BUSINESS SESSION VII

July 17, 2002

63. CALL TO ORDER. Dr. Williamson called the conference to order at 1:40 p.m. Mr. Ken Penny opened the session with prayer.

64. AUDITOR’S REPORT. Rev. Coulston introduced Mr. Richard Lindley to the conference. Mr. Lindley is an auditor manager with the firm, Capin Crouse LLP. Mr. Lindley presented the audit to conference with a review of the report. The auditor’s report was received with appreciation.

65. ORDER OF THE DAY. The report of the Board of Finance was given by Mr. Stanley Morris, chairman. It was moved and seconded that a Financial Policy Manual be developed and implemented, with approval by the General Council when completed. Approved.

Budget. It was moved and seconded to authorize the General Board of Finance and the General Council to approve the yearly budget during the 2002-2006 quadrennium and set the annual salaries for the headquarters staff and officers. Approved

Board of Finance Report. The Board of Finance report was received with appreciation. Dr. Pacifico led the conference in prayer on behalf of the Board of Finance.

66. COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES. Rev. Harold Thompson spoke on behalf of John Wesley College, located in High Point, NC.

67. GENERAL CONFERENCE SECRETARY-TREASURER. Rev. Coulston gave the report of the General Conference Secretary-Treasurer. The report was received as printed.

68. NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT. The chair called for the report of the Nominating Committee, Rev. Paul Speagle, chairman. The report was reviewed and the floor opened for nominations.

Motion on Chairmen. It was moved and seconded that each Board or Committee be permitted to elect its own chairman.

Point of Order. A point of order was called, questioning the validity of the motion. Discipline ¶ 523 was read, stating, “…The chairpersons of the above Boards and Committees shall be elected by the General Conference upon nomination by the Nominating Committee from among the members of the respective Boards and Committees.” The chair ruled that the above motion was out of order.

Historical Committee. It was moved that Rev. Jim Mumme be placed on the Historical Committee, and the name of Grace Coulston be deleted.

Board of Youth Activities. Rev. Colin Conner was nominated to serve as Chairman of the Board of Youth Activities.

Vote on Chairman of the Board of Youth Activities. A vote by standing was taken for the nominees of Chairman of the Board of Youth Activities, Rev. Paul Speagle and Rev. Colin Conner. The chair ruled Rev. Conner received a majority vote and was the nominee for chairman.

Move for the Question. It was moved and seconded to Call for the Question and end debate. Approved.

Question. The Nominating Committee report was voted as amended. Approved.

69. BOARD OF DISCIPLINE REVISION. Rev. Leroy VanVerth continued the report of the Board of Discipline Revision.

The following motion was made and seconded:

DIVISON 4. ADMINISTRATION. Change "superintendents" to bishops, General Superintendent(s) to Presiding Bishop(s) and District Superintendents to Bishops. Edit the entire Discipline to reflect this change.

¶101. There shall be bishops to supervise the work of the church.

¶102. The Presiding Bishop(s) shall be elected by ballot by the General Conference according to the provision of the Discipline…..

¶103. The Bishops shall be elected…..

The Motion failed.

70. POINT OF ORDER. It was reminded that debate was still under the 10 minute limit.

71. BOARD OF DISCIPLINE REVISION. The following motion was made:

¶204 - Line 23, delete "where money has been loaned by the conference" and add "as provided otherwise in ¶63; in all cases, property rights shall be exercised as provided in the Discipline, including without limitation ¶208 and ¶209(6).”

¶204. (Lines 1-21 will remain unchanged.) Beginning with line 22:

The local church is congregational in government with property rights vested in the local church, except as provided otherwise in ¶63; in all cases, property rights shall be exercised as provided in the Discipline, including without limitation ¶208 and ¶209(6). The church is also connectional….

The motion was made to Table this motion. Seconded and approved.

72. MOTION TO REVISE ¶ 208. ¶208 - Revise to read as follows:

¶208. No property belonging to a local church may be conveyed, sold, exchanged, or encumbered unless the local church provides written notice at least sixty (60) days in advance of the proposed transaction to the District Superintendent. The written notice must (a) explain the purpose of the planned transaction; (b) state the nature and address of the person or entity to whom or to which the local church proposes to convey, sell, exchange, or encumber property; (c) list the entity's trustees and officers; and (d) state the impact of the proposed transaction upon any current member's ability to attend church (and if there is any such impact, what provision the local church will make to meet that need). If the District Superintendent determines that the planned transaction is connected with, or relates in any way to, a proposed withdrawal by the local church from the Evangelical Methodist Church, the local church must comply with the procedures for property sales set forth below in ¶209(6) before it may convey, sell, exchange, or encumber the property. All transfers, sales, or exchanges of property must also comply with all other provisions of the Discipline.

Motion to Amend. It was moved and seconded to add the words at the beginning of ¶208, “real.” [“No real property belonging…”]. The motion was withdrawn.

Motion to Amend. It was moved and seconded to add the words at the beginning of ¶208, “real estate.” [“No real estate property belonging…”]. The motion failed.

Move for the Question. It was moved to Call for the Question. The motion was seconded and approved. Debate ended.

Question. The conference voted the proposed revision to ¶208. Approved.

73. RECESS. The session recessed for a brief afternoon break.