General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church. Church law provides for a maximum of 1,000 delegates-half clergy, half lay. Each annual conference must have at least one delegate from each order. Beyond that, a conference's representation is based the number of lay members and clergy members in the conference.
The conference revises The Book of Discipline (book of church law) and Social Principles and adopts resolutions on current moral, social, public policy and economic issues. It also approves plans and budgets for churchwide programs for the next four years.
Resources
Are you new to The United Methodist Church or simply have questions about how General Conference works? These resources help answer your questions about General Conference.
These resources will help delegates carry out their duties at General Conference.