During the Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries (GBGM), Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), and United Methodist Communications (UMCom) 2026 spring board meetings, board members unanimously voted to support the unification concept and to continue developing the proposal further.
An inter-agency alignment team, comprised of General Secretaries and designated board members from the four agencies, is now developing draft legislation.
The proposed unification is designed to foster better coordination of ministry across the denomination, expanding alignment and collaboration in service of the church's shared mission. By bringing together programs, resources, and leadership, the new agency will enhance support for all constituents—including local congregations and communities, the Council of Bishops, seminaries and universities, ethnic plans, regional and annual conferences, and other ministry partners.
Through unification, operational integration will streamline support services with shared databases, coordinated systems, and joint fundraising efforts, creating greater efficiency and reducing duplication. Administrative functions such as human resources, finance, information technology, and travel planning will also be integrated, along with general assets across these agencies. Together, these changes position the church for greater sustainability and long-term effectiveness.
As envisioned, this connectional ministries agency will be governed by a board of directors reflecting the global diversity of the church. Advisory boards — overlapping with the governing board, and including additional members —will work with each unit of the new agency:
- Mission and Humanitarian Relief and Health
- Higher Education and Ministry
- Discipleship and Spiritual Formation
- Global Communication
The proposed agency’s staff will be led by a chief ministry officer hired by the board of directors. Each unit of the new agency will have a ministry lead, who will report to the chief ministry officer.
Pending approval of legislation at the 2028 General Conference, the unified connectional ministries agency will be established effective on or after January 1, 2029. A transition plan will be developed to help facilitate a smooth unification process.
