Chapter 1. Composition

¶401. The District Conference is a body of ministers and delegates from local churches in a given area designated by the General Conference. The District Conference shall adopt a program of district activities such as will strengthen and advance the work of each local church. It shall endeavor to strengthen and unite the churches of the district.

¶402. A District Conference shall be held annually in each district. Time and place of meeting shall be determined by the District Superintendent. The District Superintendent shall be in charge, and shall preside. In the absence of the District Superintendent he shall appoint a chairman.

¶403. The District Superintendent shall call special sessions of the District Conference when he deems necessary, when called upon to do so by the majority of the preachers of the district, or when called upon by the General Superintendent to do so.

¶404. The District Conference shall be composed of all elders, members on trial, and deaconesses of the district, one representative each from the Sunday School, stewards, Evangelical Methodist Men, Evangelical Methodist Women, Evangelical Methodist Youth, all District and General Conference officers living within the bounds of the district, and one elected delegate, 18 years of age or over, from each local church for every 30 members or fraction thereof. See ¶206 and ¶235.

¶405. All individuals holding credentials with the Evangelical Methodist Church shall attend the District Conference, unless providentially hindered.

¶406. Where Prayer and Planning Conferences are held within the districts, such conferences shall only constitute a time of spiritual fellowship and planning, unless publicized according to Disciplinary requirements as a called session of the District Conference; otherwise these conferences shall not constitute a body authorized to transact any District Conference business.

¶407. The District Council is an executive body charged with implementing and coordinating the district program as adopted by the District Conference. It shall fill vacancies in the district offices which may occur during the year. It shall not reverse the action of the District Conference nor begin new programs without District Conference approval.

¶408. The District Council shall be composed of the District Superintendent and assistants, district secretary, district treasurer, district lay leader, district youth director, and the presidents of Evangelical Methodist Men, Evangelical Methodist Women, and Evangelical Methodist Youth. The District Conference may add additional members at its discretion.

¶409. The District Conference shall have reserved to it the right to deal with all matters relating to the character and conference relations of its ministerial members, on the ordination of ministers, and such other rights as have not been delegated to the General Conference under the Discipline. It shall discharge such duties and exercise such powers as the General Conference under the Discipline may determine.