History of the Movement
The movement toward regionalization began at General Conference 2012 when the Connectional Table brought forth a recommendation that the United States become a regional conference, like all the others. In 2019, a group of leaders from the Philippines built on the 2012 proposal, creating the Christmas Covenant. That proposal was refined further by the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters into the legislation on regionalization, which was passed by General Conference with an overwhelming majority—78% of voting delegates approved the legislation.
This movement began to allow United Methodists across the globe the ability to adapt parts of the Book of Discipline to their contexts, so that we might be more effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
What Will Change
The legislation on regionalization gives clear authority to each region to change or adapt the following according to their missional context:
- Publish their own hymnal, their own book of worship, and liturgical resources.
- Set standards of character and membership and determine how to respond when lay members do not fulfill them.
- Set standards and qualifications for ordained and licensed clergy.
- Set standards for lay ministries.
- Set standards for the organization and operation of annual conferences, district conferences, and charge conferences.
- Set up a regional judicial court to rule on parts of the Discipline that the region has adopted.
- Develop funeral and marriage rites, and specify how marriage and funeral rites are conducted.
- Make changes to chargeable offenses under church law.
- Work with annual conferences to ensure that the policies and practices adapted at the regional level align with the laws for each conference.
What Won’t Change
All United Methodists across the globe will share the following:
- Constitution
- Doctrinal Standards and Our Theological Task
- The Ministry of All Christians
- Social Principles
- Some parts of the Book of Discipline*
*The Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters is working to bring a report to General Conference 2028 about which additional parts of the Book of Discipline must stay the same for all United Methodists. General Conference will retain full legislative power over “all matters distinctively connectional” and will decide with a 60% majority which regional conferences are allowed to adapt.
What to Expect at Annual Conference
Each Annual Conference has the authority to decide how best to take a ballot. EPA & GNJ will use electronic voting devices, as we have done in the past. Each constitutional amendment may be debated on the floor but may not be amended. After a time of conversation, delegates can cast their vote.
Unlike other Annual Conference items up for a vote, constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority of every individual vote cast across the globe. Each vote contributes to the overall outcome because they are part of an aggregate vote count, meaning the votes will not stay at the Annual Conference level. Each vote will be tallied by the Council of Bishops.
The results of the ballots will not be shared, so the decisions of one Annual Conference may not influence the decision of another Annual Conference. The results will be shared in mid-November, after every Annual Conference has had the opportunity to vote.
Then What?
If regionalization is ratified by two-thirds of all voting members across the globe, the names of the existing Central Conferences would be changed to regional conferences, and the United States would become its own regional conference, giving it the same powers and responsibilities as all other regional conferences. An interim regional committee will ease the transition as the U.S. Regional Conference prepares for its first meeting.
This is an exciting time for United Methodism. Regionalization, if passed, will release United Methodists to do ministry effectively in our particular contexts and ensure greater equity when we gather together for General Conference.
To learn more about regionalization, visit the page on Regionalization at Resource UMC or download this infographic.