Sixteen recommendations from Calgary, and what they could look like
On Day 3, each covenant group offered one recommendation for The United Methodist Church. This page sets out what each group asked for and how actionable it is as written. It then offers one concrete option for what each could look like if someone took it up.
The gathering, “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be,” met 20–24 October 2026 at Knox United Church, Calgary, Alberta. Nearly 300 people took part: bishops, clergy, laity, young adults and leaders from across the worldwide church (Council of Bishops via UM Insight). It was held in place of a special session of General Conference and was a discernment gathering, not a legislative one (Upper New York Conference).
This is an independent resource from Wroot Press, not a publication of the Council of Bishops. The groups’ own words are quoted from the published slides. The scores and the options are drafts for discussion, and every one of them is open to disagreement.
Ranking
Each recommendation is scored 1–5 on four measures. Change the weights to see the order move. The default is an order of starting, not of importance: it favours what someone could begin soon.
Order of starting: Effect + Speed + Owner − Cost (range −2 to 14).
Recommendations ranked by the current weighting. Column headers sort the table.
Every score is Claude’s estimate from the slide text, not the groups’ own.
Scales.Cost: 1 = staff time or a document, 5 = buildings, church plants or redistributed budgets. Effect: change toward the group’s own 2050 vision if done as written. Speed: 5 = a first result within about a year, 1 = nothing visible before 2030. Owner: 5 = a named body, 1 = only “the UMC”.
Tiers.Actionable a deliverable plus an owner or a scale. Directional a type of programme with no owner, scale or metric. Aspirational values or orientation.
Cost and effect
Each chip is a group, placed by its cost and effect scores. Lines fall between 2 and 3 on each axis. The shaded corner holds the cheaper proposals with more effect. Select a chip to jump to its recommendation.
In the order of the slide deck. Each card gives a one-line paraphrase, the group’s own words, the estimated scores and what the slide leaves undecided. It then sets out one option for what the recommendation could look like in practice. Each option is grounded in the Book of Discipline and in Wesley. Other shapes are possible; these are offered to start the conversation, not to settle it.
1A
Reclaim the Wesleyan core
AspirationalFormation
Name the essentials of discipleship by reclaiming the Wesleyan means of grace.
The group’s own words (p. 1)
In order to address the lack of clarity surrounding the essential elements of discipleship as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church reclaim our Wesleyan core of deep relationship and connection to the broader church, evangelism, and service through our means of grace.
2050 vision (p. 2)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will have a culture of call that is vibrant, multilayered, with both clergy and laity. We would be seeing our church growing with a unified vision of discipleship. We would see a church that is focused on making disciples, not members.
Cost
1
Effect
2
Speed
2
Owner
1
Overall
4
A concrete first step
A short “essential elements” statement.
One way this could look
An “Essential Elements of Wesleyan Discipleship” statement
Statement. A one-page statement setting the General Rules beside the means of grace (works of piety and works of mercy), with the class or covenant-group meeting as the expected weekly practice.
Drafting. Discipleship Ministries drafts it within 12 months, with a reader panel drawn from every region.
Use. Conferences adopt it as the frame for confirmation, membership classes and lay servant training.
Measure. Each conference reports how many congregations run a weekly accountable small group, against a year-1 baseline.
Can start now No new church law needed: the statement makes visible what ¶¶104 and 220 already require.
Possible owner Discipleship Ministries; any annual conference
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶104 The General Rules already list “attending upon all the ordinances of God”: “The public worship of God. The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded. The Supper of the Lord. Family and private prayer. Searching the Scriptures. Fasting or abstinence.”
¶220 “Participation in disciplined groups such as covenant discipleship groups or class meetings is an expected part of personal mission involvement.”
Wesley
By ‘means of grace,’ I understand ‘outward signs, words, or actions, ordained of God, and appointed for this end, to be the ordinary channels whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or sanctifying grace.’
Sermon, The Means of Grace (1746) jw-means-of-grace-001
Do you use all the means of grace yourself, and enforce the use of them on all other persons? They are either Instituted or Prudential.
Large Minutes jw-treatise-minutes-of-several-conversations-0261B
Accompany younger generations
DirectionalYoung people
Walk with younger generations toward emotional, spiritual and physical flourishing.
The group’s own words (p. 3)
In order to address … The gap in creating meaningful relationships and opportunities for leadership, spiritual formation and flourishing between generations, at various levels of the church and outside of the church…
as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church… Accompany younger generations (inside and outside the church) in the power of the Holy Spirit toward their emotional, spiritual, and physical flourishing grounded in Jesus.
2050 vision (pp. 4–5)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will… be a more Christ-like people, a more faithful church, and a more flourishing world through…
New Pathways of Leadership - Balancing a reduction of bureaucracy and maintaining accountability.
Participation at all levels - Younger Generations participate at all levels in the church.
Spiritual Disciplines - known for our spiritual disciplines being both “being” and “doing.”
Reverse Mentorships - Younger generations mentoring the older generations.
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will… be a more Christ-like people, a more faithful church, and a more flourishing world through…
More Wesleyan Monasteries - Intentional communities that equip individuals for community engagement and spiritual formation.
Social Movement Chaplains - That provide accompaniment to communities outside of the church.
Intentionally Listening To All Voices - Worldwide
Focus of resources to everything named above.
Goal of 3.5% of people in all areas engaged in all the work above.
Cost
4
Effect
4
Speed
2
Owner
1
Overall
3
Still to decide
What population the 3.5% applies to; Which mechanisms come first; Owner; Reverse mentoring could start on its own.
One way this could look
Reverse mentoring first, with the 3.5% given a base
Start with what costs nothing. Each annual conference pairs at least 25 young people with 25 conference or district leaders, including the bishop and cabinet, for one year. Pairs meet monthly and the young person sets the agenda.
Give the 3.5% a base. 3.5% of the conference’s young people as ¶256 defines them (professing members plus constituents), reported every year.
Then pilot the rest. The “Wesleyan monastery” and social-movement chaplain lines start in year 2, funded through ¶1208 grants rather than a new budget line.
Can start now Reverse mentoring needs only a bishop and cabinet; the grants already exist.
Possible owner Bishops and cabinets; Young People’s Connectional Network
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶256 “Young people” are “approximately twelve through thirty years of age in the United States and thirty-five in the central conferences”. That gives the percentage a base without new definitions.
¶1208 Grants already fund “dynamic, creative ministries with young people that can serve as model programs for other organizations throughout the connection.”
Wesley
I hope you all labour in training up the children and in visiting from house to house. Take care of the rising generation.
Letter to Thomas Rankin (1767) jw-letter-1767-02-to-thomas-rankin-0001C
Immersive formation experiences
DirectionalYoung people
Create immersive, cross-cultural and accessible formation experiences.
The group’s own words (p. 6)
In order to address the need to be in full connection and relationship with all people, sustain one another, and mitigate harm as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church create multiple immersive formation that model the life and ministry of Jesus Christ; such as young adult connection gatherings, virtual reality models, and cross cultural and multi accessibility experiences with the expectation of strengthening equitable connection and intercultural competence.
2050 vision (p. 7)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will look diverse, feel like belonging, smell like a shared table, taste like the richness of different cultures, and sound like many generations learning from one another.
Cost
3
Effect
3
Speed
3
Owner
2
Overall
5
Still to decide
How many; For whom; Host.
One way this could look
One cross-regional immersion a year for four years
Who. 40 young adults (ages per ¶256) from at least three regions, with at least a quarter Deaf or disabled participants, supported through the conference committees on disability concerns.
Where. A different host region each year.
What. Ten days of shared worship, service and visiting, then a year-long online covenant group.
Measure. An intercultural-competence self-assessment before and after. The virtual-reality line becomes a recorded companion to each immersion, not a separate programme.
Can start now Agencies can host this under existing mandates.
Possible owner Global Ministries with Discipleship Ministries; a host conference each year
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶653 Every annual conference is to have “a committee on disability concerns or other structure.”
¶125 The worldwide church is “bound together in a connectional covenant in which we support and hold each other accountable.”
Wesley
One great reason why the rich, in general, have so little sympathy for the poor, is, because they so seldom visit them. Hence it is, that, according to the common observation, one part of the world does not know what the other suffers.
Sermon, On Visiting the Sick (1786) jw-sermon-098-0032A
Bishops’ pilot ventures
ActionableResources and structure
The Council of Bishops champions a creative-venture pilot in at least one annual conference per region.
The group’s own words (p. 8)
In order to address the stagnation and rigid complacency in our current structure and discipleship models as our Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church For the Council of Bishops to champion a pilot program where the churches ministries, and conference entities of at least one Annual Conference in each region is invited to design and implement at least one creative venture relating to any of the following: innovative children and youth discipleship, intentional bi-vocational ministry, and redesigned models of theological or administrative formation.
2050 vision (p. 9)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will be a relevant and adaptable movement with an empowered laity who prioritizes future generations to carry out the vision of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Cost
2
Effect
3
Speed
4
Owner
5
Overall
10
Specified on the slide
Owner; Scale; Three named domains.
Still to decide
Budget; Duration; Evaluation; Scale-up.
One way this could look
Adopt the pilot as written and close its four gaps
Define “region”. The Council of Bishops states in writing which unit counts as a region. This also fixes the count for 3B.
Budget. A capped seed grant per venture, matched by its conference; youth ventures draw on ¶1208 grants.
Duration and evaluation. Three years. Each venture names one measurable outcome up front, reviewed by an outside reader at 18 and 36 months.
Scale-up rule. A venture that meets its outcome is written up as a model that any conference may adopt without asking again.
Widen the brief. Let each venture also carry one package’s first step: reverse mentoring, a reallocation target, a lay-led resource set, or a rural–urban pairing.
Can start now The only proposal whose owner can act alone.
Possible owner Council of Bishops, with willing conferences
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶422 “The Church expects the Council of Bishops to speak to the Church and from the Church to the world.”
¶632 Conferences are to “encourage greater use of such pastoral ministry models as tentmaking/bi-vocational ministries, part-time local pastors, and cooperative ministries by advocating for the removal of impediments to their use.”
¶419.9 District superintendents already explore “new faith communities, and ecumenical shared communities.”
Wesley
They had no previous design or plan at all; but everything arose just as the occasion offered. They saw or felt some impending or pressing evil or some good end necessary to be pursued.
Letter to Vincent Perronet (1748), on how the early Methodist institutions began jw-letter-1748-30-to-vincent-perronet-0002B
Mentorship and redistribution
DirectionalYoung people
Invest in empowerment and mentorship that redistributes resources toward young leaders.
The group’s own words (p. 10)
In order to address "the current leadership structure of the United Methodist Church is not equitable across the connection, and we have been and are apathetic to the ramifications of this reality" as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that the United Methodist Church invest in a system of empowerment and mentorship that encompasses redistribution of resources, culture of call, and leadership development.
2050 vision (p. 11)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that the UMC in 2050 will be a thriving, grace-centered, equitable, and just church faithfully planning for the next seven generations, and fully represented by empowered and diverse young leaders from across our local communities and worldwide connections.
Cost
4
Effect
4
Speed
2
Owner
1
Overall
3
Still to decide
What is redistributed; From whom; How much.
One way this could look
A Young Leaders Fund in every conference budget
What is redistributed. Each annual conference sets a Young Leaders Fund at a fixed share of its apportioned budget (1% is a placeholder for the conference to set). It pays stipends for young lay leaders, candidacy costs and travel to connectional meetings.
From whom. The conference’s own budget, so redistribution starts inside each conference without waiting for General Conference.
Mentoring. Every funded person gets a trained mentor under the existing ¶349 standard.
Across the connection. Better-resourced conferences pair with less-resourced ones and send a matching amount through Global Ministries resource-sharing.
Partly, now Each conference can fund its own; a connection-wide share needs General Conference or the regional conferences.
Possible owner Annual conferences and their councils on finance
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶349 “The mentor takes responsibility for creating a safe place for reflection and growth.”
¶614 The council on finance recommends “budgets of anticipated income and proposed expenditures.”
¶1314.1(j) Global Ministries administers “funding and other forms of resource sharing for projects and programs.”
Wesley
Our rule is, to lend only twenty shillings at once, which is repaid weekly within three months.
Journal, on the lending stock jw-journal-vol1-3-783
By this inconsiderable sum, above two hundred and fifty persons were relieved in one year.
Journal jw-journal-vol1-3-7022C
World as parish
AspirationalGlobal connection and justice
Recommit to “the world as our parish” through leaders who build global relationships.
The group’s own words (p. 12)
In order to address the worldwide UMC is disconnected and focused on saving itself and needs to serve a hurting world as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church recommit to “the world as our Parish” through forming and nurturing Christ-like leaders who intentionally build global relationsheips [sic] and holistically share resources.
2050 vision (p. 13)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will..... be a globally connected Church that is leading in serving a hurting world
Cost
3
Effect
3
Speed
2
Owner
1
Overall
3
A concrete first step
Paired conferences across regions with a shared budget line.
One way this could look
Paired conferences across regions, under a written covenant
The covenant. A shared budget line set by both conferences, with flows in both directions; an annual exchange of two clergy and two laity; and a joint mission project reviewed at each conference session.
First step. Five pairings in the first two years, brokered by Global Ministries.
Can start now Any two conferences can begin.
Possible owner Two annual conferences, with Global Ministries
Wesley’s own limit (“thus far I mean”) was about where he would preach. The pairing supplies the structure the phrase does not.
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶125 Affirms “relationships, covenants, and partnership” across the worldwide church.
¶1314.1(j) Global Ministries administers “funding and other forms of resource sharing for projects and programs.”
¶632 Each conference board of global ministries maintains the connectional relationship.
Wesley
I look upon all the world as my parish; thus far I mean, that in whatever part of it I am I judge it meet, right, and my bounden duty to declare, unto all that are willing to hear, the glad tidings of salvation.
Letter to James Hervey (1739), the source of the group’s phrase jw-letter-1739-04-to-james-hervey-0023A
Relinquish structures and assets
AspirationalGlobal connection and justice
Relinquish structures, assets and buildings to co-create with neighbours.
The group’s own words (p. 14)
In order to address and deconstruct the harmful injustices of colonization as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church embraces new forms of communal discipleship that relinquishes structures, assets, buildings systems and cultures in order to co create with the neighbors Jesus called us into ministry with across the world.
2050 vision (p. 15)
In 2050, the UMC as grounded in the love and teaching of the living Christ will have established itself as a radical change maker and loving neighbor so that people will know the fullness of their sacred worth and embody a resilient discipleship that cares for creation and community.
Cost
5
Effect
5
Speed
1
Owner
1
Overall
2
A concrete first step
A first set of asset transfers to community partners, with criteria.
One way this could look
Start with closed-church property, under written criteria
Criteria. Each annual conference board of trustees adopts written criteria for transferring proceeds or property to community partners: local leadership, mission fit, an accountability report, and a reversion clause if the partner dissolves.
First set. Each conference reports its first transfers within two years.
Beyond that. Relinquishing active structures would need General Conference.
Partly, now First transfers are legal now under ¶2549.8; wider relinquishment needs General Conference.
Possible owner Annual conference boards of trustees
3A gives assets away; 4B and 4C reallocate them. Placed at the far end of the stewardship track, the two run in sequence rather than against each other.
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶2501 All property is held “in trust, for the benefit of the entire denomination”, so any transfer runs through the trustees.
¶2549.8 Proceeds from a closed non-urban church may go to “an organization that is a nonprofit and has values consistent with The United Methodist Church’s values and is consistent with our Wesleyan heritage, theology, and United Methodist polity.” Urban proceeds (population over 50,000) go to ministries in urban transitional communities (¶212).
Wesley
Riches increased; which not only led you step by step into more conformity to the world, but insensibly instilled self-importance.
Letter to John Furz (1769) jw-letter-1769-25-to-john-furz-001
Do you gain all you can, and save all you can? Then you must, in the nature of things, grow rich. Then if you have any desire to escape the damnation of hell, give all you can.
Sermon, Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity (corpus label: Sermon 116) jw-sermon-116-0123B
10 crisis circles per region
ActionableYoung people
Each region supports ten local circles where young people meet the global crises together.
The group’s own words (pp. 16–17)
In order to address because there are several interconnected global crises posing significant threat to life globally, young people are experiencing collapse awareness and widespread hopelessness. The local church has not historically addressed these issues with urgency so young people are left alone to cope with these inside and outside of the church as a Named Reality….
….our Covenant Group recommends that The UMC each region supports 10 new locally rooted circles that engage young people in responding to the global crises confronting humanity. These circles are Christ-centered and grounded in spiritual practices that support grief, action, courage, and repair.
2050 vision (p. 18)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will..... Have reformed itself into a network of people who are known for acts of care and solidarity that assist people to navigate a collapsing world with younger generations in the lead.
Cost
2
Effect
3
Speed
4
Owner
3
Overall
8
Specified on the slide
10 per region; Content.
Still to decide
Convener; Funding; Facilitator guide; Meaning of “region”.
One way this could look
Keep the circles’ design; add a convener, a guide and a grant
Region. Use 2A’s definition, so the two proposals count alike.
Convener and funding. One conference young-people’s coordinator per region convenes; a ¶1208 grant per region covers facilitator training and materials.
Facilitator guide. Twelve sessions moving through the group’s own four practices: grief, action, courage, repair. Each follows the class-meeting pattern: a question about each person’s life, prayer, one shared act.
Size and measure. 8–12 young people per circle, weekly. Count the circles still meeting at 12 months and one public act of repair per circle.
Can start now Fits existing local-church and conference authority.
Possible owner Conference young-people’s ministries
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶256.1 Provides for “Support Groups”, including “grief recovery”, and for “Mission and Ministry Groups” that “advocate for social justice”. The circles fit existing local-church authority.
Wesley
‘Put eleven of the poorest with me; and if they can give anything, well: I will call on them weekly.’
Letter to Vincent Perronet (1748), on how the class meeting began at Bristol in 1742 jw-letter-1748-30-to-vincent-perronet-006
To watch over one another in Love, that they may help each other to work out their Salvation.
General Rules (1743); the same words are printed in ¶104 jw-general-rules-0003C
Lay evangelism resources
ActionableFormation
Provide contextual resources so local churches empower lay people to evangelise.
The group’s own words (p. 19)
In order to address “an impactful church holds evangelism, discipleship, and justice together” as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church provide contextual resources for evangelism and discipleship that will encourage local churches to identify and empower lay people, cultivate their call, give them permission, and to reach others for Christ _______________.
2050 vision (p. 20)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will..... exist and thrive, de-centering clergy to focus on lay-led ministry
Cost
2
Effect
3
Speed
4
Owner
3
Overall
8
Specified on the slide
Deliverable; Audience.
Still to decide
Producing agency; Languages; The slide ends in a blank line.
One way this could look
One lay evangelism resource set, in every major language at once
Contents. A six-session course, a pastor’s guide to identifying lay leaders, and a short commissioning rite, so “give them permission” becomes a public act in worship.
Timeline. Discipleship Ministries produces it within 18 months.
Use. Conferences use it as an elective in the lay servant course.
Can start now The structure exists; the resource is what is missing.
Possible owner Discipleship Ministries
The slide ends with a blank line, so the sentence may be unfinished. Confirm with the group.
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶266 Certified lay servants are trained “to witness to the Christian faith through spoken communication, to lead within a church and community, and to provide caring ministry.”
¶268 The certified lay minister serves “much like a class leader did in early Methodism.”
Wesley
You have nothing to do but to save souls. Therefore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most.
Twelve Rules of a Helper, rule 11 (Large Minutes) jw-treatise-minutes-of-several-conversations-0124A
Creative collaboration
AspirationalResources and structure
Practise creative collaboration for the sake of the mission.
The group’s own words (p. 21)
In order to address the ways we are funding maintenance more than mission, in isolation for the means of survival as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church practice Creative Collaboration for the Sake of the Mission.
2050 vision (p. 22)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will.....be a healthy, sustainable, and truly missionary movement, so intentionally connectional, radically inclusive, and responsive to its communities that it becomes a captivating means of grace, unrecognizable to the church it is today yet unmistakably faithful to its Wesleyan call.
Cost
1
Effect
2
Speed
2
Owner
1
Overall
4
A concrete first step
Shared-ministry agreements.
One way this could look
Shared-ministry agreements in every district
Agreements. Every district identifies two or more congregations to enter a written shared-ministry agreement within two years: a cooperative parish (¶206) or an ecumenical shared ministry (¶209).
Contents. What is shared (staff, building, youth ministry, mission), how costs divide, and how the agreement ends.
Measure. Agreements in force, and the maintenance spending each one frees for mission.
Can start now ¶206.2 already requires the process.
Possible owner Annual conferences and district superintendents
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶206.2 “Annual conferences shall implement a process of cooperative parish development through which cooperative parish ministries are initiated and developed in both urban and town-and-country situations.”
¶209 A shared-ministry covenant addresses “financial and property matters, church membership, denominational askings and apportionments.”
Wesley
Keep you your opinion; I mine; and that as steadily as ever… Let all opinions alone on one side and the other: only ‘give me thine hand.’
Acknowledge and repent of poor stewardship, then build tools to steward resources toward the vision.
The group’s own words (p. 23)
In order to address the fact that we misallocated resources by overfunding maintenance and underfunding innovative ministries for younger generations and marginalized communities as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church:
Acknowledge that we have not always been faithful stewards of the gifts that have been entrusted to us
Repent and move forward from these wrongdoings.
Create contextually relevant and appropriate tools and focusing questions to steward resources in service of our vision at all levels of our church.
So that our resources are liberated from institutional preservation toward an intergenerational worldwide church that loves boldly, serves joyfully, and leads courageously.
2050 vision (p. 24)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will be a united, diverse, intergenerational church of deeply formed disciples.
Cost
1
Effect
2
Speed
4
Owner
2
Overall
7
Still to decide
Who leads repentance; Whether the tools tie to reallocation.
One way this could look
Repentance paired with a number
Who leads. At its next session, each annual conference holds a service of confession and recommitment on stewardship, led jointly by the bishop and the conference lay leader.
The tool. A one-page set of focusing questions for any budget, from local church council to conference council on finance. Among them: What share of this budget serves people under 35 or communities we do not yet reach?
The target. Each council on finance answers that question for its own budget and sets an explicit target to raise that share by a stated amount within three budget cycles. Without this step the repentance has no visible fruit.
Can start now Councils on finance already hold the budget-study duty.
Possible owner Annual conferences and councils on finance
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶614 The council on finance is to “make a diligent and detailed study of the needs of all the conference agencies and causes asking to be included in the budget.” The questions are a lens for that study.
Wesley
It does not reign, but it does remain. And a conviction of the sin which remains in our heart, is one great branch of the repentance we are now speaking of.
Sermon, The Repentance of Believers (1767) jw-sermon-014-001
You are not the proprietor of anything; no, not of one shilling in the world. You are only a steward of what another entrusts you with, to be laid out, not according to your will, but His.
Keep reimagining structures and resources to fit Wesleyan identity and God’s mission.
The group’s own words (p. 25)
In order to address the unfaithful stewardship of our story, organization, and God’s resources, we recommend that The United Methodist Church continuously reimagine our structures and resources to align with our Wesleyan identity and God’s mission, in a changing, diverse worldwide context.
2050 vision (p. 26)
We believe this recommendation will ensure that in 2050, The UMC will be nimble enough, resourced enough, and courageous enough to meet the world’s deepest needs and to participate in the ongoing work of God, with love and joy.
Cost
2
Effect
3
Speed
1
Owner
1
Overall
3
A concrete first step
A standing review cycle with a fixed date.
One way this could look
A standing review cycle with a fixed date
Rotation. Every annual conference reviews one structure a year (a board, committee, fund or building) on a published rotation, so everything is reviewed within six years.
Three questions.What does this exist to do? Is it doing it? What would we build if we started now?
Output. A written finding at conference session: keep, change, merge or end.
Can start now Any conference, by its own rules of order.
Possible owner Annual conferences
The Minutes then run conference by conference from 1744 to 1798; the Journal for 1755 records the Rules of the Bands “read over and considered one by one” and revised (jw-journal-vol4-part10-section01-105).
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶614 The annual budget study sets the rhythm; the structural review rides on the same calendar.
Wesley
The design of our meeting was proposed, namely, to consider, 1. What to teach; 2. How to teach; and, 3. What to do; i. e., How to regulate our doctrine, discipline, and practice.
Minutes of the first Conference (1744) jw-minutes-conferences-1744-1798-0005A
Baptismal-vow recommitment
DirectionalFormation
Recommit to the baptismal vow as the primary vow, through worldwide groups and pilgrimages.
The group’s own words (p. 27)
In order to address the reality that we have not lived into our baptismal vows to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in all the ways that it presents itself and our current structure does not meet the needs of the emerging worldwide church. As a result the training, development, and sustainability of ministry leadership has been neglected as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church Reexamine, reclaim, and recommit to living out our baptismal vow as the primary vow and centralizing relationships and worldwide connections. This may look like restructuring and developing ministry leadership, small group worldwide covenant groups, baptismal vow pilgrimages and be adapted in contextualized ways.
2050 vision (p. 28)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will.... be better connected, not centralizing the United States, and live into Beloved community, and live as active witnesses.
Cost
2
Effect
2
Speed
3
Owner
2
Overall
5
Still to decide
Owner; Number of groups; Meaning of “restructuring”.
One way this could look
Annual covenant renewal and worldwide covenant groups
Renewal. Every congregation holds a Baptismal Covenant Renewal once a year using the existing ritual; conferences report how many did.
Worldwide groups. Groups of 6–8 members from at least two regions meet online for a year on the Covenant Discipleship model. Start with 50, convened by Discipleship Ministries.
Restructuring. Defined narrowly for now as the review cycle in 4C; broader change waits for its findings.
Can start now Local churches and the agency can begin.
Possible owner Local churches; Discipleship Ministries
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶217 The vow the group’s Named Reality quotes: “To accept the freedom and power God gives them to resist evil, injustice, and oppression.”
¶221 “All members are to be held accountable for faithfulness to their covenant of baptism.”
¶1109.8 Discipleship Ministries advocates “the formation of Covenant Discipleship Groups or equivalent models applicable to varied contextual settings for all ages.”
Wesley
I explained at large the nature and manner of entering into covenant with God, and desired all who were purposed so to do to set Friday apart for solemn fasting and prayer.
Near four hundred of the society met, to follow the example of their brethren in England, and renew their covenant with God.
Journal jw-journal-vol4-part10-section01-0705B
Significant resources for under-18s
DirectionalYoung people
Allocate significant resources, spaces and opportunities to people under 18.
The group’s own words (p. 29)
In order to address the need for young people to be connected to each other and the Church as well as the exclusion of younger generations from meaningful leadership and decision-making spaces as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church allocates significant church resources, spaces, and opportunities to impact the life of people under 18. _.
2050 vision (p. 30)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will be a more inclusive, equitable and Christ-centered worldwide connection where all generations belong, lead and live out the gospel together.
Cost
4
Effect
4
Speed
2
Owner
1
Overall
3
Still to decide
What “significant” means in budget share or staffing; The slide ends in a blank line.
One way this could look
“Significant” defined as a floor, where budgets are set
Local church. The charge conference adopts a minimum share of the local budget for children and youth ministry, reported annually.
Annual conference. The council on finance sets a floor for children and youth ministry within the apportioned budget, alongside 2B’s fund.
Spaces. Every church building opens at least one space for weekday use by young people.
Opportunities. A youth seat on every church council, voting except where state law prohibits it.
Partly, now Local and conference floors can start now; a connection-wide percentage needs General Conference or the regional conferences.
Possible owner Charge conferences and annual conferences
A resource commitment stated as a number: an hour a week, per ten children. The slide ends with a stray “_.” and may be unfinished.
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶256 Professing youth members “have all rights and responsibilities of church membership except voting on matters prohibited by state law.”
¶1207 The Youth Service Fund is “a means of stewardship education and mission support of youth.”
Wesley
Where there are ten children in a society, meet them at least an hour every week. (2.) Talk with them every time you see any at home. (3.) Pray in earnest for them.
Large Minutes jw-treatise-minutes-of-several-conversations-0195C
Monthly prayer of confession
ActionableFormation
A short monthly prayer of confession, prayed in every UMC, on what makes authoritarianism, racism and tribalism possible.
The group’s own words (p. 31)
In order to address Equity under pressure: authoritarianism, tribalism, far-right movements, economic inequality, racism, discrimination, sexism, etc. as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church create a short liturgical prayer, to be prayed monthly in every UMC around the world, that invites reflection and confession over the thoughts and behaviors that makes authoritarianism, racism, and tribalism possible. The UMC would develop supporting resources for local churches.
2050 vision (p. 32)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will..... Is known globally as a church that resists evil, injustice, and oppression in all forms that they present themselves.
Cost
1
Effect
2
Speed
5
Owner
3
Overall
9
Specified on the slide
Deliverable; Reach.
Still to decide
Author; Translation; Voluntary or mandated.
One way this could look
A commended prayer first, measured before it is mandated
Author. Discipleship Ministries convenes a writing team from every region. The prayer takes under a minute to say.
Languages. Issued in every language the church worships in, in the same month.
Voluntary first. Commended for the first Sunday of each month, with a one-page leader’s note each quarter.
Measure. The risk is uptake, not cost: track adopting congregations by region in year 1 and adjust the text before seeking adoption as ritual.
Partly, now A commended prayer can begin now; a mandated one needs General Conference (¶1113.4).
Possible owner Discipleship Ministries
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶1113.2 Discipleship Ministries may “promote contextual resources for the conduct of public worship.”
¶1113.4 “Revisions of the ritual of the Church and approved orders of worship” go to General Conference for adoption, so a prayer binding on “every UMC” needs General Conference.
Wesley
A conviction of the sin which remains in our heart, is one great branch of the repentance we are now speaking of.
Sermon, The Repentance of Believers (1767) jw-sermon-014-001
Liberty is the right of every human creature, as soon as he breathes the vital air.
Thoughts upon Slavery (1774) jw-thoughts-slavery-026Virtual
Urban planting, rural links
DirectionalMission and planting
A strategy for urban planting that keeps rural roots, equips young adults and includes Deaf and disabled people.
The group’s own words (p. 33)
In order to address the concern of limited churches in the urban areas and losing members leaving rural churches for cities as a Named Reality, our Covenant Group recommends that The United Methodist Church build a strategy for urban church planting while strengthening our rural roots:
Link rural and urban congregations
Plant city and campus ministries
Equip young adults to lead
Include Deaf people and people with disabilities fully
2050 vision (p. 34)
If this one recommendation is begun, we believe that The UMC in 2050 will.....be known by its people, not its buildings: a diverse, connected church where people find refuge and are sent with purpose.
Cost
5
Effect
4
Speed
2
Owner
2
Overall
3
Still to decide
Strategy owner; Number of plants; Funding; Timeline.
One way this could look
One urban–rural strategy per conference, paid for by closed-church proceeds
Plants. A stated number of new urban or campus faith communities over six years, each with a young adult on the founding team.
Links. Every plant is paired with one rural congregation by written covenant, sharing worship, mission and one budget line.
Funding. Closed-church proceeds: ¶2549.8 already sends urban proceeds to ministries in urban transitional communities and lets non-urban proceeds fund “new churches, new faith communities, new missional initiatives.”
Access. Every plant budgets for interpretation and access from the start, with the conference committee on disability concerns.
Owner. The conference’s congregational-development entity, within two years.
Can start now Bishops, cabinets and conference congregational development already hold this authority.
Possible owner Conference congregational development; bishops and cabinets
Preaching outside the building, to the people of the city, matches the group’s own 2050 line: “known by its people, not its buildings.”
Grounds in the Discipline and in Wesley
Book of Discipline
¶259.1 A new congregation is established “only with the consent of the bishop in charge and the cabinet and with due consideration of the conference entity assigned the responsibility for congregational development.”
¶632 Already advocates “tentmaking/bi-vocational ministries”, which suit new urban plants.
¶653 A committee on disability concerns in every conference.
Wesley
I submitted to be more vile, and proclaimed in the highways the glad tidings of salvation, speaking from a little eminence in a ground adjoining to the city, to about three thousand people.
Journal, Bristol, 2 April 1739 (the first field preaching) jw-journal-vol1-3-226
Four packages
Several recommendations ask for the same thing in different words. Grouped, they make four tracks, each with a first step. The owners named are possible owners, not taken from the slides.
First step Pair churches and conferences across regions and between rural and urban settings.
Possible owner Global Ministries.
2A · 2A’s pilot can carry the first steps of most packages if its brief is widened. It is the vehicle, not a member.
Open questions
Proposals needing money or a change to the Discipline (5B, 2B, 3A, Virtual) must go through General Conference or the regional conferences. Only 2A’s owner can act alone.
“Region” is undefined in 2A and 3B. Depending on the meaning, 3B ranges from about 40 circles to well over 100.
The 3.5% in 1B has no stated base.
3C and 5B end with blank lines and may be unfinished.
5C’s uptake risk across a worldwide church limits its effect more than its cost does.
3A (give up assets) pulls against 4B and 4C (reallocate them).
Wesley quotations are from the public-domain texts in the Wesley corpus at corpus.historyofmethodism.com; the code after each is its passage id. Wesley is quoted for precedent in practice, not as endorsing any proposal.
The tiers, scores and packages come from an analysis written with Claude on 28 October 2026. The options were drafted with Claude from the slide text and the sources above.