This summary compares proposals from various groups, in alphabetical order, about the structure of The UMC. It does not include proposals from individuals. Further details are in the documents and legislation. All proposals will be open for amendments at General Conference and may be subject to Judicial Council review. Updated on 2/25/2020.

PDF Chart from UMNews.

There have been developments in the submission of the Protocol legislation to GC2020.

Several Conferences are submitting the legislation (Feb. 7 UMNS article). Besides Michigan and Sierra Leone,both of which approved and forwarded it, the Philippines Cavite AC sent the Protocol Legislation unmodified along with the legislation for the Christmas Covenant. Also, Liberia made some crucial modifications to the legislation before sending it on (here's a commentary by Mainstream UMC's Mark Holland) and then the maker of the modification motion has regretted his submission (but he can't as an individual submit legislation himself now--it will have to be made as a floor/committee amendment).

Then the Africa Initiative, an African advocacy group supported by the Reform and Renewal Coalition (Good News, etc.), had a meeting in South Africa and after intense discussion, decided to support the Protocol legislation, but then urged amendments at GC2020.

Finally, the Institute for Religion and Democracy (IRD) executive director, Mark Tooley, has withdrawn his support for the Protocol.

Stay tuned!

By Gladys P. Mangiduyos and Sam Hodges
Feb. 13, 2020 | UM News

Related: Philippines Part 2: Protocol & Christmas Covenant Affirmed, by Mark R. Holland, February 17, 2020

The Philippines Annual Conference Cavite has endorsed and sent to the 2020 General Conference legislation for an amicable separation of The United Methodist Church — the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation.

The annual conference, meeting in regular session Feb. 12-14 in Tagaytay City, Philippines, also endorsed and forwarded the Christmas Covenant, another potentially key piece of legislation for the future of The United Methodist Church.

Read more: Conference acts on protocol, Christmas Covenant

Press Release

February 12, 2020

CHICAGO, IL — The Connectional Table (CT) will host a live 1.5-hour webinar entitled "Five Things to Know About U.S. Regional Conference (USRC) before GC 2020" on Feb. 20, 2020.

The webinar will address questions and concerns about the United States Regional Conference (URSC) legislation that the Connectional Table submitted to General Conference 2020 for consideration. The USRC will comprise the current U.S. jurisdictions and the geographical boundaries congruent with the territory of the U.S. annual conferences.  It will not change the role and authority of U.S. jurisdictional conferences, or the election of bishops.

The live webinar will be broadcast at 8:30 AM CST [7:30 AM MST], 4:30 PM Central Africa Time, and 10:30 PM Philippines Standard Time. A recording of the webinar will be available for viewing after it has aired. Please register to be emailed the recording, or check out our social media platforms @UMCCT by the following Monday for a link to the video. 

Read more: Connectional Table offers live webinar on U.S. Regional Conference legislation