Four Voices, One Hope: Reflections on the Future of Our Church
Bishop David Graves, Rev. Stephen Handy, Sarah McGinnis, Whitley Henson
What happens when United Methodists from around the world come together to listen, dream and imagine what the church might become?
For Bishop David Graves and three leaders from the Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area, the recent United Methodist Leadership Gathering in Calgary, Canada, offered an opportunity to experience the connection in a different way. They returned home with renewed hope, challenging questions and a shared conviction that the future of the church will be shaped by what we do next.
The gathering brought together United Methodist leaders from around the world. Unlike traditional denominational meetings, there were no legislative debates or votes. Instead, participants engaged in prayer, conversation and discernment around five areas: discipleship, leadership, impact, stewardship and accountability.
Bishop Graves selected three representatives from the Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area: Sarah McGinnis of Lexington First United Methodist Church, representing the Kentucky Conference; Whitley Henson of the Central Appalachian Missionary Conference; and the Rev. Dr. Stephen Handy of McKendree United Methodist Church, representing the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.
All four have shared their personal reflections on the experience.
Bishop David Graves: The Power of Listening
For Bishop Graves, one of the most meaningful aspects of the gathering was the opportunity to participate without the responsibility of leading.
He listened alongside clergy and laity, including a significant number of younger leaders, as participants shared their hopes and concerns for the church. He was particularly encouraged by the ability to reach consensus through prayerful discernment rather than formal voting.
"My greatest take away was that I experienced that we could make Holy Spirit consensus decisions without tearing down each other," he reflected. "I have so much to learn from others which starts with listening. It is all about relationships and discipleship."
For a denomination that has experienced significant challenges and division, the experience offered a hopeful example of what can happen when people approach difficult conversations with humility and a willingness to learn from one another.
Whitley Henson: Making Room for the Next Generation
For Whitley Henson, a young adult leader from Southeast Kentucky, the gathering brought both encouragement and a challenge to the church she loves.
She appreciated the opportunity to listen to United Methodists from different cultures and generations. But she also raised an important question about whether the church is truly prepared to share leadership with younger people.
"How can we tell the upcoming generations that they belong in the church if we are unwilling to let them help shape it?" she asked.
Whitley challenged the church to move beyond inviting young adults into existing structures and instead give them meaningful opportunities to influence decisions and shape ministry.
She also called attention to voices that were missing from the gathering, particularly those serving in rural and economically challenged communities. Drawing on her Appalachian roots, she emphasized the importance of honoring the church's traditions while remaining open to new possibilities.
"The future of The United Methodist Church will not be shaped by this single event," she wrote. "It will be shaped by what we do next with what we have learned and shared, by the way that we live with those around us, and by the voices that we choose to listen to in the upcoming years."
Sarah McGinnis: The Work Begins Here
When Bishop Graves first invited Sarah McGinnis to attend the gathering, she asked him a pointed question: Would this gathering make a difference, or would it simply be another meeting?
She returned from Calgary believing that meaningful change is possible, particularly when local churches are willing to act.
Sarah participated in conversations focused on empowering younger generations. Her group explored the barriers that prevent children, youth and young adults from developing meaningful relationships, growing spiritually and exercising leadership within the church.
Their ideas included creating new pathways to leadership, giving younger people opportunities to lead now, renewing spiritual disciplines and encouraging older generations to learn from younger ones.
While some denominational changes require action at General Conference, Sarah emphasized that churches do not have to wait to begin the work of renewal.
"So many of the ideas I heard at this gathering are ideas that start here, in the local church, with our laity and our clergy working together to form disciples of Jesus Christ," she wrote.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Handy: Learning from Our Worldwide Connection
For the Rev. Dr. Stephen Handy, lead pastor of McKendree United Methodist Church in Nashville and Associate to the District Superintendent, the gathering reinforced the importance of keeping discipleship at the center of the church's mission.
Throughout the week, participants were challenged to consider whether the church has become too focused on preserving its institutions rather than forming disciples who transform their communities. "Don't confuse membership or attendance with discipleship," was one of the messages Stephen carried home from the gathering.
He was particularly struck by the opportunity to learn from United Methodists around the world. While the church in the United States is experiencing decline, United Methodist conferences in other parts of the world are growing. Stephen wondered what churches in Tennessee and Kentucky might learn from their global siblings, even imagining a discipleship immersion experience that would allow leaders to learn firsthand.
Although the gathering did not produce clear next steps, Stephen returned hopeful about what the Holy Spirit might do. "Finally, although no clear next steps emerged, I have faith that the Holy Spirit will disrupt how we as United Methodists in America form disciples of Jesus Christ, so that we may take part in revival and a renewed movement of God!"
What Comes Next?
The Leadership Gathering produced recommendations intended to help shape conversations about the future of The United Methodist Church. A formal report from the Council of Bishops is expected in January 2027.
But the reflections from Calgary point toward something that can begin much sooner.
How are we listening to people whose experiences differ from our own? Are we making room for younger generations to lead? Are we willing to reconsider familiar ways of doing ministry so that we can more faithfully reach our neighbors?
These questions belong to all of us, whether we serve in a small rural congregation, a growing urban church or a ministry reaching people beyond the walls of the church.
The gathering may have taken place thousands of miles from Kentucky, but the opportunities it revealed are as close as our own congregations and communities.
The conversations have begun. What we do with them is up to us.
For additional background, read UM News' coverage of the Leadership Gathering.
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