Nashville, Tenn. — Four general agencies of The United Methodist Church — Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries (GBGM), Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), and United Methodist Communications (UMCom) — have announced a vision to combine their ministry and begin working to form a single agency that brings together these connectional ministries. During the 2026 spring board meetings of these agencies, board members unanimously voted to support the unification concept and to continue developing the proposal further.
At the direction of their boards, an inter-agency alignment team, comprised of General Secretaries and designated board members from the four agencies, has been meeting since late 2025 to consider structural and missional cooperation to achieve greater efficiency and impact. With all four boards’ approval of the concept secured, the team will now develop draft legislation which will be brought to each agency’s fall board meeting for additional evaluation and vote.
“Informed by the denomination’s new vision statement, the four agencies seek to live into our connectional system through intentional and bold collaboration to help the church reflect the unity of Christ in our strategy, structure, and mission so that we can better and more creatively multiply and strengthen vital ministry in the areas of missions and humanitarian relief, discipleship formation, education, and global communication,” stated Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, president of GBHEM’s board of directors.
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. A suggested name for the new entity that is reflective of this unifying of services and ministries will be added to the proposal as development continues.
Beyond the ministry and missional benefits, the proposal will also help these four world service-funded general agencies navigate an ever-changing ministry environment while adjusting to financial realities facing the church and the world. 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.
“By changing in time and taking proactive responsibility for shaping their future, Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries, Higher Education and Ministry, and United Methodist Communications are thoughtfully designing the proposal to bring their work together in ways that best serve and support their constituents, staff, and, above all, the highest priorities and future of The United Methodist Church,” added Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, president of the Discipleship Ministries board of directors.
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.
No staffing changes are planned at this point. The long-term implications for position changes and staffing levels will become clearer as the proposal is further developed and approved. Executive leadership at each of the four agencies is committed to keeping staff informed and to being transparent as the process unfolds. In that vein, a frequently asked questions document is available online.
“I see this proposal as a move to reclaim the critical balance between personal piety and social holiness with a polity that emphasizes the importance of each while holding them together in the rich interplay that is at the heart of Wesleyan theology,” noted Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, president of GBGM’s board of directors.
“As UMCom shaped its strategy and structure for this quadrennium, strengthening denominational partnerships remained a top priority. This proposed unification seems a natural progression of that work and an exciting celebration of partnership in action working towards a lasting, transformational impact for The UMC in the world,” shared Bishop Robert Farr, president of United Methodist Communications’ board of directors.
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.
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About Discipleship Ministries
Our mission is to challenge and support local church and conference leaders for our task of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We fulfill this mission through resourcing, training, consulting, and networking to increase intentional discipleship and community engagement, support spiritual formation, new church development, and the revitalization of local churches.
About the General Board of Global Ministries
As the worldwide mission and development agency of The United Methodist Church, Global Ministries, which includes the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), connects the church in mission and alleviates human suffering.
About General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
As stewards of the educational mission and intellectual life of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) connects the church and the academy and develops transformational leaders for the ministry of the church.
About United Methodist Communications
As the communications agency for The United Methodist Church, United Methodist Communications (UMCom) seeks to increase awareness and visibility of the denomination in communities and nations around the globe. United Methodist Communications also offers services and resources for communications ministry.
Media Contacts:
C. Blake Davis
Discipleship Ministries
bdavis@umcdiscipleship.org
Susan Clark
General Board of Global Ministries / General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
sclark@umcmission.org
Brenda Smotherman
United Methodist Communications
presscenter@umcom.org
