FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 7, 2026
United Methodist Men ends affiliation with National Association of Conference Presidents
UMM general secretary cites conflict with Book of Discipline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Rev. Rick Vance, general secretary of the General Commission on United Methodist Men (United Methodist Men), along with Bishop Jonathan Holston, United Methodist Men board president, has announced that United Methodist Men has ended its affiliate relationship with the National Association of Conference Presidents (NACP), effective Oct. 7, 2026.
The NACP is a separately incorporated organization that has maintained an affiliate relationship with UMM. According to the NACP’s website, the entity “supports the vital mission of the UMM Annual Conference Presidents. They represent the District and Local Church UMM organizations connecting them to the General Commission on United Methodist Men for resourcing, training and support.”
While the NACP is intended to support United Methodist Men, sections of NACP’s constitution and bylaws conflict with ¶ 2302 of the Book of Discipline, Vance says.
“The General Commission (on United Methodist Men) has a fiduciary responsibility to correct those discrepancies, and to ensure that its affiliate relationships align with The United Methodist Book of Discipline,” he added.
“While the relationship with the NACP changes, the decision does not change our commitment to the men who serve as jurisdictional, conference and district presidents,” Vance said. “United Methodist Men’s staff will continue to support each of them, and every local unit, as we always have.
“Our focus remains where it has always been, which is on the local church, where men grow in faith, support their pastors and serve their communities.”
United Methodist Men remains the official source of chartering, training and resources for The United Methodist Church authorized under the Book of Discipline. It will continue to work directly with bishops, annual conference leaders, and jurisdictional, conference and district presidents to strengthen men’s ministry and scouting ministries in local churches.
Resources provided by United Methodist Men remain available to all men, including NACP members, who are encouraged to continue using them in their ministries.
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About the General Commission on United Methodist Men
The General Commission on United Methodist Men is a program ministry of The United Methodist Church, serving men’s ministry and scouting ministries around the world. Learn more at ummen.org.
Media contact: Cre Ward, cward@gcumm.org