General Conference 2024

The United Methodist Church is a global body. Amidst such diversity of backgrounds and experience, the General Conference (GC) is our denomination’s legislative body and the only voice that can speak for the whole church. They have the authority to change parts of our Book of Discipline and our Social Principles. The GC typically meets every four years, but after several delays of the 2020 conference due to covid, the GC will meet in late April of this year in Charlotte, NC. Arkansas will send a delegation of 8 people–four clergy (Rev. Mark Norman, Rev. Michael Roberts, Rev. Lynn Kilbourne, Rev. Jessie Teegarden) and four laity (Karon Mann, Todd Burris, Elizabeth Fink, Regina Norwood)–to GC. They will be supported by reserve delegates. As our denomination prepares for General Conference, many have questions about the future of the church and the possible impact of the General Conference’s decisions on the life and ministry of the United Methodist Church in the Arkansas Conference.

In response, Bishop Laura Merrill and General Conference lead delegates Karon Mann (lay) and Rev. Mark Norman (clergy) have collaborated on the following document (click on the link below). While no one can predict exactly the outcomes of the conference, we are presenting information that is factual and based on what we do know. We hope it will contribute to an environment of hope, transparency, and trust in the power of God working through the people of the United Methodist Church.

Below we have access to multiple resources to help up prepare for our journey through this General Conferences. We are very honored to have our own Brother Walt to be serving as a page at General Conference. He will be sharing his Journey via a Church Blog that will be updated as much as possible. If you have any questions about General Conference, reach out to our Pastors via the Church Office!