Loving Christ, Embracing Our World is the theme of General Conference 2012, the 12^th quadrennial meeting of The Wesleyan Church of North America. Convening in Lexington, Kentucky, its daily business sessions will include General Church leaders, district leaders, and elected ministerial and lay delegates. The conferees will hear reports from the Church's North American officials, departments and entities; approve legislation; elect General Church leaders; and cast vision for the next quadrennium.

General Conference 2012 will also include: Inspirational rallies, international rallies and international guests, sessions open to visiting guests, exhibit area, receptions, ministry awards, and area attractions.

Songwriting Competition Rules Clarified

The rule regarding ownership of songs submitted for the General Conference 2012 songwriting competition has been clarified. The wording has been changed to reflect the author’s ownership of the original song(s). Authors of the songs chosen for the awards will retain personal copyright ownership of the songs but, by their act in entering the competition, each of them thereby assigns permission and a license (without further formalities) to The Wesleyan Church for the unrestricted and perpetual use of such songs in Wesleyan venues … Click here to view the entire document.

Sponsored by The Wesleyan Church’s Board of General Superintendents and coordinated by Indiana Wesleyan University’s Dr. Todd Guy, the competition is intended to raise the profile of Wesleyan beliefs of genuine life transformation based on radical love and obedience to Christ in the Church’s music. A $1,000 prize will be awarded to the author of the winning song, which will be performed at the 2012 General Conference of The Wesleyan Church in Lexington, Kentucky (June 2-6).

Ten honorable mention songs w’ill also be chosen—and their authors will receive a $100 prize. The contest is open to professional or amateur songwriters, who may submit more than one song, (by CD or MP3 file).

The March 1 deadline for submitting a song for the General Conference 2012 songwriting competition is getting closer. Numerous entries have already been received but there is still time for you to enter your song(s).

Click here for more information on the competition guidelines and registration.

Preliminary Schedule Announced

General Secretary Dr. Ronald D. Kelly has announced the preliminary daily schedule of activities for General Conference 2012 in Lexington, Kentucky. The schedule, which will be updated regularly, includes information about Sunday rallies; business session times; special speakers; breakfast, luncheon, dinner, and reception events; and pre- or post-General Conference meetings.