General Conference 2012

    Overview
     

    News Coverage

    Judicial Council voids Plan UMC

    Vote Ends Guaranteed Appointments

    Core Values Embodied in UM Higher Education Network

    UM Student Movement Alums Step Up

    Central Conference Theological Education Funded

    $7 Million Young Clergy Initiative Fund Approved

    Pieces of the Dream That is Africa University

    General Conference is the top policy-making body of The United Methodist Church.

    In this section, you will find

    • Legislation referred to or drafted by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and approved by the Board of Directors
    • Resource materials about the work done by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry
    • Links to General Conference-related blogs, opinion items, and official materials
    • Videos and other multimedia presentations
    Legislation
    The Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate contains all the legislation submitted to General Conference 2012 for consideration by the delegates.

    LEGISLATION



    GBHEM’s Board of Directors approved legislation aimed at simplifying the process for hearing a complaint against ordained clergy and reducing the size of GBHEM’s Board of Directors from 64 members to 22 members. Also, legislation recommended by the Church Systems Task Force to revise the job description of district superintendents was approved.

    In all, the Board approved 72 pieces of legislation that will be forwarded to General Conference 2012. On this page, you will find legislation files, a separate file with legislation on the complaint process, and individual files for each petition.

    Study of Ministry resources are also available:
    Acrobat File Study of Ministry Commission Report & Recommendations | Acrobat File Study of Ministry Commission Legislation Listing | Acrobat File Study of Ministry Commission 2011 Presentation

    PDF fileFull listing of GBHEM-related legislation

    PDF fileComplaint process legislation packet

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: New paragraph on Administrative Location

    PDF fileTiming of General Conference

    PDF fileCharge Conference Responsibilities

    PDF fileResponsibilities of committee on pastor-parish/staff-parish relations

    PDF fileParsonage Upkeep

    PDF fileTransitioning from one Order to the other

    PDF fileBetter sequencing of candidacy process

    PDF fileBetter sequencing of candidacy process

    PDF fileTime limit for certified candidacy

    PDF file¶ 314 to follow ¶ 311 for better sequencing of the candidacy process

    PDF fileClarification of accountability for students appointed as local pastors

    PDF fileLocal pastors being able to serve on board of ordained ministry and district committee on ordained ministry

    PDF fileAccountability of provisional members

    PDF fileComplaint process revision: Fair Process for provisional members discontinued without their consent

    PDF fileRetirement for provisional members

    PDF fileDelete redundant deacon appointments paragraph already contained in ¶346.1

    PDF fileAppointments of Deacons and Provisional Deacons to Various Ministries

    PDF fileLonger Appointments

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Ministry, Authority and Responsibilities of an Elder in Full Connection

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Ministry, Authority and Responsibilities of an Elder in Full Connection

    PDF fileClinical Pastoral Education

    PDF fileAppointments Extending Ministry

    PDF fileIncluding provisional elders in extension ministries

    PDF fileEvaluating candidates from other Methodist denominations for licensed or ordained ministry

    PDF filePart time local pastors serving as candidacy mentors

    PDF fileTime limit for leave of absence during provisional membership

    PDF fileCorrection from “itinerant” to “appointive” ministry

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Involuntary Leave of Absence

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Procedures for involuntary retirement

    PDF fileReporting lines for retired clergy when residing outside their home conference

    PDF fileSupervisory reports for those on honorable location

    PDF fileComplaints Process Revision: Administrative complaint procedures

    PDF fileComplaints Process Revision: Administrative Fair Process

    PDF fileComplaints Process Revision: Disposition of involuntary status changes

    PDF fileReadmission after honorable or administrative location

    PDF fileReadmission procedures after leaving the ministerial office

    PDF fileCharge Conference Relationship of Retired Bishops

    PDF fileClinical Pastoral Education

    PDF fileDistrict Superintendent description revision

    PDF fileOrdination in Missionary Conferences

    PDF fileFull time local pastor

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Conference Relations Committee required committee for conference Board of Ordained Ministry

    PDF fileDuties of Board of Ordained Ministry to include election to associate membership

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Role of Administrative Review Committee

    PDF fileLocal pastors serving on district committee on ordained ministry

    PDF fileReduction in Board Size

    PDF fileSelection of Agency Staff

    PDF fileReduction in Board Size of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

    PDF fileDuties and Responsibilities of Division of Ordained Ministry

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Role of Judicial Council and committee on investigation

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Fair Process in Complaint Proceedings

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Composition of Committee on Investigation and selection of body to hear complaint

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision:Trial of a bishop

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Trial of a clergy member

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Trial of a diaconal minister

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Trial of a layperson

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Requiring facts in a complaint

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Establish charges and specifications for complaint

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Committee on investigation’s responsibility in a complaint process

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Establishment of the trial process for a complaint

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Responsibilities in convening a trial

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Responsibilities of committee on investigation for a complaint process

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Responsibilities of committee on investigation during a trial

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Process for trying a bishop

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Process for trying a clergy member

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Process for trying a lay member

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Clarification of appeal process after a trial

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Clarification of appeal process after a trial

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Clarification of appeal process after a trial

    PDF fileComplaint Process Revision: Remove ineffectiveness from judicial complaint

    PDF fileReadmission after honorable or administrative location

    PDF fileThe Methodist Global Education Fund for Leadership Development
    Resources

    RESOURCES


    Know the Facts

    Read more in-depth about the work done by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Africa University: "Has Africa University accomplished the goals set out 20 years ago? What has the university's impact on Africa been?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Black College Fund: "Why do we need historically Black colleges in 2012? Who attends historically Black colleges?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Campus/Collegiate Ministries: "Why should campus ministry be part of GBHEM? What does GBHEM provide for students involved in collegiate ministries?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Complaint Process Revision: "Why does this legislation require open trials? What major changes are proposed in this legislation?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Global Theological Education: "Why is the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry involved in global theological education? How is the money being used?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Global Education and New Initiatives : "Why does the church need global education and new initiatives? How does GBHEM promote global education and new initiatives?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: The National Plan for Hispanic/Latino(a) Ministry: "What is the National Plan for Hispanic Latino(a) Ministry? How is GBHEM involved in the Plan?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Leadership Development and Stewardship of Church Funds: "Why does The United Methodist Church need an agency that focuses on leadership development?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: The Ministerial Education Fund: "What is the Ministerial Education Fund, and why is it needed? How does the MEF benefit The United Methodist Church as a whole?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: UM-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities: "Why does The United Methodist Church need to maintain its connection to schools, colleges, and universities?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: United Methodist Loans & Scholarships / Special Sundays: "Why do most UM loans and scholarships go to students studying in the United States? What happens to the earnings on fund investments?"

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: University Senate: " What is the University Senate? Are all theological schools and seminaries approved by the University Senate eligible for funding through the Ministerial Education Fund (MEF)? "

    PDF fileKnow the Facts: Young Adult Clergy Development: "Why does The United Methodist Church need young clergy? How is GBHEM addressing the need for young clergy?"

     

    Preparing Global Leaders for a Global Church

    Learn how GBHEM develops leaders for service in The United Methodist Church.

    PDF fileEnglish: The key challenge facing The United Methodist Church is the kind and quality of its leadership. As the leadership development agency of the church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry invites, equips, and supports faithful and effective clergy and lay leaders for vital congregations in the church and the world.

    PDF fileFrançais: Le principal défi auquel est confrontée l’Eglise Méthodiste Unie est en matière du genre et de la qualité de ses dirigeants. En tant qu’agence de l’église responsable du développement des cadres, le Conseil Général de l’Enseignement Supérieur et du Ministère [GBHEM] invite, équipe et soutient les dirigeants fidèles et efficaces, tant les laïcs que les pasteurs, dans le but de créer des congrégations dynamiques dans l’église et dans le monde.

    PDF filePortuguês: O principal desafio com que a Igreja Metodista Unida se defronta é em relação ao tipo e à qualidade da sua liderança. Na sua qualidade de agência de desenvolvimento da liderança da igreja, a Junta Geral de Ensino Superior e Ministério convida, equipa e presta apoio a fiéis e eficazes líderes do clero e do laicado para congregações vitais na igreja e no mundo.

    PDF fileEspañol: El principal desafío que amenaza a la Iglesia Metodista Unida es el tipo y la calidad de sus líderes. Como la agencia responsable del desarrollo de líderes, la Junta General de Educación Superior y Ministerio (GBHEM) invita, equipa y apoya al clero y laicado que es fiel y efectivo en congregaciones con vitalidad en la iglesia y en el mundo.

     

    GBHEM Publications & Releases

    PDF file “Why Vital Congregations Need a Denomination ”
    by Kenneth H. Carter

    PDF file"What Difference Does Our Polity Make? "
    by Thomas E. Frank

    PDF file “In Praise of Bureaucracy: Mission, Structure, and Renewal in The United Methodist Church”
    (Occasional Papers, No. 103, December 2010) by Hendrik R. Pieterse

    PDF fileColleague Number 1 / 2012
    Speakers Urge Exploration Participants To Take God’s Word to Their Generation

    PDF fileColleague Number 2 / 2012
    Africa Theological Education Initiative Assists Central Conference Pastors

    Web file Commentary: How do we know God’s will for us as a faith community?
    by the Rev. HiRho Y. Park     		 
    Hot Issues

    HOT ISSUES


    United Methodist Insight is intended to bring wide-ranging reports, analyses and opinions together in a single place for the benefit of General Conference delegates and those concerned about the church's future. It has no official ties to any of the church's various caucuses or organizations. It is not funded by any church-related organization. Most of all, it will not advocate for any proposal or position on General Conference legislation.

    UMC.org has a collection of news articles, pictures, and reports related to General Conference.

    The United Methodist News Service is on Twitter and posts breaking news updates as available.

    Thomas Edward Frank, professor and scholar of American Religious History at Wake Forest University, presented these remarks during a panel discussion at the Pre-General Conference News Briefing in Tampa, Fla., on January 20, 2012. Download the document here.

    Read the MFSA Church Restructuring Proposal.

    View the UMC Call to Action.

    Examine the UMC Plan B.

    Videos

    VIDEOS


    Joe Whittemore says Plan B affirms the Call to Action and the emphasis on creating vital congregations.

    GBHEM board members Roger Grace, Kim Simpson, Sergei Nikolaev and Clarence Brown discuss the importance and implications of General Conference 2012.

    UMC.org has video from the pre-General Conference briefing in Tampa, Fla. in January 2012.

    Preparing a new generation of Christian leaders

    For More Information

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