At the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference, United Methodists reclaimed their heritage and identity and put into practice Christ’s command to love boldly.
JAMES DEATON
Content Editor
ACME, Mich. — More than 1,300 people attended the eighth session of the Michigan Annual Conference. United Methodist clergy and laity, along with staff and guests, gathered for worship and business at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City from May 29-31, 2026.
“Love Boldly,” drawn from The United Methodist Church’s new vision statement and rooted in Christ’s commandment to love one another and to show the world that we are his disciples, was this year’s theme. The conference centered on reclaiming our United Methodist identity and beliefs in light of changes made at the historic 2020/2024 General Conference, which put the denomination on a path toward a new future.
Download the summary video and daily news summaries to share with your local church.
Watch archived conference footage and video presentations.
Bold Love through Worship and Teaching
In his opening sermon on Friday afternoon, Bishop David Bard, who is celebrating ten years as the bishop of the Michigan Conference, laid the groundwork for exploring the conference focus by weaving together story and theology. Read the bishop’s sermon.
The bishop offered conversion examples from Scripture in Paul and from Methodist history in John Wesley, then turned to his own journey, describing how he became an “accidental Methodist,” finding his way, by God’s grace and love, into this faith tradition.
Retelling our faith stories with honest reflection forms us, and that is the path we must pursue as we move into the future. “I have come to discover riches and profundities [in Methodism],” the bishop noted, “and am convinced that our way forward as a conference and denomination is to plumb the depths of our tradition, reclaiming and renewing it.”
Bishop Bard then outlined what he believes lies at the heart of the Wesleyan way of following Jesus. The way grace permeates Methodist faith in unique and powerful ways sets us apart. “Rather than speak of deserving and merit,” said the bishop, “I find it more fitting to think about God’s grace as wide, wild, and persistent love that is always active and present.”
A Wesleyan understanding of grace is exemplified by a warm-hearted, open-hearted faith that knows God’s love in Christ experientially and joyfully. Salvation is something we live now, not merely something that happens after death, as we grow in grace through sanctification. Bold love, missional and transformative, anchors this faith.
Bishop Bard encouraged those listening to lay hold of this faith and let it inspire action: “Know that grace. Live that grace. Share that grace. Michigan United Methodists, be bold as love!”
State of the Conference / Leadership Gathering Report
In his State of the Conference report, Bishop Bard noted that we are at a pivot point. The conference and the denomination continue to manage decline and steward resources well, but there’s a shift toward devoting more energy to investing in and strategizing for the future. This is a hopeful sign, said the bishop, and the new denominational vision statement to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously is helping move us forward.
Read Bishop Bard’s State of the Conference report on page 2 of the 2026 Annual Report.
Following his report, the bishop invited Rev. Andy Lee and Audra Hudson Stone to present on the upcoming Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering in Calgary, Canada, scheduled for October 20-24, 2026. They, along with Rev. Paul Perez and Rev. B. Kevin Smalls, will join bishops, general secretaries, clergy, laity, and young adults from across our connection to listen and dream together.
The gathering, themed “Emboldened by the Spirit: Imagining a Church Yet to Be,” hopes to ask: How might we, as a church, go beyond institutional survival and lean into the call to Spirit-filled, Christ-centered imagination? The Leadership Gathering will not function as a legislative body. It is consultative and exploratory, feeding into future discernment processes.
Learn more about the Council of Bishops Leadership Gathering.
Stone and Lee asked everyone in the Michigan Conference to do three things in preparation: (1) pray for wisdom, humility, and courage for all participants; (2) hope and dare to believe that God is not finished with The United Methodist Church and is calling us to greater vitality; and (3) engage in conversations in your local churches now about what it means to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in your context. The Michigan representatives participating will share what emerged from their time in Calgary in November.
Boggan’s Look at Methodist History
Dr. Ashley Boggan was this year’s guest speaker, leading conferencegoers through United Methodist history from John Wesley’s day to the present and sharing stories of how we have loved boldly and prophetically. Read this MIconnect interview with Dr. Boggan.
Watch Dr. Boggan’s Saturday session focused on early Methodism.
Watch Dr. Boggan’s Sunday session focused on women in leadership.
Methodist history and values were brought to life through presentations on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Boggan serves as the General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives & History. Her role — “to ensure that the UMC understands its past in order to envision a more equitable future for all Methodists” — came alive during those teaching sessions.
Used to hearing about “vitality,” Boggan helped listeners embrace the “vile-tality” of the Methodist movement, which was originally seen as a “social nuisance” for its outreach and ministry to all people. The idea of Methodists “turning the world upside down” began in 18th-century England, as the brothers Wesley preached and followed a God who calls people “not to be passive.”
Boggan journeyed into the past to help members understand that the UMC’s new vision statement “did not come out of nowhere.” She recounted, “We lost our willingness to turn things upside down, as Methodism went from a movement inside an institution to an institution ourselves.” She told of the consequences of avoiding bold stances to protect reputation and power, choosing “bricks over bodies” and “membership over mission.”
Purchase Dr. Boggan’s 2025 book “Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity.”
Boggan encouraged 21st-century Methodists to more fully accept the Holy Spirit’s work within us, concluding, “What does it mean to be a United Methodist in a world where Christian Nationalism is on the rise? . . . We must open the door to all persons, warmly and lovingly embracing all persons when they walk in and holding their hands when they walk out. We can be the church that reminds the world that there is no Imago Dei without DEI.”
Wisdom and Witness: Exploring Our Social Principles through Conversation
On Saturday morning, leadership set aside time for conferencegoers to engage in conversation with others about aspects of our shared United Methodist identity. Four Wisdom and Witness conversations focused on the newly updated Social Principles, our public statements on contemporary issues, and on helping participants find faithful ways to respond.
Before the breakout sessions convened, Laura Witkowski, the Director of Connectional Ministries, spoke about the evolution of the Social Principles, which are rooted in sound biblical theology and our best traditions, and how they “challenge every one of us to engage in reflection and honest dialogue between our faith and our daily practice.”
Witkowski then said her favorite part of our Social Principles is that they’re meant for everyone. “You do not need a seminary degree to be inspired by them. They are not meant to be complex literature. They are meant to be accessible, relevant, and meaningful for all our UMC siblings in all contexts around the world.”
Participants were then asked to choose one of four topics to explore further: Creation in Peril; Food Justice; Racism, Ethnocentrism, and Tribalism; and Universal Accessibility. Expert guides led discussions that empowered church leaders to develop practical ideas they could carry with them. Learn more about each topic. Witkowski noted the hope that these sessions would produce “inspiring, concrete action steps to take back home to your local church and ways you can love boldly.”
Soon, the action steps and outcomes gleaned from all four breakout sessions will be shared publicly via the Wisdom and Witness web page.
Bold Love through Honest Conversation
With love and grace, members engaged in difficult, honest dialogue on various matters presented during conference business sessions, including conversations on anti-bias/anti-racism formation, a variety of resolutions, including redistricting, and the proposed 2027 budget.
Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism Formation
The Michigan Conference’s Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism (ABAR) Working Group arrived at the 2026 Clergy Session on Thursday, May 28, expecting to have a significant time on the agenda to engage those present around ABAR learning modules. All persons serving under appointment or assignment in the Michigan Conference must complete at least one module per calendar year.
Learn more about the Michigan Conference’s Anti-Bias/Anti-Racism (ABAR) Education & Training.
Time, however, was used for other purposes that afternoon, leaving no opportunity for ABAR to make their presentation. When the conference convened on Friday, this harm was acknowledged by Rev. Barry Petrucci, Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry, and members then discussed and voted to devote an hour sometime over the weekend for both clergy and laity to complete the training as originally planned. That time was set for 8-9 am on Saturday.
Representing ABAR for Saturday’s reflection on the learning modules were Revs. Drs. April Gutierrez and Matt Weiler, ABAR Co-Chairs, Evan Gutierrez, and Dr. Diane Owen-Rogers. Weiler began, “Sometimes we have to live in the tension. A moment formed by racism and injustice calls us to courageous leadership.” He noted that the modules are a means of grace that “build our capacity to bring down barriers.”
April Gutierrez noted that the modules, now in their third year, are rooted in Wesleyan theology. The conference’s commitment to ABAR “empowers us to do less harm, to do good, and to stay in love with God.” She added, “ABAR work takes practice.” Owen-Rogers added, “We must go beyond empty rhetoric about repentance and broken promises to be a church that is a credible and active witness for peace, equity, and justice in the face of harm visited upon communities of color.”
The modules, therefore, take a three-pronged approach of words, relationships, and action. Evan Gutierrez emphasized, “We need not just identify what is not good but do what is good.” Clergy and laity engaged in conversations at the prompting of these leaders.
On Saturday afternoon, conference members searched for truth and trust together in an extended discussion of Resolution #2026-7 (see amendments here), brought by Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), which sought the conference’s commitment to future training in anti-bias and anti-racism work and support for Black ministry. The debate focused on proper consultation and training methods. Members approved a collaboration between the ABAR Working Group, BMCR, and the Conference Leadership Council to provide in-person training for clergy and laity in addition to online modules.
As the discussion from the floor ended, Rev. B. Kevin Smalls, pastor of Southfield: Hope UMC, stated, “This is the work of the whole church,” not owned by any few groups.
Redistricting
On Saturday afternoon, members devoted time to financial and organizational matters related to redistricting facing the Michigan Conference. Voting members approved Resolution #2026-5, presented by Rev. Jodie Flessner, Dean of the Cabinet, which called for reducing the number of districts from seven to four, effective July 1, 2026.
Download the new four-district map.
Find the district your church is in.
Flessner noted that, in formulating this proposal, the Cabinet sought to balance ministry needs with current financial capacity and to find a sustainable solution. The budget would not allow for seven, but the superintendents agreed they could not continue with the “do more with less” mentality. We need, she said, to ask the “why” question and work in new ways.
From those conversations, seeds of innovation have sprouted, and new ideas continue to emerge. Zones, hubs, and branches are already strengthening connections among local churches in some districts. Greater collaboration between the Cabinet and the Connectional Ministries Staff has begun through regular meetings.
Voices from the plenary floor expressed concern and frustration over the reduction in districts. Voting members also spoke out about the added stress this could cause for both superintendents and clergy. Some said the current plan doesn’t go far enough, suggesting the need to propose more substantial structural changes at the next general conference.
Amendments to the resolution calling for the organization of a task force to evaluate the current conference structure and identify a path forward were referred to the Conference Leadership Council.
Both the 2026 and 2027 budgets will fund five superintendents. Under this resolution, one superintendent will be assigned to each of the four districts, and a fifth conference superintendent will collaborate with and resource the four district superintendents. More specifics about the role of the conference superintendent will be released soon.
The names of the four districts and superintendents are: Rev. Kristi Hintz (Northern Skies), Rev. John Kasper (Central Shores), Rev. Dean Prentiss (Greater Southwest), and Rev. Dr. Darryl Totty (Greater Detroit). The new conference superintendent is Rev. Jodie Flessner.
Rev. LuAnn Rourke has been appointed Clergy Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Congregational Development, following the retirement of Rev. Dr. Jennie Browne, current Clergy Assistant to the Bishop, who retires July 1.
The total number of churches in each district is: Central Shores District: 153; Greater Detroit District: 137; Greater Southwest District: 153; and Northern Skies District: 90. Download the new district map. Download the list of churches organized by district.
Other Legislation / Consent Calendar
Diane Brown, Legislative Coordinator for the Michigan Conference, led voting members through all the resolutions submitted for consideration. There were thirteen resolutions, along with amendments provided in the legislative committee report.
Download all the resolutions voted on by the Michigan Annual Conference.
Download the Legislative Report, which provides committee notes and amendments.
Three legislative items were on the consent calendar, meaning they passed by a 9/10 vote in the legislative committee and were then voted on as a group during business: R#2025-6, “Dissolve the New Church Development Land Procurement Loan Fund”; R#2025-8, “Support for Greater Accountability in Immigration Enforcement in Michigan”; and R#2025-11, “Advocate for Responsible Pentagon Spending.” Read these resolutions and amendments.
The 2026 Michigan Annual Conference approved the remaining ten pieces of legislation. R#2026-5, which focused on redistricting, and R#2026-7, which focused on ABAR formation, were explained earlier in this article.
Four dealt with salaries and benefits. Two resolutions (R#2026-1 and R#2026-2) came from the Board of Pension and Health Benefits regarding the Past Service Rate (PSR) for the Ministers’ Reserve Pension Fund and the Housing/Rental Allowance for retired or clergy on medical leave status receiving disability benefits. One resolution (R#2026-13) from the Benefits Office outlined necessary updates to the Conference Parsonage Guidelines and the Fair Housing Allowance Policy. One resolution (R#2026-3) from the Commission on Equitable Compensation addressed the 2027 Minimum Salary Schedule. Read these resolutions and amendments.
Two resolutions were passed related to humanitarian aid in war-torn areas of the world: one supporting the people of Ukraine (R#2026-10) and another providing aid to Gaza and the West Bank (R#2026-12).
Resolution #2026-4 provided necessary updates to the conference policy on clergy sexual ethics following changes at the 2020 / 2024 General Conference. And a final resolution, #2026-9, called for the end to racial profiling by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Recommendations for action are outlined in each resolution. Reminders of these action items will be published in MIconnect in the coming weeks.
Church Closings
The Michigan Conference Board of Trustees is responsible for managing all conference properties, including the closing of churches and the sale of church properties, as well as handling risk management and legal matters as they arise.
During the corporate business session on Saturday morning, Matt DeLong, Chair of the Board of Trustees, noted that the Michigan Conferences continues to close approximately 10 to 15 churches each year as a result of the end of a church’s life cycle.
DeLong reviewed this year’s list, then turned it over to Rev. Jodie Flessner, Dean of the Cabinet, to present the names and stories of ten churches that have closed since the last annual conference session. Members voted to accept these church closures: Allen UMC (Heritage District), Arcadia UMC (Western Waters), Barryton: Faith UMC (Central Bay District), Fowlerville: Trinity UMC (Heritage District), Galien River UMC (Greater Southwest District), Harrison: The Gathering UMC (Central Bay District), Jerome UMC (Heritage District), Livingston Circuit: Plainfield UMC (Heritage District), Rollin Center UMC (Heritage District), and Saugatuck UMC (Greater Southwest District).
Budget / Annual Report
As the final business item of the day on Saturday, Rev. Leslee Fritz, Special Assistant to the Bishop for Mission and Budget, led a discussion of the conference budget, offering an honest look at trends. Revenue has been down since the conference was formed in 2019, and a major reason is the 46% decline in United Methodist church membership in Michigan over that period.
Michigan United Methodists are extremely generous despite denominational contraction. Fritz thanked churches and celebrated that Ministry Shares giving exceeded 80% in 2025 (up 2.3% from 2024), the first time in recent memory.
She also noted another hopeful sign that local church benevolence giving to overall missions, whether it’s money given to a local food pantry or to one of our United Methodist missionaries in Mongolia, increased last year.
Fritz then walked members through the 2026 Annual Report, which highlights the impact of church giving through data and stories. The report is available in print/pdf and video formats. Both versions are available. She encouraged churches to share the report with their members as examples of how local church Ministry Shares is making mission and ministry possible here in Michigan and worldwide.
Download the pdf and video editions of the 2026 Annual Report.
On Sunday morning, Rev. Don Gotham, President of the Michigan Conference Council on Finance and Administration, presented the proposed 2027 budget. Voting members approved the budget as presented: a flat budget unchanged from 2026 at $8,032,538.
In his closing remarks, Gotham thanked churches for their generosity, at whatever level they’re able to give at this time. He noted that council members are glad to come and meet with local churches if they have concerns and do not see the value in paying Ministry Shares. Council members would be glad to share why they are passionate about the work our shared giving enables.
Bold Love through Mission and Ministry
During opening worship, Bishop David Bard noted that mission is central to the Wesleyan way and that engaging with the wider society is part of our missional heart. He quoted Dr. Ashley Boggan, this year’s guest speaker, from her book “Wesleyan Vile-tality.” “Being Methodist is not about adhering to a set of rigid beliefs or keeping our faith confined to the sanctuary. It is about following in the footsteps of Christ, who loved so boldly and radically that it changed the world.”
Throughout the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference, examples of how United Methodists in Michigan love boldly through service and generosity in mission and ministry enlivened our call as disciples of Jesus to transform the world.
#1 in Giving to The Advance
For years, the Detroit and West Michigan conferences were pacesetters in support of the mission of The United Methodist Church. That bold and generous giving was celebrated again on Friday afternoon, when Rev. Jen Huff, representing the General Boards of Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry, announced that the Michigan Conference not only led the North Central Jurisdiction in giving but also gave more than all other conferences to The Advance in 2025, with gifts totaling $1,274,931.
The Advance is the official UMC giving network for voluntary donations that support mission programs and missionaries worldwide. Global Ministries, supported by Ministry Shares, administers The Advance, ensuring that 100% of gifts go to their intended project or ministry.
Huff also offered a snapshot of how Michigan congregations loved boldly through missional giving. Michigan United Methodists supported 19 missionaries and received $90,957 in grants for feeding and migration ministries, disaster response, and multiethnic ministry. In addition, 26 Michigan students received scholarships last year.
“We are living in a time when the church is being called to respond to changing needs in our communities and around the world,” Huff said. “Your support helps make that possible through education, global health, migration and disaster response, peace with justice, agriculture and food sustainability, missionary service, and so much more.” She then invited conference members to learn more at the evening Mission Festival.
EngageMI Mission Festival
The time, energy, and love Michigan United Methodists devote to neighbors are guided by EngageMI, the Michigan Conference’s mission engagement program, which encourages “ministry with” others through a wide range of learning, giving, and action.
Friday evening’s third annual EngageMI Mission Festival, sponsored by the United Methodist Foundation of Michigan, offered opportunities to engage with 30 Ministry Projects, spanning from Michigan to Mongolia. Resourcing, networking, and connection filled the tent as new ways were offered to embolden our love and make a difference in people’s lives.
Conferencegoers received $5 in Mission Bucks when they registered for conference to spend like cash in support of the missions they connected with most. The option to purchase more was available, with the foundation matching every $5 personal donation. Michigan United Methodists generously gave $5,861 in financial support of our EngageMI partners.
The 2026-2027 edition of the EngageMI handbook is now available. Download the updated handbook. Visit the EngageMI web page to learn how to become an EngageMI Church and participate in connectional giving.
Gardens of Hope Campaign Extended
One year after approving the raising of $215,000 for ministry in Haiti, voting members heard a status report on Saturday for the Gardens of Hope campaign. Rev. Tiffany Newsom, Co-Chair of the Michigan Haiti Task Force, summarized how a February distribution of funds has made a difference.
Learn more about the Gardens of Hope campaign.
With those dollars, Haitian Assets for Peace International (HAPI) has relaunched a vocational course for 41 students and provided health care to 300 patients. Jeremie Rising offered 15 scholarships and held three clinics. Grace Hospital continues to care for children amid great turmoil in the nation’s capital. A new ministry partner, Grassroots Community Voices Foundation, launched 20 mutual solidarity groups in Mizak and Jérémie, the homes of HAPI and Jeremie Rising, respectively, with a loan profile exceeding $5,000.
Newsom announced that $110,000 has been raised so far from 151 Michigan congregations. That’s $105,000 and about 370 congregations short of the goal. Rob Nystrom moved to extend the campaign by one more year because “loving boldly sometimes takes a little longer.” The motion passed unanimously. The goal is for every United Methodist church to participate in this connectional campaign by the end of 2027. Give now to the campaign.
Offerings: Bold Love through Giving
During the opening worship service, a $32,333 offering was collected (donations are still being accepted through this secure link). Haitian Assets for Peace International (HAPI) and the Bishop Judith Craig Children’s Village in Liberia will each receive 45% of the total offering. These international projects of The Advance are also EngageMI partners and vital initiatives supported by the Michigan Conference.
Bishop Bard also designated a 10% tithe for the Miracle Sunday initiative. Learn more. The United Methodist Church is raising funds to support 500 scholarships for United Methodists preparing to serve as pastors in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines.
Give now to the Annual Conference offering.
Activities: Bold Love in Action
On Friday morning, veteran mission partner Midwest Mission hosted a Rice Meal Packing event for the fourth consecutive year. In an assembly-line fashion, teams of volunteers from across the state packed simple, nutritious meals for those in need. Close to 180 United Methodist volunteers assembled 6,600 rice meal packs, totaling 39,600 meals. Each pack feeds six people. Midwest Mission also brought its collection truck, allowing attendees to drop off assembled kits and gently used or new items. Learn more about Midwest Mission’s current needs.
The “Zero-K – Move to End Child Hunger” Fundraiser offered everyone — regardless of fitness level — the opportunity to support this important effort to help end child hunger in Michigan. A traditional 5K was held on Friday morning, but conference attendees were encouraged to participate however they could, whether by running, walking, practicing yoga, or simply donating.
The Campus Ministry Golf Fundraiser was also held on Friday morning. The winning team in the 4-person scramble with the lowest team net score was Daryl Collins, John Frary, Susan Grigg, and Mark Miller. The longest drive went to George Lewis (men) and Megan Burton-Krieger (women). Closest to the pin was won by Sherry Parker Lewis. The longest putt went to Scott Marsh. All proceeds went directly to campus ministry sites across Michigan to benefit students.
Honoring Ministry Leaders
Three special awards were presented as part of the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference to exemplify loving boldly through service:
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- Francis Asbury Award—Rev. Erica Thomas. The award recognizes United Methodists who have made a significant contribution to advancing United Methodist ministries in higher education at the local, district, or annual conference level. It is presented annually to one honoree per annual conference.
- John Buxton Award—Rev. Don Gotham. The John Buxton Award honors creative problem-solving in our annual conference.
- One Matters Award—Oscoda/Oscoda Indian Mission UMC. Discipleship Ministries presents this award to the pastor and lay leaders of a congregation that has made significant strides in growing its ministry, turning zeros from previous years into positive numbers.
Clergy were inspired and affirmed during the Service of Recognition, Commissioning, and Ordination (RCO) on Sunday morning. Bishop Julie Schneider-Thomas of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) served as this year’s ecumenical representative and offered greetings.
Read Bishop Bard’s sermon from the RCO service.
During the service, five were ordained (four elders, one deacon); five were commissioned (three elders, two deacons); one deacon was received into provisional membership; three elders in full connection were recognized; and nine graduated from Course of Study.
At other times during the 2026 Michigan Annual Conference, 20 retirees were honored (see full list), and those we have lost since the last session were remembered in love (see full list, starting on page 27).
Annual Conference Statistics for 2025
The official statistical report for the Michigan Conference from Pamela Stewart, Conference Statistician, noted that all categories were down compared to the previous year. Statistics for worship attendance include numbers submitted for virtual/online worship.
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- Membership in 2025 was 70,298, down 3,351 or 4.5% from 2024
- Average worship attendance in 2025 was 50,675, down 592 or 1.1% from 2024
- Sunday school attendance in 2025 was 4,949, down 90 or 1.8% from 2024
- Professions of faith in 2025 were 1,036, down 106 or 9.6% from 2024
- Adults and young adults in small groups in 2025 numbered 17,377, down 606 or 3.3% from 2024
- Mission engagement in 2025 was 24,820, down 535 or 2% from 2024
Last Updated on June 9, 2026