ALL THINGS NEW: A Conversation with Karen Prudente

Ballot #3: Article V: Racial Justice

Rev. Doris K. Dalton (NYAC Director of Connectional Ministries) recently sat down with Karen Prudente, laity and member of Christ United Methodist Church, for an informative conversation on the topic of worldwide regionalization—a package of legislation that gives The United Methodist Church’s different geographic regions equal decision-making authority. 

The topic is among the most discussed and far-reaching of the measures that will  before Annual Conference voters this summer. 

Please listen to the entire podcast, access the resources below, and do the work needed to learn more to inform and affirm your vote at Annual Conference on June 6-8, 2025 in Stamford, Connecticut. 

Regionalization would require changes to more than 20 paragraphs in the denomination’s constitution. But just as at General Conference, annual conferences will vote on all of the amendments on a single ballot.Under regionalization, the U.S. and each central conference — church regions in Africa, Europe and the Philippines — would become regional conferences with the same authority to adapt parts of the Book of Discipline, the denomination’s policy book, for more missional effectiveness. Just as is now the case in the U.S. and each central conference, each regional conference would consist of multiple annual conferences.

Among other things, each regional conference would be able to:

1) Publish its own hymnal, book of worship and regional Book of Discipline.
2) Set requirements for ordination and licensed ministry of pastors.
3) Set standards for lay membership.
4) Develop practices around marriage ceremonies, funerals and other rites in line with understanding of Scripture and the laws in each country.
5) Work with annual conferences to ensure policies and practices align with the laws in each country.

RESOURCES

• About Karen Prudente
• Amending the United Methodist Constitution 
• Proposed Constitutional Amendments
• How is the United Methodist Constitution Amended? 
• Worldwide Regionalization Talking Points – from the Connectional Table
• UMC Infographic on Regionalization
• Article: General Conference Gives Regionalization Green Light
  
  

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