Christine Schneider-Oesch, a delegate to multiple General Conferences and a member of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, offers a direct rebuttal to Rev. Rob Renfroe's commentary on disaffiliation rights within the United Methodist Church. From a European standpoint, she addresses misconceptions and asserts the autonomy and capability of Central Conferences to manage their own affairs.

The proposal of disaffiliation has surfaced, threatening to disintegrate the UMC in Africa and erase the rich history and heritage that our forefathers have diligently preserved over generations. However, amidst this uncertainty, there exists a viable alternative – regionalization – that promises to uphold the unity and continuity of the church while honoring its legacy.

The proposed regionalization legislation coming to General Conference on April 23-May 3 is generating a lot of discussion among African United Methodists. Their votes could be key to whether regionalization can pass.

Traditionalist voices have been calling for African United Methodists to oppose regionalization proposals and to support extending disaffiliation opportunities to their continent. But the Rev. Gabriel Banga Mususwa writes that African United Methodists can decide for themselves on these issues.

Nearly 200 African delegates to the upcoming General Conference say they are committed to staying in The United Methodist Church and expressed their support for regionalization. The group gathered in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for an orientation organized by the advocacy group United Methodist Africa Forum to prepare for the upcoming legislative assembly

he regionalization legislation headed to General Conference later this year would begin a process of greater adaptability of the Book of Discipline to fit the varying needs and opportunities of United Methodists worldwide. But even if all of the legislation brought to support this work is passed by the required margins, the effort is just the beginning, writes the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards.

The regionalization legislation headed to General Conference takes several steps toward a goal of building connectional unity while making room for customization in each region of the world. In Part 4 of a new series on regionalization, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards answers questions related to the legislation, including what could be customized by regional conferences and what is not included in the proposal.

With regionalization legislation headed to General Conference, the Ask The UMC team is exploring the impact of regionalization on the worldwide church. In Part 3 of a new series, the Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards writes that effective communication is key to effective regionalization.

United Methodist leaders are bringing legislative proposals before the General Conference to create new regional conferences that will each have equal power to pass legislation within their prospective regions.

At its heart, regionalization in The United Methodist Church means connectionalism customized to enhance local effectiveness. In a new series, Ask The UMC explores regionalization, including how the current customization has enabled variances across the worldwide church. The Rev. Taylor W. Burton Edwards reports.

The word “regionalization” has been used more frequently in recent months as legislation to put The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions on equal footing heads to General Conference. In a new series, Ask The UMC explores the ways that regionalization already exists for central conferences, as well as the implications of enabling regionalization worldwide, including for United Methodists in the United States.

Deeply saddened by the loss of Rev. Dr. Julio Vilanculos, who was a member of the Christmas Covenant Central Conference Outreach Team and an Advisor of the United Methodist Africa Forum.

The General Board of Missions of the Korean Methodist Church and the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries held their second Mission Consultation Aug. 30-31 at Kwanglim Methodist Church in Seoul.

A key United Methodist leadership body has given unanimous approval to moving forward a proposal that aims to give the Africa, Europe, the Philippines and the U.S. equal standing in church decision-making.

United Methodist Africa Forum holds inaugural meeting, elects leadership and addresses key issues.

UMAF affirmed its support for episcopal leaders on the continent and recommended investing to promote the growth and sustainability of the church in Africa.