Prayer

1. We commit, on a personal level, to a life of prayer and Scripture, including regularly praying John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer throughout this season of discernment.
2. We commit to praying regularly for one another, for the delegates, and for the Global Methodist Church as a whole, maintaining prayer as the central focus of our life together.
3. We commit to gathering for mutual support, encouragement, and corporate prayer, including setting aside intentional time in each meeting to seek the mind of Christ.
4. We commit to pray for our ACEs as we enter a season of deep listening for the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Communication

1. We commit to handling individual and delegation requests for interviews by following the process designed by the GEC (which includes delegation and episcopal area interviews), and by not engaging in interviews that are not part of the GEC process. The intention is not to control the narrative, but to be intentional and prayerful, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we continue to support a new way of being when it comes to elections.
2. We commit to referring to and conducting ourselves not as candidates for election but as nominees for the GMC episcopacy going through a season discernment along with the whole church to determine God’s will. Therefore, we understand ourselves not as ”running for an office“ but standing for election to the episcopacy.
3. We commit to honoring the ongoing work of the GMC Communications office, working in partnership with those on staff to honor the overall vision and values of the GMC.
   

Common Message

1. We commit to taking a posture of humility and unity as we prepare for General Conference.
2. We commit to embrace the language of “standing” as “nominees” rather than “running” as “candidates.”
3. We commit to walking together in mutual trust, setting a gracious and collaborative tone for the entire community.
4. We commit to fostering rich and meaningful conversations about the nature and role of the episcopacy throughout the GMC as we engage in this process.
5. We commit to studying and understanding the unique nature, distinctives, and challenges of the general episcopacy, ensuring we can all discuss the calling of this vital office with clarity and wisdom.
6. We commit to a season of personal exploration, gathering diverse perspectives on the characteristics needed in our episcopal leaders and seeking the collective wisdom of the whole body.
   

Campaigning

1. We commit to an expectation that no nominee will campaign or work behind the scenes to elevate themselves. We will function as nominees but not as candidates, because we believe this process is a sacred time of discernment for the whole church and not a political opportunity for self-promotion.
2. We commit to not campaign, advocate, or work publicly or behind the scenes in order to elevate ourselves for election.
3. We commit to the following specific behaviors regarding the GEC process:
   

• Nominees will not seek to influence or secure votes for themselves or others through direct or indirect efforts, including personal advocacy, strategic communication, organized support, or allowing others to promote them on their behalf.
• We will neither encourage nor permit others to campaign on our behalf. If individuals or groups begin to campaign on our behalf, we will lovingly address it directly, asking them to cease such efforts.
• We will joyfully participate in official nomination processes, providing requested biographical information to delegates through designated channels, responding honestly to questions about calling and experience, and continuing in faithful ministry without election-focused self-promotion.
• We will seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God, trusting the body to discern God’s leading rather than relying on human persuasion.
  

Organization

1. We commit to being accountable to one another as it relates to our process and this covenant and will speak lovingly, openly, and honestly when we note opportunities for course correction.
2. We commit to prioritizing twice-monthly zoom gatherings, and will share leadership and facilitation of these meetings.
3. We commit to structuring our gatherings so there is significant room for personal sharing and prayer (in breakout rooms, if possible).
4. We commit to kindness In our conversations with one another, pausing before responding so as to give the Holy Spirit room to move.
   

Our goal through this covenant is to heed Christ’s call to die to self and live for him, so that we leave the office of Bishop in the Global Methodist Church better by our participation in the election process.