General conference (United Methodist Church)

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is the denomination's top legislative body for all matters affecting the United Methodist connection. By definition, it has no administrative or executive power.

The Book of Discipline and constitution of The United Methodist Church define the composition of the General Conference as no less than 600 and no more 1,000 delegates, half laity and half clergy. These delegates are elected by the Annual Conferences and several other specialized bodies within the structure of The United Methodist Church.

The General Conference meets on a quadrennial basis, that is, once every four years. Special sessions may be called by the Council of Bishops.

Petitions are assigned to legislative committees based on their content. Legislative committees elect committee leadership and then break into subcommittees to review and refine legislation. Subcommittees bring petitions before the entire committee with the recommendation to reject, adopt, or adopt as amended. During consideration by the entire committee, additional amendments may be made. Then, the entire committee votes to recommend to the General Conference (the almost 1000 delegates) what action should be taken on the legislation. No action is final until taken by the General Conference in plenary session.

Church and Society 1: This committee will receive all petitions and resolutions relating to the work and concerns of the Board of Church and Society and the Social Principles, with the exception of paragraphs in The Book of Discipline dealing with the nurturing community and the social community.

Church and Society 2: All petitions and resolutions relating to the nurturing community and the social community sections of the Social Principles will be referred to this committee.

Conferences: This committee shall receive all petitions and resolutions relating to the composition and activities of the General, jurisdictional, annual, provisional, missionary and district conferences.

Discipleship: All petitions and resolutions relating to the work and concerns of the Board of Discipleship shall be referred to this committee. (This committee is typically one of the committees with the highest number of members. Both the Discipleship and Ministry and Higher Education Committees usually approach 100 members. 2008 Discipleship Committee members were approximately 65% laity.)

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