Business Session Standing Rules Update

As we prepare for our 2026 Foursquare Connection in San Antonio, we want to communicate an update to the Convention Business Session Standing Rules. Beginning this year, participation at the microphones during business session discussion will be reserved for credentialed ministers who are appointed to churches in good standing and actively engaged in full stewardship as outlined in the Foursquare bylaws. All credentialed ministers and authorized delegates may continue to attend and vote as provided in our governing documents. This adjustment applies specifically to the benefit of participation in floor discussion and motions during business sessions. We want to take a moment to share the heart behind this decision.

Together on Mission

One of the defining words of our movement is together. We are united in proclaiming the whole gospel to the whole world, raising up leaders, planting churches and strengthening one another for the sake of Christ’s mission. Our shared stewardship practices—faithful tithing alignment, generosity to Foursquare missions entities, reporting and financial integrity—are expressions of covenant partnership and relational accountability for the sake of mission together.

When we gather in a business session, we are shaping the direction, health and future of our movement. Decisions made in those moments can impact generations to come. Thus, we believe it is appropriate that those who speak into this shaping process are those actively participating in and investing in our collective shared mission.

Relational Stewardship and Alignment

Over the years, we have engendered a pattern of minimizing tension to preserve a good “family” ambiance. While that instinct comes from a desire to love and honor everyone, healthy families also practice candor and accountability. Our bylaws reflect commitments we voluntarily embrace as leaders within this movement. When those commitments are consistently upheld, trust deepens, unity strengthens and our shared mission accelerates.

Relational stewardship means that our participation is not just symbolic, but actual. It reflects that we are walking in mutual responsibility, honoring what we have committed to together, and stewarding what God has entrusted to us.

A Healthy Culture for the Future

Our Board of Directors, a majority of whom serve as Senior Pastors, did not arrive at this decision lightly. It comes after careful conversation and prayerful consideration about how we strengthen unity, center ourselves in relationship for mission and build a healthy culture for the future of The Foursquare Church.

To that end, we are prayerfully pursuing:

• Full engagement in the life of our movement
• Strengthened denominational unity
• Clear expectations of partnership
• Consistency, trust and relational integrity
• Focused, mission-aligned dialogue in business sessions

We believe this step will strengthen what it means to be Foursquare.

An Open-Door Forward

We also recognize that challenges can arise from hardship, misunderstanding or complex circumstances. If the church you are appointed to is not currently in good standing, please know this: this change is not about keeping anyone out or shaming those who fall short. There remains an opportunity before Connection 2026 to re-engage and return to full stewardship.

I encourage you to connect with my team in the Corporate Secretary’s office immediately for clarity. You may reach them at corpsec@foursquare.org or 213.989.4378. The Board’s desire is restoration and alignment, not restriction. We will walk with grace and mercy as we move toward faithfulness together.

For more than 100 years, the Lord has faithfully guided The Foursquare Church. We believe He has much more ahead for us. As we move toward Connection 2026, may we do so united in heart, aligned in stewardship and fully surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

We are better together!

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