Photo: A delegate passes out ballots for a legislative committee vote at the 2008 United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.

All petitions and resolutions are assigned to one of 13 legislative committees prior to consideration by the full assembly. The chair of the committee and other officers are elected by committee members.

Delegates select the committee on which they wish to serve. Generally, those elected first have first choice, so some delegate do not get to serve on the committee that they want, but every delegate serves on a legislative committee.

Each committee will act upon assigned petitions and resolutions. They may ask the plenary session to approve or disapprove the proposal. Frequently a committee will address several petitions as one amended proposal.

Recommendations from legislative committees are called “calendar items,” and committee officers present their proposals to the full assembly for final consideration.

1. Two Church and Society legislative committees will address social justice issues. The first group will review 100 petitions and resolutions concerning the Board of Church and Society and the Social Principles with the exception of paragraphs 161 and 162 of the Book of Discipline.
2. The second group will deal with 140 petitions dealing with two paragraphs concerning the nurturing community (marriage, divorce, human sexuality and abortion) and social community (rights of racial/ethnic persons, aging, women, immigrants, sexual orientation and health care).
3. The Conferences Committee will review 80 petitions related to composition and activities of the general, jurisdictional, annual, provisional, missionary, and district conferences.
4. The Discipleship Committee will review 40 petitions related to the work and concerns of the General Board of Discipleship.
5. .The Faith and Order Committee will review 30 petitions related to doctrinal standards and “Our Theological Task,” “The Ministry of all Christians,” and the meaning of ordination and conference membership.
6. The Financial Administration Committee will review 90 petitions and resolutions related to the work and concerns of the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA), the Board of Pension and Health Benefits, and the United Methodist Publishing House. The group may propose amendments to the budget proposed by GCFA.
7. The General Administration Committee will review 110 petitions related to the Connectional Table. This will include the proposed new structure.
8. The Global Ministries Committee will review 60 petitions and resolutions relating to the work and concerns of the General Board of Global Ministries.
9. The Independent Commissions Committee will review 40l petitions and resolutions relating to six independent commissions, and ecumenical agencies and concerns.
10. The Judicial Administration will consider 100 petitions related to the Judicial Council and all investigations, trials and appeals.
11. The Local Church Committee will consider 80 petitions and resolutions related to the organization of local churches.
12. The Ministry and Higher Education Committee will consider 180 petitions and resolutions related to ordained ministry, higher education, schools of theology and chaplaincy.
13. The Superintendency Committee will consider 50 petitions affecting bishops, superintendents and the appointment process.
Photo: Legislative Committee.jpg
Caption:
A delegate passes out ballots for a legislative committee vote at the 2008 United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. A UMNS photo by Paul Jeffrey.