The Episcopal Church provides bishops, deputies, and alternates to the General Convention with an introductory booklet which any Episcopalian may use to educate her or himself about the work of the legislative body. Click on the image at left to download the 19-page guide plus appendices as a PDF file.
The introduction provides this overview in answering the question, “What is the General Convention?”
The General Convention is the governing body of The Episcopal Church. It is a bicameral legislature that includes the House of Deputies, with more than 800 members (up to four clergy and four lay persons from each diocese), and the House of Bishops, with over 300 active and resigned bishops.
General Convention gathers every three years. The 2018 meeting will convene in Austin, Texas for a nine-day legislative session (July 5 –July 13, 2018), and will be the 79th General Convention of the Church.
The work of General Convention includes adopting legislation of concern to the Church; amending the Book of Common Prayer, the Constitution, and the Canons of the Church; adopting a triennial budget for The Episcopal Church; and electing candidates to offices, boards and other committees. This work is undertaken in support of the mission and ministry of the Church, and with prayerful gratitude and spiritual discernment.
