An effective lay member of annual conference will represent the congregation to the annual conference and interpret the work of the annual conference and the global United Methodist Church to the congregation. This person is especially interested in connecting the church of God with people who are not yet a part of it.
Structure:
The Lay member of annual conference (and alternate, if elected) shall be a professing member of the congregation for a t least 2 years and an active participant for at least 4 years preceding their election.
This person shall report the actions of the annual conference to the congregation within 3 months of the close of the annual conference session. United Methodist Book of Discipline, ¶ 251.2
Responsibilities:
- Become knowledgeable about the structure and ministries of the annual conference, the United Methodist Church, and the congregation.
- Attend all sessions of annual conference or arrange for an alternate to be seated. During the conference session, the lay member will participate in discussions, debates, voting, and all other activities of annual conference.
- Engage in spiritual practices that build a relationship of attentiveness to God’ s will and direction. Business sessions of the church can divert attention from spiritual discernment into parliamentary procedure and political positioning. Members of annual conference need to hold one another accountable to the mission and vision of the church.
- Participate fully as a member of the local church charge conference, the church leadership team, the committee on finance, and the committee on pastor-parish relations.