Regionalization Moves Forward

“We’re delighted! It’s an incredible first step towards a more connected, more equitable church,” said Mittie Quinn (she/her), co-convenor of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition.  

On Thursday, delegates voted overwhelmingly in favor of key portions of the worldwide regionalization proposal that aims to restructure The United Methodist Church to be connected across the globe AND give space for local cultural expression and autonomy.

For the plan to be fully implemented, three petitions on regionalization related to the U.S. still need to pass the General Conference. These are currently moving through the legislative committees, but initial reports and votes show that they are being supported.. 

After the General Conference, the constitutional amendment needs to be ratified by two-thirds of all the voters, in aggregate, during votes in Annual Conferences over the next year.

Four of the petitions were approved through the consent calendar. The constitutional amendment petition received robust debate in plenary with ultimate passage in a 586 to 164 vote, with a margin far in excess of the 66.7% needed for passage.

Initially proposed by the Christmas Covenant Team of central conference voices, and moved forward  by action of the Philippine Annual Conference Cavite for the originally scheduled 2020 GC, the worldwide regionalization legislation was resubmitted with some further edits by the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters in collaboration with the Connectional Table and The Christmas Covenant Team.

The Love Your Neighbor Coalition calls on all clergy and lay members of Annual Conferences to vote in favor of the worldwide regionalization constitutional amendment. Annual Conference members around the world will have their chance to support these measures with their vote. 

What does the regionalization plan mean in practical terms? Check out this position paper by LYNC coalition member MFSA, and a series on “What is regionalization” from the “Ask The UMC” series.