The Methodist Conference has voted to focus on being an evangelistic and inclusive Church.

In the context of declining membership numbers, the governing body of the Methodist Church, has voted to put more effort into helping new people become disciples of Jesus, starting hundreds of new churches and raising new leaders. 

The strategy, called God for All, also focuses on developing the role of young evangelists, serving marginalised communities and expanding the Church's digital presence. 

Trey Hall, Director of Evangelism and Growth, commented: "We want every aspect of our commitment to evangelism to flow from God's amazing grace. Of course, we must also have an intelligent understanding of changing demographics, cultural and social shifts, and the patterns of younger generations: and our mission strategy must engage these factors in relevant, practical, and compelling ways."

The Conference, meeting online, also voted to increase their work on equality, diversity and inclusion and to incorporate work already started to ensure people who are intersex or transgender are included in the life of the Church. 

They also carried a motion to monitor, collect and analyse statistics on the diversity of the church to improve representation and, in the light of the death of George Floyd, to acknowledge that "racism is a denial of the gospel."