Discipleship Ministries
General Board of Global Ministries
General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
United Methodist Communications
For Immediate Release
October 13, 2026
Proposal moves forward for the new connectional ministries agency
Nashville, Tenn. — The proposal to unify four general agencies of The United Methodist Church — Discipleship Ministries, Global Ministries (GBGM), Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM), and United Methodist Communications (UMCom) — to create a new connectional ministries agency has passed its next significant milestone. During the 2026 fall board meetings of these agencies, board members voted to approve the recommended new agency name and the drafted unification legislation. The legislation will now advance to a review by the Standing Committee on Regional Conference Matters Outside the U.S.A. (SCRCM).
The boards adopted United Methodist Mission & Ministry Agency as the proposed unified agency’s name. Before the board voted, a survey to vet possible names was sent to board members of the four proposed unifying agencies, as well as regional and annual conference communicators and agency communicators, to gather input from across the United Methodist connection. The recommended name, United Methodist Mission and Ministry Agency, received the broadest support for its clarity and timelessness in representing the unified agency's ongoing, global, and diverse ministry work.
The legislation creates a single incorporated agency, governed by one 40-member board that reflects a balance of clergy, laywomen, and laymen, with broad geographic, racial, age, and cultural diversity. The draft combines the four agencies' current work with the amendments each agency has already submitted to SCRCM. While the legislation remains high level, the bylaws will set out further details, including structural and operational plans.
"I am delighted that we are one step closer to the unification of these agencies, which will bring focus to our communications and better alignment of our educational, discipleship, and mission and ministry work throughout our connection,” said Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, president of GBGM's board of directors. Bishop Sandra Steiner-Ball, president of GBHEM’s board of directors added, “By approving this legislation, our boards have taken an important step toward a more connected future for The United Methodist Church. This alignment will create new opportunities to support local churches and unites our mission and ministry as we share the hope of Jesus Christ in a rapidly changing world.”
The proposed single agency will be made up of four ministry units that resource and support the worldwide ministries of The United Methodist Church for constituents and ministry partners. Each unit will hold distinct areas of responsibility within the unified purpose and integrated structure of the agency as follows:
- Mission, Humanitarian Relief and Health (program unit) - Connecting the Church in mission and alleviating human suffering.
- Higher Education and Ministry (program unit) – Connecting the Church and the academy and developing transformational leaders for the Church and the world.
- Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (program unit) - Assisting the Church in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
- Communication (administrative unit) - Leading the denomination's communication, public relations, and marketing as the global communications body of The United Methodist Church.
Two subsidiaries –the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and The Upper Room—will remain in place under the unified agency, with their boards elected by the agency's Board of Directors.
“This milestone shows our shared commitment to strengthen the church’s witness wherever disciples are formed, and lives are changed through the ministries of The United Methodist Church. Moving toward one unified mission and ministry agency is an act of faithful stewardship and vision. It will help us focus our energy and more effectively equip and support leaders and local churches in their disciple‑making work—so our ministries can have deeper, more meaningful impact in the communities God calls us to serve,” added Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez, president of the Discipleship Ministries board of directors.
The proposed unification would bring these ministries together under a common vision and mission, so every goal aligns, and every partner is better served for the good of the Church. The United Methodist Mission & Ministry Agency is poised to offer:
- Mission continuity and stronger ministry: All four agencies would continue their mission and ministry within one unified structure, sharing programmatic operations, policies, and processes that draw on the best practices of each agency to expand collective impact and benefit constituents.
- One clear voice: Leaders and members will hear coordinated messaging across websites, email and social media, instead of competing priorities.
- Stronger support for all constituents: Support of partners, including local churches, ethnic plans, the Council of Bishops, the Connectional Table, regional and annual conferences, seminaries, and universities will strengthen mission and ministry.
- More resources directed to ministry: A holistic strategy and interaction with regional/annual conferences and other partners that eliminates duplication through shared support services, such as HR, IT, finance, travel planning, along with shared technology platforms and vendor partnerships to create efficiencies that free up more resources for ministry.
“I want to thank everyone for all the good and faithful work that has gone into the planning for the unification thus far. I commend the courageous spirit that each member of each board brings as we boldly lean into the future of The United Methodist Church," shared Bishop Robert Farr, president of United Methodist Communications' board of directors.
The UnifyingForImpact.org website remains the go-to resource for details and updates on this unification proposal.
Pending approval of legislation at the 2028 General Conference, the new United Methodist Mission & Ministry Agency will become the legal successor to all four predecessor agencies effective at the event’s close. A new board will be formed for 2029–2032, and 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 church and the world.
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
[email protected]
Susan Clark
General Board of Global Ministries / General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
[email protected]
Amy Ezell
United Methodist Communications
[email protected]