General Conference
Harvard Law professor Ogletree sees ‘blessing’ despite Alzheimer’s
By Adelle M. Banks — July 7, 2016
(RNS) He shared with fellow members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church how his faith is helping him cope with the diagnosis.
Methodists nominate 3 openly gay candidates for bishop
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 28, 2016
(RNS) The United Methodist Church decided not to take up contentious LGBT issues. But that's not stopping its regional conferences from making decisions on their own.
Methodist lesbian voted down as deacon
By Adelle M. Banks — June 2, 2016
(RNS) Tara 'T.C.' Morrow needed a two-thirds vote to become a provisional deacon.
United Methodism’s global evangelical transformation
By Mark Tooley — May 27, 2016
(RNS) Decades ago it never occurred to me nor to many evangelicals in United Methodism that our church's membership decline and theological liberalism in America would be reversed by dramatic growth in Africa.
Why United Methodists’ chaos on sexuality issues will continue (COMMENTARY)
By Jacob Lupfer — May 23, 2016
(RNS) In reality, the bishops did not lead.
United Methodist conference seen as confusing even to God
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 22, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) But delegates on all sides of the issues were hopeful as the conference ended.
UMC withdraws from interfaith pro-abortion rights group
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 21, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) The United Methodist Church will withdraw from the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice in a move one supporter said shows the denomination is moving away from other mainline denominations.
African Methodists worry about the church that brought them Christianity
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 20, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) "People from the country that brought the gospel to us are now preaching a different gospel."
Methodists postpone debate of gay issues that could split denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 19, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) Delegates narrowly agreed to create a commission to "develop a complete examination and possible revision of every paragraph in our Book of Discipline regarding human sexuality."
United Methodist leadership recommends deferral of LGBT decisions
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 18, 2016
(RNS) Faced with protests, delegates consider convening a special session of the church's General Conference in 2018 or 2019 to discuss LGBT issues.
How do Methodists view homosexuality and same-sex marriage? Some poll results
By Tobin Grant — May 18, 2016
It's not just at the General Conference. United Methodists in the pews are also split over LGBT issues.
Methodists vote to cut ties with group some consider anti-Israel
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 17, 2016
(RNS) On a 478-318 vote, delegates called for their church to cancel its membership in the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation.
Methodist leader acknowledges struggle to maintain unity
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 17, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) The church faces increasing pressure in the United States to ordain LGBT clergy and allow same-sex weddings, both strongly opposed by conservatives in this country and among its growing congregations in Africa.
Methodist supporters of Israel-related divestment regroup after setback
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 16, 2016
PORTLAND, Ore. (RNS) The contentious issue of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions arises at the United Methodist Church's general conference.
Methodists reject alternative format for divisive LGBT discussions
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 12, 2016
(RNS) The General Conference voted down a discernment process that would have allowed delegates to discuss contentious issues in small groups.
