Since becoming passionately involved in The United Methodist Church, I sense General Conference to be anything but generic. Delegates are elected by the members of their annual, missionary or provisional conferences. Conferences have different approaches to the election. Some use the first ballot taken to reveal the names of the leading people being considered for election. Others ask boards, agencies and local churches for nominations.
Nominations can come from the floor of the annual conference or as write-in candidates.
Beyond the technical aspects of being a delegate, in my opinion other issues are important too. A deep commitment to Christ and The United Methodist Church is vital to election. Being involved and using your particular gifts to further God's reign in the local church should be as important as conference life. A delegate to General Conference must be interested enough in the church's witness in the world to keep informed about its stands on vital spiritual and social issues. Once elected, delegates meet as a delegation for orientation, spiritual nurture and study of the issues coming before the General Conference.