United Methodist Restructuring Proposed

May 2007
United Methodist News Service

The UMC in the United States may become a regional conference in 2012 if the 2008 General Conference approves a current draft proposal requesting that a task force be formed on the church’s global nature.

One thing to study for possible 2012 action is how the U.S. could become a regional conference. That raises the possibility of separating U.S. church business from the church worldwide. The contention of the proponents of the study is that the U.S. influence in churchwide governance disempowers the 30 percent of members outside of the U.S.

Another matter that may come before the 2008 General Conference concerns the appointing power of bishops. A Council of Bishops task force has raised the question of whether elders (fully credentialed pastors) should have guaranteed appointments, if that rule hampers removing ineffective pastors. The rule was adopted in 1956 – when women were finally accepted for full ordination – to protect pastors from arbitrary, sexist or racist abuses.