Covid-19 vaccination named missional priority

A United Methodist leadership body declared increasing vaccinations against COVID-19 a denomination-wide “missional priority.”

Connectional Table aims to restructure

Bottom line: The Connectional Table plans to have fewer seats at its table but a more diverse group of people in those seats.

Discussion series explores what it means to be United Methodist

“Tuesdays at the Table: Should I stay? Or should I go?” is a new discussion series for United Methodists, presented by the Connectional Table (CT) in cooperation with general agencies and contributors. Weekly segments will explore topics aimed at helping viewers better understand their faith, their church and themselves.

Conversations address going separate ways

Earlier this year, the Connectional Table committed to host conversations about the future United Methodist Church. Tuesdays at the Table are part of that effort.

“Tuesdays at the Table is about identity,” said the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, chief connectional ministries officer. “We have to understand who we are before we can begin to articulate who we want to be — vision.”

Leadership body invites church to vision work

The Connectional Table plans for these conversations to take place regionally across the four continents where the denomination is present with United Methodists who live in those regions. Find the proposal here.

Connectional Table affirms the Christmas Covenant legislation

In a virtual board meeting on October 29, 2020, the Connectional Table (CT) voted to affirm the Christmas Covenant legislation as a vehicle for providing global regionalism in The United Methodist Church.

Bishops’ group backs US regional conference

Bishops from Africa, Europe and the Philippines announced support for the proposed new structure for U.S. decision-making.

In GC2020 delay, leaders see needed pause

General Conference delegates and bishops see the postponement as necessary. Responding to COVID-19 pandemic now takes priority.

Filipino legislation calls for church unity

The plan, the first to emerge from outside the U.S., calls for reimagining church structures to allow for contextual differences.

Leaders pursue plan for new US structure

Despite concerns the homosexuality debate will engulf the plan, the Connectional Table is submitting legislation to create a decision-making body on U.S. matters.

Connectional Table ponders role post-GC2019

As conversations happen across The United Methodist Church about possible denominational splits, Connectional Table members say they can be a conversation partner.

Seeing a Way Forward: The Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai

There is great anxiety as the special 2019 General Conference approaches, but the Rev. Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, chief connectional ministries officer for the Connectional Table, wants to remind all United Methodists that once the conference ends, God will still be calling them to mission in the world.

Plan approved for agency evaluation

The Connectional Table’s plan calls for aligning its agency-evaluation work with the development of the denomination’s budget.

Church response to migration gets boost

Connectional Table allots more funding and sets date for an offering to support United Methodist ministries with today’s migrants.

Connectional Table members called ‘for such a time as this’

The first meeting of the 2017-2020 leadership body focused on vital congregations and worldwide nature of the church.

Church body seeks greater openness on human sexuality

Under proposed legislation, pastors could perform same-gender weddings and conferences could have openly gay clergy.

Plans under way to make Discipline truly global

A committee for The United Methodist Church is trying to determine what parts of its Book of Discipline are not adaptable outside the U.S.