How to pay for the 2019 Special General Conference – and how to tone down the anger and mistrust of previous sessions – has challenged the agency charge with running the church-wide policy-making assembly.

The United Methodist Council of Bishops wants to give annual conferences, congregations and pastors the authority to decide their own stances regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life and ministry of the church.

The United Methodist Council of Bishops wants to give annual conferences, congregations and pastors the authority to decide their own stances regarding the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the life and ministry of the church.

Global United Methodism waits as the Council of Bishops deliberates over its “Way Forward” unity proposal for the 2019 General Conference.

Global United Methodism waits as the Council of Bishops deliberates over its “Way Forward” unity proposal for the 2019 General Conference.

Whatever happens with church unity at the 2019 General Conference, the Connectional Table will still be at work coordinating the denomination’s ministries, say its members.

One of the moderators of the Commission on A Way Forward, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball urged the denomination’s coordinating body to focus on United Methodists’ common interests, not political battles, and to “trust God.”

Way Foward commissioners complete their report for the Council of Bishops as the church at large awaits results, writes Heather Hahn of United Methodist News Service.

Of 11 delegates around the world contacted by United Methodist News Service, five from the United States and one from Liberia were willing to give their early impressions of the unity proposals under consideration.

Methodist women played key roles in obtaining the right to vote for women, writes Heather Hahn in this feature for Women’s History Month.