Lay Equalization Member applications will be due in January. Start thinking now about serving in this way!
First, remember that the voting body of Annual Conference is supposed to be 1/2 lay people and 1/2 clergy. That sounds easy — one clergy person and one lay person from each pastoral charge. If you have two pastors, you get two lay people. However, many clergy have voting rights who do not serve a specific congregation — retired clergy, clergy who serve in extension ministries, and clergy who do not serve as pastors of local churches (DS’s for example). The clergy would easily outnumber the laypeople representing individual pastoral charges. So that balance is equalized with elections of lay people from each district.
Every district elects additional Equalization Members to represent the district. This election takes place at the District Conference in early March, but the deadline for applications will be late January or early February. It is a fixed deadline, so start thinking about this now!
Once elected, Equalization Members have voting rights at Annual Conference just like the other lay and clergy members. A per diem is provided to help cover the costs. EQ members are responsible for:
-
Attending Annual Conference sessions (June 4-6, 2026);
-
Participating in decision-making;
-
Reporting back to their congregation about the actions taken
Each yearly session of the Indiana Conference is a wonderful time of worship and fellowship together. It is time for learning about what is happening in many churches around the state and also to learn about what United Methodists have accomplished together across the country and the world. It is a time to answer the call of Jesus Christ and prepare oneself for following Christ’s call in the coming year.
If you’d like to become an Equalization member, talk to your pastor or reach out to one of the Associate District Superintendents, and we’ll help you with the process. There will also be additional information sent out in January, so watch for it!