General Conference Briefing: Proposed Articles of Faith
June 11, 2026
Disclaimer: This briefing was prepared for the South Georgia GMC delegation using NotebookLM to synthesize information from multiple sources. It is intended to summarize the proposed Articles of Faith legislation and the major conversations surrounding it. It does not represent an official position of the South Georgia Conference or its delegation. Readers are encouraged to consult the original sources listed below.
One of the most significant pieces of legislation coming before the 2026 General Conference is Petition 1441, the proposed Articles of Faith.
The legislation would replace the Global Methodist Church’s two inherited doctrinal standards—the Methodist Articles of Religion and the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Confession of Faith—with a single unified statement of faith. The proposal was developed by a writing team working under the Commission on Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry in response to action taken by the Convening General Conference in 2024.
Why Was This Proposal Created?
When the Global Methodist Church was formed, it inherited two doctrinal standards from its Methodist roots. While both documents have served the church well, General Conference directed the Commission to develop a single statement that could serve as a unified doctrinal standard for the denomination moving forward.
Supporters of the proposal argue that a single document provides greater clarity, accessibility, and consistency for a growing global church. Critics generally agree with the goal of a unified statement but have raised questions about whether the Commission produced a simple combination of the two existing documents or created a broader theological synthesis.
Major Conversations Surrounding the Proposal
1. The Doctrine of Scripture
The most discussed portion of the proposal is Article VIII on Holy Scripture. The article describes Scripture as “without error in all it affirms.”
Supporters argue that this language reflects historic Christian teaching, aligns with statements such as the Lausanne Covenant, and is consistent with many classical Methodist theologians.
Critics argue that the language imports categories more commonly associated with modern evangelical or Reformed debates. They contend that Wesleyan theology has traditionally emphasized Scripture’s role in forming holy people and revealing God’s saving truth rather than focusing on philosophical questions about errorlessness.
2. Human Nature and the Image of God
Earlier drafts described humanity as “fundamentally good.” Some readers expressed concern that the phrase could weaken the doctrine of humanity’s fallen condition or imply a Pelagian understanding of human nature.
The writing team responded that the phrase was intended to affirm the continuing reality of the image of God in every person, not deny humanity’s fallenness. In response to feedback, the final language was revised to describe humanity as “created good” or “originally good.”
3. Combination or New Synthesis?
Another significant discussion centers on the Commission’s mandate.
Some have argued that General Conference requested a combination of the Articles of Religion and the EUB Confession of Faith and that the proposal goes beyond that instruction by introducing substantial new language.
The Commission has responded that a simple merger of two nineteenth- and twentieth-century documents would not adequately serve the church’s present mission. They argue that the proposal remains faithful to the historic doctrines of Methodism while presenting them in a clearer and more unified form.
4. Ecumenical Language
The proposal also removes several anti-Roman Catholic statements found in older doctrinal documents.
Supporters view this as an expression of ecumenical maturity that allows the church to affirm historic Christian doctrine without retaining polemical language from earlier centuries.
Others worry that removing such language may blur important theological distinctions that earlier Methodists believed were necessary to maintain.
How We Arrived Here
- 2024: The Convening General Conference directs the Commission to develop a unified doctrinal statement.
- Spring 2026: Drafts are released for public comment and reviewed by both a designated review team and the wider church.
- April–June 2026: Articles, webinars, panel discussions, and online conversations generate extensive feedback.
- May 2026: Final revisions are completed and submitted as Petition 1441.
- September 2026: Delegates to General Conference in Johannesburg will consider the legislation.
Questions Delegates Should Consider
As delegates prepare for General Conference, several questions may be helpful:
- Does the proposed document faithfully express the historic doctrine of Methodism?
- Does it fulfill the mandate given by the Convening General Conference?
- Does it provide greater clarity for future generations of Global Methodists?
- Are the revisions to the language on Scripture, humanity, and other doctrines improvements over the current standards?
- Will a single doctrinal statement strengthen the church’s witness and unity?
Whatever one’s position, Petition 1441 represents an important conversation about the theological identity of the Global Methodist Church and how we articulate our faith for future generations.
Sources
Here is a bibliography of the sources provided, organized by medium and date where available.
Articles and Webpages
- Fugate, Nate. “Lost in Translation: How the Commission Misread Its Mandate.” Rev.’s Substack, May 5, 2026.
- Fugate, Nate. “The Weight of a Word.” Rev.’s Substack, May 16, 2026.
- Green, Joel B. “A More Excellent Way: Wesley, Scripture, and the Limits of Inerrancy Language.” Firebrand Magazine, June 2, 2026.
- Kisker, Scott T. “The Global Methodist Proposed Article on Holy Scripture: A Critique.” Firebrand Magazine, May 19, 2026.
- O’Reilly, Matt. “An Even More Excellent Way: A Response to Joel Green on the Bible in Global Methodism.” Theology Project, June 2026 (Published following Joel Green’s June 2 article).
- O’Reilly, Matt. “Global Methodists and Holy Scripture: A Response to Scott Kisker.” Firebrand Magazine, May 26, 2026.
- O’Reilly, Matt. “How Should We Speak of Human Nature? A Question for the Global Methodist Church.” Firebrand Magazine, April 14, 2026.
- O’Reilly, Matt. “Three Takeaways from Today’s Panel on the Proposed Articles of Faith (Global Methodist Church).” Theology Project, June 1, 2026.
- Watson, David F. “The Proposed Global Methodist Articles of Faith: Addressing a Legacy of Unfinished Business.” Firebrand Magazine, April 28, 2026.
Video Transcripts (YouTube)
- Global Methodist Church. “Connectional Conversations | Articles of Faith, June 1, 2026 – English.” Panel featuring Bishop Scott Jones, David Watson, Jason Vickers, and Matt O’Reilly.
- Miller, Andy. “Inerrancy and the GMC, the Articles of Faith, and the SBC.” More to the Story Podcast, 2026.
- O’Reilly, Matt, and David Watson. “Why are we talking about NEW Articles of Faith in the Global Methodist Church? with Dr. David Watson.” Theology Project, 2026.
- Rickman, Jeffrey. “GMC Articles of Faith Panel – April 10, 2026.” PlainSpoken. Panel featuring Vic Reasoner, Quattro Jones, Tyler Lee, and Sean Hamilton.
- Rickman, Jeffrey. “GMC Articles of Faith Panel #2 – April 17, 2026.” PlainSpoken. Panel featuring Matt O’Reilly, Mark Olson, Joshua Pearsall, and Adam Duarte.
- Rickman, Jeffrey. “Articles of Faith – Panel 3 (Republished w/ Missing Half).” PlainSpoken. Panel featuring Tim Prather, Chris Lortoer, Richie Clark, and Daniel Rickman.
- Rickman, Jeffrey. “GMC Articles of Faith Panel #4 – May 1, 2026.” PlainSpoken. Panel featuring Scott Kisker, Shane Raynor, and Courtney Eubanks.
Denominational Documents
- Global Methodist Church. “Petition 1441: Articles of Faith of the Global Methodist Church.” Proposed legislation for the 2026 General Conference, submitted by the Commission on Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry.
Printable PDF version
Three Ways to Survive (and Enjoy) Annual Conference
June 9, 2026
We are in annual conference season for most of the United States right now. Here is a quick and practical survival guide for this season. Maybe it will help you not just survive but enjoy the conference.
What is the Annual Conference?
Annual conference is both a regional body of churches and the yearly gathering of that body. Most people use the term “annual conference” to refer to the yearly meeting where clergy and lay delegates gather for worship, fellowship, business, and ministry.
The annual conference is composed of equal numbers of clergy and laity. Retired status clergy do have voting privileges. Since there is usually more total clergy than lay delegates from each church there are equalization delegates of laity.
The delegates have several responsibilities where they vote on things like annual conference legislation, financial oversight, clergy credentialing, and shaping mission and ministry.
During the conference there is beautiful worship, ordination, clergy sessions, laity sessions, and a business session.
Three Ways to Survive Annual Conference
#1 Come Expecting
One of the best moves to make is to come to conferences expecting to meet Jesus in new and fresh ways.
You can meet Jesus and have deep time with the Lord anywhere. However, there is something special about meeting with other believers and worshipping together.
You should also come expecting to make a new friend. As a matter of fact, I might even start praying for God to help you make a new friend each day of conference. You never know when you might meet your next pastor or someone who shares a similar passion for an area of ministry you have. It helps knowing you are not alone in the journey of Methodism.
#2 Be Prepared
A good delegate is a prepared delegate.
Make a cup of coffee and spend a couple of hours going through your pre-conference materials. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with the location, budget, and schedule of the conference. Most conferences will release a preconference journal. Take some time going through these materials.
Also, pack appropriately. Bring your conference journal printed out or on a tablet to access during the conference. If you are in a hot and stormy climate, bring a water bottle and umbrella. Pack a light jacket in case your meeting rooms are cold. Make sure to bring your Bible and notepad. Bonus points if you are a conference speaker and you invite the conference to turn in their Bibles!
Think through how you can be prepared for a great conference.
#3 Thank Your Bishop
Being a bishop in the Global Methodist Church is not the easy job it was in our previous connection. Some of our bishops spend more than 25 weeks of the year traveling. This may be the only chance you get to see them.
Don’t try to become best friends with the bishop but make sure to say hello, tell them where you are from, and thank them for their service to your conference and God’s kingdom.
Don’t stop at the bishop, thank your conference superintendent, your presiding elder, and other delegates you meet. Cultivating a spirit of gratitude and appreciation will help you enjoy the conference even more.
These are just a few of the tips I have. What else do you recommend to help survive annual conference?
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About David Wesley Donnan
I write online about Methodism, devotional insights, and personal reflections. My primary goal is to organize my thoughts and explore meaningful topics. Along the way, I hope my writing inspires and encourages others on their journey.
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Should Global Methodists Pray for Pope Leo XIV?
May 8, 2025
The Roman Catholic church has elected a new leader of their church.
Is it ok for Global Methodist to pray for Pope Leo XIV? Should we?
My short pastoral answer is yes. Here’s why.
#1 Global Methodist Are Ecumenical
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines ecumenical as, “of, relating to, or representing the whole of a body of churches” and “promoting or tending toward worldwide Christian unity or cooperation.”
Global Methodist Bishop Scott Jones wrote, “The division of the one church of Jesus Christ into many different denominations, each claiming to be the church, is an ongoing problem… [The ecumenical movement] takes many forms in the world, including grassroots cooperation between congregations, the migration of members from one church to another, and joint action for social justice on the national and international level. The movement also fosters official dialogue between churches that seek to overcome centuries of estrangement so that visible communion might be possible” (Jones Extreme Center 19-20).
Bishop Jones goes onto argue for us to authentically participate in ecumenical dialogue we have to be confident in understanding our own Wesleyan doctrines and beliefs (20-21).
#2 Global Methodist Have Catholic Spirit
One of the more famous sayings of the founder of Methodist movement comes from his sermon on the Catholic Spirit, “But although a difference in opinions or modes of worship may prevent an entire external union, yet need it prevent our union in affection Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion.”
Wesley goes on to say, “If, then, we take this word in the strictest sense, a man of a catholic spirit is one who, in the manner above-mentioned, gives his hand to all whose hearts are right with his heart: one who knows how to value, and praise God for, all the advantages he enjoys, with regard to the knowledge of the things of God…”
Wesley makes clear he is not calling for latitudinarianism (a belief in which anything goes in regards to doctrine). However, Wesley seems to be emphasizing for Christians to be willing to work with those outside of your denominational and theological preferences. Wesley model this with partnerships with the Moravians and traveling and preaching alongside Calvinist George Whitfield.
In worship we say the Apostles Creed in which we affirm we are a part of “the Holy Catholic Church”. This does not mean we are a part of the Roman Catholic church which just elected Pope Leo XIV. It means we are a part of the universal church of all Christian bodies.
#3 Global Methodist Want All Churches to Have Strong Leaders
Shortly after Pope Francis died I saw Anglican Priest Michael Bird say “bless the Catholic Church with a new leader who preaches the gospel and imitates the way of the Lord Jesus.”
I echo this sentiment. I desire for all churches to have strong leaders who preach the gospel and imitate the way of Jesus.
So join me today in praying for:
- ourselves,
- our friends and family who are sick or lost,
- our local church
- all those around the world who suffer,
- our own Global Methodist Bishops and leaders
- and, yes, let’s pray for Pope Leo XIV.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may receive a small commission if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!
About David Wesley Donnan
I write online about Methodism, devotional insights, and personal reflections. My primary goal is to organize my thoughts and explore meaningful topics. Along the way, I hope my writing inspires and encourages others on their journey.
