Within the United Methodist Church, the General Conference is the only body that can set official policy and speak for the international denomination. The General Conference typically gathers every four years; however, because of the worldwide pandemic, the conference that had been planned for 2020 was postponed. Therefore, our denomination has not held a General Conference for almost eight years. The next General Conference meeting will be April 23 – May 3, 2024, in Charlotte. Our Annual Conference is one of the host conferences. North Carolina has a chance to welcome, and host, United Methodists from around the world. Attending the conference are 862 voting delegates – half clergy and half laity. They represent Annual Conferences in Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and the United States.

During their gathering, General Conference delegates: approve a budget for denomination-wide ministries around the globe; elect members of the Judicial Council; approve theological statements; and consider legislative petitions submitted by organizations, individuals, and Annual Conferences. They will also worship together daily. As the conference takes place this month, we are invited to:
Pray. Pray for the delegates who will travel to Charlotte, for volunteers, for discernment, and for United Methodists around the world. Resource UMC has put together a devotional and prayer guide (similar to the Upper Room Daily Devotional) which you can access at: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/guide-to-prayer-for-the-united-methodist-general-conference. Copies available in the church office.
Stay informed. Follow the events of General Conference through reliable news services such as The United Methodist News Service (https://www.umnews.org/). Many of the sessions, including worship, will be live-streamed.

One of the treasures of our denominations is our connectedness, which we see in our local churches, our Annual Conferences, and our General Conference. I am grateful to be connected with you, as we Praise God, Grow Spiritually, and Reach Neighbors here at Francis Asbury UMC.

If you have questions, comments, or desire further conversation, please reach out, or stop by my office at church.

In Christ’s love- Pastor Avery