The United Methodist Church will host its 2028 General Conference in two cities simultaneously—Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Harare, Zimbabwe—to ensure global delegates can participate regardless of U.S. visa restrictions. This dual-location approach, reported by UMC News, marks a historic first for the denomination’s quadrennial legislative event scheduled for May 2028.
Harare and Minneapolis split the 2028 legislative duties
The Commission on the General Conference finalized this decision on October 27, 2026, during a virtual fall meeting. While Minneapolis remains a primary hub, Harare was selected as the concurrent site because it sits within a city with a strong United Methodist presence and represents the continent with the largest membership in the denomination. More practically, Zimbabwe offers easier visa access for other African nations than the United States does.
The Commission admitted that hosting a “holy conference” in two places is not the ideal scenario, but the need for equity outweighed the preference for a single gathering. The 2028 event is expected to host the largest representation of non-U.S. delegates in the history of the church, making the “site beyond” a necessity rather than a luxury.
“As the global travel landscape continues to change, and technological restraints remain a reality in many areas, we must be nimble and creative in our work to allow for maximum participation in the legislative process,” stated Rev. Andy Call, Commission chair.
Rev. Andy Call
The logistical friction of a dual-continent conference
The church is now coordinating with United Methodist Communications to build a technological infrastructure that allows delegates in both Minneapolis and Harare to work concurrently.
In Minneapolis, the groundwork is already set for delegate support, including provided lunches and a $30 per diem to help cover additional meals. In Harare, however, the specifics remain hazy. Meal arrangements and venue contracts are still under negotiation as the concurrent schedule is hammered out.
A timeline of discernment and planning
- November 2025: The Alternative Task Team began exploring site options, partnering with the connectional relations committee to vet potential global locations.
- October 27, 2026: The Commission officially voted to approve the two-site model during their virtual fall meeting.
- April 2027: The full Commission on the General Conference will meet virtually to continue preparations.
- May 2028: The General Conference convenes concurrently in Minneapolis and Harare.
Shifting the calendar away from U.S. politics
The 2028 planning is also serving as a catalyst for broader structural changes. The Commission is currently reviewing how to shift future conference dates to better accommodate young people and, notably, to move the event away from the U.S. political calendar.
Beyond the dates, the church is attempting to streamline its governance. New efforts are underway to simplify conference rules, remove duplications, and introduce a consensus-based decision process. This is being paired with the rollout of CALMS, a new legislative management software designed to handle the complexity of modern church law.
The commitment to globalism extends beyond 2028. The Commission has already reaffirmed that the conference following the 2028 event will be hosted entirely at a site outside of the United States, signaling a permanent shift in how the denomination views its geographic center of gravity.
The next major milestone arrives in April 2027, when the full Commission meets virtually to finalize the operational blueprint for the dual-site experience.
