Section III. Election, Assignment, and Termination of Bishops
505. Bishops in Jurisdictions--1. Each jurisdiction having 500,000 church members or less shall be entitled to six bishops, and each jurisdiction having more than 350,000 church members shall be entitled to one additional bishop for each additional 500,000 church members or major fraction thereof; provided, however, that in those jurisdictions where this requirement would result in there being an average of more than 55,000 square miles per episcopal area, such jurisdiction shall be entitled to six bishops for the first 400,000 church members or less, and for each additional 310,000 church members or two-thirds thereof shall be entitled to one additional bishop.
2. In central conferences, the number of bishops shall be determined on the basis of missional needs, as approved by the General Conference on recommendation of the Commission on Central Conference Affairs.
3. This legislation shall take effect upon adjournment of the 1992 General Conference.
29See Judicial Council Decision 507.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 505
1996 United Methodist General Conference