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The future of the Methodist Church
November 20, 2022 @ 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
Deb Search Willoughby and David Lundquist will lead an Academy Class on Sunday, November 20 at in the Parlor. This class will provide the opportunity to hear more about what is happening within the denomination, to discuss and ask questions, and to learn how the UMC’s future may or may not impact First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo.
Since early 2019 United Methodists eagerly awaited the May 2020 General Conference, where over 800 delegates from around the world would make important decisions about the future of The United Methodist Church. The pandemic caused the postponement of that General Conference until May 2024.
In the meantime, several things have happened that will shape the UMC’s future. Every local church and all parts of The United Methodist Church have experienced the pandemic and its impact on ministry. In many places membership and finances are less. In others, ministry and finances have remained vital. A small percentage of churches have left or are choosing to leave the denomination (a process called “disaffiliation”) to become part of the Global Methodist Church, a newly formed body attracting those who no longer feel they can be part of The United Methodist Church.