The Holston Conference delegation has prepared the following questions and answers on submitting petitions to the special session of General Conference in February 2019. All petitions must be received by the Petitions Secretary by July 8, 2018.
How do I create and submit a petition to be considered by the 2019 General Conference?
The following links contain specific instructions for the preparation and submission of petitions to the 2019 General Conference. Petitions must adhere strictly to the stated requirements. In general terms, a petition can propose to
(i) add language to the Discipline, the Constitution, or a resolution,
(ii) amend language of the Discipline, the Constitution, or a resolution,
(iii) delete language from the Discipline, the Constitution, or a resolution; or
(iv) propose a new resolution.
See petition submission instructions and petition submission form.
Will the Bishops' report to General Conference be the only legislation the delegates will discuss?
The Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church ruled on May 25, 2018, that petitions in addition to the report of the Council of Bishops may be submitted to the 2019 General Conference “as long as the business proposed to be transacted in such petition is in harmony with the purpose stated in the call [for the 2019 General Conference] … Business not in harmony with the purpose as stated in the call is not permitted unless the General Conference by a two-thirds vote shall determine that other business may be transacted.”
What is the “call” for the 2019 General Conference?
“The purpose of this special session of the General Conference shall be limited to receiving and acting upon a report from the Council of Bishops based on the recommendations of the Commission on a Way Forward.”
Who will decide whether a petition is “in harmony” with the call for the 2019 General Conference?
The General Conference itself, through its committees, officers, and presiders, will make that determination.
Who can submit a petition to General Conference for consideration?
“Any organization, clergy member, or lay member of The United Methodist Church may petition the General Conference … ” (¶507, The Book of Discipline 2016). “Organization” includes virtually any type of group within the UMC.
Contact the Holston Conference delegation at delegation@holston.org.
See also:
Delegates prepare for Special Session 2019 (The Call, 6.10.18)
Annual Conference newspaper with delegate photos, timeline (The Call, 6.10.18)