Revive event lifts up servant leaders in the Philippines

Before electing three new bishops, delegates gathered for song, dance, prayers and messages about fulfilling God’s holy work.

Encounter at a Nicaraguan dump proves life-changing

Reading Scripture with fresh eyes, James Barnett decided to leave a lucrative career and minister with his homeless neighbors.

UMCOR assists displaced families in East Congo

Funds from the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s International Disaster Response program helped purchase food and other supplies for people in Beni who have fled attacks in outlying areas.

Bishop candidates created community over Zoom

Pre-conference meetings helped the candidates for bishop in the North Central Jurisdictional Conference make the election process a positive experience, even for the seven candidates who weren’t selected.

Making the best use of church space

Aging congregations and expensive buildings are plaguing many churches, but there is an upside. Church leaders are starting to get innovative about how their real estate is used, and that could be the road to a sustainable future.

United Methodist hospital in Nigeria expands

Bishop John Wesley Yohanna led a commissioning service for a new emergency ward to enhance services at the church hospital in Jalingo.

Church court deals with General Conference delay

Three United Methodist annual conferences, including one in Africa, have asked the denomination’s highest court to rule on the ramifications of General Conference’s third postponement since the onset of COVID. The Judicial Council also faces more ...

Disaffiliations approved by annual conferences

Hollering for Change: When it all falls down

“If you live life long enough, you have a moment when it all literally falls down,” writes the Rev. Dr. Tori Butler. She shares the time this happened to her and how she got back up.

Scholarships help students change Africa

Two-thirds of the students at Africa University receive financial aid or scholarships, according to Jim Salley, president and CEO of Africa University (Tennessee) Inc.

Estrella elected Philippines Central’s first female bishop

The Rev. Ruby-Nell M. Estrella, treasurer of the Philippines Central Conference, was the second bishop elected at the Nov. 24-26 meeting.

Philippines Central Conference elects Acdal as bishop

The president of John Wesley College was elected on the sixth ballot. He will lead the Baguio Episcopal Area.

Philippines Central Conference elects Painit as bishop

The country director of mission in Southeast Asia was the third bishop elected at the Nov. 24-26 meeting.

Church responds as famine threatens Congo

United Methodist Bishop Gabriel Yemba Unda, East Congo Episcopal Area, calls for amplifying agricultural activities to fight food insecurity.

Lack of birth certificate challenges children in rural areas

Representatives of five United Methodist-related primary and secondary schools reported an average 44% of students don’t have birth certificates.

Paradox on the plains

When Kansans voted recently to protect abortion rights, they continued a rich history of advocacy.

COSROW at 50, still a long way to go

The top executive of the agency advocating for women’s equality in the church reflects on how far they’ve come and what work still remains.

3 church disaffiliations blocked in Arkansas

The Arkansas Conference approved the exit of 35 churches, but not of three others seeking to leave The United Methodist Church.

Amid church exits, work starts on record-low budget

United Methodist leaders agree that big changes are coming as the denomination grapples with rising church disaffiliations. But disagreements remain on how best to balance financial uncertainty with missional commitments.

Book offers clarity on United Methodist doctrine

‘Faith Working Through Love,’ produced by the Committee on Faith and Order, sets the record straight about United Methodist beliefs and how those beliefs shape lives.

Central and Southern Europe elects Stefan Zürcher bishop

The district superintendent of Northwestern Switzerland was elected Nov. 18 on the fourth ballot, receiving 41 of 68 votes cast.

Complaint filed against gay bishop's consecration

In a highly unusual move, the complaint against Western Jurisdiction bishops is online and garnering signatures from around the globe. The complaint comes after each of the five U.S. jurisdictions passed a resolution urging The United Methodist ...

Finding ‘God’s next’ for United Methodism

Hundreds gather in Dallas and online for “Space at the Table: Conversations of Hope for the UMC Future,” an event prompted by the pandemic and local church disaffiliations.

Hollering for Change: Reflections on Bishop Williamston’s historic election

The Rev. Dr. Tori Butler interviews the Rev. Wanda Bass, who was present to witness the first Black woman being elected bishop in the South Central Jurisdiction.

Is this a time for innovation within The United Methodist Church?

Taking an example from how director George Lucas’ vision helped revolutionize the film industry, the Rev. D.G. Hollums asks whether a pending split is an opportunity to reimagine the denomination.

Love of children brings $800,000 gift to Zimbabwe

During a 2001 visit to the Fairfield Children’s Home, a South Carolina mission team promised to return. In October 2022, their team leader joined Africa University’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Pastor makes personal connection with orphans

The Rev. Owen Ross of the North Texas Conference shares his journey with the children at United Methodist Old Mutare Mission and how he helped shape the way Fairfield Children’s Home looks today.

South Carolina couple count Zimbabwe twins as blessings

Charles and Carol Moore, members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, sponsor the boys who live at Fairfield Children’s Home at Old Mutare Mission.

‘Ghosts’ actress is a lifelong United Methodist

Sheila Carrasco, the actress who plays Flower on the CBS sitcom "Ghosts" and the daughter of a retired pastor, grew up in front of an audience.

A church closing that hits home

The Rev. Derrek Belase, director of connectional ministries for the Oklahoma Conference, shares the emotions he’s feeling as he prepares for the closing of the United Methodist church where he grew up.

Organ donation gives United Methodist second chance at life

After receiving a double lung transplant in 2020, Jennifer Loud is determined to seek and fulfill God’s purpose every day.

Jurisdictions see shift in bishops, more cooperation

Even as The United Methodist Church faces mounting disaffiliations, those who plan to remain United Methodist are working together more across jurisdictional lines. Jurisdictional conferences also elected more women and more people of color as ...

Western elects Cedrick Bridgeforth as bishop

The Rev. Cedrick D. Bridgeforth’s Nov. 4 election makes him the first openly gay African-American man to be elected a bishop in The United Methodist Church.

Western elects Dottie Escobedo-Frank as bishop

Delegates elected Dottie Escobedo-Frank, the jurisdiction’s third Hispanic bishop, Nov. 4 on the 19th ballot.

2 jurisdictions tackle racism in bishop elections

Both the Western Jurisdiction and Southeastern Jurisdiction found themselves addressing how bigotry has marred the bishop election process. The Western Jurisdiction held a highly unusual closed session.

US bishops receive assignments

After electing new bishops, some of the denomination’s U.S. jurisdictional conferences announced episcopal assignments effective Jan. 1.

Western Jurisdiction elects Rapanut in historic vote

The Rev. Carlo A. Rapanut, assistant to the bishop in the Greater Northwest Episcopal Area, is the first Filipino American bishop in The United Methodist Church, and the first U.S. bishop who was ordained in a central conference.

Northeastern Jurisdiction elects Burgos as bishop

With his election on the third ballot, the Rev. Héctor Burgos became the first Hispanic/Latino bishop elected in the jurisdiction.

South Central elects first Black female bishop

The Rev. Delores “Dee” Williamston, director of clergy excellence and assistant to the bishop of the Great Plains Conference, was elected on the first ballot with 141 votes.

South Central elects Wilson as denomination’s first Native American bishop

The Rev. David Wilson, assistant to the bishop of the Oklahoma and Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, was elected Nov. 2 on the first ballot, becoming the first Native American bishop in The United Methodist Church.

South Central Jurisdiction elects Merrill as bishop

The Rev. Laura Merrill was elected as a bishop along with two others on the first ballot in the South Central Jurisdictional Conference. The former church secretary received 99 votes, well over the required 77.

Southeastern elects Robin Dease as bishop

The Rev. Robin Dease, who was a write-in candidate on the first ballot for bishop in The United Methodist Church’s Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, was elected Nov. 3 on the 25th ballot at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. She received 206 ...

Southeastern Jurisdiction elects Shelton as bishop

The Rev. Connie Mitchell Shelton, district superintendent in the Mississippi Conference, was elected Nov. 2 on the 12th ballot.

test1103

Three bishops accused of aiding disaffiliation

A South Central Jurisdictional Conference delegate asked the jurisdiction’s college of bishops to address the conduct and status of three episcopal leaders he said had provided “promotion and support” to the breakaway Global Methodist Church.

North Central elects Bigham-Tsai bishop in historic vote

The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table, was the first to be elected on the first round of voting within the North Central Jurisdiction’s history.

Southeastern Jurisdiction elects Berlin as bishop

The Rev. Thomas M. Berlin, lead pastor of Floris United Methodist Church in Herndon, Virginia, was elected Nov. 2 on the fourth ballot.

Small church’s music festival draws big crowds

What began as a small way for Booneville United Methodist Church to reach out to the community has blossomed into an annual event attracting hundreds.

Debate looming on how low budget should go

The two bodies that develop The United Methodist Church’s budget agree cuts are needed, but disagreements are brewing over stewardship in a time of mounting church disaffiliations.

Former Africa University vice chancellor dies at 82

Rukudzo J. Murapa is being remembered for his vision, networking and leadership, including helping to establish the United Methodist university’s Institute of Peace, Leadership and Governance.