GMC of SC Annual Gathering on Zoom May 19th – 2 pm

Annual Gathering Overview

The Global Methodist Church of South Carolina (GMC of SC) is pleased to announce a special called Annual Gathering voting session on Sunday, May 19th at 2 pm. Bishop Scott Jones will preside over our digital session to elect lay and clergy delegates to the Global Methodist Church’s Convening General Conference in Costa Rica, September 20th to 26th , 2024.

Who Are Our Church’s Lay Delegates?

Every church elected a numbered slate of lay delegates to Annual Gathering at their 2023 Charge Conference. The numbered slate is the order in which laity will serve as either a voting delegate or alternate delegate to the May 20th Annual Gathering. The number of delegates from your local church is determined as follows:

  • Local churches receive an equal number of lay and clergy delegates to Annual Gathering.

  • The number of lay delegates is equal to the number of appointed clergy serving your church.

  • Churches on a multi-point charge will receive a number of lay delegates equal to the number of clergy appointed to the charge. Churches on a multi-point charge are given the freedom to adopt any method of their choosing in selecting who their lay delegate and alternate will be.

  • *Note: Once the GMC of SC becomes an Annual Conference, we will seek to pass state-level legislation permitting every local church on a charge to have their own lay delegate to annual gathering. This projected change is pending Annual Conference action.

Clergy Who Are Eligible to Vote at Annual Gathering

  • GMC deacons and GMC elders serving in active appointments. TBDD 409.3; 410.3

  • Transitional Local Pastors

  • Candidates for ministry who have been approved for ordination

  • Clergy on voluntary leave. TBDD 417.2

  • Senior Status (retired) clergy under appointment of at least ¼ time are eligible to vote. TBDD 418

  • Senior Status (retired) clergy who are within 7 years of aligning with the GMC or the end of their last appointment, which is later, who register to vote at Annual Gathering no less than 90 days in advance. The deadline for Senior Status (retired) clergy to register is February 19th . TBDD 418.

Clergy Who Are Not Eligible to Vote on Delegates at Annual Gathering

  • Valid Deacons and Valid Elders are clergy who retain their affiliation with other denominations while receiving appointment in the GMC. TBDD 416.2

  • Deacons and elders who are inactive (not under current appointment). TBDD 409.3; 410.3

  • Clergy on involuntary leave. TBDD 417.5

  • Clergy on administrative leave. TBDD 417.7

  • Lay Supply pastors. TBDD 412

  • Candidates for ministry who have not yet been approved for ordination

  • Senior Status (retired) clergy who do not register at least 90 days prior to Annual Gathering. TBDD 418.

  • Senior Status (retired) clergy who are more than 7 years of aligning with the GMC or the end of their last appointment. TBDD 418.

  • Senior Status (retired) clergy who do not meet either the two above qualifications retain voice but no vote. TBDD 418.

Annual Gathering Delegate Registration

Lay and Clergy delegates to the GMC of SC Annual Gathering must complete a registration form. All delegates must complete “Step 1: Annual Gathering Registration.” Those who wish to leave their name under consideration as candidate for General Conference must complete “Step 2: Candidate Bio.”

Candidates for General Conference

Delegates to the GMC of SC’s Annual Gathering are by default candidates for election as delegates to General Conference, unless they choose to opt out of consideration or otherwise specified in the TBDD (see below on candidate eligibility). We will be electing an equal number of lay and clergy voting delegates, as well as alternates. The General Church will provide us with our delegate allocation after March 1st .

Delegates to Annual Gathering may choose to opt out of consideration as candidates to General Conference. We invite you to prayerfully consider if you are called to leave your name in for delegate elections.

Please discern your willingness to serve based on the following:

  • Spiritual Leadership: To be a delegate to General Conference is to serve in a general leadership role in Christ’s church. Delegates must be attentive to their own spiritual lives, committed to the mission of the church, and passionate about the Wesleyan tradition as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

  • Temporal Leadership: Delegates are expected to be familiar with the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Disciplines and to engage in thoughtful reflection, dialogue, and voting to enable the church to live into its mission.

  • Availability: Be available to serve at General Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica, September 20th through 26th . Delegates are advised to arrive prior to September 20th in order to be present for the full General Conference.

  • Expenses: Delegates to General Conference understand that a portion of expenses will be their own responsibility. Costs will include airfare, lodging, transportation, and dining. The GMC of SC will provide up to $1,000 in reimbursements with receipts. Additional expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the delegate, though a delegate’s church may choose to provide additional support.

Timeline

  • January 29 – Annual Gathering Registration Opens

  • February 19 – Senior Status Registration Deadline

  • April 19 – Lay & Active Clergy Registration Deadline

  • May 12 – Distribution of Delegate Credentials & Candidate Profiles

  • May 19 – GMC of SC Annual Gathering – 2 pm

Meeting Platform & Training Session

The May 19th Annual Gathering will be held on Zoom with a digital voting tool. Delegates will receive meeting login and unique voting information by email on May 12th . A training session will be provided on Sunday, May 19th at 1:15 pm prior to the Annual Gathering at 2 pm.

Guest Viewing

The May 19th Annual Gathering will be publicly accessible for those who are not delegates. The Annual Gathering is slated to last for approximately 2 hours.