Backers of agency consolidation ponder what went wrong

“My sense is that the Central Conference folks are reluctant to change anything, because they are primarily the beneficiaries of the agencies,” Mr. Underwood said. “And even though the CT legislation doesn’t change any of the vital work that they are recipients of, they fear that the change will somehow make that work go away. And so, they are tending to vote against any kind of major change.”

But Central Conference delegates were hardly the only obstacle to the CT/IOT legislation. Different parties, voicing concerns about concentration of power and lack of diversity in a single small board, worked together for its defeat.

Click here to ready Sam Hodge’s United Methodist Reporter story.


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
Local Church
Susan Clark. Photo courtesy of the author.

Winter guard meets Wesleyan warmth

St. John’s United Methodist Church in South Carolina opens its doors to out-of-state teen performers at a moment’s notice, showing the United Methodist connection at work.
The Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera. Photo by Brian McConkey Photography, courtesy of the Rev. Dr. Viera.

Church must do messy work of restoring community

The world is watching to see if Christians can do what we proclaim and love across the chasms that defeat everyone else, writes the Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera.
Mission and Ministry
The Rev. Dr. Michael L. Bowie Jr. Photo courtesy of the author.

A clean page for a critical time

Moving into a new year, Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century is working to meet the urgent needs of Black congregations.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved