The Michigan Conference’s communications team reviews the top news stories from last year.
JAMES DEATON
Content Editor
2024 was a watershed year for the Michigan Conference and The United Methodist Church as a whole. The season of disaffiliation concluded, and The United Methodist Church worshiped together and voted on church business for the first time since 2016. Conference and denominational leaders focused significant time and energy on pivoting toward the future.
The long-awaited 2020 General Conference was held over 11 days in April and May in Charlotte, North Carolina. The 16-member delegation from the Michigan Conference participated in this historic gathering, where major legislation was passed. This legislation moved the church toward a more equitable structure and took steps to make the church more inclusive and just, especially for LGBTQ people.
Budget reductions and structural changes were voted on at General Conference, affecting connectional ministry support at all levels of The United Methodist Church. Some of those changes impacted episcopal leadership in the Michigan Conference. Bishop David Bard returned to serve his final term as bishop, as announced at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in Sioux Falls in July, but with added responsibilities. He now shares leadership of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference with Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai of Iowa.
As we begin a new year, take time to reflect on the last year and remember the grace and love of God that was ever-present through the joys and challenges we experienced as a church in 2024. To help you review the year’s highlights, here are the 10 most visited news stories published by the Michigan Conference’s communications team last year.
1 – Final disaffiliation report released
In March, a final report on the impact of disaffiliation on the Michigan Conference was published. The report highlighted key statistics, provided a complete list of disaffiliating churches, and detailed how financial proceeds would be allocated.
2 – Bishop announces listening tour
In November, Bishop David Bard began a four-stop listening tour to meet with Michigan United Methodists following the conclusion of disaffiliation and the impact of the historic 2024 General Conference, which set the denomination in a new direction. (Note: The final stop on the listening tour is this Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Grandville UMC, near Grand Rapids.)
3 – ‘May we not love alike?’
Writing this blog one day following the adjournment of the 2024 General Conference, Bishop David Bard reflected on a General Conference unlike any other he has attended. He noted that The United Methodist Church is finding new ways to live in the Wesleyan spirit.
4 – Prentiss appointed as district superintendent
In January, Bishop David Bard announced that Rev. Dean Prentiss would become the new superintendent of the Greater Southwest District on July 1. He succeeded Rev. Dwayne Bagley, who served the maximum number of consecutive years as a district superintendent.
5 – Film features pastors DeLong and VanDessel
Leap of Faith, a new documentary directed by Nicholas Ma, son of renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, featured two Michigan United Methodist pastors, Rev. Kim DeLong and Rev. Joan VanDessel. The film told the story of 12 diverse Christian leaders from the Grand Rapids area who came together to explore how we can disagree and still belong to each other in a divided world.
6 – General Conference delegates pass Revised Social Principles
On May 2, delegates to the 2024 General Conference approved the final section of the Revised Social Principles, removing the “incompatibility” phrase, which has been a source of harmful language to LGBTQ persons since its adoption in 1972. (Note: A related article reported on other legislation that ended the 40-year ban on the ordination of “self-avowed practicing” gay clergy.)
7 – Advocating for our rural congregations
Rev. Jodie Flessner, superintendent of the Western Waters District, attended the 2024 General Conference as a leader of United Methodist Rural Advocates, which monitored legislation affecting rural congregations and lobbied for rural ministry needs and interests.
8 – Conference embraces fearless spirit
United Methodists met for the sixth session of the Michigan Annual Conference. Members were called to embrace a fearless spirit of renewed mission and ministry following the historic 2024 General Conference, which made decisions that set the denomination on a new path.
9 – UMC faces financial, structural realities
On the final day of the 2024 General Conference, delegates passed a general budget for the next four years that is significantly smaller (about 40% less) than what was approved in 2016. The bottom line will vary by about $20 million, depending on collection rates from annual conferences over the next two years.
10 – Mental health is a faith matter
An article featuring Holland: First UMC was published leading up to Advocacy Day in Lansing, which focused on improving mental health access in Michigan. The congregation is taking bold steps to educate its members and make its spaces more inclusive for those challenged by mental illness. (Note: Click here to read more about the impact of last year’s Advocacy Day.)
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Last Updated on January 8, 2025