The Canadian General Conference is the legislative body that operates under the Constitution of the Free Methodist Church. This body has the power to supervise all activities of the Free Methodist Church in Canada. (See Chapter 2 and Chapter 4 of The Manual for more detail)

The General Conference is also shorthand for the assembly of the Canadian General Conference that happens approximately every three years (¶410.2). The next session of the Canadian General Conference will meet from April 15–18, 2027, in Ottawa, Ontario. (See General Conference event page)

The membership of the Canadian General Conference is made up by FMCIC Ordained Clergy and elected (by local societies) lay delegates. (See ¶250 of The Manual for more detail)

General Conference is an opportunity to practice “holy conferencing,” which Methodists believe to be a means of grace. In conference, we gather the wider body together to wrestle with important questions of our day, celebrate significant moments such as retirement and memorials of those who have passed away within the three years, and engage in the practices of worship, prayer, and communion as a national body.

The General Conference also meets in session to bring forward reports from the BOA, the National Leadership Team (NLT), standing committees, task forces, or teams. The General Conference also elects officers (¶415). Lastly, the General Conference hears, debates, amends, and votes on Resolutions brought forward from the body.

Resolutions are proposals to make changes to our common organization, practice, or constitution either at the local Society level, the General Conference level, or the World Church level.

Any member (partner) of a local Free Methodist Society or the Society as a whole may submit resolutions to the General Conference. These resolutions must be introduced by a member of the General Conference. All resolutions go to the Study Commission on Doctrine (SCoD), which acts as the General Conference committee on resolutions. (See forthcoming “Resolutions” document)

Only the membership of the Canadian General Conference (see above) may vote. Quorum is two-thirds of the total members seated. Our desire is for our Canadian General Conference to deliberate together and then vote together as one body. But, on the call of one-quarter of the present voting members, then a vote will pass by a majority vote (¶250.2.6).

Each local Society elects a lay delegate or the official Board may appoint one of its members at the first meeting after the Annual Society meeting. Local churches are entitled to elect additional delegates depending on number of appointed pastors or size of congregation (see ¶320.3 for more detail).

Delegates are responsible to attend the session of the General Conference. They are to read, consider, become informed, debate, and vote on the business at General Conference such as elections, motions, and resolutions. Following General Conference, the delegate is responsible to report back to the local Society the major changes such as new Bishop elections or resolutions that passed.

The Canadian General Conference elects one Ordained Minister to the office of Bishop who serves as president of the Conference and presides at the sittings of the Canadian General Conference (¶250.2.3). In addition to the Bishop, the General Conference elects a member to serve as secretary of the session (¶415). The Chair of the Board of Administration assumes the chair to process motions and conduct voting. Additionally, a Parliamentarian is appointed by the Board of Administration to assist the presiding officers. (See 2024 “Standing Rules” for more details)