The Global Methodist Church held its General Conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, where the denomination reported expanded membership and a move to seat a full‑time Assembly of Bishops.
What GMC officials say happened in Johannesburg
Dianne Burnett, the GMC’s executive director of communications, told The Christian Post that 1,168 people were registered for the gathering, including bishops, delegates, staff, and volunteers. Burnett said attendees “left feeling connected to a global body of believers” and described the week as marked by “the thick presence of the Holy Spirit.”
Burnett said the 2026 meeting “will be remembered for its decisions,” citing the denomination’s first full‑time Assembly of Bishops, “consequential legislation,” “foundational doctrinal work,” “new connectional leadership,” and what she called “a significant ecumenical covenant with the Korean Methodist Church.” She added that delegates voted on “more than 451 petitions,” including on the Articles of Faith and the appointment of full‑time bishops.
Reported growth since 2024
The Christian Post report states the GMC had about 4,700 member churches in 2024 and that, as of last week, the figure stood at 7,250. It also says the denomination expanded from 36 annual conferences in 2024 to 50 regional bodies this year. In February, the GMC announced it had “officially surpassed 7,000 churches worldwide,” adding in a statement that “growth isn’t just measured in numbers.”
Leaders’ remarks and prior session
The GMC held its inaugural General Conference in 2024 in San José, Costa Rica, which the report says focused on forming the new denomination’s basics. Reflecting on the difference between the two gatherings, GMC Connectional Operations Officer the Rev. Mike Schafer said in a statement shared with The Christian Post: “We left Costa Rica 707 days ago a bunch of former United Methodists. Today, we are the Global Methodist Church.”
Background: the UMC split described in the report
According to The Christian Post account, the GMC launched in 2022 amid long‑running United Methodist Church debates over whether to allow the blessing of same‑sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals. A proposed separation protocol was set for the UMC’s 2020 General Conference but was postponed multiple times during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The report says thousands of congregations later disaffiliated from the UMC, with most voting to join the GMC and others becoming independent. After the mass disaffiliation, the UMC voted in 2024 to change its Book of Discipline to allow churches to bless gay unions and ordain openly LGBT clergy, the outlet reports.
Note on dates
The Christian Post article lists the Johannesburg General Conference as Aug. 30–Sept. 6, 2026; a photo caption in the same report cites Aug. 30–Sept. 5.
