General Conference 101
Occasionally someone will ask, "Who's in charge of the United Methodist Church?"
The answer is simple and complicated at the same time.
No one is in charge. Everyone is in charge. and that's the truth.
The specific answer is General Conference. General Conference is the top legislative body of the United Methodist Church. It meets every four years and is comprised of 1000 laity and clergy from around the world (half lay and half clergy).
The lay and clergy delegates are elected in their annual conferences according to the number of members in that conference. Mississippi has 9 lay and 9 clergy delegates.
These delegates will consider almost 15,000 proposals--resolutions and petitions. Each one seeks to affirm or change our structure, theology, understanding, or spending.
The GC will also put together a budget for the next 4 years. I have problems putting together a budget for the day much less 4 years. Then that amount is divided (according to a complex formula) among the annual conferences who then divide it (according to a complex formula) among the churches. This is one way we do connectional ministry. Some of the dollars we give at Parkway Heights impact people around the world through this giving.
General Conference will feature heated debates, great worship, and passionate prayer.
I can't say that I agree with all they do or disagree with all that goes on. Not much of it will impact what we do locally. But, it is a chance for us to affirm our desire to reach the world for Christ, and in some ways to make that dream a reality.
If you're interested in what's going on, go to www.gc2008.umc.org
I'll offer a little more commentary on what I think about General Conference and some of the proposals as the days go by.