Charge Conference

Strengthening Leadership. Renewing Mission. Supporting Clergy.

Charge Conference is a pivotal moment in the life of every United Methodist congregation - and a central past of a pastor’s yearly administrative leadership. This page provides clergy with the guidance, tools, and resources needed to prepare, organize, and lead a faithful, efficient, and mission-aligned Charge Conference.

What Is a Charge?

A charge is the appointment of a pastor to one or more congregations. Clergy may be appointed to:

A single congregation, or
A multi-point charge (several congregations linked under one pastoral appointment)

While congregations maintain their unique identities, the charge functions as a shared ministry under one pastor’s leadership.

Purpose of Charge Conference

As outlined in The Book of Discipline (¶246–249), Charge Conference exists to:

Review and celebrate the ministry of the past year
Affirm and elect church leadership
Approve pastoral compensation
Receive and act on required annual reports
Recommend candidates for ministry
Strengthen alignment with district and annual conference priorities
Ensure faithful stewardship, accountability, and mission effectiveness

For clergy, the meeting is not just administrative - it’s an opportunity for spiritual reflection, shared vision, and renewal of the church’s mission.

Charge Conference v. Church Conference

Understanding the distinction helps clergy plan effectively:

Charge Conference

Required annually
Voting members: clergy, retired clergy, and church council
District Superintendent presides
Default meeting format

Church Conference

Opens voting for all professing members
Held upon request of the pastor, church council, or 10% of professing members
Can be done in place of a Charge Conference, but must be authorized by the DS

Why This Work Matters

Charge Conference is more than a requirement. It is:

A renewal of the church’s mission
A moment to strengthen clergy-lay partnerships
A touchpoint of accountability and health
A connectional bridge linking the local church, district, and annual conference

Clergy leadership ensures that the process is not only completed - but completed faithfully, with clarity, care, and purpose.

Clergy Responsibilities

1) Scheduling

Work with your District Superintendent to confirm the date and format
The DS (or their designee) will preside over the meeting
Charge Conference may be held as a Church Conference at the DS’s discretion

2) Preparing Reports
Clergy must ensure timely completion and submission of:

Pastor’s Annual Report
Membership, Membership Audit, and Statistics
Leadership Nominations (in collaboration with Nominations/Lay Leadership)
Compensation & Benefits Recommendation
Trustees and Finance Reports
Committee Updates (SPRC, Finance, Trustees, etc.)

3) Leadership Development
With the Nominations/Lay Leadership Committee, ensure:

A complete and balanced leadership slate
Alignment with Disciplinary requirements
Attention to diversity, representation, and spiritual gifts

4) Ministry Discernment & Recommendations
Charge Conference is the venue for:

Candidacy for licensed or ordained ministry
Lay Servant Ministries recognition
Celebrations of ministry milestones

5) Oversight & Accountability
Clergy help ensure:

Historical records are maintained (¶247.5)
Proper stewardship and financial transparency
Compliance with conference and denominational requirements

Charge Conference
-Submit Charge Conference Forms
-Charge Conference Preparation Checklist
-Form 15-5110 Annual Statement Nonprofit Corporation
-Accountable Reimbursement FAQs

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