What is General Conference?

The General Conference is the highest legislative authority of the United Methodist Church and the only body that can speak officially for the entire denomination. It meets once every four years (quadrennially) and brings together clergy and lay delegates from annual conferences around the world to conduct the business of the church.

Composition

General Conference is made up of equal numbers of clergy and lay delegates, elected by their annual conferences. The total number of delegates is set by formula based on the membership of each annual conference. In recent sessions, the General Conference has included approximately 800 to 900 delegates from the United States and around the world.

What It Does

The General Conference has broad authority over the life of the church:

• Revises the Book of Discipline — Adopts, amends, or removes legislation governing the church's doctrine, organization, and practice.
• Sets the budget — Approves financial apportionments that fund the denomination's agencies and programs.
• Addresses social issues — Updates the Social Principles and adopts resolutions on matters of justice, peace, and human welfare.
• Creates and restructures agencies — Establishes, modifies, or eliminates general boards, commissions, and other church bodies.
• Elects leaders — Confirms or elects members to various general church bodies.

How It Works

Business at General Conference begins with petitions—proposed changes to the Discipline—submitted by individuals, churches, annual conferences, and church agencies. These petitions are assigned to legislative committees organized by topic. Each committee reviews, amends, and votes on petitions before sending recommendations to the full plenary session for final action. Debate follows parliamentary procedure, and decisions are made by majority vote.

Historical Significance

General Conference has been the setting for some of the most significant moments in Methodist history, including the formation of the United Methodist Church in 1968 through the merger of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Every major decision about the direction, structure, and witness of the denomination passes through this body.