General Conference News

The United Methodist Church, with members from across the world, are gathering April 23 - May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina, for General Conference. Together, they will engage in holy conferencing to set the laws, organizational structure, priorities, and budget that will govern the denomination. The General Conference is the only body that can set official policy and speak for The United Methodist Church. 

Postcards Home

May 3:

• 'You will see God's glory:' Thoughts on General Conference from Rev. Chet Jechura

May 2:

• Deacons can now preside at sacraments in their appointments
• Church defines itself in new Social Principles
• May 2 wrap-up: Delegates declare homosexuality no longer ‘incompatible’

May 1:

• BWC delegates react to historic vote
• Disaffiliation ends, regionalization moves forward
• May 1 wrap-up: Gay clergy ban lifted, new retirement plan approved

April 30:

• General Conference reduces requested giving
• LGBTQ bans slowly being eliminated
• April 30 wrap-up: Some LGBTQ bans lifted, Episcopal communion approved

April 29:

• Message from Bishop Easterling: Celebrating a brand-new day
• LYNC is 'the church we hope to become'
• April 29 wrap-up: African bishops added; prayers after Charlotte shooting

April 28:

• BWC delegation leaders see new day dawning
• Photos from General Conference

April 27:

• Church broadens defense of human rights
• April 27 wrap-up: First revised Social Principles pass, committee work ends

April 26:

• April 26 wrap-up: Bishop urges delegates to follow God’s lead

April 25:

• Bishop Easterling preaches a message to end violence against women
• General Conference gives regionalization green light
• April 25 wrap-up: Regionalization gets go-ahead, Eurasia leaves

April 24:

• Delegates urged to ‘restart’ church with less
• Young people share fears, hopes for future church
• Bishop Holston: Become ‘who God needs us to be’
• Sacred Tenderness: A Commentary from Ginger Gaines-Cirelli

• April 24 wrap-up: Legislative committee work begins

April 23:

• Bishop urges ‘spirit of hope’ as General Conference begins
• April 23 wrap-up: After years of delay, General Conference begins

April 22:

• Postcards Home

Helpful Links:

• Official site of the General Conference
• General Conference Infographic
• The official General Conference Guide
• How to talk about General Conference, before, during and after
• What to know about General Conference proposals
• Prayer Guide for General Conference
• Ask the UMC
• Love Your Neighbor Coalition - a partnership of 15 United Methodist Church-related caucus groups working for a just, inclusive, and grace-filled denomination.
• More General Conference Resources and Information
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