Reports & Resolutions Guidelines

REPORT SUBMISSION DETAILS

STYLE GUIDE

Please use the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference Journal Style Guide when submitting documents for consideration at annual conference meetings. This is to ensure the journal has a consistent look and flow. Example: uppercase the “b” in bishop when used as a proper noun (Bishop Graves) but lowercase the “b” in bishop when using the title without a name (the bishop said). Please use only one (1) space after periods and semi-colons.

TO SUBMIT REPORT

The submission deadline is April 8, 2026.

Resolutions will be posted to the conference website after the Resolutions Committee meets to review them. Please use the following specifications when submitting a resolution:

Word document

8 ½” x 11” page with 1-inch margins on all sides

Use 10 pt. Times New Roman typeface

Use Style Guide for guidance on capitalization, punctuation, dates, etc.

RESOLUTION SUBMISSION DETAILS

Each year, the clergy and lay members of the Tennessee–Western Kentucky Annual Conference gather to worship, to fellowship, and to conduct the shared work of the Conference. Part of that work includes the consideration of resolutions, which provide a way for the Conference to express its convictions, offer guidance, and encourage faithful action in response to issues affecting the Church, our communities, and the wider world.

Resolutions may address matters related to the life and mission of the Conference, concerns for justice and discipleship, or issues facing the broader United Methodist Church. When adopted, a resolution expresses the discerned will of the Annual Conference and may serve to communicate that witness to congregations, elected leaders, Conference bodies, and the General Conference.

Structure of a Resolution

A resolution typically consists of two parts:

“Whereas” statements, which establish the theological, factual, and contextual grounding for the concern being raised. These statements may draw on Scripture, The Book of Discipline, denominational statements, reputable reporting, and other appropriate sources.
“Be it resolved” statements, which articulate how the Conference is being asked to respond in light of those concerns.

The Be it resolved statements should be clear, specific, and actionable, indicating what the Annual Conference is being invited to affirm, encourage, request, or communicate.

Authority and Scope of Resolutions

Resolutions allow the Annual Conference to urge, encourage, petition, or communicate, but they do not by themselves enact binding policy changes for Conference boards, agencies, or committees beyond the authority granted by the Book of Discipline and the Standing Rules.

Resolutions may:

Encourage action by clergy, congregations, or Conference members
Express the Conference’s stance on theological, moral, or missional matters
Communicate with elected officials or public bodies
Petition the General Conference regarding matters of Church-wide policy or discipline

Resolutions may also include financial requests, provided they follow the process outlined in the Standing Rules.

Financial Requests and Budget Implications

The Standing Rules of the Tennessee–Western Kentucky Annual Conference state clearly:

§6.2 “All financial requests of the annual conference shall be presented to the Council on Finance and Administration for consideration and recommendation, using the format requested by the Council on Finance and Administration.”

Accordingly:

A resolution may include a financial request,
Provided that the request has been presented to the Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) for consideration and recommendation using the required format.

If a resolution or proposal results in a budget amendment from the floor, the Standing Rules further require that:

The proposal include a identified source of funds, and
The President of CFA and the Conference Treasurer be consulted and given the opportunity to inform the Annual Conference regarding the financial impact of the request.

This process ensures transparency, fiscal responsibility, and faithful stewardship of Conference resources while allowing the Conference to discern and act on financial priorities.

STYLE GUIDE

TO SUBMIT RESOLUTIONS