GMC - Convening General Conference
The Global Methodist Church was formed in May 2022 after years of planning and preparation. Today, over 7,500 congregations and 8,000 pastors from around the world have become part of the GM Church. During this period, the Church has been operating under "provisional" guidelines. Our church is part of the North Alabama Provisional Annual Conference.
Representatives of the Church from around the world will gather in San Jose, Costa Rica, September 20th to 26th for the Convening General Conference to engage in fellowship, worship and decision-making to shape the future of the denomination.
Why is the General Conference being held? The historical foundation starts back with John Wesley who routinely "conferenced" with Methodists for prayer, worship, theological reflection, and a corporate and disciplined examination of the body's effectiveness for fulfilling its shared mission. In short, representatives of all GM Churches will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern God's will for the Church. Why Costa Rica? The GM Church is global with delegates coming from around the globe. Costa Rica also does not require a visa for entry, avoiding challenges experienced by delegates from other countries (particularly African nations).
There are some 350 delegates to the General Conference - half laity and half clergy - elected by their A1mual Conference. Our conference has 16 delegates that were elected at the 2024 Annual Conference - eight lay delegates and eight clergy delegates - and four alternate delegates to represent our Annual Conference in Costa Rica. One of our church members (Laura Strange) is one of the lay delegates who will attend. Mike Payne is on standby as an alternate delegate should someone not be able to attend.
When the delegates gather in Costa Rica, Bishops Scott J. Jones and Mark J. Webb will preside over most of the plenary sessions. During the two plus years of its existence, the decisions shaping the GM Church have been vested in a small group of persons serving as the Transitional Leadership Council. While the Council has consulted widely with people all over the world for input, it is time for the representatives from eve1y Annual Conference to validate the plans that have been made and move from transitional to established, and from provisional to actual. There is also an intent to solidify our emerging culture that emphasizes evangelism, church planting, cross-racial ministry, and our global nature. At the General Conference, the people of the GM Church will experience the power of the Holy Spirit that is guiding the church.
After the conference, a summary of key actions taken at the conference will be shared with the congregation. In the interim, any questions about the General Conference can be directed to Pastors Steve and Shan or lay leader Garey Morrison or delegate Laura Strange.
Representatives of the Church from around the world will gather in San Jose, Costa Rica, September 20th to 26th for the Convening General Conference to engage in fellowship, worship and decision-making to shape the future of the denomination.
Why is the General Conference being held? The historical foundation starts back with John Wesley who routinely "conferenced" with Methodists for prayer, worship, theological reflection, and a corporate and disciplined examination of the body's effectiveness for fulfilling its shared mission. In short, representatives of all GM Churches will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern God's will for the Church. Why Costa Rica? The GM Church is global with delegates coming from around the globe. Costa Rica also does not require a visa for entry, avoiding challenges experienced by delegates from other countries (particularly African nations).
There are some 350 delegates to the General Conference - half laity and half clergy - elected by their A1mual Conference. Our conference has 16 delegates that were elected at the 2024 Annual Conference - eight lay delegates and eight clergy delegates - and four alternate delegates to represent our Annual Conference in Costa Rica. One of our church members (Laura Strange) is one of the lay delegates who will attend. Mike Payne is on standby as an alternate delegate should someone not be able to attend.
When the delegates gather in Costa Rica, Bishops Scott J. Jones and Mark J. Webb will preside over most of the plenary sessions. During the two plus years of its existence, the decisions shaping the GM Church have been vested in a small group of persons serving as the Transitional Leadership Council. While the Council has consulted widely with people all over the world for input, it is time for the representatives from eve1y Annual Conference to validate the plans that have been made and move from transitional to established, and from provisional to actual. There is also an intent to solidify our emerging culture that emphasizes evangelism, church planting, cross-racial ministry, and our global nature. At the General Conference, the people of the GM Church will experience the power of the Holy Spirit that is guiding the church.
After the conference, a summary of key actions taken at the conference will be shared with the congregation. In the interim, any questions about the General Conference can be directed to Pastors Steve and Shan or lay leader Garey Morrison or delegate Laura Strange.
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