The theme of General Conference provides a touchstone for remaining centered in God’s grace and also a guide for our interactions at the assembly.
Speakers: The Rev. Tom Albin, Director of Spiritual Formation and Congregational Life, The Upper Room, Discipleship Ministries Kim Simpson, Chair, Commission on General Conference Kara Oliver, Executive Director, The Upper Room Center for Christian Spiritual Formation, Discipleship Ministries
A panel of speakers from the central conferences will offer perspectives on the choices facing the church, the hopes and dreams of people in their areas, and whether they have felt included in the development of proposals for the church’s future.
Speakers: Bishop John Wesley Yohanna, Nigeria Episcopal Area The Rev. Ole Birch, District Superintendent, Denmark Annual Conference The Rev. Igmedio Domingo, District Superintendent, Manila Area The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau, Director of Communication, North Katanga Episcopal Area
Panel moderator:Isaac Broune, UM News, United Methodist Communications
Representatives for the different restructuring proposals and central conference perspectives will answer questions from the audience in this moderated discussion.
Panel moderator: Sam Hodges, UM News Reporter, United Methodist Communications
A panel of legal, financial and pension experts will discuss what delegates should know about The United Methodist Church’s structure as they consider legislation to change it.
Speakers: Andy Hendren, Chief Legal Counsel, Wespath Benefits and Investments The Honorable Pam Liston, President, United Methodist Church Conference Chancellors Association Bryan Mills, Interim General Counsel, General Council on Finance and Administration
Panel moderator: The Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards, Ask The UMC, United Methodist Communications
One of General Conference’s primary responsibilities is to approve a budget. Representatives of the General Council on Finance and Administration and the Connectional Table will explain the budget and how it was developed.
Speakers: The Rev. Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger, Assistant Connectional Ministries Officer, Connectional Table A. Moses Kumar, General Secretary, General Council on Finance and Administration The Rev. Lyssette Perez, Member, Connectional Table Budget Allocations Committee, and President, MARCHA The Rev. Steve Wood, Lead Pastor, Mount Pisgah United Methodist Church, Alpharetta, Georgia
Panel moderator: Sharon Dean, Chief Officer of Communications and Marketing, General Council on Finance and Administration
The General Conference leadership team will guide us through the legislative process, sharing insights on how petitions are handled, parliamentary procedures, voting, and other vital topics.
Speakers: Susan Brumbaugh, Coordinator of the Calendar, General Conference The Rev. Gary Graves, Secretary, General Conference The Rev. Abby Parker Herrera, Petitions Secretary, General Conference Sara Hotchkiss, Business Manager, General Conference
Morning moderator: Mary Catherine Phillips, Director of Communications, Alabama-West Florida Conference
The United Methodist Church’s top court plays a critical role at General Conference. An expert explains how the Judicial Council has had a major impact on past assemblies.
Speaker: Sally Curtis AsKew, Former Member, Judicial Council
Work on a General Book of Discipline, the addition of new episcopal areas in Africa, and the restructuring of U.S. jurisdictions will be discussed in this panel.
Speakers: Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, Ohio West Episcopal Area Fred Brewington, Chair, Jurisdictional Study Committee George Howard, Director of Connectional Engagement, General Board of Global Ministries The Rev. Deanna Stickley-Miner, Director of Connectional Ministries, West Ohio Conference
Panel moderator: Heather Hahn, UM News Reporter, United Methodist Communications
Leaders with three general agencies will discuss legislation to address the treatment of women and girls, as well as a proposed apology for victims and survivors of sexual misconduct in the church.
Speakers: Harriett Jane Olson, General Secretary/CEO, United Methodist Women Dawn Wiggins Hare, General Secretary/CEO, General Commission on the Status and Role of Women Gilbert C. Hanke, General Secretary/CEO, United Methodist Men
Panel moderator: Kathy L. Gilbert, UM News Reporter, United Methodist Communications
Afternoon moderator: Charmaine Robledo, Director of Communications, Mountain Sky Conference
Young adult leaders will give an overview of proposals to change young people’s ministries in the church.
Speakers: Bethany Amey, Board Member, Division on Ministries with Young People, Discipleship Ministries Jani Djamba, Board Member, Division on Ministries with Young People, Discipleship Ministries Venus Mae Gatdula, Board Member, Division on Ministries with Young People, Discipleship Ministries and Connectional Table Maggie Taylor, Co-chair, Division on Ministries with Young People, Discipleship Ministries
Panel moderator: Paul Gomez, Manager, Hispanic/Latino Seeker Communications, United Methodist Communications
Delegates will consider the first major overhaul of the church’s Social Principles in nearly 50 years.
Speaker: The Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, General Secretary/CEO, General Board of Church and Society
Moderator for Social Principles and Social Witness combined panel: The Rev. Thomas Kim, Director of Korean/Asian News, UM News, United Methodist Communications
A proposed constitutional amendment on racism and resolutions on immigration and voter suppression are among the topics that General Conference will consider.
Speakers: Bishop Minerva Carcaño, Chair, United Methodist Interagency Task Force on Immigration Erin Hawkins, General Secretary, General Commission on Religion and Race
Moderator for Social Principles and Social Witness combined panel: The Rev. Thomas Kim, Director of Korean/Asian News, UM News, United Methodist Communications
A significant pension plan change for clergy, along with an update from the Study on Ministry, will be among several items directly affecting clergy at General Conference.
Speakers: Bill Kavanaugh, Chief Operating Officer, Wespath Benefits and Investments The Rev. Dr. Tom Rand, Member, Study of Ministry Commission, and Lead Pastor, Sylvania (Ohio) First United Methodist Church
The Council of Bishops is proposing a resolution to implement a full communion relationship with the Episcopal Church. Other legislation includes a resolution to adopt a new doctrinal teaching, “Sent in Love: A United Methodist Understanding of the Church.”
Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Kyle R. Tau, Ecumenical Staff Officer, Faith & Order and Theological Development, Council of Bishops
