United Methodist Leaders Will Gather in Calgary
The church will convene 300 participants in October 2026 to discuss the future identity of the denomination.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Religion — General
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The Council of Bishops will host a Leadership Gathering at Knox United Church in Calgary from October 20-24, 2026. The event aims to help the United Methodist Church move past a season of disaffiliations and define its future structure.
Why it matters
Organizers hope to consolidate the denomination following recent divisions by developing 15 prioritized recommendations. These proposals may eventually be presented as formal legislation at the 2028 General Conference.
A 2026 Global Survey collected 12,292 responses across nine regions, with 53% of youth respondents prioritizing expanded leadership roles. The gathering includes 300 invited participants, though 22 individuals face travel hurdles.
The players
Council of Bishops
This body provides leadership and episcopal oversight for the global United Methodist Church.
Knox United Church
This is a historic church located in Calgary that serves as the venue for the upcoming gathering.
The details
Participants will collaborate in covenant groups to address specific daily questions, while those unable to travel to Calgary are expected to join via Zoom. The process is designed to help the church navigate its post-disaffiliation era by shaping a new institutional identity.
Timeline
The Leadership Gathering takes place from October 20-24, 2026.
Canadian visa suspensions for participants from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan remain in effect through November 27, 2026.
Culture Shift
The gathering aligns with institutional efforts to move past a period of organizational restructuring and church disaffiliations. This event acts as a preparatory stage to generate legislation that will be submitted to the 2028 General Conference.
Church members may see changes in denominational governance if the recommendations from this gathering are adopted at the 2028 General Conference. Those unable to attend in person are encouraged to engage with the leadership process through remote Zoom sessions.
The takeaway
The gathering highlights the denomination's commitment to integrating youth perspectives after survey data revealed a strong desire for more leadership opportunities among members under 35. By moving to a hybrid model, the church seeks to maintain participation despite international travel barriers.
What happens next
The 22 participants affected by current Canadian visa suspensions remain restricted until November 27, 2026, while the next formal General Conference is scheduled for May 8-16, 2028, in Minneapolis.
Further reading
Learn more about organizational updates within the denomination at Religion — General.
Source note: This article includes information reported by United Methodist News Service.
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