The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church (TEC) that meets every three years, this year in Anaheim, California. Nearly 900 deputies – clergy and lay – plus up to 300 bishops carry out the work of the church, considering a wide range of important matters facing the Church. Only General Convention can revise The Book of Common Prayer or make changes to the canons and constitution of the church.
General Convention works in a legislative manner very similar to the U. S. Congress through its two houses — House of Bishops and House of Deputies.
The July 2009 meeting of General Convention in Anaheim, California, is the 76th meeting of General Convention.
Resolutions presented to General Convention come from four sources: (A) committees, commissions, agencies and boards of the church; (B) bishops; (C) dioceses and provinces; and (D) deputies. Resolutions proposed for discussion at convention are referred to committees, which consider, amalgamate and perfect them before presenting them on the floor of convention. Legislative committees hold hearings on legislation at which deputies, alternate deputies, and registered visitors can speak. After leaving committee, a resolution will be taken up by one house before being sent to the other house for its concurrence.
Much of the work of convention is carried out by legislative committees. The Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies determine the number of committees, the number of persons who serve on them, and their composition. Deputies are asked to indicate their preference for membership on committees, and the presiding officers make their choices considering previous experience, expertise, and interest; ensuring the committees represent diverse points of view, geographic, ethnic, and gender diversity, and participation by younger deputies.
There are 24 (21 considering resolutions to go before the houses of General Convention**) Legislative Committees:
- Dispatch of Business **
- Certification of Minutes
- Rules of Order **
- Constitution **
- Canons **
- Structure of the Church**
- Consecration of Bishops **
- World Mission **
- National and International Concerns **
- Social and Urban Affairs **
- Church in Small Communities **
- Domestic Mission and Evangelism **
- Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music **
- Ministry Development**
- Education **
- Church Pension Fund **
- Stewardship and Development **
- Ecumenical Relations **
- Communications **
- Miscellaneous Resolutions
- Privilege and Courtesy **
- Committees and Commissions
- Credentials
- Program, Budget and Finance **
In addition to the Media Hub (see gold tab page above), resolutions can be followed on the General Convention 2009 Legislation webpage. There you can filter by Committee, House, Source (A, B, C, D), Category, or Resolution number. There are 68 categories of interest. A sampling includes: aging, Anglican Communion, clergy benefits, congregations, covenant, dioceses, end of life, HIV/AIDS, inclusive language, justice, parochial reports, prison ministry, racism, same-sex unions, small churches, substance abuse and welfare.