UMC bishops in Africa reaffirmed their support for the Church’s regionalization, allowing decisions to better fit African ministry needs. Meeting at Africa University in Zimbabwe, they urged unity within the UMC, condemned outside interference, and stressed the importance of upcoming episcopal elections for strong leadership.

The United Methodist Africa Forum (UMAF), through its West Africa Central Conference Desk, strongly condemns the recent wave of disinformation and harassment directed at United Methodist Bishops in Nigeria. United Methodists stand united in rejecting any attempt to disrupt the church’s mission.

UMAF declares its commitment to the future of the United Methodist Church in Africa. In as much as the outcome of the General Conference may be different from desired options, UMAF acknowledge the need to own these realities in our continued engagement to reforming the church from within to reflect the future we desire.

The United Methodist Africa Forum (UMAF) shares insights on their legislative efforts and outcomes during the 2024 General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina.

General Conference approved a plan to add two more bishops to where the church is growing. But a number of delegates expressed frustration that the number wasn’t five.

General Conference has now passed much of the legislation that aims to give the church’s different geographic regions equal standing in decision-making authority.

UMAF is committed to ensuring the full participation of African delegates at the General Conference and advocating for legislative proposals that represent the views and interests of the church in Africa. Legislative priorities, reaffirmed in resolutions from Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam.

The United Methodist Africa Forum shares some of the concerns being expressed by delegates from Africa and other concerned United Methodists as to the organization of the General Conference and the impact this has in the life of the church and possible responses to the outcome of the said conference

The proposal of disaffiliation has surfaced, threatening to disintegrate the UMC in Africa and erase the rich history and heritage that our forefathers have diligently preserved over generations. However, amidst this uncertainty, there exists a viable alternative – regionalization – that promises to uphold the unity and continuity of the church while honoring its legacy.

The proposed regionalization legislation coming to General Conference on April 23-May 3 is generating a lot of discussion among African United Methodists. Their votes could be key to whether regionalization can pass.

Traditionalist voices have been calling for African United Methodists to oppose regionalization proposals and to support extending disaffiliation opportunities to their continent. But the Rev. Gabriel Banga Mususwa writes that African United Methodists can decide for themselves on these issues.

O Fórum Metodista Unido de África reuniu 190 delegados para discutir questões de interesse para a igreja em África antes da Conferência Geral

Le Forum Méthodiste Uni d’Afrique a réuni 190 délégués pour discuter des questions préoccupantes pour l’Église en Afrique en amont de la Conférence Générale.

Nearly 200 African delegates to the upcoming General Conference say they are committed to staying in The United Methodist Church and expressed their support for regionalization. The group gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for an orientation organized by the advocacy group United Methodist Africa Forum to prepare for the upcoming legislative assembly.

In a historic assembly held from January 4-7, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 190 African delegates to the General Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC) concluded their United Methodist Africa Forum (UMAF) meeting. During this pivotal gathering, delegates stood united against disaffiliation, solidifying their commitment to the Church's unity, and passionately embraced regionalization as a visionary pathway for the future of the Church in Africa.

The regionalization legislation headed to General Conference later this year would begin a process of greater adaptability of the Book of Discipline to fit the varying needs and opportunities of United Methodists worldwide. But even if all of the legislation brought to support this work is passed by the required margins, the effort is just the beginning, writes the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards.

The regionalization legislation headed to General Conference takes several steps toward a goal of building connectional unity while making room for customization in each region of the world. In Part 4 of a new series on regionalization, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards answers questions related to the legislation, including what could be customized by regional conferences and what is not included in the proposal.

With regionalization legislation headed to General Conference, the Ask The UMC team is exploring the impact of regionalization on the worldwide church. In Part 3 of a new series, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards writes that effective communication is key to effective regionalization.

At its heart, regionalization in The United Methodist Church means connectionalism customized to enhance local effectiveness. In a new series, Ask The UMC explores regionalization, including how the current customization has enabled variances across the worldwide church. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards reports.

The word “regionalization” has been used more frequently in recent months as legislation to put The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions on equal footing heads to General Conference. In a new series, Ask The UMC explores the ways that regionalization already exists for central conferences, as well as the implications of enabling regionalization worldwide, including for United Methodists in the United States.