Balancing Autonomy and Unity: Looking Ahead to the GMC General Conference with Matt O'Reilly

In this episode of More to the Story, I welcome Dr. Matt O’Reilly (Lead Pastor of Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary) for a timely conversation about the upcoming Global Methodist Church General Conference.

The gathering will take place August 30–September 5, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa. We discuss the major issues expected to arise at this historic meeting, with particular focus on one of the most important questions facing the young denomination: how GMC polity will find a healthy balance between local church autonomy and connectional unity.

Join the conversation as Matt and I explore what it will take for the Global Methodist Church to remain both faithfully Wesleyan and truly global.

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Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.edu

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Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net