Exact Match?

Policies and Procedures Regarding Equalization Of Lay and Clergy Membership (Lay Members-At-Large)

The 2004 Book of Discipline directs that: "If the lay membership should be less than the clergy members of the Annual Conference, the Annual Conference shall, by its own formula, provide for the election of additional lay members to equalize lay and clergy membership of the Annual Conference." (Par. 32 Article I)

The 2004 Book of Discipline directs that: all voting lay members of the Annual Conference Session must be a member of the United Methodist Church within the bounds of the Annual Conference for two years preceding their election (Par.32, Article 1)

The 2004 Book of Discipline directs the following positions, if held by lay persons, are voting members of the Annual Conference Session (par. 32, Article 1)

  • Diaconal Ministers – Active and Retired
  • Active deaconesses under Episcopal appointment within the bounds of the Annual Conference
  • Conference President of United Methodist Women
  • Conference President of United Methodist Men
  • Conference Lay Speaking Director
  • Conference Lay Leaders
  • District Lay Leaders
  • President of Young Adult Organization
  • President of Conference Youth Organization
  • Chair of Conference College Student Organization
  • One Young Person (ages 12 – 17) by district
  • One Young Adult Person (ages 18 – 30) by district

Rocky Mountain Conference guidelines and Procedures for equalizing lay and clergy membership:

Lay persons of the Rocky Mountain Conference who are not otherwise members of the Annual Conference Session on a year-to-year basis during their term of office:

  • Conference Treasurer
  • Conference Chancellor
  • Conference Secretary
  • Conference Director of Mission & Ministry
  • Chair of Agenda Committee
  • Chair of the Legislative Committee
  • Petition Coordinator
  • Chair of the Rules Committee
  • Chair of the Council on Finance v& Administration
  • Chair of the Nominations Committee
  • Members of the Board of Stewards
  • Lay delegates elected to General and Jurisdictional Conference

For each church not represented by a member to Annual Conference from multi-churches/fellowships of the charge there shall be an Annual Conference member designated as a lay equalization member for each church(es) other than the charge church lay member of the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference.

Persons holding more than one office [2 (a or b1)] shall be counted as a lay equalization member in only one category.

That the balance of lay members to equalize lay and clergy membership be elected by (the) District (Sub-District) Conferences on a percentage of the number of local church members in each District (Sub-District) to the total number of members in the Conference. Each District (Sub-District) shall elect at least 20% of the equalization members to be youth, ages 12 to 17. Each District shall elect one person, ages 18 – 30. The total of youth and young adults from each District can be more.

The Conference Lay Leader will be responsible to advise the District Superintendents of the number of equalization lay members each District is entitled to elect by February 1 each year.

Equalization lay members, unless designated to that position by virtue of an office or position held, are to be nominated by the District (sub-District) Nominating Committee, which shall receive names from the local churches. They shall be elected for a four-year term, without regard to quadrennium. It is recommended that members be elected to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. That the District (Sub-District) Nominating Committee seek to be aware of persons involved in district and sub-district functions; with intentional regard to a balance of male, female, youth, young adult, persons with handicapping conditions, ethnic background and urban and rural congregations. Membership of equalization lay members shall be reviewed annually by the District (Sub-District) Nominating Committee in order to fill vacancies and replace inactive lay members based on their participation during the previous year.

Equalization lay members shall attend Pre-Conference Orientation Sessions and the Annual Conference Session.

Alternate Equalization Lay Members:

Term: To be elected annually and in the same manner as Annual Conference equalization lay members

Duties: Attend Pre-Conference Orientation Sessions and the Annual Conference Session if representation is needed by the District (Sub-District).

Costs of attending the Annual Conference session for those named above [2.a & b] cost of registration and housing may be paid as determined by their respective Board, Committee, Commission or Agency.

Equalization Lay Members elected by District Conferences are eligible to receive a rebate as determined by the Board of Lay Ministry each year. Funds for rebates are provided by the additional $25.00 to each Registration Fee for all persons registering as members of the Annual Conference

In all cases mileage will be paid from the Annual Conference Travel Fund as per current policy.


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