Navigation Back Search
Search

Perspectives on a Way Forward

February 04, 2019

A panel discussion, streamed on February 6, featured speakers for each of the major plans proposed to the 2019 General Conference.

 

Connectional Conference Plan: The Rev. Chris Ritter

One Church Plan: The Rev. Mark Holland

Simple Plan: The Rev. Althea Spencer-Miller

Traditional and Modified Traditional Plan: The Rev. Rob Renfroe

 

Sponsored by UM News and recorded at United Methodist Communications.

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.

Related Tags

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Multicultural Ministry
Leaders of the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean say the historic autonomy of churches in the region has helped the council navigate divisions within The United Methodist Church. Pictured from left are Bishops Juan de Dios Peña (president of CIEMAL) and Frank de Nully Brown (vice president) and Horacio Mesones, the council’s executive secretary. Photo illustration by the Rev. Gustavo Vásquez, UM News.

Latin American Methodists stress unity amid church changes
CIEMAL leaders say the historic autonomy of churches in Latin America and the Caribbean has helped the region navigate divisions within The United Methodist Church without deep regional fractures.
Church History
The Methodist Church’s 1956 General Conference meets from April 25 to May 7 in the municipal auditorium in Minneapolis. On May 4, the first Friday of the legislative assembly, the delegates voted to make women eligible for full clergy rights. “Now it is up to us to prove in clear and deep witness to the whole church our consecration and our loyal devotion to the work of the Kingdom of God,” said Margaret Henrichsen, a General Conference visitor, after the vote. In 1967, she became the first U.S. woman appointed district superintendent. Photo courtesy of Archives and History.

Why the 1956 women-clergy vote matters
Seventy years ago, the Methodist Church supported full conference membership for women clergy — a decision that would have a resounding impact when The United Methodist Church formed in 1968 and even today.
General Conference
Emily Allen, a veteran lay delegate from the California-Nevada Conference, delivers a report during the 2024 United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, N.C. on May 3, 2024. Allen has been elected to serve as the interim General Conference secretary beginning July 1. She will lead the planning of The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly, scheduled May 8-16, 2028, in Minneapolis. Photo by Larry McCormack, UM News.

Bishops elect interim General Conference head
Emily Allen will lead the planning of The United Methodist Church’s international legislative assembly, next scheduled in 2028.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved