Delegate Training
Representing Your Church at Annual Conference 2025
Annual Conference connects all Free Methodist churches throughout Southern California, creating space for our community to worship together, align vision, and make decisions that guide our shared ministry. As a delegate, you serve as the vital link between your local church and our wider Free Methodist family across the region.
The delegate role carries significant meaning in our Free Methodist heritage. You help ensure every church has a voice in our shared decisions while bringing insights from the conference back to your local congregation. This page explains your responsibilities, outlines key information, and prepares you to serve effectively at our May 16-17, 2025 gathering at CenterPoint Church in Murrieta.
Organizational Framework
The Free Methodist Church operates through a clear organizational structure that promotes both accountability and cooperation…
Local Church Structure
Each local church or society is led by an appointed pastor and governed by an elected Local Board of Administration (LBOA). These local communities form the foundation of our shared ministry.
Annual Conference Structure
Groups of local churches unite within Annual Conferences like our Southern California conference. This regional body is guided by our Conference Superintendent, Jonathan Sato, supported by conference staff and various ministry teams.
Conference Boards & Committees
The work of our conference is guided by several key leadership bodies that provide governance, strategic direction, and ministry oversight. These boards and committees include both clergy and lay representatives who serve together to advance our mission.
Board of Administration (BOA)
The primary governing body of the Annual Conference that sets policy, provides strategic oversight, allocates resources, selects leadership, and directs ministry focus.
Finance Committee
Provides financial oversight, ensures resource stewardship, manages budget development, administers assets, and guides financial planning for the conference.
Nominating Committee
Oversees the process of identifying, vetting, and recommending qualified candidates for conference leadership positions and committees.
Ministerial Education & Guidance (MEG)
Oversees ordination processes, develops pastoral leadership, establishes educational standards, creates accountability frameworks, and implements restoration procedures.
Ministerial Appointments Committee (MAC)
Manages minister placement, matches pastors with churches, monitors ministry progress, develops leadership, and makes strategic appointments.
Kingdom Multiplication Group (KMG)
Guides church planting, leads church revitalization, develops ministry initiatives, creates growth strategies, and plans for sustainability across the conference.
Denominational Connection
Our Southern California Annual Conference is part of the broader Free Methodist Church USA (FMCUSA). The national church gathers for General Conference every four years, with leadership provided by three bishops who connect multiple Annual Conferences across the country.
This framework ensures local congregations maintain both autonomy in their ministry context and vital connection to the broader Free Methodist community and mission.
Representation
As a delegate, you serve as the bridge between your local church and our wider conference community. This role carries significant responsibilities in two directions…
Voicing the Local to the Regional
You bring your church’s unique perspectives, needs, and insights to the Annual Conference gathering by:
- Sharing specific ministry challenges your congregation faces that might benefit from broader conference support
- Contributing your church’s perspectives during vision discussions and strategic planning
- Casting informed votes on conference matters that reflect your church community’s values and priorities
Through active participation, you ensure your congregation’s voice shapes our collective direction and decision-making.
Bringing the Regional to the Local
After Annual Conference, you become an ambassador for conference-wide initiatives within your local church by:
- Sharing key insights about ministry trends and opportunities across our region
- Helping your leadership team understand how conference priorities align with your local ministry
- Introducing fresh ministry approaches that other Free Methodist churches are developing
This two-way communication strengthens both your local church and our broader conference community, creating alignment and shared purpose across Southern California.