What is a charge?

A charge refers to the appointment of a pastor to a church or ministry setting. The term has historical roots in the early Methodist movement, when local societies met in homes or shared spaces rather than dedicated church buildings. John Wesley appointed preachers to take “charge” of these societies—a term that endures today. A charge now refers to any church or entity to which a United Methodist pastor is appointed.

Is a charge the same as a church?

Sometimes, but not always. A charge may consist of a single congregation, but it can also include multiple congregations served by the same pastor. In these multi-church charges, congregations retain their individual identities while sharing pastoral leadership.

What is a charge conference?

A charge conference is an annual meeting of the leadership of a pastoral charge, held to make key decisions on behalf of the congregation(s). The meeting is presided over by the district superintendent. Voting members of the charge conference include all clergy appointed to the charge and members of the church council(s). Retired clergy and retired diaconal ministers who hold membership in any of the congregations are also members of the conference.

Most charges hold their annual conference in the summer or fall, but additional conferences may be scheduled throughout the year with approval from the district superintendent. These gatherings can take place on church grounds or at another designated location. In some cases, the superintendent may choose to hold multiple charge conferences in one setting on the same day. A secretary is appointed for each charge conference to ensure accurate documentation of the proceedings.

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Content used from ResourceUMC.org