Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
For Immediate Release
Friday, October 31, 2025
Bishops to canvass Constitutional amendments, elect new officers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church will meet Nov. 3-7, 2025, to canvass constitutional amendments passed at the 2024 General Conference, prepare for the 2026 COB Leadership Gathering, and to elect new officers.
More than 100 bishops from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America will be in attendance during the virtual meeting that will also include promoting discipleship; continuing work to dismantle racism and strengthen mission strategies in the worldwide denomination. The bishops will also hear updates on COB work against political violence and authoritarianism.
The plenary session of the COB meeting will begin on Monday, Nov. 3, with opening worship and the presidential address by COB President Bishop Tracy S. Malone. Later newly elected bishops will be acknowledged.
“As bishops of The United Methodist Church, we come together with deep faith and a renewed resolve to lead the Church in the work of discipleship, mission, justice, peace, unity and hope. In a world fractured by violence, racism, and division, we will discern together how we are leading in this moment—bearing witness to God’s transforming love through courageous leadership and faithful discipleship in every place we serve," Bishop Malone said.
The meeting will hear leadership reports regarding immigration, ecumenical relations, antiracism work, disaster relief and other mission and ministry work around the worldwide denomination.On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the session will begin with a Memorial Service to remember and honor bishops and spouses who have died since the bishops met last time May of this year. Among those to be memorialized are Bishop Richard Byrd Wilke and Bishop Benjamin A. Justo. Others will be memorialized at the Spring 2026 meeting.
2026 Leadership Gathering
The bishops will also hear an update on the 2026 COB Leadership Gathering, an inspiring gathering that will take place at Knox United Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, from October 20–24, 2026.
Election of officers
The bishops will elect a new president, president-designate, and secretary of the Council. The current officers are Bishop Tracy S. Malone, president; Bishop Ruben Saenz, president-designate; and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, secretary. The new officers will take office at the end of Spring 2026 COB meeting and will serve for two years.
Constitutional Amendments
At the meeting, the bishops will also canvass the votes of annual conferences on the four constitutional amendments approved by the 2024 General Conference. By The Book of Discipline (BOD) any proposed constitutional amendments require ratification by annual conferences. The results are canvassed, certified and announced by the Council of Bishops.
The four proposed constitutional amendments are as follows:
1 Regionalization
A set of amendments to create new regional conferences that will each have equal power to adapt portions of the Book of Discipline within their respective regions.
2. Inclusiveness of the Church
An amendment to add the words “gender” and “ability” to Paragraph 4, Article 4 of the constitution to categories that cannot be used to exclude membership in The United Methodist Church.
3. Racial Justice
An amendment to strengthen Article V of the UMC Constitution by explicitly recognizing the church’s role in combating racism, racial inequity, colonialism, white privilege, and white supremacy.
4. Educational Requirements for Clergy
General Conference voted to amend Section VI, Article IV of the United Methodist Constitution, which establishes the educational requirements for clergy members of annual or provisional conferences who are eligible to vote for clergy delegates to the General Conference.
If the bishops certify that the amendments have been ratified by the votes of the annual conferences, the amendments will become effective immediately.
Some plenary sessions, including the President’s Address, worship service and Memorial Service, will be streamed live on the COB Facebook page: facebook.com/umcbishops.
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Media Contact:
Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Director of Communications
Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
(202) 748-5172
