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Introduction
Following a motion passed at the 2019 General Conference, the Governing Board of Metropolitan Community Churches announced the creation of the Commission on General Conference in May 2020 to evaluate our triennial meetings.
Since then, the Commission on General Conference (CGC, also referred to as the Commission) has met to learn the story of General Conferences, look at data, research other denominational gatherings, and offer a proposal for how General Conferences might be shaped in the future.
Additionally in 2019, a motion was passed requiring the incoming Moderator and Governing Board to form a committee to review and analyze the current Clergy House and Lay House delegate(s) structures; and make recommendations to the General Conference on viable alternatives for the 21st century MCC. In 2022, this work was absorbed by the commission.
A Commission Report to the 2022 General Conference outlined the Commission’s process and work to date.
Last year, a Commission Report to the 2025 General Conference outlined the topics that were consulted upon, which form the basis of the final recommendations in this 2026 report.
The Commission on General Conference has now completed its work and has submitted its report and recommendations to the Governing Board.
The Governing Board has voted to hold a Special General Conference on 10th October 2026. The only items for consideration at this online Business Meeting will be the recommendations from the Commission.
The General Conference Business Forum will be held on 3rd October 2026.
This Discussion Pack contains the bylaw amendment proposals and motion received by the Governing Board: linked here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1v-CdA7AfDQb-tRQi_BQbx-A01-ubcB5I?usp=sharing
1). The Commission on General Conference’s Final Report
2). A Motion to propose that opportunities are organized for discussion on proposed business agenda items, once the draft business is circulated (currently called Discussion Circles) and again after the formal Business pack is circulated.
A Business Forum will also be held prior to the Business Meeting
3). Bylaw Proposal #1: Article VIII - Church Meetings, proposed by the Governing Board on behalf of the Commission on General Conference
A bylaw proposal amendment that would:
a. Increase accessibility - all Business Meetings of the General Conference will transition to an online format with virtual voting.
b. Separate the Business Meeting of the General Conference from worship, workshops, and networking sessions (most recently called the Transformational Weekend).
4) Bylaw Proposal #2 - Addendum 1 - Procedures For Submitting Bylaw Proposals
Changes the timeline for submission of Bylaw Amendment proposals to allow for more robust discussion
All voting delegates need to review the information in this Discussion Pack, particularly the Executive Summary, the motion and bylaw amendment proposal. You will discuss these by attending a Discussion Circle. Times and dates of all the Discussion Circles may be found in this pack.
Participating in a Discussion Circle is the main way to give your feedback before the Business meeting, make suggestions and ask questions about the bylaw proposals and motions that will be discussed at the Business Meeting. As you read through the executive summary and recommendations, these statements may help you to frame your comments and questions for the Discussion Circles:
I like…
I wish
I wonder….
If you have been to a Business meeting in previous years and have seen people
queuing up at the microphone to offer “friendly amendments”, ask questions or voice
concerns about the implications of what is being proposed, a Discussion Circle is
now the main place to do that.
It is important that every voting delegate attends at least one Discussion Circle.
Discussion Circles are open to everyone. You do not have to be a voting delegate to
attend.
At every Discussion Circle, notes will be taken and then published, so that everyone
can see what has been said around the world.
The Commissioners and the Governing Board will then review the feedback from the Discussion Circles and decide if they wish to make any changes to their proposals. They will then produce any revised drafts for inclusion in the Business Pack.
Discussion Pack Links
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1v-CdA7AfDQb-tRQi_BQbx-A01-ubcB5I?usp=sharing
Motion
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 1 (Article VIII) document
Bylaw Amendment Proposal 2 - Procedures For Submitting Bylaw Proposals document
Commission on General Conference Final Report
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