Convening General Conference Delegate Nominations Information
Our governance as the people called Methodist has historically been representative rather than congregational. We do not gather the entire body each time we need to make a necessary decision. Instead, we identify those who are our leaders and representatives to serve on behalf of the masses. In our congregations, we have leadership councils and governance boards that lead on behalf of the whole congregation. On the annual conference level, we do not gather every member of all our churches in one place. Instead, we send members from our congregations to represent us in larger regional gatherings. Now, as an emerging movement, we are planning the Convening General Conference, a gathering of representatives from throughout the Global Methodist Church, in September of 2024 to make important decisions about the future.
As we gather regionally in June as the Great Lakes Annual Conference in Marion, Indiana, we will elect our delegates to represent our conference at the Convening General Conference in Costa Rica. We have also chosen to hold the election as part of our Annual Conference in June so that as many people as possible can be present to vote. There can be people nominated from the floor at the Annual Conference, but they may not have the benefit of being “known” as the self-nominated candidates would.
As a new entity and new alignment of congregations, our Great Lakes Leadership Council has chosen to have candidates “self-nominate” themselves. Since there will be major travel, a large amount of reading, some financial expense, and a high level of energy involved, we felt it best to let people “count the cost” on the front end, and if they feel stirred to potentially be a part, then they could “self-nominate” themselves so that we can get to know them. This group of candidates will then be shared with everyone in multiple ways so that we, as a conference, can prayerfully discern who we may vote for. The deadline to submit a self-nomination form is April 1, 2024.
Some other details to be mindful of regarding those who can run as a delegate. . .
The following persons can be elected as clergy delegates to the Convening General Conference in Costa Rica:
Elders and Deacons, including Senior Status clergy, regardless of whether they are under appointment
Transitional Local Pastors who have been approved by the Transitional Leadership Council for ordination as an Elder or Deacon, regardless of whether they are under appointment
The following persons cannot be elected as clergy delegates to the Convening General Conference:
Transitional Local Pastors licensed under ¶419.2 of the TBDD
Valid Elders and Valid Deacons
Supply Pastors
Candidates for ministry are Laity for all purposes related to General Conference elections.
The Great Lakes Conference hopes to cover most of the expenses of the delegates, but since we do not know all the details at this time we do not know just how much can or will be covered, so the potential delegate needs to factor that in at this time.
If you choose others to endorse your nomination, there is a section for you to include up to three of those names on the form, which will, in turn, automatically send a link to a form of endorsement to those indicated persons.
We will share more about the voting of these General Conference candidates as we get closer to June. In the meantime, if you feel led to nominate yourself, use the link and complete the form.