range of views on proposal that would address divisions over homosexuality by letting traditionalists form their own denomination.

General Church

Delegates pause for prayer at the 2019 special General Conference in St. Louis. A group of 2020 General Conference delegates and other church leaders from Africa, Europe and the Philippines is proposing a new form of unity. File photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Delegates offer proposal for church unity

United Methodist leaders from Africa, Europe and the Philippines are offering a “Christmas Covenant” and inviting others to sign on.

General Church

Bishop Harald Rückert of Germany announces the support of bishops in Africa, Europe and the Philippines for the proposed U.S. regional conference. He made the announcement toward the end of the Nov. 3-6 Council of Bishops meeting in Lake Junaluska, N.C. Photo by Sam Hodges, UM News.

Bishops’ group backs US regional conference

Bishops from Africa, Europe and the Philippines announced support for the proposed new structure for U.S. decision-making.

General Church

Delegates from the Philippines bow their heads during a day of prayer at the 2019 United Methodist General Conference in St. Louis. A group of Filipino United Methodists have submitted a plan to the 2020 General Conference that calls for church unity, not division. Photo by Kathleen Barry, UM News.

Filipino legislation calls for church unity

The plan, the first to emerge from outside the U.S., calls for reimagining church structures to allow for contextual differences.

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