Charge Conference

Welcome to Charge Conference

We are pleased to release the 2026 Charge Conference Packet.  On this webpage you will find detailed instructions on how to plan charge conference, including a timeline with clickable links for submission and a collection of all necessary forms, templates, and sample policies. Please take a moment to review these items and share them with relevant committee leaders. 

Presiding Elders will release Charge Conference schedules for their districts. Please feel free to reach out to your PE if you have any questions.

Charge Conference is intended to gather the church’s leaders to reflect on how God has guided us over the past year and to focus on where God is leading next. While there are a handful of business items, please design the Charge Conference around worship, scripture, and the vision that God has set for your church.

One of my goals is to lead a couple of Charge Conferences per district each year. It is refreshing to meet our churches, witness our pastors in action, and get a small glimpse of the work God is doing across South Carolina. Thank you for your diligence in ministry and your Christ-like leadership. It is a pleasure to serve the Lord with you.

For the Harvest,

Re. Erik Grayson

Conference Superintendent

Charge Conference Timeline & Checklist

 September 15th

·      Submit Pastoral Evaluation Form to Presiding Elder

Prior to Charge Conference

·      Minutes of Charge Conference (Link text to Jotform)

·      Leadership Roster (Link text to Jotform)

·      Connectional Giving Form (Download Blank Form / Upload Completed Form)

At Charge Conference

·      Presiding Elder confirms policies for the following – Not Submitted to Conference

o   Ministry Safe or Abuse Prevention Policy*

o   Financial Controls Policy*

o   Trustees Report*

o   *Sample policies are located below.

·      Charge Conference Program

o   A program is prepared by the local church for the charge conference.  You may use the template (Amanda, insert link on word “template”) or design your own order.  Ensure that the service is primarily focused on worship, thanksgiving, etc.  Please print programs in advance of charge conference.

o   Vision of the Church: The pastor is to give a message about where God is leading the church.  This could be a “state of the church,” an overview of the next steps of the church, or a pastoral message.  Pastors should be prepared to provide leadership.

·      Pastoral Support

o   The following documents are completed for each appointed pastor and printed in advance of Charge Conference.  Once approved, signatures are collected from the Presiding Elder, Pastor(s), SPRC Chair, and Church Council Chair. 

§  Ministerial Support Form

§  Accountable Reimbursement Form

§  Charge Conference Signature Form 

After Charge Conference

·      Signed Documents – The Presiding Elder uploads signed copies of the following:

o   Ministerial Support Form

o   Accountable Reimbursement Form

o   Charge Conference Signature Form

 

 

Resource Library

·      Pastoral Evaluation Forms. The S/PPRC & Pastor are to collaboratively complete a pastoral evaluation.  You may select either Pastoral Evaluation A or Pastoral Evaluation B.  Submit to your Presiding Elder by September 15th.

o   Pastoral Evaluation A

o   Pastoral Evaluation B

·      Minutes of Charge Conference.  The actual information will be submitted on the link above; however, this document highlights the questions that will be asked.  Do not submit a paper copy of the minutes.

o   Minutes of Charge Conference

·      Leadership Roster. Leadership names should be submitted on the link above.  ADD LINK

·      Ministry Safe or Abuse Prevention Policy. Every church should have an Abuse Prevention Policy.  The Global Methodist Church has partnered with Ministry Safe to help provide quality prevention policies and background checks for our churches.  Every church must adopt a policy that covers their church’s specific ministries. The following is an example that may be customized to your local context.

o   Sample Ministry Safe Policy

·      Financial Controls Policy.  Every church should have a Financial Controls Policy that details best practices. 

o   Sample Financial Controls Policy 1

o   Sample Financial Controls Policy 2

·      Sample Charge Conference Program.  A template charge conference program is provided. 

o   Sample Charge Conference Program

·      Ministerial Support Form. The contents of this form should be completed prior to Charge Conference.  For questions regarding completion, contact your Presiding Elder.  Bring a printed copy of the completed form to Charge Conference.  Once approved, the Presiding Elder will scan the document.  All originals remain with the church.

o   Ministerial Support Form

·      Accountable Reimbursement Form.  The contents of this form should be completed prior to Charge Conference.  For questions regarding completion, contact your Presiding Elder.  Bring a printed copy of the completed form to Charge Conference.  Once approved, the Presiding Elder will scan the document.  All originals remain with the church.

o   Accountable Reimbursement Form

·      Charge Conference Signature Form.  This form is to be signed at the conclusion of the Charge Conference to verify that the documents submitted in advance were adopted as submitted.  Any changes to previously submitted documents will be recorded on this form.  The Presiding Elder will scan the document.  All originals remain with the church.