FORT WORTH (Texas) – The United Methodist Church in Côte d’Ivoire, the largest regional conference of the worldwide denomination with almost 700,000 members, has received its full rights and responsibilities.

The move came on April 27 at the 2008 United Methodist Church General Conference, which meets every four years to conduct the business of the church. As a result, United Methodists in the West African country, which has only two delegates at this General Conference, will receive significantly greater representation at future assemblies

Four years ago, the Methodist Protestant Church of Côte d’Ivoire, an autonomous church, was admitted to the United Methodist fold, but the Judicial Council later ruled that the decision of the 2004 General Conference was incomplete.

In practical terms, the 2004 General Conference short-circuited the process for admission outlined in the United Methodist Book of Discipline. The church’s highest court ruled in 2006 that the disciplinary process required that the 2008 General Conference confirm the action.

Bishop Benjamin Boni, leader of the Côte d’Ivoire Annual (regional) Conference, said: “We are today fully united in the church, and members in Côte d’Ivoire share together fully with others in The United Methodist Church.” – United Methodist News Service.

Malawi district

now a missionary

conference

FORT WORTH (Texas) – A United Methodist district in the African country of Malawi was elevated to the standing of a “missionary conference” by the denomination’s 2008 General Conference. Some 990 delegates to the assembly supported the measure by a 92-per cent vote.

“It opens up Malawi for church agencies to empower the local people,” said Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa, leader of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area and the now missionary conference in Malawi.

The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries endorsed the petition to create the missionary conference. – United Methodist News Service.