General Conference 2016

The 2016 General Conference met on May 10-20, 2016, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church. It meets once every four years. Elected clergy (pastors) and lay (local church members) delegates from every Annual Conference and Central Conference will gather to worship, pray, debate and vote as one body. Bishops preside at the sessions of the General Conference but do not have the privilege of voice or vote in its deliberations.

The General Conference revises The Book of Discipline which outlines the organization, beliefs and official policies of The United Methodist Church. Delegates also revise The Book of Resolutions, a volume declaring the church’s stance on a variety of social issues. It also approves plans and budgets for church-wide programs.

Click to read news, legislation and highlights from the 2016 General Conference.