Join us for an important conversation about the upcoming Global Methodist Church General Conference, taking place in Johannesburg at the end of August 2024.
In this meeting, Matt hosts Lauren Porter (District Superintendent for the Mississippi-West Tennessee Conference) and Robert McCormick (Pastor of Discipleship at Madison Methodist Church) to help explain the purpose, structure, and significance of General Conference for laypeople at Wellspring Church—especially those newer to Methodist traditions. What we cover:
- How the General Conference works as the representative governing body of the Global Methodist Church, with roughly equal numbers of clergy and laity from 51–57 annual conferences worldwide
- The election of eight full-time bishops – Development and refinement of the Articles of Faith and the Book of Doctrines and Disciplines
- Balancing global theological unity with local flexibility and cultural contexts
- Legislation related to social witness (marriage, family, and human life issues)
- The strong emphasis on remaining a missional movement that strengthens local churches rather than building a centralized institution
