Four Eurasia Annual Conferences have Separated

On Thursday, April 3, four Eurasian Annual Conferences officially separated from the United Methodist Church. These conferences include the Central Russia Annual Conference, the Eastern Russia and Central Asia Provisional Annual Conference, the Northwest Russia and Belarus Provisional Annual Conference, and the Southern Russia Provisional Annual Conference.

Delegates from 15 countries gathered in Copenhagen and Moscow for the central conference, held under the theme "Receive the Holy Spirit." On Thursday morning, the two groups connected online to formalize the separation.

This marked the culmination of a process that had been underway for several years, which included votes in the four annual conferences, a vote in the central conference, and a more than two-thirds majority vote across all annual conferences within the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference.

Under the leadership of Bishop Eduard Khegay, the four Eurasian annual conferences had been working closely with the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters to develop a constitution and doctrinal standards for an autonomous Methodist church, to be called "The Christian Methodist Church in Eurasia," which they plan to establish following the separation.

In April 2024, the General Conference — the worldwide governing body of the denomination—voted to approve the request. On Thursday, April 3, the central conference affirmed this decision. Based on the enabling act from the General Conference, the current relationship between the United Methodist Church and the four annual conferences was officially dissolved.

Bishop Christian Alsted, from the Nordic, Baltic, and Ukraine episcopal area, expressed deep sorrow that 30 years of close relationship—serving, celebrating, and making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world—had come to an end. He said, “We respect the integrity of your decision, and we pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will continue to fill and shape you as you faithfully serve.”

In his address to the conference, Bishop Eduard Khegay expressed gratitude for the respect shown to the convictions regarding human sexuality that led to their departure from the denomination. He noted, " It is not a reason to rejoice, but it is a least harmful move." He also recalled fond memories of fellowship, hospitality, and working together in God’s service.

Bishop Alsted concluded, saying, “We give thanks to God for what has been and for what is to come.”

The annual conferences separated in peace, each continuing their respective work. The four separating conferences will form a new autonomous Methodist church, while the Northern Europe and Eurasia Central Conference will proceed with its own business.