Nashville, Tennessee – October 17, 2023 – The General Commission on United Methodist Men (GCUMM) announced today that General Secretary Greg Arnold will resign from his position, effective November 10, 2023. Arnold has served as General Secretary since October 2021.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as General Secretary of the GCUMM for the past 2 years,” Arnold said. “This is perhaps one of the most difficult decisions I’ve been faced with throughout my career and life in ministry. “I am proud that we’ve been able to accomplish the objectives we set from the beginning for the benefit of the Commission. I’m satisfied that we are leaving the Commission better than we found it, prepared for 2024 and beyond as an organization.”

Arnold went on to say, “I have deep care for the people, leaders, stakeholders, and peers involved in this ministry and wish nothing but grace, peace, hope, and joy for each.”

GCUMM President Retired Bishop Gary Mueller expressed his appreciation for Arnold’s service. “I am grateful to God for the season that Greg Arnold has served as General Secretary of the General Commission of United Methodist Men. His deep commitment to ministry with men, his vision about how to reach men in a rapidly changing church and world, and his strategic knowledge about organizational development have been a gift that will yield fruitfulness for many years to come. While I was looking forward to him serving longer, I fully understand his decision. He leaves with deep gratitude and blessings from the entire General Commission.”

The GCUMM Executive Committee has appointed retired Bishop James Swanson as interim General Secretary, effective November 10, 2023. Bishop Swanson served on the GCUMM Executive Committee from 2012 to 2022 as President and currently serves as Vice President of the Board.

Bishop Mueller, in announcing Bishop Swanson’s appointment, stated, “I am excited that Bishop James Swanson has shown a willingness to embrace the role of Interim General Secretary. His passion for ministry with men, great spiritual depth, and intimate knowledge of the ministry of the General Commission on United Methodist Men will enable us to maintain momentum in the months leading up to the General Conference. It has been my joy to serve with Bishop Swanson on the Commission since 2016 and am convinced that God has called him for a time such as this.”

In accepting this new opportunity, Swanson commented, “I am honored that the leadership of the General Commission on United Methodist Men is asking me to assume the role of Interim General Secretary. The days ahead for this commission are filled with challenges and opportunities for us to fulfill our mission of helping men grow in Christ so others may know Christ. I look forward with excitement to working with the team we already have in place to help our local men’s ministry units live out this mission.”

The GCUMM is a general agency of the United Methodist Church that provides resources and support for men’s and scouting ministries around the world

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2022

Nashville, Tenn.: The General Commission on United Methodist Men will relocate their office from 1000 17th Avenue South in Nashville, Tennessee, to available office space in the United Methodist Communications’ facility at 810 12th Avenue South – just about a mile away.

United Methodist Communications (UMCom) and the General Commission on United Methodist Men (UMM) are working cooperatively to take advantage of space left vacant by the shift to a remote work environment. A majority of UMCom employees are now permanently working full-time from home. The building continues to house some UMCom staff and production and studio facilities.

UMM has plans to sell its current building and utilize the more extensive area provided by UMCom to add a classroom area for inbound training for conferences and clergy.

“The General Commission on United Methodist Men is not only growing but leaning into the future of the church,” said Greg Arnold, General Secretary of United Methodist Men. “Thanks to UMCom’s offer of more space, we can reimagine our office needs to move forward with expanding our ministries in new directions.”

 “We have been working with The United Methodist Church’s general agencies, looking at ways to reduce redundancies and enhance collaboration,” said Dan Krause, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “This seems like a perfect move to enhance ministry while showing stewardship. All of us at UMCom are happy to welcome the General Commission on United Methodist Men to their new home base rent-free.”

By sharing certain facilities operations, each agency will be able to maintain a physical presence for continued needs, as well as create a shared experience for clients and ministry partners.

United Methodist Men will occupy about 7,600 square feet of the building. UMCom has additionally been providing 2,200 square feet of space for United Methodist Publishing House staff since last year.