What do bishops do at General Conference?

Some United Methodists wonder: What is it that bishops DO at General Conference? The primary role of bishops at General Conference is to PRESIDE over all the sessions when the plenary is gathered. We also preside over the election of officers in the Legislative Committees. We all preside over our Annual Conference sessions and in other places in the church. There is a Committee on Presiding Officers that works throughout General Conference that determines which bishop will preside which session. Bishops have less than 24 hours notice if you are to preside. You are expected to be ready at all times. The presiding bishop chooses two bishops, either active or retired, to serve as parliamentary coaches during the session.

Another role that bishops have during General Conference is to PREACH. In the plenary sessions, each day begins with worship. Only bishops are selected to preach. Every jurisdiction in the United States is represented by one bishop, and the Central Conferences (Africa, Europe, the Philippines) are also represented. Bishops may be asked to preach at local churches in the host area before and after General Conference. The worship services are very inspirational and include a variety of worship and music leaders who help shape the services. They are usually a highlight of any General Conference.

Bishops understand that one of our roles for the sake of the gathered Body of Christ is to PRAY. Bishops are asked to pray for the convening and adjourning of individual sessions of the conference. During the worship services, the bishops sat in a circular fashion in the voting bar of the conference. We were spiritually and physically surrounding the delegates and guests with our presence and prayers.

Another valued role is to offer PASTORAL CARE for your delegation. I stopped by our delegation seated in Section B daily to check on both the group and individuals. I heard concerns from back home, needs of family members and churches, how the delegation was holding up in the schedule, the need for the reserve delegates, the ways in which our delegation took care of each other.

Bishops PRESIDE, PREACH, PRAY, and provide

PASTORAL CARE throughout General Conference. All of it is a holy privilege. I was very proud of our Virginia delegation and other Virginia Conference staff persons who gave leadership in Fort Worth. They truly modeled Christian conferencing, worked so very hard, and also embodied the love and grace of Christ at every turn. Thanks be to God!

 

                        Grace and Peace, 

                        Charlene Kammerer