Leadership

Church Growth
Members of Second Chance take a selfie in the courtyard of Franklinton High School in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 21. Second Chance is a new United Methodist faith community focused on people recovering from addictions. It frequently worships in the building, which previously housed a United Methodist church. Photo by Jim Patterson, UM News.

2 church plants bloom on different paths

Husband-wife United Methodist pastors are helping to revive the denomination in Columbus, Ohio, using different approaches. One of them has authored a book explaining how others can start successful churches.
Faith Stories
Bishop Violet L. Fisher, the first Black woman elected bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction, died Nov. 17 at the age of 86. Photo courtesy of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Violet L. Fisher remembered as trailblazer

The United Methodist, who made history as the first Black woman elected bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction, also earned admiration across the church for her powerful preaching and tender pastoral care.
Church Leadership
The Rev. Young Min Paik, Lead Hub director for South Korea for the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, delivers a lecture during ASCEND 2025. The Nov. 3-7 Asian young adults leadership training brought together Methodist young adults from Cambodia, Laos, Mongolia and Vietnam for a week of study, worship and hands-on learning. Photo by the Rev. Thomas E. Kim, UM News.

Asian young adults seek new vision of servant leadership

ASCEND 2025 leadership training combines theological grounding with practical ministry planning to equip young leaders for spiritual formation and effective service.
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.

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