Can a pastor deny a person membership? Plenary will debate

By a one-vote margin (29-28), the local church legislation committee will ask a plenary session to add a clause making it clear that the decision about an individual’s readiness to affirm the vows of membership rests with the pastor.
Under the proposal, a person who is denied membership may appeal that decision to the Pastor-Parish or Staff-Parish Relations Committee.


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Social Concerns
Retired Bishop Peggy A. Johnson. Photo courtesy of the author.

Remembering who we are amid US budget fight

United Methodists should remember their Wesleyan heritage and seek to defend the marginalized people being targeted in the federal budget, writes retired Bishop Peggy Johnson.
Church Leadership
Participants in the 2025 United Methodist Church Deacons Gathering sing during opening worship at the Upper Room Chapel in Nashville, Tenn. From left are the Rev. Shannon Howard, the Rev. Tina Marie Rees, the Rev. Sherry Brady and Candace Brady. A focus of the event was deacons’ new sacramental authority approved at last year’s General Conference. Photo by Mike DuBose, UM News.

Deacons explore new sacramental authority

United Methodist deacons are discussing best practices now that General Conference has approved their new responsibility to preside at baptism and communion “when contextually appropriate.”
Church Leadership
The Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens. Photo by Brian Tolbert.

Deacons serve diverse, specialized roles

The role of the deacon is gaining visibility and importance, but what do we really know about this ministry?

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