July 2026: Annual Conference Part II

So, we had made it to the Horizon Texas Conference last month. Surely the structure of the church continues on from there in an orderly and reasonable fashion, right? But what about those big changes that were voted on in 2025? What is a region?

It used to be more complicated. Outside the US, the conferences were gathered into seven central conferences: Africa, Central and Southern Europe, Congo, Germany, Northern Europe, Philippines, and West Africa. Inside the US, there are five jurisdictions: North Central Jurisdiction, Northeastern Jurisdiction, South Central Jurisdiction (that’s us!), Southeastern Jurisdiction, and Western Jurisdiction. Jurisdictions were essentially equal with central conferences in powers and duties. Each were able to elect their own bishops and set some standards. By the end of 2028, this will not be how we are organized.

What has changed? Now we are organizing into nine regional conferences: East Africa, Mid Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, Philippines, Central and Southern Europe, Germany, Nordic-Baltic-Ukraine, and United States. There are many hopes with this new structure including more equality for our siblings in Christ around the world while still uniting together in God’s holy name. It also simplifies the organizational structure. Slightly.

For now regions will serve as the largest organizational piece of the United Methodist Church. Until we colonize another planet that will likely remain true, but who knows what the future holds.