Cover Letter from Conference Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Mike Powers

Dear Sisters and Brothers, Clergy and Lay Members of the MidSouth AC,

Greetings in the lovely name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Global Methodists around the world will have the privilege and responsibility at our 2025 Annual Conference to elect the lay and clergy delegates who will represent their conferences at the 2026 General Conference of the Global Methodist Church in Africa. As directed by the General Conference of the GMC, clergy and lay delegates from local churches across the MidSouth Conference will elect our slate of delegates to the GMC General Conference at our Annual Conference June 8-11 in Maryville, Tennessee.

All lay persons, active deacons, and active elders serving under appointment in local churches, senior status deacons and elders, or deacons and elders serving in extension ministry appointments who meet the requirements of Paragraph 709.6 of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline are eligible for election. Transitional Local Pastors, clergy appointed from Other Denominations, persons serving under Presiding Elder Assignment (i.e., ‘Supply’), or clergy who are serving non-GMC churches/settings are not eligible for election or to participate in voting.

We want to continue the respectful approach demonstrated last year in the selection of our General Conference delegation. We are living into our vision of a culture of prayer and trust across the MidSouth Annual Conference. These days are marked by theological fidelity, radical humility, and full commitment to the mission of the church to make disciples and spread scriptural holiness across our streets and around the world. There is no place in the Global Methodist Church for solicitation and campaigning for leadership roles. Such an unbiblical approach to servant leadership will not help us live into the future we have begun to see and embrace and celebrate with unalloyed joy.

Let us covenant to pray and ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and unity in choosing our representatives to the 2026 General Conference. The following document outlines the process we will use to guide us through our election of clergy and lay delegates at our Annual Conference in June. It explains how people can nominate themselves and be included in a booklet of nominees that will be distributed around mid-April.

Thank you for your devotion as faithful followers of Jesus and servant leaders in the Global Methodist Church. We will trust the Holy Spirit to guide us through this election process and pledge our support of the delegation elected by delegates of the Annual Conference.

See you soon. God bless.

Mike Powers

General Instructions:

2026 GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATE ELECTIONS: Process & Eligibility

Election of Delegates

Holy Spirit-Guided Discernment: We are trusting the Holy Spirit to guide us through this election process as the MidSouth Annual Conference. In such, we will prioritize praying for those individuals nominated and committing to full support of the delegation as elected through the discernment of the Spirit in our gathered body.

Eligibility

Elect clergy and lay delegates to the General Conference is according to the formula determined by the General Conference. Clergy delegates shall be members in full connection in good standing of the Global Methodist Church who have served a minimum of two years preceding their election in the Global Methodist Church or its predecessors. Under the provisions of ¶ 521.2a, transitional local pastors who have been approved for ordination as elders or deacons shall be members in full connection and may be clergy delegates provided that they are in good standing and have served a minimum of two years preceding their election in the Global Methodist Church or its predecessors. Lay delegates shall have been professing members of the Global Methodist Church or its predecessors for at least two years. Both clergy and lay delegates shall be elected by a simple majority of votes cast, with clergy voting for clergy delegates and laity voting for lay delegates. Clergy and lay members of the MidSouth Annual Conference must be present to vote for delegates to General Conference. Voting shall be by electronic ballot with material for paper ballots available in case of electronic failure.

Senior Status

¶ 520… Senior clergy, including bishop emeriti, retain their active status and right to both voice and vote at annual conference if they fulfill either of the following conditions:

a.) They are within seven years of the effective date of their aligning with the Global Methodist Church or the end of their last appointment, whichever is later, provided that they notify the conference secretary at least ninety days prior to the annual conference session of their intention to participate as a voting member, or

b.) They are under appointment by the bishop for at least one-quarter time (no notification necessary).

Senior clergy not qualifying under the preceding sentence retain voice, but not vote, at annual conference. Those in senior status, whether active or inactive, may be elected as a delegate to General Conference and serve on district or annual conference commissions, committees, or boards.

Expenses

The MidSouth Annual Conference will provide a $2500 expense stipend for each elected delegate. Disbursement of the allotted amount will be determined as General Conference 2026 draws near.

Nomination

Eligible clergy and laity interested in standing for election to the Convening Annual Conference shall self-nominate, by submitting a nomination form and photo. Self-nominations shall be received no later than April 1, 2024. The nomination form is electronic and can be completed online here.

Campaigning

It is our hope that this experience will be spiritual as opposed to political. Therefore, persons standing for election shall not engage in campaigning (including but not limited to production and distribution of campaign materials such as letters, brochures, leaflets, video or audio materials, advertisements, or requests for support on social media). Slates or distribution of slates will not be permitted. The Conference Council (or its designated task force) will distribute the nominee forms and photographs, and determine any other forums or avenues for introduction of nominees.

Distribution of Candidate Information and Voting Numbers

All clergy and lay members of the MidSouth AC shall be assigned a voting number. Those self-nominated for election will be identified in a manner determined by the Conference Council (or its designated task force). Information, photos and the individual voting number for each person standing for election shall be digitally distributed no later than May 15, 2025.

MidSouth Delegate Application

Ready to serve the MidSouth and become a delegate for the 2026 General Conference in Africa? If yes, complete and submit the following form.

Name

First

Last

Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Phone

Email

Church Information

I have been a member of the Global Methodist Church, or its predecessor, for at least two years.

Yes

Name of Your Current Church

Your Church Address

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Current Church District

More About You

What is your status in the GMC?

What is your occupation? (If retired, please state your previous occupation.)

1.) How do you understand the purpose of the GMC and its role in the world? (Please, do not copy from the GMC mission statement.)

Please answer the question with your answer not to exceed 100 words per question.

2.) Describe some personal experiences that will bring value to your work as a General Conference delegate.

Please answer the question with your answer not to exceed 100 words per question.

3.) In your opinion, what is the most important thing the General Conference needs to accomplish to be considered successful?

Please answer the question with your answer not to exceed 100 words per question.

4.) In your own words, what have you experienced that shows your passion for Isaiah 52:7: "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!"

Please answer the question with your answer not to exceed 100 words per question.

Please upload a headshot of yourself.

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload

Today's Date

Please enter today's date.

Statement of Understanding

I submit this application to be a candidate for election as delegate to the 2026 Global Methodist Church General Conference in Africa. Completing this application means I certify that all information is true. I have read two documents (1) the cover letter and (2) general instructions by Rev. Dr. Mike Powers, Conference Superintendent of the MidSouth AC of the GMC detailing the event and guidelines for delegates to be considered and sign that I read these documents. I also agree to allow my personal information to be published as needed by the MidSouth AC of the GMC.

2026 Delegate to General Conference Application

Cover Letter from Conference Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Mike Powers

General Instructions:

MidSouth Delegate Application

Church Information

More About You

Connect with Us

Additional Resources

2026 Delegate to General Conference Application

Cover Letter from Conference Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Mike Powers

General Instructions:

MidSouth Delegate Application

Church Information

More About You

Connect with Us

Additional Resources

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