For the first time in The United Methodist Church’s history, a majority of delegates at General Conference will come from outside the United States.
The international group that plans the assembly voted in November to set the number of 2028 General Conference delegates at 708 — with 46% from the U.S. and 54% from Africa, the Philippines, Europe and concordat churches that have close ties to The United Methodist Church. The big meeting, which typically meets every four years, will bring together lay and clergy delegates from four continents whose decisions set the denomination’s direction for years to come.
“We are a worldwide church,” said the Rev. Aleze M. Fulbright, the secretary of General Conference. “We are living into what we say about being United Methodist.”
She also celebrated that the commission set the count just a week after the Council of Bishops announced the ratification of regionalization — a denominational restructuring aimed at de-centering the U.S.
However, the total number of delegates also marks a significant decrease from recent General Conference sessions that had an allotment of between 850 to nearly 1,000 delegates. The Book of Discipline, the denomination’s policy book, says the commission must set the number of General Conference delegates between 600 and 1,000.
Taking Our Fiscal Responsibility Seriously
The Rev. Andy Call, commission chair, said that budgetary constraints led the commission to opt for the lower end of that scale. The commission has been looking for ways to reduce costs and help make up for a $1.8 million budget deficit inherited from multiple earlier General Conference sessions.
“The church has been looking to us for some fiscal responsibility,” said Call, who is also lead pastor of Christ of the Saviour United Methodist Church in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
“So, the number is smaller, and yet we are also seeing this increased representation from outside the U.S.,” he added. “And I think both things happening at the same time are to our advantage.”
The commission members also discussed the increasing challenges and long waits faced by people seeking visas to travel to the U.S. With the current political and social landscape of the U.S. the commission is exploring the possibility of operating a site outside the U.S. so elected delegates who cannot get visas still can participate in the body’s decision-making.
Both Fulbright and Call were clear that the General Conference organizers would strive to ensure that all 708 delegates are able to meet together in Minneapolis. But they also want to assure as much participation as possible.
Even amid all the challenges and complexities General Conference organizers face, Fulbright sees much to celebrate.
“We celebrate the moving of God’s Spirit that has led to growth in and throughout Africa,” she told the commission. “We celebrate that there have been new regional conferences established with new annual conferences created. We also celebrate the ways regionalization will continue to inform how we will be The United Methodist Church into God’s faithful future.”
Your Generosity Can Continue the Work
By supporting the General Administration Fund apportionment you help support the implementation and administrative oversight for all General Conference sessions. Please encourage your leaders and congregations to support the General Administration Fund apportionment at 100 percent.
excerpt from a story by Heather Hahn, assistant news editor for UM News
This story shows the impact of the General Administration Fund—one of seven apportionment funds of The United Methodist Church—to maintain the structures that keep the Church connected, transparent, and accountable. Your church’s support enables the coordination of General Conference, the Judicial Council, and other systems that ensure integrity and stewardship in our shared mission.
When your church supports the General Administration Fund, you help the Church steward its resources wisely and live out its mission with integrity.
