General Conference
About General Conference
The General Conference, the top legislative body of The United Methodist Church will meet at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church will have 862 delegates, equally split between clergy and laity, who will gather to set policy and direction for the Church, as well as handle other important business. Of the 2020 delegates, 55.9% will be from the U.S., 32% from Africa, 6% from the Philippines, 4.6% from Europe and the remainder from concordat churches that have close ties to The United Methodist Church.
Meeting every 4 years, General Conference is the only body that can officially speak on behalf of the 13.2-million-member denomination. The United Methodist Book of Discipline, typically updated every four years, incorporates changes made by General Conference.
The Indiana Delegation
The Indiana Delegation to the 2020 General Conference is comprised of 8 clergy and 8 laity. Six more persons (3 clergy and 3 laity) serve as alternate delegates to the General Conference. These delegates were elected at the 2019 Indiana Annual Conference. The first elected delegates became the chairpersons of the delegation.
About the Indiana Conference
The Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church provides leadership, resources, and support for more than 1,073 congregations ranging in size from 20 to 8,000 members in 10 districts across the state of Indiana. There are about 955 pastoral appointments to those churches, ministering to more than 174,102 adult members and 38,573 children and youth. The Indiana Conference is led by Bishop Julius C. Trimble.
Indiana Delegation shares statement regarding proposed separation protocol to be considered at General Conference
The release of the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation has created much conversation and some confusion. Bishop Trimble has recently released a statement on this proposed Protocol. As the Indiana Conference Delegation, we want to reassure the Conference of our commitment to the delegation’s work and offer some reminders. Read Full Statement
This summary compares proposals from various groups, in alphabetical order, about the structure of The UMC. It does not include proposals from individuals. Further details are in the documents and legislation. All proposals will be open for amendments at General Conference and may be subject to Judicial Council review. Updated on 1/7/2020.
CLERGY
Russ Abel
Aleze Fulbright
Lisa Schubert Nowling
Ronnie Bell
Rob Fuquay
Jill Howard
Duane Carlisle
Larry Whitehead
LAY
Chris Hancock
Ian Hall
Shirley Dominick
Leah Padgett
Michael Womack
John Lomperis
Shannon Priddy
Amy Land
The first three elected Jurisdictional Conference delegates serve as alternates to General Conference. They are:
Greg Pimlott, clergy, Adriane Curtis, clergy, Matt Landry, clergy, Kim Arnott, lay member, John Shive, lay member, and Brett Loyd, lay member.
Rev. Greg Pimlott
“What does it mean to me to be a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 2020? It means walking with the denomination I call home during one of the most difficult hours of this generation. It means being a witness and a voice at a moment in history that my grandchildren will ask me about someday. And it means doing my part to see that the church I love has a future that my grandchildren will be grateful to be part of someday.” Read More
Rev. Chris Nunley
“I still believe in The United Methodist Church and will work diligently to make her stronger in love, in grace, and in her witness for Jesus Christ.” Continue Reading
Posted February 17, 2020
Rev. Rob Fuquay
“Nothing about this work has been easy so far. Everything about it holds the potential of new life. I am excited to be a part of helping United Methodists in Indiana and beyond define and live into a new vision of a church with Wesleyan values and ‘proclaim to every people, tongue and nation that God, in whom they live and move, is love.'” Continue Reading
Posted February 3, 2020
Kim Arnott
serving to GC2020 as an alternate lay delegate
“But, no matter what decisions are made in 2020, there will still be hurting people that need to know God, there will still be the poor who need our love and support, there will still be injustice in the world that needs to be addressed, there will still be communities that need to hear the Word of God, and there will still be lonely people that need our care. This needs to be our primary focus in the months and years to come.” Continue Reading
Rev. Lisa Schubert Nowling
“I am privileged to serve as a General Conference delegate again in 2020, and I take this responsibility very prayerfully. I believe God has called me to serve the global church until it looks like the reign of Jesus – love, justice, and peace for all people and all creation. I am dedicated to breaking down the barriers among us and within us so all people are welcome in our churches. I am also grateful for the opportunity to shape the church I want our 4-year-old daughter to inherit.” Continue Reading
Posted January 2, 2020
Shirley Dominick
“I pray I can listen, discern and represent my hear-felt love for my church. It is a privilege to be a part of the group chosen to represent the body of Christ for our future.” Continue Reading
Reflection writted December 23, 2019 and posted January 2, 2020
Shannon Priddy
“This is a time of learning. I am doing a lot of reading. I want to know and understand the legislation. I want to understand differing points of view. I believe this is all part of my commitment to church and faith. I am doing all this to grow and develop as a strong, Christian woman.” Continue Reading
Posted December 9, 2019
Mike Womak
“I am a life-long, multi-generational Methodist…I never expected to be a member of the Indiana General Conference delegation. It is an honor I take very seriously. I feel a keen sense of responsibility to pass on to my 3 children and 8 grandchildren the love for Jesus and his church that was passed down to me by my faithful ancestors.” Continue Reading
Posted November 18, 2019
Rev. Adriane Curtis
serving to GC2020 as an alternate clergy delegate
“Our denominational system is not perfect. Sometimes it even seems frustratingly inflexible. Yet, our democratic-style system was developed to empower and give voice to ALL of us. Our Methodist roots uphold the value of every single human being as a beloved child of God. Even more, our theology upholds a God that brings us together for the sake of building God’s kingdom here on earth. We do that work together at General Conference.” Continue Reading
Posted November 12, 2019
John Shive
serving to GC2020 as an alternate lay delegate
“While I have been active in my local church, serving as lay leader, on committees, planning and participating in outreach, and even as treasurer; I had not gotten involved in Annual Conference or General Conference. So, I wanted to understand more of how business was conducted, and what issues were being discussed. Also, being a representative from a small, more rural church, I wanted our voice to be heard as well and wanted our church to be informed in return.” Continue Reading
Posted November 4, 2019
Rev. Dr. Aleze M. Fulbright
As I reflect on the question, as to why I availed myself to serve T he United Methodist Church as a delegate to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences, the word that continues to resonate with this calling is: SERVICE. The simple definition of service is, “the action of helping or doing work for someone else.” Continue Reading
Posted October 28, 2019
Chris Hancock
As a delegate, we are called to do many things, however, the one question I often find myself asking is, “How am I manifesting my identity as His adopted child?” Continue Reading
Posted October 7, 2019
Rev. Ronnie Bell
Posted October 1, 2019
Rev. Jill Howard
Being a delegate to the 2020 General Conference is a mixed bag of emotions. As I filled out my willingness to serve form this time around, after having served in 2016 and 2019, I asked a friend, “Why am I doing this again?!” The response? “Because you’re called to do it.” Continue Reading
Posted September 24, 2019
Rev. Russ Abel
Each time I have offered myself to serve as a General Conference Delegate, that has been one of the most common questions I am asked. The short answer is, I want to serve and I want to make a difference. I know that may sound simplistic or naïve, or both. But let me explain. Continue reading.
Posted September 16, 2019
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – July 27, 2019
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – September 7, 2019
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – October 5, 2019
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – December 7, 2019
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – January 11, 2020
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – June 20, 2020
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – October 3, 2020
- Delegation Meeting Recording – March 6, 2021 (passcode: @DL0&X+D)
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – March 6, 2021
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – April 17, 2021
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – August 14, 2021
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – September 18, 2021
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – October 9, 2021
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – December 11, 2021
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – February 12, 2022
- Delegation Meeting Minutes – March 19, 2022
A great way for clergy and laity to get involved, be in community, and serve is by volunteering their time and efforts to welcoming United Methodists from across the world as they gather for the 2020 General Conference in Minneapolis, Minn. Don’t currently live near Minneapolis? Don’t let that stop you. The Annual Conference is offering volunteers different options for housing and accommodations. Visit GC2020welcome.org for more information.
How do we talk to young people about General Conference?
General Conference 2020 will impact all of us, but it is wise for us to consider how it will particularly impact the young people in our congregations. They are engaged in the conversation alongside us and listening carefully to understand its repercussions. It is important that ministry leaders and congregations have thoughtful responses and resources to address the questions, pain, and the myriad of reactions from young people.
Church leaders are encouraged to listen, share, and speak with young people through this process. They are the church of today and tomorrow.
Consider the resources below to help you start the conversation with a young person. For more information and guidance, please contact Emily Krach, Associate Director of Leadership Development – Emerging Leaders, at emily.krach@inumc.org.
Learn more about GC2020 by visiting the following links:
You may contact members of the Indiana delegation at 2020inumcdelegation@inumc.org.
For media needs, please contact Serena Acker, INUMC Communications Officer, at Serena.Acker@inumc.org.