Published by the authority of the 26th General Conference
of the Evangelical Methodist Church,
held in Virginia Beach, VA, July 14-17, 1998

Table of Contents
1998 Edition - All references are to paragraphs

Historical Statement
Paragraphs 1-16

Constitution
Paragraphs 21-199

Chapter 1. Articles of Religion 21- 46
Chapters 2-3
Chapter 2. General Rules 51- 54
Chapter 3. Church Government 61- 64
Chapters 4-6
Chapter 4. Basic Denominational Principles 71-103
Division 1. Outlook 71- 75
Division 2. Conferences 81- 83
Division 3. Ministry 91- 92
Division 4. Administration 101-103
Chapter 5. Amendments to the Constitution 111-112
Chapter 6. By-Laws 121-122

By-Laws
The Local Church
Paragraphs 201-399
Chapter 1. Purpose 201-211
Chapters 2-3
Chapter 2. Membership 221-226
Chapter 3. Annual Church Conference 231-244
Chapters 4-5
Chapter 4. Special Church Conference on
Pastoral Relations 251-256
Chapter 5. Annual Committees 271-289
Chapters 6-7
Chapter 6. Board of Trustees 301-305
Chapter 7. Board of Stewards 321-330
Chapters 8-10
Chapter 8. Elected Officers 341-346
Chapter 9. Sunday School 361-367
Chapter 10. Church Council 381-383

The District Conference
Paragraphs 401-499
Chapter 1. Composition 401-409
Chapter 2. Business 421-441
Chapter 3. Examinations 471-479

The General Conference
Paragraphs 501-599
Chapter 1. Composition 501-513
Chapter 2. Elections 521-531
Chapter 3. Rules and Powers 541-552

The Ministry
Paragraphs 601-799
Chapters 1-2
Chapter 1. The Call to Preach 601
Chapter 2. The Matter and Manner of
Preaching 611
Chapters 3-5
Chapter 3. The Preacher in Charge 621-624
Chapter 4. The District Superintendent 641-643
Chapter 5. The General Superintendent 651-653
Chapter 6. Ministerial Relations 671-685
Chapters 7-8
Chapter 7. Termination of Ministerial
Relationship 701-707
Chapter 8. Course of Study for
Preachers 711-714

Judicial Administration
Paragraphs 801-899
Chapters 1-2
Chapter 1. Offenses 801-802
Chapter 2. Investigation and Trial of Ministers 811-825
Chapters 3-5
Chapter 3. Investigation and Trial of Lay
Members 831-836
Chapter 4. General Directions 841-849
Chapter 5. Appeals 861-867

Ritual and Worship
Paragraphs 901-1199
Chapters 1-5
Chapter 1. Order of Worship 901
Chapter 2. Calls to Worship 911
Chapter 3. Calls to Evening Worship 921
Chapter 4. Invocations 931
Chapter 5. The Lord's Supper or
Holy Communion 941
Chapters 6-9
Chapter 6. Dedication and/or Baptism of
Children and Infants 951
Chapter 7. Baptism 961
Chapter 8. Receiving Persons into the Church 971
Chapter 9. Receiving Persons by Transfer 981
Chapters 10-12
Chapter 10. Wedding Ceremonies 991-992
Chapter 11. Burial of the Dead 1001
Chapter 12. Burial of a Child 1011
Chapters 13-14
Chapter 13. Ordination of Elders 1021
Chapter 14. Dedication of a General
Superintendent 1031
Chapters 15-17
Chapter 15. Commissioning of Deaconesses
or Missionaries 1041
Chapter 16. Installation of Church Officers
and Committees 1051-1052
Chapter 17. Installation of Sunday School
and VBS Teachers and Workers 1061-1062
Chapters 18-20
Chapter 18. Groundbreaking 1071
Chapter 19. Laying the Cornerstone
of a Church 1081
Chapter 20. Dedication of a Church 1091