Video by Rev. David Valera | Article by Patrick Scriven
May 17, 2016 | Portland, Oregon
Delegates to the 2016 United Methodist General Conference approved a measure tasking the denomination to prepare for an additional five bishops to serve on the continent of Africa starting in 2020. This action was taken to respond to the explosive growth in membership in the African Central Conferences.
Rev. David Valera spoke to a number of delegates familiar with the Committee on the Central Conference’s work, and the needs of Methodists in a number of Central Conferences experiencing a surplus of missional opportunities.
The conversation was a welcome respite from legislative work that is often dominated with U.S. concerns. It also presents the body a reverse dynamic in wrestling with growth when the church in the United States continues to decline.
