GC2016: "What does it mean?" and "High-Tech Hymnal"
April 20, 2016
What will General Conference mean to my United Methodist church?

Work
The best-known aspect of General Conference is thelegislation. General Conference is the body that determines direction and speaks officially for our denomination. 864 delegates elected by their annual conferences will consider 1044 petitions. Half the delegates are clergy and half are laity. Bishops lead the sessions, but have neither voice nor vote.
Amendments to The Book of Discipline that guides the work of local churches, pastors, annual conferences, general agencies, and bishops, are adopted. Delegates also vote on resolutions that give the official positions of The United Methodist Church on social issues which are published in our Book of Resolutions.
The General Conference covers a wide array of issues that affect all levels of our church. A small percentage of them receive a great deal of attention. Others will pass or fail without much fanfare, but will have lasting impacts in the life of our local churches.
At the 2016 General Conference legislation will be presented and debated on human sexuality, the budget of the general church for 2017-2020, a more global church structure, the ordination process for our pastors, formation of a hymnal revision committee, and more.
Whether widely publicized or not, General Conference legislation directs our work globally, regionally, and locally in our congregations.
Read a summary of proposed major legislative issues.
Read the entire article at UMC.org
GC2016: Turning the page on The United Methodist Hymnal
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