Discipline of EMC
2006 Edition
Evangelical Methodist Church
International Headquarters
Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by the authority of the 28th General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 9-13, 2006. Printing 2006. © 2006 by the General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church
Table of Contents
All references are to paragraphs
HISTORICAL STATEMENT CONSTITUTION BY-LAWS THE LOCAL CHURCH THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE THE MISSION CONFERENCE THE GENERAL CONFERENCE CONFLICT RESOLUTION THE MINISTRY JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION RITUAL AND WORSHIP
Paragraphs 1-17
Paragraphs 21-199
Chapter 1………………………………………………………………………… Articles of Religion 21- 46
Chapter 2………………………………………………………………………… General Rules 51- 54
Chapter 3………………………………………………………………………… Church Government 61- 64
Chapter 4………………………………………………………………………… Basic Denominational
Principles ………………………………………………………………………… 71-103
Division 1. Outlook ……………………………………………………………… 71- 75
Division 2. Conferences …………………………………………………………… 81- 84
Division 3. Ministry ……………………………………………………………… 91- 92
Division 4. Administration ………………………………………………………… 101-103
Chapter 5. Amendments to the Constitution ……………………………………… 111-112
Chapter 6. By-Laws ……………………………………………………………… 121-122
Paragraphs 201-399
Chapter 1. Purpose ………………………………………………………………… 201-211
Chapter 2. Membership …………………………………………………………… 221-227
Chapter 3. Annual Church Conference …………………………………………… 231-244
Chapter 4. Special Church Conference on Pastoral Relations ……………………… 251-260
Chapter 5. Annual Committees …………………………………………………… 271-289
Chapter 6. Board of Trustees ……………………………………………………… 301-305
Chapter 7. Board of Stewards ……………………………………………………… 321-330
Chapter 8. Elected Officers ………………………………………………………… 341-346
Chapter 9. Sunday School ………………………………………………………… 361-367
Chapter 10. Church Council ……………………………………………………… 381-391
Paragraphs 401-499
Chapter 1. Composition ………………………………………………………… 401-409
Chapter 2. Business ……………………………………………………………… 421-441
Chapter 3. Examinations ………………………………………………………… 471-482
Paragraphs 501-599
Chapter 1. Composition…………………………………………………………… 501-502
Chapter 2. Election………………………………………………………………… 511
Chapter 3. Rules and Powers……………………………………………………… 521-528
Paragraphs 601-699
Chapter 1. Composition …………………………………………………………… 601-613
Chapter 2. Elections ………………………………………………………………… 621-631
Chapter 3. Rules and Powers ……………………………………………………… 641-653
Paragraphs 701-799
Paragraphs 801-999
Chapter 1. The Call to Preach ……………………………………………………… 801
Chapter 2. The Matter and Manner of Preaching …………………………………… 811
Chapter 3. The Preacher in Charge ………………………………………………… 821-824
Chapter 4. The District Superintendent …………………………………………… 841-843
Chapter 5. The General Superintendent …………………………………………… 851-853
Chapter 6. Ministerial Relations …………………………………………………… 871-885
Chapter 7. Termination of Ministerial Relationship ……………………………… 901-911
Chapter 8. Course of Study for Preachers ………………………………………… 921-924
Paragraphs 1001-1099
Chapter 1. Offenses ……………………………………………………………… 1001-1002
Chapter 2. Investigation and Trial of Ministers …………………………………… 1011-1025
Chapter 3. Investigation and Trial of Lay Members ……………………………… 1031-1036
Chapter 4. General Directions …………………………………………………… 1041-1049
Chapter 5. Appeals ……………………………………………………………… 1061-1067
Paragraphs 1101-1499
Chapter 1. Order of Worship …………………………………………………… 1101-1104
Chapter 2. Calls to Worship …………………………………………………… 1111
Chapter 3. Calls to Evening Worship …………………………………………… 1121
Chapter 4. Invocations ………………………………………………………… 1131
Chapter 5. Affirmations of Faith……………………………………………… 1141-1142
Chapter 6. The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion ………………………… 1151
Chapter 7. Dedication and/or Baptism of Children and Infants ……………… 1161
Chapter 8. Baptism …………………………………………………………… 1171
Chapter 9. Receiving Persons into the Church ………………………………… 1181
Chapter 10. Receiving Persons by Transfer …………………………………… 1191
Chapter 11. Wedding Ceremonies …………………………………………… 1201-1202
Chapter 12. Burial of the Dead ……………………………………………… 1301
Chapter 13. Burial of a Child ………………………………………………… 1311
Chapter 14. Ordination of Elders …………………………………………… 1321
Chapter 15. Dedication of a General Superintendent ………………………… 1131
Chapter 16. Commissioning of Missionaries ………………………………… 1341
Chapter 17. Consecration of Diaconal Ministries Deacons and Deaconesses … 1351
Chapter 18. Installation of New Pastor………………………………………… 1361
Chapter 19. Installation of Church Officers and Committees ………………… 1371-1372
Chapter 20. Installation of Sunday Schooland VBS Teachers and Workers …1381-1382
Chapter 21. Groundbreaking ………………………………………………… 1391
Chapter 22. Laying the Cornerstone of a Church …………………………… 1401
Chapter 23. Dedication of a Church ………………………………………… 1411
HISTORICAL STATEMENT
¶1. The doctrine and spirit of pure Bible Christianity have existed at different times and in different degrees in all branches of the church of Christ.
¶2. “In 1729 two young men in England, reading the Bible, saw that they could not be saved without holiness, followed after it, and incited others so to do. In 1737 they saw likewise that men are justified before they are sanctified; but still holiness was their object. God then thrust them out to raise up a holy people.”
¶3. This was the rise of Methodism as described in the words of its founders, John and Charles Wesley. The name “Methodist” was applied to a group of students led by the Wesleys and George Whitefield in the University of Oxford, England, who came together for intellectual and spiritual improvement. Their systematic way of living merited the name, which was given them by fellow students.
¶4. On the evening of May 24, 1738, John Wesley had undergone his “heart warming” experience at a meeting of a religious society on
Aldersgate Street
, in London; an experience which his brother, Charles, had previously found. About a quarter of nine, while listening to Luther’s description of the change, which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, he says:
“I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
¶5. The original associations formed by Mr. Wesley and his preachers were called societies. They were voluntary associations of persons for mutual improvement in experimental and vital piety. They were still members of the Church of England; they attended its regular services and received the sacraments at its altars. A great revival began to spread over the British realm. It was a work of great depth and duration. To the Methodists God committed the precious work of awakening the British Kingdom to a sense of God and duty, and by them He wrought a reformation which stands alone as a spiritual revival without admixture of statecraft or patronage, or parliament or king.
¶6. The first Methodist Society was organized in 1739 when eight or ten persons, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin and earnestly groaning for redemption, came to John Wesley. They desired, as did two or three more the next day, that he would spend some time with them in prayer and advise them how to flee from the wrath to come. That they might have more time for this great work, he appointed a day when they might all come together, which from thence forward they did every week, namely, on Thursday in the evening. Their number increased daily. To all these he gave advice, which he judged most needful for them, and they always concluded their meetings with prayer suited to their several necessities.
¶7. After this rise of the United Societies in Europe, the spiritual movement fostered by them spread to America. In 1766 Philip Embury, a local preacher from Ireland, began to preach in New York City and formed a Society in the John Street Church. Another local preacher, Thomas Webb, a captain in the British Army, soon joined him and began preaching. About the same time, Robert Strawbridge, from Ireland, settled in Frederick County, Maryland, preaching there and forming societies.
¶8. In 1769 Wesley sent Richard Broadman and Joseph Pilmore to America and two years later Francis Asbury, who was to become the most memorable and influential man in American Methodism. Wesley ordained Thomas Coke and gave him authority to exercise the office of a bishop, calling him a superintendent, which is only another name for the same thing. Dr. Coke was sent to America with authority to ordain Asbury to the same Episcopal office. These two were to give general superintendency of all the Methodist societies in America.
¶9. The first Annual Conference of American Methodism was held in Philadelphia in 1773. The business was simple and brief. It consisted mainly in the agreement of the preachers to abide by the doctrines and Discipline of Mr. Wesley. There were ten traveling preachers, six circuits, and one thousand, one hundred and sixty members. The first circuit was organized in North Carolina and was called the “Carolina Circuit.” During a one year period, in 1777 and 1778, eighteen hundred souls were added to the societies. The work was signally owned of God; at the close of the War of the Revolution the number of traveling preachers was about eighty, and the members in the societies were about fifteen thousand.
¶10. When the independence of the United States was acknowledged by the Treaty of 1783, the American Methodists, most of whom had been members of the Church of England, were, according to the declaration of Mr. Wesley, “totally disentangled both from the state and the English hierarchy.” He added: “They are now at full liberty to follow the Scriptures and the primitive church, and we judge it best that they should stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has so strangely made them free.”
¶11. With a firm conviction that the gulf that separates conservative and liberal thought in the church is an ever-widening chasm which can never be healed, the Evangelical Methodist Church came into being to preserve the distinctive doctrines of primitive Methodism, founded upon the inspiration and authenticity of the Bible and upon the Articles of Religion as set forth by John Wesley.
On May 9, 1946, in the city of Memphis, Tennessee, a small group of preachers and laymen met together for consultation and prayer, endeavoring to cope with the growing apostasy of the church. After long hours of waiting before God in prayer, they felt definitely led of God to organize the Evangelical Methodist Church.
¶12. Dr. J. H. Hamblen, of Abilene, Texas, was elected chairman of the group meeting in Memphis, and was elected the first General Superintendent of the Evangelical Methodist Church the following November at the first Annual Conference at Kansas City, Missouri. In praying for the new movement, Dr. Hamblen prayed:
“Oh, Lord, if this movement be of Thy will, bless and prosper it; but, Lord, if not of Thy will, then let it die here and now.”
At the first conference session Dr. Ezequiel B. Vargas, Superintendent of the Mexican Evangelistic Mission, founded in 1926, was present and proposed that this work become a part of the Evangelical Methodist Church. At this time the Mexican Evangelistic Mission was made a part of the church. In 1954 the work was designated as the Mexico District. In 1957 the Mexican Evangelistic Conference, including all of the territory of Mexico, was established as the first Mission Conference. Dr. E. B. Vargas was elected by the General Conference to preside as General Superintendent over it.
¶13. On June 4, 1960, the Evangel Church, Inc. in session at its Annual Conference voted to unite with the Evangelical Methodist Church and thus become a part of the California District. Formerly known as the Evangelistic Tabernacles and founded by Dr. William Kirby and Dr. Cornelius P. Haggard, the group dates back to March 27, 1933. At the time of merger there were 8 churches and about 675 enrolled in Sunday school, with Rev. R. Lloyd Wilson serving as president of the organization. This merger was approved by the Western Annual Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church on June 22, 1960.
¶14. On July 3, 1962, the General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church voted to merge with the People’s Methodist Church, formerly known as the People’s Christian Movement, which came into being on January 1, 1938, with Rev. Jim H. Green as the first General Superintendent. The merger was finalized by vote of the People’s Methodist Church at a subsequent conference in the summer of 1962. Rev. J. Neal Anderson, General Superintendent at the time of the merger, was elected Superintendent of the Virginia-North Carolina District.
¶15. The Evangelical Methodist Church of Myanmar was born from missionary efforts dating back to 1897. The influence of the Welsh revivals in the early 1900’s had a great impact on the development of the small but committed Christian community of Myanmar. Within the Methodist Church in Myanmar were two doctrinal persuasions — Arminianism and Calvinism. In 1998 the leaders and pastors who had aligned with historic Wesleyan-Arminian doctrine organized with a desire to identify with a like-minded denomination. In 2001, a contact was made from this group of Methodists to the International Headquarters. After months of inquiry and the seeking of recommendations a visit was made to Myanmar by the Chairman of the General Board of World Missions and the General Superintendent in February 2003. In September 2003, the General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church and the Evangelical Methodist Church of Myanmar began a cooperative ministry relationship. The Evangelical Methodist Church of Myanmar became a Missions Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church in July 2006. Rev. Dar Ro Thanga served as the first General Superintendent of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Myanmar.
¶16. The rise and spread of the movement has been evidence of divine approval. The Evangelical Methodist Church in belief and practice knows that the only infallible proof of any genuine church of Christ is its ability to seek and save the lost, to disseminate the Christian spirit and life, to spread scriptural holiness as taught by the Lord Jesus Christ in the Word of God, over all lands, and to transform all people through the Gospel of Christ.
¶17. The sole object of the rules, regulations, and usages of the Evangelical Methodist Church is that it may fulfill in all places and years its original, divine commission as a leader in the evangelistic proclamation of the Gospel of Christ, in moral reforms by being true to the Bible, and seeking the salvation of all men from all sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
CONSTITUTION
Chapter 1. Articles Of Religion
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
¶21. There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead, there are three persons of one substance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
II. Of the Word, or Son of God, who was made very man.
¶22. The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures—that is to say, the Godhead and manhood—were joined together in one person; never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.
III. Of the Resurrection of Christ.
¶23. Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again His body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith He ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until He return to judge all men at the last day.
IV. Of the Holy Ghost.
¶24. The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
V. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
¶25. The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures, we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, of whose authority was never any doubt in the church.
The names of the Canonical Books:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher, Cantica, or Song of Solomon, Four prophets the Greater, Twelve prophets the less. All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.
VI. Of the Old Testament.
¶26. The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testaments everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being God and man. Wherefore they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof necessity to be received in any Commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding, no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.
VII. Of Original or Birth Sin.
¶27. Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.
VIII. Of Free Will.
¶28. The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such, that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God without the grace of God by Christ enabling us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.
IX. Of the Justification of Man.
¶29. We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings: whereof, that we are justified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.
X. Of Good Works.
¶30. Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.
XI. Of Works of Supererogation.
¶31. Voluntary works, besides, over and above God’s commandments, which are called works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye have done all that is commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants.
XII. Of Sin After Justification.
¶32. Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justification: after we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and, by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. And, therefore, they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
XIII. Of the Church.
¶33. The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the sacraments, duly administered, according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.
XIV. Of Purgatory.
¶34. The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardons, worshipping and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God.
XV. Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a Tongue as the people understand.
¶35. It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.
XVI. Of the Sacraments.
¶36. Sacraments, ordained of Christ, are not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s good will toward us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him. There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord.
Those five, commonly called sacraments—that is to say Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction—are not to be counted for sacraments of the gospel, being such as have partly grown out of the corrupt following of the apostles, and partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not the like nature of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, because they have not any visible sign of ceremony ordained of God.
The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as we worthily receive the same way have they a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith, I Cor. XI. 29.
XVII. Of Baptism.
¶37. Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized, but it is also a sign of regeneration, or the new birth. The baptism of young children is to be retained in the church.
XVIII. Of the Lord’s Supper.
¶38. The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and have given occasion to many superstitions.
The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. And the means whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is faith.
The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was not by Christ’s ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.
XIX. Of both Kinds.
¶39. The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people; for both the parts of the Lord’s Supper, by Christ’s ordinance and commandment, ought to be administered to all Christians alike.
XX. Of the One Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross.
¶40. The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction, for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in which it is commonly said that the priest doth offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and dangerous deceit.
XXI. Of the Marriage of Ministers
¶41. The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore, it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve best to godliness.
XXII. Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
¶42. It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for they have been always different, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men’s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s word. Whosoever, through his private judgment, willingly and purposely, doth openly speak against the rites and ceremonies of the church to which he belongs, which are not repugnant to the work of God, and are ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to do the like, as one that offendeth against the common order of the church, and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.
Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things may be done to edification.
XXIII. Of the Rulers of the United States of America*
¶43. The President, the Congress, the general assemblies, the governors, and the councils of state, as the delegates of the people, are the rulers of the United States, according to the division of power made to them by the Constitution of the United States, and by the Constitution of their respective states. And the said states are a sovereign and independent nation, and ought not to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction.
*The twenty-third Article of Religion in the Disciplines of all our church in foreign lands shall read:
XXIII. Of the Duty of Christians to the Civil Authority.
It is the duty of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers, to observe and obey the laws and commands of the governing or supreme authority of the country of which they are citizens or subjects, or in which they reside, and to use all laudable means to encourage and enjoin obedience to the powers that be.
XXIV. Of Christian Men’s Goods.
¶44. The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as some do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor according to his ability.
XXV. Of a Christian Man’s Oath.
¶45. As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James his apostle, so we judge that the Christian religion doth not prohibit but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the prophet’s teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.
XXVI. Perfect Love.*
¶46. Perfect love is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Spirit, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood of atonement cleanseth from all sin; whereby we are not only delivered from the guilt of sin, but are washed from its pollution, saved from its power, and are enabled, through grace, to love God with all our hearts and to walk in His holy commandments blameless.
[*Explanation: Christian perfection is a state of righteousness and true holiness, which every regenerate believer may obtain. It consists in being cleansed from all sin, loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. This gracious state of perfect love is obtainable in this life by faith, both gradually and instantaneously, and every child of God should earnestly seek to grow in grace. It does not deliver us from temptations, infirmities, ignorance, and mistakes, which are common to man. We accept as our doctrinal interpretation, Wesley’s Sermons, Wesley’s Notes on the New Testament, Wesley’s Journal, and Wesley’s A Plain Account of Christian Perfection.]
Chapter 2. General Rules
¶51. There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these Societies—a “desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.” But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation—
First, by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced: such as—
The taking of the name of God in vain;
Profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying or selling;
Drunkenness, or drinking spirituous liquors unless in cases of necessity;
Fighting, quarreling, brawling; brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using of many words in buying or selling;
The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty;
The giving or taking things on usury—i.e. unlawful interest.
Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation, particularly speaking evil of magistrates or of ministers;
Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us;
Doing what we know is not for the glory of God: as,
The putting on of gold, and costly apparel;
The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus;
The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God;
Softness or needless self-indulgence;
Laying up treasure upon earth;
Borrowing without a probability of paying, or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.
¶52. It is expected of all who continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation.
Secondly, by doing good, by being in every way kind and merciful after their power, as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men:
To their bodies of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison;
To their souls by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that “we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it.”
By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others, buying one of another, helping each other in business; and so much the more because the world will love its own, and them only.
By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed.
By running with patience the race which is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely for the Lord’s sake.
¶53. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation.
Thirdly, by attending upon all these ordinances of God; which are,
The public worship of God;
The ministry of the word, either read or expounded;
The Supper of the Lord;
Family and private prayer;
Searching the Scriptures; and
Fasting, or abstinence.
¶54. These are the General Rules of our Societies; all of which we are taught of God to observe, even in His written Word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be known unto them who watch over that soul, as they who must give an account. We all admonish him of the error of his ways: we will bear with him for a season; but then if he repent not, he hath no more place among us; we have delivered our own souls.
Chapter 3. Church Government
¶61. The Evangelical Methodist Church is both congregational and connectional in its form of government.
¶62. It is connectional in that the entire church operates under the Constitution and By-Laws enacted by the General Conference in the Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church. All local churches who affiliate with the Evangelical Methodist Church operate under the Discipline.
¶63. It is congregational in two ways.
First—as to property rights. This can be done in one of three ways:
(1) Property rights are vested, with respect to ownership and maintenance, in the local church and held in trust to the local church by the trustees of the local church. See ¶208 and ¶209(7).
(2) Provided, however, that where a two-thirds majority of the local church expresses their desire by ballot, all properties of the local church may be held by the trustees in the following manner: In trust, that said premises shall be used, kept, maintained, and disposed of as a place of divine worship for the use of the ministry and membership of the Evangelical Methodist Church, subject to the Discipline and usages of said church, as authorized and declared by the General Conference of said church and by the District Conference within whose bounds the said premises are situated.
(3) The General Conference may make provision for the holding of property, other than the above, when mission money or general funds are involved.
¶64. Second—as to calling a pastor. The choice of pastor is vested with the local church for its final authority, subject to the Discipline of the church as authorized and declared by the General Conference.
Chapter 4. Basic Denominational Principles
DIVISION 1. OUTLOOK
¶71. There are certain basic principles that underlie and compel the existence of the Evangelical Methodist Church. They can be summed up in six brief statements: The church is fundamental in belief, pre-millennial regarding the second coming, missionary in outlook, evangelistic in endeavor, cooperative in spirit, and Wesleyan in doctrine.
¶72. We mean by fundamental in belief that we take our stand on the Bible as the Word of God—its plenary, unique inspiration and its supreme authority in our lives.
¶73. We mean by missionary in outlook that there is a burning desire to keep before the world the size of the plan of redemption, that ‘He by the grace of God should taste death for every man,’ and to hasten under all possible Christian means the salvation of men, and to keep before the church the magnitude of her unfinished task.
¶74. By the statement that we are evangelistic in endeavor we mean that we seek the salvation of men through concentrated effort to win them to Christ. That concentrated effort largely is the awakening that comes in revival spirit when the Holy Spirit convicts of sin in either mass evangelism or personal evangelism. We seek to promote true revivals of religion in our churches as the supreme aim of the church and relate men to Christ in saving and sanctifying grace.
¶75. We are cooperative in spirit. We urge and believe that we should cooperate with other like bodies of the evangelical Christian faith and not withdraw ourselves into a closed religious corporation. The largeness of the undertaking, the brevity of opportunity, the constraining love of Christ, all show that we should cooperate to the fullest with Bible-believing Christians everywhere, and still maintain a deep and abiding loyalty to our own church as a God-directed and Christ-centered movement for such a time as this.
DIVISION 2. CONFERENCES
¶81. There shall be Annual Church Conferences in each church or pastoral charge which shall operate under and in harmony with the General Conference and shall be constituted with powers, duties, and privileges as set forth in the Discipline.
¶82. There shall be District Conferences which shall operate under and in harmony with the General Conference and shall be constituted with powers, duties, and privileges as are set forth in the Discipline.
¶83. There shall be Mission Conferences, which shall operate under and in harmony with the General Conference and shall be constituted with powers, duties and privileges as are set forth in the Discipline.
¶84. There shall be a General Conference for the international church with powers, duties, and privileges as are set forth in the Discipline. The General Conference shall constitute the law making body of our church and shall operate under and in harmony with the Constitution.
DIVISION 3. MINISTRY
¶91. The Constitution provides for one ministerial ordination, that of elder. Elders, members on trial, and deacons and deaconesses are members of the District Conference with voting privileges. Elders and members on trial are known as traveling preachers to distinguish them from local preachers who are not members of the District Conference.
¶92. The General Conference shall provide the qualifications, duties, powers, and privileges of elders, members on trial, local preachers, and deacons and deaconesses.
DIVISION 4. ADMINISTRATION
¶101. There shall be superintendents to supervise the work of the church.
¶102. The General Superintendent(s) shall be elected by ballot by the General Conference according to the provision of the Discipline. The qualifications, powers, duties, privileges, and limitations of the General Superintendent(s) shall be defined by the General Conference to whom they are amenable for administration responsibility. The areas of service shall be assigned by the General Conference, but if no areas are assigned the General Superintendent(s) shall agree as to their respective areas.
¶103. The District Superintendents shall be elected by ballot by the District Conference according to the provisions of the Discipline. The qualifications, powers, duties, privileges, and limitations of the District Superintendents shall be defined by the General Conference according to the Discipline.
Chapter 5. Amendments To The Constitution
¶111. The Constitution can be amended only by the following procedure: (1) Three-fourths majority vote of any General Conference, and (2) Ratification by two-thirds of the local churches voting in a referendum according to the provisions set forth in the Discipline.
¶112. Proposed amendments to the Constitution may originate in the General Conference, a Mission Conference or a District Conference.
Chapter 6. By-Laws
¶121. All which follows in the Discipline, not specifically in the Constitution, shall be known as the By-Laws.
¶122. The By-Laws can be amended by any General Conference, but must always be in harmony with and not contrary to the Constitution.
BY LAWS
THE LOCAL CHURCH
Chapter 1. Purpose
¶201. The Christian Church is composed of all believers who are trusting in the blood of Jesus Christ for salvation and cleansing from all sin. The local church is a collection of persons who believe and practice that the Holy Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God, inerrant in the originals, and is the final authority for life and truth. They are converted to God (born again), accepting the salvation of Jesus Christ through faith in His atonement made for the sins of all men. The local church is also a collection of persons, who by mutual agreement unite for the purpose of worshiping God, for Christian fellowship, to receive the Word of God through preaching, to receive the Sacraments, to pray and work together, to seek and save the lost, to disseminate the Christian spirit and life, and to send out the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord. Let each church have an altar rail or mourner’s bench in a prominent place in front of the pulpit, which shall be as near the center of the platform as possible for the benefit of all.
¶202. The local church, acting in its Annual Church Conferences, constitutes the basic governmental body of the Evangelical Methodist Church. All other conferences and officers derive their administrative powers and duties from the local church acting through its delegates at the District and General Conference levels. The local churches act cooperatively at the district and general levels by carrying out the programs and following the Discipline adopted by their delegates at these conferences (¶61, 62).
¶203. The local church shall promote Christian worship, teach the whole Bible, cause to be preached the teachings of Christ, evangelize the unsaved, promote missions both at home and abroad, minister to the local needs, foster and encourage religious and social fellowship among its members, and apply the teachings of Christ to everyday life.
¶204. The word congregation shall refer to the body of members of a local church. One or more local churches shall constitute a pastoral charge under the Discipline, properly organized and to which a minister has been duly called, or appointed, as pastor in charge. Every such local congregation is an integral part of the conferences of churches known as the Evangelical Methodist Church, whose purpose it shall be to spread Scriptural holiness throughout the world in accordance with the Wesleyan tradition: (1) Regeneration — the new birth — in the heart of the repentant sinner; (2) Sanctification — the baptism of the Holy Spirit — subsequent to regeneration, and instantaneously wrought in the heart of the believer; and to serve God and our fellowmen in the fullness of love. The Evangelical Methodist Church does not accept the doctrinal position that speaking in tongues is the evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit. The local church cooperates with the designated conferences of the church and supports the work through all of its organizations as outlined in the Discipline. It is represented at and reports to the District Conference and accepts the Discipline as to general practice and ritual. It shall not legislate nor promote doctrines or policies not in keeping with the Discipline. 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(7). The church is also connectional and churches desiring to unite with the Evangelical Methodist Church shall sign the following affiliation resolution and secure the approval of the District Conference, the District Superintendent and the General Superintendent. Three copies of the affiliation resolution shall be sent to the District Superintendent who shall forward one copy to the District Secretary and one copy to the General Secretary. This affiliation resolution has no bearing upon ownership of property or Disciplinary provisions thereof.
The affiliation resolution shall read:
Resolution of a congregation located at ______________ desiring to be known as the _______ Evangelical Methodist Church of _____________ requesting formal affiliation with the Evangelical Methodist Church, with Headquarters at Indianapolis, Indiana.
WHEREAS, this congregation desiring to be known as the _________ Evangelical Methodist Church of _____________ has accepted as to general practice and ritual that body of religious doctrine, and that collection of rules and procedure and organization entitled, Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church, and
WHEREAS, this congregation desires to formally affiliate with, have membership in, support the spiritual and financial programs of said Evangelical Methodist Church, and to send delegates to its Conferences;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by this congregation on this _________ day of ____________ in the year ______ that they request said Evangelical Methodist Church accept and approve this request for affiliation and acknowledge that acceptance and approval.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of this congregation is hereby authorized and directed to send three (3) true copies of this Affiliation Resolution, duly certified by him (her) to be such, to the District Superintendent.
CERTIFICATION:
I, ________________________, the duly elected and acting Secretary in charge of the Minute Book and records of this congregation, hereby certify this to be a full, true and correct record of action taken by this congregation in a legal meeting held on the ____ day of _________ in the year ______, and that the action has not been modified or rescinded and is at the date of this certification in full force and effect.
In witness whereof, I the undersigned have executed this certificate in the presence of these witnesses this _______ day of _____________________ in the year __________.
______________________________, Secretary
Witnesses:
¶205. The local church treasurer shall send 5% of its monthly disbursements, excluding the deductions listed below, to the District Treasurer each month. These funds, hereafter known as the Conference Support, shall then be forwarded by the District Treasurer to the General Treasurer. Monies expended for General Conference or District Conference church extension, missions, the operation of Christian day schools, new construction, construction improvements, building indebtedness, furnishings and equipment for the church and parsonage, and the housing allowance for the pastor and other paid staff members shall not be included in computing the amount of the Conference Support payment. These funds are to be used for the administration of the programs of the denomination as decided upon by the General Conference. Each District Conference is empowered to assess an additional percentage of Conference Support for the administration of the programs of the district as decided upon by the District Conference, but in no case shall the District Conference support be less than 5%. The local church treasurer shall remit this additional percentage of the local church’s monthly disbursements, excluding the deductions listed above, to the District Treasurer at the same time and in the same manner as that for the General Conference.
¶206. The church treasurer and pastor shall check to see that all Conference Support has been paid at the end of the fiscal year and shall report the same to the Annual Church Conference. It there is a shortage of Conference Support payments, the church shall have until thirty days before the District Conference to make up the deficit. If the deficit is not made up in this time, the church will not be allowed to seat delegates at the General and District Conferences, except upon recommendation of the District Superintendent and upon two-thirds vote of the conference.
¶207. The pastor, or person responsible, shall certify that the church has paid its Conference Support when he completes his reports to the District Conference. If the church is not paid in full, he shall indicate what plans have been made for fulfilling the obligation. When the deficit is made up the pastor must certify the same to the District and General Conference Treasurers.
¶208. No transfer, sale, or exchange of property can be made without first notifying the District Superintendent and following the procedure of the Discipline.
¶209. In the event that a local church desires to vote on the question of withdrawal from the Evangelical Methodist Church, the local church must follow the procedure set out below:
(1) Four weeks prior to vote. If a withdrawal vote is to be taken, the District Superintendent must be notified in writing by the Pastor and/or the Chairman of the Board of Stewards at least four (4) weeks prior to the Annual Church Conference that the matter of withdrawal will be considered at the annual church conference. The District Superintendent must preside at the taking of any vote on the subject of (a) the local church’s withdrawal from the denomination and/or (b) the local church’s conveying, selling, exchanging, or encumbering of property in connection with, or in any way related to, a withdrawal.
(2) Two weeks prior to vote. At least two (2) weeks in advance of the withdrawal vote, the District Superintendent must certify in writing to the General Superintendent, with a copy to the local church, that the local church has paid its conference support to date and repaid to the district and/or the denomination all monies disbursed to that local church by the district and/or the denomination (the “Disbursed Funds”). The Disbursed Funds include, but are not limited to grants, loans, and monies disbursed to that local church by the district and/or denomination for any and all purposes, including amounts paid directly to the pastor as salary. No withdrawal vote may be taken unless the local church has received this written certification two (2) weeks prior to the vote.
(3) The initial vote. A withdrawal vote can be taken only at the time of the Annual Church Conference. The motion to withdraw requires a favorable vote of three-fourths of the eligible church membership present and voting for passage. If an initial withdrawal motion receives a three-fourths vote, the pastor and any lay persons in the local church who hold offices in the District Conference or General Conference shall be deemed to have resigned those positions.
(4) The one-year waiting period. If the motion to withdraw receives the necessary three-fourths vote, there shall be a waiting period of one year (the “waiting period”).
(5) The second vote. At the end of the waiting period, a second vote on the motion to withdraw must be taken. If the motion to withdraw again receives the necessary three-fourths vote, the withdrawal shall be effective immediately. The pastor shall surrender his/her credentials or resign as pastor of the church, effective the day of the final vote.
(6) Sixty day notice of transactions. 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 the 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).
(7) No property transaction until after certification of second vote. The local church may not transfer, sell, exchange or encumber property in connection with, or in any way related to a withdrawal from the Evangelical Methodist Church unless the District Superintendent has certified in writing to the General Superintendent, with a copy to the local church, that the local church has paid its conference support to date and has completed each step of the procedure outlined in ¶209, including but not limited to a vote of three-quarters of the members present and eligible to vote in favor of withdrawal during two consecutive annual church conferences that were presided over by the District Superintendent. In addition, any document that transfers, sells, exchanges or encumbers property in connection with or, in any way related to, a withdrawal must be countersigned by the District Superintendent in order to be valid.
¶210. Encumbrance of church property shall be made only upon favorable vote of two-thirds of the eligible voting membership of the local church present and voting at the Annual Church Conference or a Special Church Conference according to the Disciplinary provision. Notice of such church conference shall be made at least two Sundays prior to such meeting, which may occur as early as the second Sunday.
¶211. In the event a local church is dissolved, the local church shall transfer to the trustees of the district in which the church is located the title to all church property, subject to prior claims and lien holders. In disposing the property, any written recommendation(s) of the congregation may be considered.
Chapter 2. Membership
¶221. All persons who have been saved from their sins, who believe in Jesus Christ as God’s only begotten Son, that He was born of a virgin, that He died for our sins, that He was buried and the third day rose from the dead, that He ascended into heaven and is coming again, and who have confessed Him as their Lord and Saviour before men, and who are willing to walk in the light as given by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God may be considered for membership in the Evangelical Methodist Church.
¶222. When the pastor is satisfied that the candidates for membership are born-again Christians, when they have been baptized, and have taken the vows of church membership, and have knowledge of and have expressed willingness to keep the doctrines, rules, and regulations of the Evangelical Methodist Church, he shall receive them into membership and present them to the church.
¶223. Members in good standing in any evangelical church who desire to unite with us may be received into full membership by taking the vows and after having given satisfactory evidence of their willingness to support and be loyal to the Evangelical Methodist Church.
¶224. Associate membership is available to those who desire membership in a local Evangelical Methodist Church but must hold membership elsewhere. Privileges of associate membership shall exclude voting on the pastoral question (¶251), voting on the pastoral call (¶252), voting on the sale of property (¶208), and voting on the question of withdrawal from the denomination (¶209). Associate membership is non-expiring as long as membership expectations are met.
¶225. When requested by a member, or his delegated representative, a certificate of transfer shall be granted and sent to the pastor, or secretary, of the church to which he is transferring, by the pastor or secretary.
¶226. A letter of withdrawal shall be issued when requested by an individual, and the reason for withdrawal recorded in the membership roll book.
¶227. Anyone joining another denomination without a certificate of transfer shall be recorded as having withdrawn.
Chapter 3. Annual Church Conference
¶231. The District Superintendent shall set the time for the Annual Church Conference in consultation with the pastor.
¶232. The date of the Annual Church Conference shall be published at least two Sundays prior to said meeting, and the voting members present, who shall be at least sixteen years of age, shall constitute a quorum.
¶233. The District Superintendent, if it is possible for him to be present, or his appointed representative shall preside, otherwise the pastor shall act as chairman of the meeting. The District Superintendent must preside at the Annual Church Conference if a vote is taken on the question of whether the local church should withdraw from the Evangelical Methodist Church. The church secretary shall keep the minutes and reports. Any member who absents himself/herself for a period of six months, except for sickness or an excused absence by the Board of Stewards, shall forfeit the right to vote.
¶234. The Annual Church Conference shall receive written reports from the pastor, chairman of the board of trustees, chairman of the board of stewards, Sunday School superintendent, financial secretary, treasurer, president of Evangelical Methodist Men, president of Evangelical Methodist Women, president of Evangelical Methodist Youth, and all committees necessary.
¶235. The Annual Church Conference, after receiving the report of the Nominating Committee and after giving the opportunity for nominations to be made from the floor, shall elect persons to the following offices: Board of Trustees (one-third each year), Board of Stewards, Sunday School Superintendent, Youth Counselor(s), Church Secretary, Financial Secretary and/or Treasurer.
The Annual Church Conference shall also elect the following committees: Christian Education Committee, Evangelism Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, Pastoral Relations Committee, and World Missions Committee.
The Annual Church Conference may also elect as many of the other committees described in paragraphs 271-289 as are deemed necessary. The Annual Church Conference may also elect lay delegates and alternate lay delegates to the General and District Conferences, or this may be done at a later time by a special church conference called for that purpose. In consultation with and approval of the District Superintendent a local church, church plant, or church restart, may modify its local church structure of boards and committees to fit its unique mission and administrative model.
¶236. No person shall be elected to an office, board or committee in the church who is not a member in good standing (with the one exception indicated in ¶301) or who opposes the doctrine of entire sanctification as a second work of grace, or who is bound by habits detrimental to the highest Christian witness and testimony. The eligibility of divorced and remarried persons to hold office shall be determined by the local church.
¶237. All local church and Sunday School officers shall be elected at the Annual Church Conference and shall take office immediately upon election. Officers of all organizations within the church shall be elected by the time of the Annual Church Conference. A public installation service is recommended.
¶238. The Annual Church Conference may conduct any other business, which shall be in keeping with the Discipline.
¶239. The roll of members may be called at the Annual Church Conference, and they may, by majority vote of those present and voting, strike off the name of any who, on account of change of residence or other cause other than sickness, have absented themselves for six months from the services of the church, provided, however, that such member has been contacted by the pastor or chairman of the Membership Committee, if possible, and informed of such proposed action. Such persons so discontinued shall be notified.
¶240. The following is a suggested order of business for the Annual Church Conference.
(1) Devotional service and prayer.
(2) Review and reports of all the work of the church, including reports from the pastor, chairman of the board of trustees, chairman of the board of stewards, Sunday School superintendent, financial secretary and/or treasurer, president of the Evangelical Methodist Men, president of the Evangelical Methodist Women, president of Evangelical Methodist Youth, and all committees necessary to report.
(3) Receive the report of the Nominating Committees and elect officers, teachers, and committees for the coming year.
(4) Presentation of the new budget.
(5) Recommend proper persons to the District Conference. Any additional business must be approved by the pastor in consultation with the Board of Stewards.
¶241. It shall be the duty of the church secretary to present the register and records of the church to the Annual Church Conference for inspection. All records and books kept by the officers of the local church and Sunday School shall be the property of the Evangelical Methodist Church, and shall be surrendered at the end of one’s tenure in office.
¶242. The Annual Church Conference, or a Special Church Conference, shall issue lay exhorter’s license* to proper persons. The Annual Church Conference may recommend proper persons to the District Conference, or the District Board of Ministerial Relations, for license to preach, for admission into the District Conference, and for deacon/deaconess orders.
[*Lay Exhorters. Let the congregation encourage young men of zeal and sincerity to serve Christ and the church. Those limited in their ability because of education, economics, or other reasons may seek license as lay exhorters and be granted the same under the authority of the local church and the supervision of the pastor. Such license shall be granted at the Annual Church Conference, or Special Church Conference, and shall be renewed annually according to the discretion of the local church.]
¶243. A Special Church Conference may be called by the pastor (or if there is no pastor, the District Superintendent), trustees, stewards, or Pastoral Relations Committees (according to ¶251). The time for such meetings shall be set in consultation with the District Superintendent and the time and purpose of the meeting shall be published at least two Sundays prior to said meeting, which may occur as early as the second Sunday. The District Superintendent, if it is possible for him to be present, or his appointed representative shall be in charge of such meetings, in whose absence the pastor shall preside, except in the case of a meeting to determine the pastoral question of ¶251, 252, at which time, if it is impossible for the District Superintendent or his appointed representative to preside, the chairman of the Pastoral Relations Committee shall be in charge.
¶244. No meeting to transact business pertaining to the church shall be held without the pastor’s knowledge except when a church is without a pastor. The pastor shall have the privilege of attending all such meetings except those of the Pastoral Relations Committee. The Pastoral Relations Committee may invite the pastor for purposes of consultation.
Chapter 4. Special Church Conference On Pastoral Relations
¶251. If the Pastoral Relations Committee determines by a majority vote that a pastoral vote should be held, the committee may, after consulting with the District Superintendent, call a Special Church Conference according to ¶ 243 during the months of April or May for the purpose of voting on the following question: “Shall the present pastoral relationship be continued beyond the last Sunday in July?” Voting shall be by ballot without debate. If there is an affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting, the pastor will be allowed fifteen days in which to notify the church of his decision on the matter.
¶252. When a pastoral vacancy occurs, the Pastoral Relations Committee shall obtain from the District Superintendent a list of potential candidates. Since any Evangelical Methodist minister in good standing in his/her District Conference is eligible for consideration, the Pastoral Relations Committee may also develop its own list of potential candidates from among the ministerial members of the denomination. From the lists of potential candidates and after consultation with the Board of Stewards, the committee shall choose and submit one name as a candidate for pastoral leadership, subject to the provisions of the Discipline. Initial contact with all candidates shall be made by the District Superintendent on behalf of the church. If the candidate resides in another District, his/her District Superintendent shall be notified prior to the contact. Selection of a new pastor shall be by two-thirds ballot vote of those present and voting at the Special Church Conference according to ¶243.
¶253. The local church shall first attempt to secure its pastor from among the ministerial members of the denomination. In the event a ministerial member of the denomination cannot be secured, the District Superintendent may appoint a pastor as a temporary pulpit supply. He/she shall not receive new members into the local church nor shall he/she sign any legal documents on behalf of the local church. Such pastors are under the direct supervision of the District Superintendent in whose district they are serving and can be removed by him at any time.
¶254. Immediately following a congregational vote on a new pastor, the chairman of the Pastoral Relations Committee shall communicate the decision of the church to the candidate and the District Superintendent.
¶255. A pastor-elect, having received a call from a local church, must reply within fifteen days after having received notification, regarding his acceptance or rejection of the call.
¶256. The local church may extend a pastoral call for a period of two or more years during which time no votes on the pastoral question may be taken except by request of the pastor.
¶257. It shall be the responsibility of the pastor, except by agreement with the church, to continue his/her ministry through the last Sunday in July. The local church is responsible for the salary and benefits of the outgoing pastor through the last Sunday in July unless, by agreement with the church, he/she voluntarily terminates his/her ministry prior to that date (See ¶824.)
¶258. Persons to be employed in such capacities as assistant pastors, ministers or directors of Christian education, ministers or directors of youth, ministers or directors of music, etc. shall be under the authority of the senior pastor. Each such staff position must be created by a majority vote of the congregation, upon the recommendation of the pastor and the Board of Stewards. Their salaries must be approved by the congregation at the Annual Church Conference or a Special Church Conference. Potential staff persons must be interviewed by the pastor and the Board of Stewards. The duties and services of these persons shall be determined by the pastor and the Board of Stewards. The employment of staff members shall be done by a two-thirds vote of the congregation upon the recommendation of the pastor and the Board of Stewards. Termination of such employment may be done by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Stewards upon the recommendation of the pastor. In the event of a pastoral change, the incoming pastor may request the resignations of all other staff members in order that he may have the freedom to construct his own staff.
¶259. Persons to be employed in such capacities as custodians, secretaries, nursery workers, etc. shall be employed by the Board of Stewards in consultation with the pastor. Such employees’ duties, salaries, and continued employment shall be determined by the Board of Stewards in consultation with the pastor.
¶260. The pastor shall be an ex-officio member of all local church boards and committees except the Board of Trustees and the Pastoral Relations Committee.
Chapter 5. Annual Committees
¶271. The AUDITING COMMITTEE shall audit the financial records of the financial secretary and the treasurers of the church and organizations of the church or churches, following the close of the fiscal year. They shall report their findings to the stewards. An audit may be called for at any time deemed necessary by the stewards.
¶272. The BUILDING MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE is to be responsible for:
(1) Maintaining the physical property in good repair, clean and comfortable.
(2) The janitor, gardener, and other employees to care for the building, in cooperation with the stewards.
(3) Cooperating with the Evangelical Methodist Women in keeping the parsonage furnishings nice and comfortable.
¶273. The CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE shall be responsible, subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Stewards, for the entire Christian education program of the local church. This shall be understood to include the Sunday School, the Vacation Bible School, and all other Christian education ministries for children, youth, and adults. The committee may be composed of the officers and teachers of the Sunday School.
¶274. The COMMUNION COMMITTEE shall secure the elements for Holy Communion, see that cloths, cups, trays, etc. are ready for communion in cooperation with the pastor, and care for necessary details.
¶275. The EVANGELISM COMMITTEE shall promote evangelism by every means available. It shall work with the pastor in arranging for evangelistic services, conferences, etc.
¶276. The FINANCE COMMITTEE is to:
(1) Prepare an operating budget and present it to the Annual Church Conference for action. See ¶240 (4).
(2) Inform the church as to the needs of the budget.
(3) Make a study of the pastor’s salary previous to the Annual Church Conference or a Special Church Conference, and make a recommendation to the congregation at that meeting concerning the pastor’s salary. In the case of a new pastor being called, the Finance Committee shall make a recommendation concerning the new pastor’s salary, to be voted upon at the time of the Special Church Conference to consider the new pastor.
¶277. The FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE shall be in charge of greeting people, both before and after the services of the church, endeavoring to make them feel welcome and wanted. They shall work with the Evangelical Methodist Women in securing information for the proper care of the sick, shut-ins, and strangers.
¶278. The LITERATURE COMMITTEE shall call attention to the publication of new books, materials, literature, and exhibits of an evangelical nature, which lift up Christ in a positive manner.
¶279. The MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE shall:
(1) Be on the lookout for prospective members.
(2) See that membership records are properly kept up to date.
(3) Visit the members annually to pray and study with them.
(4) Do visitation work at the request of the pastor or stewards.
(5) After consulting with the pastor, present the names of inactive members to be dropped at the Annual Church Conference according to ¶239.
¶280. The MUSIC COMMITTEE shall:
(1) Provide for the music of the church services by securing an organist, pianist, or other musicians, in consultation with the pastor.
(2) See that the church is supplied with Gospel hymn books, Gospel choir music, and other Gospel books for use in singing.
(3) Prepare a budget to be submitted to the Finance Committee for the musical program of the church.
¶281. The NOMINATING COMMITTEE shall be composed of the pastor (as chairman) and six additional members elected by the Annual Church Conference, after nomination by the Nominating Committee, representing the following:
(1) Board of Trustees
(2) Board of Stewards
(3) Sunday School
(4) Evangelical Methodist Men
(5) Evangelical Methodist Women
(6) Evangelical Methodist Youth
The Committee shall meet prior to the Annual Church Conference in order to prepare its report to the said church conference, and the slate of nominees shall be published at least two full weeks prior to the said church conference.
¶282. The PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE shall be composed of six people elected at the Annual Church Conference, after nomination by the Nominating Committee, representing the following:
(1) Board of Trustees
(2) Board of Stewards
(3) Sunday School
(4) Evangelical Methodist Men
(5) Evangelical Methodist Women
(6) Evangelical Methodist Youth
At the option of the pastor, a seventh member may be added to the Pastoral Relations Committee who shall be chosen by the pastor to represent him on the committee. No member of the pastor’s family, nor more than one member of any immediate family of the church shall be on the Pastoral Relations Committee.
¶283. The PASTORAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE shall assume the responsibility for filling the pulpit during the absence of the pastor, consulting with the pastor and cooperating with him where it is possible in carrying out this duty.
¶284. The POLICY COMMITTEE shall make a careful survey of the work of the church or charge, make recommendations for its improvement or extension, and suggest new projects to the Annual Church Conference for the coming year.
¶285. The RECORDS COMMITTEE shall inspect the records of the various secretaries of the church and organizations of the church or churches. They shall report their findings to the Annual Church Conference.
¶286. The STEWARDSHIP AND TITHING COMMITTEE shall:
(1) Inform the local church concerning both local and conference needs and ministries around the world.
(2) Be responsible for a stewardship and tithing campaign within each local church once a year. Tithing is the Bible standard and goal.
(3) Endeavor to secure signatures on tither’s cards and encourage cooperation and help from all available sources.
(4) Insistently lay on the consciences of all the obligation of each individual member to contribute proportionately of his means to the work of the church. One should give in proportion to his ability above the tithe.
(5) Train our people to contribute to the church regularly and systematically.
(6) Urge the people to give weekly as God prospers.
(7) Recommend the envelope system.
¶287. The TEMPERANCE COMMITTEE shall present the cause of temperance and other kindred causes.
¶288. The USHERS COMMITTEE shall:
(1) Greet the people and see that they are comfortably and quietly seated.
(2) Receive the offering, making whatever preparation is necessary.
(3) Properly direct people in the Lord’s Supper.
¶289. The WORLD MISSIONS COMMITTEE shall be responsible for promoting the cause of world missions within the local church. This shall be understood to include both foreign missions and home missions. It shall be the responsibility of the committee to plan and sponsor activities and programs that will enlarge the congregation’s understanding of the great world mission of the church as well as to expand the congregation’s involvement in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Chapter 6. Board of Trustees
¶301. The Board of Trustees shall be composed of not fewer than three nor more than nine members of the local church who are at least twenty-one years of age. Trustees shall be elected for three-year terms with one-third of them being elected each year. One trustee may be a non-member of the local church.
¶302. Each local Evangelical Methodist Church should be incorporated under the laws of the state in which it is located, if the state allows the incorporation of religious bodies. The trustees are the directors of the corporation.
¶303. The Board of Trustees are empowered under the following articles of incorporation and by the church to:
(1) Hold title to all church property, accept bequests, endowments, and such other valuables as the church may acquire, except tithes and offerings of the regular church budget, and administer the same in accordance with the wishes of the donors.
(2) Transact a sale of property only when (a) authorized by the congregation with the proceeds deposited according to the wishes of the congregation and (b) consistent with the requirements of the Discipline, including without limitation ¶208 and ¶209(7).
(3) Transact all legal business, safeguarding church property.
(4) Make a written report to the Annual Church Conference.
(5) Elect a chairman and secretary of the Board of Trustees from among its members at the first meeting of the Board immediately after the Annual Church Conference.
¶304. The duties of the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES shall be:
(1) Responsibility of calling meetings.
(2) Executing actions taken by the trustees.
(3) Seeing that all duties of the trustees are carried out.
¶305. The duties of the SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES shall be:
(1) Secure a place of safekeeping for all legal papers of the church including policies, deeds, money deposits, receipts, etc., and be responsible for same.
(2) Record all legal documents and as certain legal ownership.
(3) Keep accurate record of all meetings and transactions of the Board of Trustees.
Chapter 7. Board of Stewards
¶321. The Board of Stewards is a representative body elected by and amenable to the local congregation. It carries out the program and business of the local church as adopted at the Annual Church Conference and Special Church Conferences. The Board of Stewards derives its power and functions from the local church and Discipline. It cooperates with the pastor in the administrative and pastoral ministry to which the congregation has called him.
¶322. The Board of Stewards shall be composed of three or more members of the Evangelical Methodist Church who are at least eighteen years of age, provided they are persons of Christian character with a born-again experience, and who love the Lord and His church. No member shall be re-elected to the Board of Stewards for a period of one year after having served for three consecutive years.
¶323. The Board of Stewards shall be elected at the Annual Church Conference. As soon as possible after their election the stewards shall organize and elect their chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary, and determine the time of their regular monthly meeting. The church treasurer shall be responsible to the stewards.
¶324. The minutes of all meetings of the Board of Stewards shall be kept in a permanent record by the secretary of the Board, and shall be available to the stewards and the pastor.
¶325. All committees of the church shall work with the stewards and pastor, and report to them when called upon to do so.
¶326. The Board of Stewards shall:
(1) Lead the entire congregation in all spiritual matters by precept and example.
(2) Inform the pastor of any sick, needy, sin-sick, or disorderly person; spend time in visiting these needy people that Christ may be presented to them and help them.
(3) With the pastor, hold teachers and workers in the church and Sunday school and the youth counselors in the youth departments responsible for doctrinal soundness, moral conduct, efficiency, and competency; investigate any reported breach of these responsibilities, and act in the spirit of Christ, according to the Word of God.
¶327. The Board of Stewards shall provide for the financial and material interests of the church:
(1) Provide for the support of the dissemination of the Gospel.
(2) Make financial provision for the local, conference, missionary, and other properly authorized programs of the church.
(3) Lay upon the minds and hearts of the members of the church the privilege and duty of systematic giving, with emphasis on the Bible plan of financing God’s work by tithes and offerings. The envelope system is recommended as a method whereby tithes and offerings may be received and properly recorded. [See ¶286 (7).]
(4) See that monthly financial reports are prepared and see that every member is informed regarding the extent and needs of the various works of the church.
(5) Make provision for meeting the budget as adopted at the Annual Church Conference.
(6) See that the local church’s Conference Support is paid in full according to ¶205.
(7) See that the financial matters of the Sunday School are properly conducted, and the fourth Sunday missionary offering is remitted to the General Conference Treasurer.
¶328. The Board of Stewards shall:
(1) Encourage the members of the church in personal evangelism, and lead them in other types of evangelism.
(2) Lighten the pastoral load by calling on visitors to determine their interest and encourage them to accept Christ as their personal Saviour and live for Christ.
(3) Work with the Evangelism and Membership Committees in the visitation work, the Sunday School, and mass evangelism efforts, in consultation with the pastor.
¶329. The Board of Stewards shall encourage the Christian education work of the entire church:
(1) They shall be responsible for the Christian educational work of the church, including all youth activities, and shall cooperate and work with the Sunday School superintendent and pastor.
(2) They shall provide a regular study group of adults, to meet on Sunday nights at the time of the youth meetings whenever possible, to study the Bible and pertinent subjects in keeping with the Discipline.
¶330. The Board of Stewards shall be empowered to fill any vacancies occurring during the year except in the offices of stewards and trustees. Vacancies in these offices may be filled only by a special church conference called for that purpose. The above provision does not apply to the filling of a vacancy in the office of pastor or that of any other paid staff member. The procedure provided elsewhere in the Discipline shall be followed in filling these vacancies.
Chapter 8. Elected Officers
¶341. The CHURCH HISTORIAN shall see that all records and books containing minutes that are no longer in current use are collected and kept for historical purposes.
¶342. The CHURCH SECRETARY’S duties:
(1) To record and preserve the minutes of all Annual Church Conferences, Special Church Conferences, and the meetings of the Church Council.
(2) To record the names of new members as they present themselves for membership and give such information to the pastor.
(3) To record and preserve the minutes of all the meetings of the Board of Stewards when requested to do so by the Board of Stewards.
(4) To handle correspondence for the local church when requested to do so by the pastor or the Board of Stewards.
¶343. The FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S duties:
(1) To receive and record all money coming to the church, except such funds designated for the trustees of the church.
(2) To receive and record all fourth Sunday missionary money coming from the Sunday School treasurer.
(3) To deposit promptly all funds in a bank approved by the Board of Stewards.
(4) To keep a record of envelope and designated contributions.
¶344. The TREASURER’S duties:
To assist the Finance Committee in forming the operating budget.
(1) To pay all bills, approved by the Board of Stewards, promptly.
(2) To send all Conference Support payments and fourth Sunday missionary offerings to the appropriate treasurer each month.
(3) To report to each monthly meeting of the Board of Stewards on the financial condition of the church and to submit a report to the Annual Church Conference.
(4) To post in the church a monthly financial statement of all the church funds.
¶345. Provision may be made by the Annual Church Conference or Special Church Conference, to operate the financial affairs of the church under the unified financial system, in which one financial secretary and one treasurer handle all finances of the church and Sunday School. Under this system the treasurer shall keep the funds, with the necessary accounts, for all organizations. Such funds shall be deposited in one bank account. Each organization shall receive a receipt from the treasurer for funds so remitted to him (her). The treasurer of each local church organization shall furnish the church treasurer with a voucher indicating the amount and purpose for which a check should be drawn.
¶346. The accounts of all treasurers shall be audited annually, at the end of the fiscal year, by the Auditing Committee elected by the Annual Church Conference.
Chapter 9. Sunday School
¶361. The Sunday School of the Evangelical Methodist Church is not to be considered an independent or isolated agency; rather it is to be an integrated part of the church. All officers and teachers in the Sunday School should be members in good standing of the Evangelical Methodist Church.
¶362. There is to be a Sunday School officers and teachers meeting called at least quarterly by the Sunday School superintendent or pastor to oversee the work of the Sunday School in cooperation with the local Sunday School superintendent and Board of Stewards. The duties of the officers and teachers meeting shall be:
(1) To oversee the work of the Sunday School.
(2) To receive reports and recommendations from the various divisions of the Sunday School.
(3) To review the work of the Sunday School and make recommendations for improvements.
(4) To give attention to the growth of the Sunday School.
(5) To propose general plans for the Sunday School and present them to the Board of Stewards for policy consideration.
(6) To set up at least one course each year for the purpose of training the officers and teachers.
(7) To elect a Sunday School Nominating Committee to nominate teachers for all children’s, youth, and adult classes and Sunday School officers. Individual classes may elect their own class officers. The pastor, minister of Christian Education, and Sunday School superintendent shall be members of the Sunday School Nominating Committee. All teachers must be approved by the pastor and Sunday School superintendent.
(8) To fill all vacancies that occur during the year, with the approval of the pastor and Sunday School superintendent.
¶363. There shall be meetings of workers in each department whenever necessary.
¶364. The Sunday School shall observe Promotion Day and Rally Day annually.
¶365. The Sunday School is to be divided into the following departments:
(1) Cradle Roll – under 2 years old.
(2) Nursery – 2 and 3 years old.
(3) Beginners – 4 and 5 years old.
(4) Primary – 6 to 8 years old.
(5) Junior – 9 to 11 years old.
(6) Junior High – 12 to 14 years old.
(7) Senior High – 15 to 17 years old.
(8) Young Adult – 18 to 24 years old.
(9) Adult – 25 years and up.
¶366. These departments may be divided into general groups as follows:
(1) Children’s Division – to 11 years.
(2) Young People’s Division – 12 to 24 years.
(3) Young Adult Division – 18 to 24 years
(4) Adult Division – 25 years and up.
¶367. Except where the unified financial system is used, the offerings of the Sunday School are to be handled by the Sunday School treasurer. He (she) shall submit the fourth Sunday missionary offerings to the financial secretary. All bills are to be approved by the officers and teachers meeting, and on their approval are to be paid by the Sunday School treasurer. Approval for certain established expenses can be made at the beginning of the Sunday School year.
Chapter 10. Church Council
¶381. Called meetings of the officials of the church shall be known as the church council. Members of the church council shall be the trustees, stewards, pastor, treasurer, financial secretary, Sunday School superintendent, president of Evangelical Methodist Men, president of Evangelical Methodist Women, president of Evangelical Methodist Youth, youth counselors. The presiding officer shall be the pastor or chairman of the board of stewards or the board of trustees, and the church secretary shall act as secretary.
¶382. The purpose of the church council shall be to resolve issues or matters of policy referred to it by the Board of Stewards. If deemed advisable, the church council may refer the same to a special called meeting of the congregation.
¶383. A report of all church council action shall be made to the congregation by the church secretary as soon after each meeting as is practical.
¶ 391. When a local church declines to eight (8) or less active church members and/or the average attendance is under ten (10), the local church enters a mission church status for a two (2) year period. A local church may also request this status at any time, which may be granted by the District Board of Evangelism and the District Superintendent. A mission [church] status consists of:
(1) The District Board of Evangelism and the District Superintendent shall assist the local church pastor and leadership with all administrative functions of the local church.
(2) A redevelopment ministry path will be developed and implemented by the district.
(3) After the two (2) year period there will be an evaluation and recommendation by the District Board of Evangelism and District Superintendent. The local church will vote at that time to return to full church status or be closed in accordance with ¶211.
THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE
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, the General Superintendent shall preside if present. Otherwise, the District Superintendent shall appoint a chairperson.
¶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 deacon/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. The General Superintendent shall participate as an ex-officio member in all District Conferences.
¶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, except that of the District Superintendent. In the event a District Superintendent does not fulfill his term of office through the end of the quadrennium, the respective District Council and the General Superintendent shall appoint a qualified elder (see¶425) to serve the office of District Superintendent until the next District Conference. 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.
Chapter 2. Business
¶421. The District Conference shall inquire into the condition of the charges concerning:
(1) Their spiritual state.
(2) Missionary work.
(3) Work of the Sunday School.
(4) Work of the Evangelical Methodist Men.
(5) Work of the Evangelical Methodist Women.
(6) Work of the Evangelical Methodist Youth.
(7) Support of the general church and its institutions.
¶422. The District Conference shall adopt a program of Christian Education, which is in cooperation with the General Conference program. The responsibility for outlining, presenting, and promoting such a program shall be delegated to the Board of Christian Education.
¶423. The District Conference shall outline a program of missionary work so as to enlarge the vision and service of each local church. This shall be delegated to the Board of World Missions.
¶424. At the District Conference prior to the General Conference, the District Conference shall elect a secretary, treasurer, lay leader, youth director, and statistician. These officers shall be elected for the quadrennium after nominations are presented by the Nominating Committee.
¶425. At the District Conference prior to the General Conference each district will elect a District Superintendent. District Superintendents shall have been ordained elders in the Evangelical Methodist Church for at least four years and shall have had acceptable pastoral experience. Nominations for the office of District Superintendent shall be made from the floor, without discussion of the qualifications of the nominees, on the first day of the District Conference. A district search committee may be appointed by the District Council to present names of potential candidates to the District Conference. A resume from each nominee shall be distributed by the district secretary following the nominations. It shall be made available to the delegates the same day to acquaint them with the qualifications of the nominees. Where the District Conference covers more than one day, the election shall take place the day following the distribution of the resumes. The District Superintendent elected by the District Conference, whether new or incumbent, shall be determined by a simple majority vote. The vote will be by ballot, and even though there may be only one nominee, a vote should be taken. The District Superintendent will assume the office at the close of General Conference.
¶426. All members of the District Conference shall attend its sessions, and they shall furnish to the District Conference such reports and in such form as the District Conference requires. During the District Conference no minister or lay delegate is excusable from the sessions except for outside conference business.
¶427. The District Conference may make rules to govern its own procedure only in keeping with the Discipline and powers granted by the General Conference. A District Conference may not financially obligate the Evangelical Methodist Church or an organizational unit thereof, except the District Conference itself. No District Conference shall create a debt on said conference other than operating expenses without a two-thirds vote of the District Conference.
¶428. The District Conference shall keep an exact record of its personnel, proceedings, reports, and statistics. It shall send a copy of the minutes to the General Conference Secretary and the General Conference Statistician. The secretary of the District Conference shall keep a copy to be handed to his successor in office.
¶429. The District Conference shall provide adequate surety bonds for all officers handling funds of the conference. All records of secretaries, treasurers, and statisticians shall be kept according to the forms prescribed by the laws of the church. The books shall be audited annually by a qualified public accountant and the auditor’s report shall accompany the treasurer’s report. All books and records kept by District Conference officers are the property of the Evangelical Methodist Church and shall be surrendered at the end of one’s tenure in office. Implementation shall be the responsibility of the District Superintendent.
¶430. There shall be a district Board of Trustees in every district. The first and original board shall be chosen by the District Superintendent where there is no established District Conference, and elected by the District Conference if such District Conference is already established. This Board of Trustees shall be composed of three or more male members if possible, at least one-third of whom shall be laymen, whose terms of office shall be for one, two, and three years respectively. The trustees should immediately incorporate under the laws of the respective state embracing the territory of the district, or if more than one state be embraced in the district then the state should be designated by the District Conference.
¶431. By-Laws to the articles of incorporation should immediately be prepared by, or with, legal counsel. The trustees shall be the directors of the corporation, and shall hold in trust all property, including real estate, money, negotiable bonds, annuities, or other assets which have been committed to them, and administer the same according to the terms of the gifts or contracts, and under the direction of the District Superintendent and the District Conference. The District Superintendent shall not be a trustee.
¶432. The district trustees shall be amenable to and shall report to the District Conference.
¶433. District Conference reports shall be for the past fiscal year.
¶434. The Local Preachers seeking to serve as pastor of a local congregation in the Evangelical Methodist Church may serve only as “Accepted Supply Pastor.” The Local Preacher is placed in this position by the District Superintendent in consultation with the local church Pastoral Relations Committee, and may be removed by the District Superintendent at any time. The Local Preacher may serve as Accepted Supply Pastor for a maximum of three years, at which time he must advance to Admission on Trial, or forfeit the privilege to remain in the ministry. Local Preachers shall furnish a written report of their work to the District Board of Ministerial Relations annually with proper recommendation from their Annual Church Conference for renewal of license.
¶435. A list of all ministerial members who fail to attend the District Conference for a period of two successive years shall be compiled by the District Superintendent and submitted to the Board of Ministerial Relations, and upon recommendation by the Board of Ministerial Relations the conference may locate without consent or discontinue. The above provision does not apply to missionaries outside the United States.
¶436. Ministerial members not serving as pastors shall submit annually a written report of their work to the District Superintendent of the district in which they hold membership. This report is to be in the hands of the District Superintendent thirty days in advance of the annual session of the District Conference. A list of all ministerial members who fail to report for a period of two successive years shall be compiled by the District Superintendent and submitted to the Board of Ministerial Relations. Upon recommendation by the Board of Ministerial Relations, the conference may locate without consent such persons. The statistical reports of those serving as pastors shall be accepted as such written report.
¶437. A list of ministerial members not engaged in one of the following activities shall be compiled by the District Superintendent and submitted to the Board of Ministerial Relations and upon recommendation by the Board of Ministerial Relations the conference may locate without consent or discontinue.
(1) Pastoring an Evangelical Methodist Church.
(2) Pastoring an approved non-Evangelical Methodist Church.
(3) Approved administration.
(4) Approved missions.
(5) Approved evangelists.
(6) Educators in approved Christian institutions.
(7) Students in approved courses of study.
(8) Supernumerary and superannuated ministers.
(9) Other approved activities.
Approval for continuance in (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), and (9) shall be renewed annually upon request of the individual and the recommendation of the Board of Ministerial Relations.
¶438. The ordination of elders in full connection customarily will take place at a District Conference under the direction of the General Superintendent in cooperation with the District Superintendent, assisted by other elders. Ordination at a later date outside of the District Conference cannot take place until the candidate has first been approved by the District Conference in accordance with ¶875 and ¶876. The commissioning of missionaries and consecration of deacons and deaconesses will customarily take place at the District Conference under the direction of the District Superintendent in cooperation with General Superintendent.
¶439. At the district conference prior to the General Conference, the district conference shall elect the following boards and committees for the quadrennium after nominations are presented by the Nominating Committee:
Board of Christian Education
Board of Evangelism
Board of Finance
Board of Ministerial Relations
Board of Trustees
Board of World Missions
Board of Youth Activities
Board of Ministerial Education
Court of Appeals
Investigation Committee
Minutes Committee
Nominating Committee
Program Committee
Resolutions Committee
Standing Rules Committee
A representative from the district shall also be elected at this time to serve on the General Conference Board of Discipline Revision.
¶440. The District Conference may also elect such other committees as are deemed necessary. Boards and committees shall present programs for approval to the District Conference and shall implement and supervise the same when so approved. Members of boards and committees shall hold office until the end of the District Conference in which their successors are elected.
¶441. All boards and committees (except Ministerial Relations, which shall be composed entirely of elders) should be composed of five members, three of which are ministers and two laymen, if available. District Superintendents and General Conference officers shall not serve as chairmen of the District Conference boards. No one shall serve on more than two District Conference boards at the same time.
Chapter 3. Examinations
¶471. The District Conference shall inquire concerning what is being done by the churches to discover those who are called of God to the ministry, to test their fitness for this work, and to aid them in their preparation. It shall license proper persons as local preachers, when, in its judgment, their gifts, graces and usefulness warrant. It shall take cognizance of all local preachers within the district, and annually inquire, by committee or otherwise, touching their development in the Christian life, their progress in literary and theological studies, and their success in Christian work, and when satisfied of their fitness, on their application, shall renew annually their license.
¶472. The District Conference shall license to preach local preachers. A local preacher is not a ministerial member of the District Conference. However, he may be a lay delegate from the church, which he serves. No license shall be issued for a local preacher until he completes the course of study and is examined by the District Board of Ministerial Relations.
¶473. When necessity requires it, the District Superintendent and chairman of the District Board of Ministerial Relations shall have the power to issue a temporary local preacher’s license between sessions of the District Conference. The candidate shall have completed the course of study for a local preacher’s license and shall have been recommended by his Annual Church Conference.
¶474. The District Conference may admit into membership in the manner prescribed by the Discipline only those who have met all the disciplinary requirements for membership. The chairman of the Board of Ministerial Relations shall maintain a file on each ministerial member and local preacher in the district. This file shall be made available for use when necessary in conducting church business and shall include the following information: date of birth, date of marriage, name of spouse, date of granting of local preacher’s license, date of commissioning as a deacon/deaconess, date of admission on trial, and date of ordination.
¶475. The District Conference shall elect a Board of Ministerial Relations of five ordained elders, two of whom, may hold credentials in another district. The duty of the Board of Ministerial Relations shall be to examine all applicants for local preacher’s license, admission on trial, elder’s orders, from other churches on credentials, change of conference relationship, deacon’s orders, deaconess’s orders, requests for sabbatical leave, and report such examinations to the District Conference. A majority vote of the District Conference is necessary for adoption or entrance.
(1) They must examine and make full inquiry as to the fitness of candidates for local preacher’s license, admission on trial, elder’s orders, deacon’s orders, deaconess’s orders for: character, habits of life, conversion, call to preach, Christian experience, age, domestic situation, cooperation with others, ability to lead a service of worship, and understanding of the church’s mission according to the Discipline. The candidates must be enthusiastic about the work of the Evangelical Methodist Church. The answers to these questions must be submitted in writing. In the case of those coming from other churches, inquiry must also be made as to these same qualifications.
(2) No one shall be licensed to preach or be admitted into the District Conference by any method unless he subscribes to the form, policy, and doctrines of the Evangelical Methodist Church as contained in the Discipline.
(3) Ministers shall not be accepted as transfers from one District Conference to another without the consent of the General Superintendent and both District Superintendents.
(4) No candidate shall be licensed unless he agrees to totally abstain from the use of tobacco, liquor, dope, gambling, homosexuality, and intimacies with the opposite sex outside of the marriage relationship. Any man who develops any of these vices shall be expelled from our ministry without delay.
(5) A candidate for admission on trial, elder’s orders, deacon’s orders, deaconess’s orders, or local preacher’s license shall have met the requirements in the course of study.
(6) The chairman of the Board of Ministerial Relations shall be empowered, on recommendation of the respective District Superintendent, to issue temporary credentials to ministers bearing recognized credentials from a similar organization, with the understanding that such ministers shall sever their former connection no later than the next District Conference.
(7) In the event a minister who has left the Evangelical Methodist Church desires to return, he must re-enter through the same district he withdrew.
¶476. No candidate may be accepted into the ministry of the Evangelical Methodist Church who has been divorced and remarried or who has married a divorced person. The only exceptions to this rule that will be considered are:
(1) When the divorce(s) occurred prior to conversion.
(2) When the divorced person(s) is/are the innocent party in the case of adultery or desertion.
These exceptions will only be made when, upon the recommendation of the District Superintendent, the Board of Ministerial Relations determines that the call of God is strong, the evidence of ministerial gifts is present, and a new life beyond reproach has been established.
¶477. In the event a minister in the Evangelical Methodist Church experiences a marital separation or divorce, the District Superintendent shall have the authority to suspend the minister immediately from his pastoral duties. The District Superintendent and the District Board of Ministerial Relations shall make a thorough investigation, interviewing the parties involved. After completing the investigation, and in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of Ministerial Relations, the District Superintendent shall direct the minister to surrender his credentials, take a one-year sabbatical from the ministry, or continue in ministry uninterrupted.
¶479. The official announcement of a traveling preacher being transferred changes his membership, so that his rights and responsibilities in the District Conference to which he goes begin from the date of transfer.
¶480. Ministers entering their first pastorate in the Evangelical Methodist Church shall be assigned a counseling elder for a period of one year by the District Superintendent in consultation with the District Board of Ministerial Relations
¶481. Each District Conference shall furnish credentials for elders, members on trial, local preachers, and deacon/deaconesses, signed by the District Superintendent, or other presiding officer, and the secretary of the District Conference.
¶482. Active licensed credential holders in the Evangelical Methodist Church, with the exception of missionaries serving on the foreign field, shall participate in not less than two continuing education units per year unless excused for exceptional circumstances by the District Superintendent. The Board of Ministerial Education shall determine acceptable programs of study.
THE MISSION CONFERENCE
Chapter 1. Composition
¶501 When a mission or a group of trans-cultural churches desires Mission Conference status, upon the recommendation of the General Conference Board of World Missions and the approval of the General Council, a two-thirds vote of the General Conference will be necessary for recognition as a Mission Conference.
¶502. The geographical borders of a Mission Conference shall be determined by the General Conference.
Chapter 2. Election
¶511. Each Mission Conference shall elect a Mission Conference General Superintendent as its chief administrative officer.
Chapter 3. Rules and Powers
¶521. A Mission Conference shall be organized as nearly as possible like a District Conference in the United States and shall publish a manual as nearly like the Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church as the laws and customs of the respective country/countries allow. The manual must include but not limited to (a) The Articles of Religion and the General Rules of historic Methodism, (b) the history of the Evangelical Methodist Church, (c) an organizational structure, and (d) ritual and worship, all of which must be approved initially by the General Conference Board of World Missions.
¶522. Missionaries serving in cooperation with a Mission Conference may hold credentials in said Conference as well as in their home District Conference. Personnel employed by the General Conference Board of World Missions working in cooperation with a Mission Conference shall be under the supervision of the General Conference Board of World Missions.
¶523. A Mission Conference may send five lay and five ministerial delegates to each General Conference of the international church, with full rights on the floor.
¶524. A Mission Conference may retain all internal funds for its own general operating expenses and programs.
¶525. A Mission Conference may not financially obligate the Evangelical Methodist Church or an organizational unit thereof.
¶526. Funds, other than those raised by the Mission Conference, for budgets and projects approved by the General Conference Board of World Missions shall be disbursed according to the policies of the Board.
¶527. Cooperative activities with a Mission Conference shall be coordinated by the General Board of World Missions through its Chairman/Director and/or Field Director, including individuals and teams from Evangelical Methodist Church visiting a Mission Conference.
¶528. Each Mission Conference may appoint a representative to participate on General Conference Boards and Committees, with the exception of the Board of Finance and Board of Trustees.
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
Chapter 1. Composition
¶601. The Evangelical Methodist Church shall be composed of the following conferences: General Conference, Mission Conferences, District Conferences, and Annual Church Conference in all local churches. The General Conference adopts programs of a general nature whereby the local churches may carry out cooperatively their Divine commission to all the world.
¶602. The General Conference shall meet once in every four years, the place to be determined by the General Conference or by the General Council. A special session of the General Conference may be called by the General Council when deemed advisable.
¶603. The General Conference shall be composed of all elders, members on trial, one representative each from the Sunday School, stewards, Evangelical Methodist Men, Evangelical Methodist Women, Evangelical Methodist Youth, all General Conference officers, and one elected delegate 18 years of age or older from each local church for every 30 members or fraction thereof. Members on trial shall not have voting privileges. Each Mission Conference shall be allowed to send five ministerial and five lay delegates.
¶604. The ministerial and lay members shall deliberate as one body. They shall vote as one body, but a separate vote shall be taken on any question when requested by one-third of either order or delegates present and voting. In all cases of separate voting it shall require the concurrence of a majority of each order to adopt the proposed measure.
¶605. There shall be a Cabinet composed of the General Superintendent, Mission Conference Superintendents and the District Superintendents. It shall have no executive or legislative authority, but it shall function in an advisory capacity with respect to church policy and in a promotional capacity with respect to church program. In this capacity the Cabinet shall facilitate the development and endorsement of denomination-wide programs of the General Boards and Districts that unite the districts in areas of evangelism, missions, Christian education, and leadership training. The Cabinet shall recommend and promote priorities and goals annually that incorporate individual district goals with the General Church goals for General Council endorsement. The District Superintendents shall promote approved priorities and goals in their individual districts. The Cabinet has the option of electing one of the district superintendents as the Dean of the Cabinet in a servant role at the beginning of the quadrennium. The Dean will promote unity and clear communication among Cabinet members.
¶606. The General Council shall be composed of:
(1) General Superintendent(s).
(2) General Conference Secretary-Treasurer.
(3) General Conference Lay Leader.
(4) Chairpersons of General Conference boards.
(5) District Superintendents.
(6) General Conference Presidents of Evangelical Methodist Men, Women, and Youth.
(7) Mission Conference General Superintendent(s).
¶607. The duties and authority of the General Council shall be defined by the General Conference. The General Council shall be amenable to the General Conference. A quorum shall be a majority of the total number of General Council members.
¶608. The duties of the General Council shall be:
(1) To give direction to the church by presenting creative and practical programs to the General Conference for adoption, seeking to anticipate the future needs and continued growth of the church.
(2) To fill vacancies in the General Conference during the quadrennium.
(3) To implement and coordinate legislation and programs adopted by the General Conference in cooperation with General Conference boards, departments and committees.
(4) To perform such other duties commonly cared for by an executive body.
(5) To distribute copies of the minutes and voting record of the sessions to the local churches and key personnel of the denomination immediately following the meetings.
¶609. The General Council, at regularly scheduled meetings, may by a two-thirds vote, disaffiliate a congregation, at the request of the appropriate district, meeting in regular or special session.
¶610. The General Council shall not reverse the action of the General Conference nor begin new programs without General Conference approval. Actions taken by the General Council shall not continue in effect beyond the next General Conference unless approved by the General Conference.
¶611. No Board, Department or Committee has the power to create an indebtedness of more than $10,000.00 on behalf of the General Conference without the approval of the General Council.
¶612. Procedure for conducting General Council business by correspondence shall be as follows:
(1) A General Superintendent, or five members of the body, shall be empowered to properly set a matter before the General Council.
(2) The General Conference Secretary shall process the transaction of business.
(3) All ballots must be returned within four weeks from the date of mailing.
(4) Notice of any action taken shall be sent to each minister and church.
¶613. An Investment and Disbursement Committee shall act in the investment and disbursement of any undesignated gifts received through wills, trusts, and other forms of giving. It shall be composed of the chairman of the Board of Finance, head of the Department of Stewardship & Development, General Conference Secretary-Treasurer and two members-at-large elected by the General Council. The General Superintendent will serve on this committee in an ex-officio capacity. All investments shall be in insured accounts to protect the principal.
Chapter 2. Election
¶621. The General Conference shall determine the number of General Superintendents, and any assistants, on the first day of the conference. Nominations for these offices shall be made from the floor, without discussion of the qualifications of the nominees, on the second day of the conference. A search committee may be appointed by the General Council to present names of potential candidates to the General Conference. They shall be elected by ballot, without debate and according to Disciplinary provisions on the third day of the conference. A resume from each nominee shall be distributed by the General Conference Secretary following their nominations, copies of which, shall be made available to the conference delegates to acquaint them with the qualifications of the nominees. Election of the General Superintendent(s) shall be the order of the day at 10:00 a.m. on the third day of the conference. The newly-elected General Superintendent(s) and family shall be presented to the Conference and shall be granted the privilege of addressing the conference. The incumbent General Superintendent(s) shall preside throughout the General Conference and the successor(s) shall take office immediately upon adjournment of the General Conference.
¶622. The General Conference shall elect a Secretary-Treasurer after nominations are made from the floor. He shall be elected by ballot without debate and shall be amenable to the General Council and the General Superintendent. The General Conference shall also elect a Lay Leader and a Statistician after nominations are presented by the Nominating Committee.
¶623. The General Conference shall have the following agencies:
(1) BOARDS
Board of Christian Education
Board of Discipline Revision
Board of Evangelism
Board of Finance
Board of Ministerial Education
Board of Ministerial Relations
Board of Trustees
Board of World Missions
Board of Youth Activities
(2) COMMITTEES
Minutes Committee
Nominating Committee
Program Committee
Resolutions Committee
With the exception of the Board of Discipline Revision and Board of World Missions, the above Boards and Committees shall be composed of the chairpersons of the corresponding District Boards and Committees. The chairperson, 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 [see ¶528 and ¶625].
¶624. The General Conference shall have a Board of Discipline Revision composed of one elected representative from each district. The chairperson of this Board shall be elected by the General Conference upon nomination by the Nominating Committee from among the members of the respective Board.
¶625. There shall be a Board of World Missions, which the Nominating Committee shall nominate and the General Conference shall elect. This Board shall elect its own chairperson.
¶626. The General Conference shall also have these COMMITTEES WITHOUT DISTRICT COUNTERPARTS:
Historical Committee, appointed by the General Superintendent;
Conflict Resolution Committee, appointed by the General Superintendent;
Boundary Committee, composed of the Cabinet.
¶627. The General Conference shall have these DEPARTMENTS:
Department of Multicultural Ministries
Department of Fraternal Relations
Department of Health Insurance and Retirement
Department of Publications
Department of Stewardship and Development
Prayer Department
The heads of these Departments shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the General Conference. The elected Department heads, in consultation with the General Superintendent, shall choose personnel as necessary to carry out their duties.
¶628. There shall be a Court of Appeals composed of seven elders elected by the General Conference upon nomination by the Nominating Committee. (See ¶1061.)
¶629. Boards, Committees and Departments shall present programs to the General Conference for approval and implementation. Members of Boards, Committees and Departments shall serve until the end of the quadrennial General Conference, at which time the newly formed Boards, Committees and Departments shall begin to function. No one shall serve on more than two General Conference Boards at the same time.
¶630. District Superintendents and General Conference officers shall not serve as chairpersons of the General Conference Boards.
¶631. The Board of Ministerial Relations shall be composed of the chairperson of each District Board of Ministerial Relations. It shall be the responsibility of the General Board of Ministerial Relations to determine uniform standards concerning character, competency and ministry for all applicants for local preacher’s license, admission on trial, elder, deacon, deaconess, transfer between conferences and transfer from other denominations.
Chapter 3. Rules and Powers
¶641. The General Conference shall have power to make rules and regulations for the Evangelical Methodist Church under the following limitations and restrictions:
(1) It shall not revoke or change the Articles of Religion, or establish any new standards of rules of doctrine contrary to the present and established standards and doctrines, either by legislation or practice.
(2) It shall not revoke or change the General Rules of the Evangelical Methodist Church.
(3) It shall not do away with the privilege of ministers of trial by committee, or of appeal. Neither shall it do away with the privilege of members in the local church of trial before the local church trial court.
¶642. The General Conference shall have the power to locate the International Headquarters, and to relocate them when expedient to do so. All purchases of real property for the General Conference must be approved by the General Conference by a two-thirds majority vote.
¶643. The church shall be incorporated under the title, The General Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church.
¶644. The General Conference shall make provision for the salaries and expenses of the general officers of the church and the operating expenses of the general church. All General Conference personnel, except headquarters office employees, must be elected by the General Conference and their duties and salaries fixed by the same.
¶645. The General Conference shall determine the number and boundaries of the District Conferences. It shall have power to change the boundaries at any regular session of the General Conference.
¶646. The General Conference, acting through the Cabinet, shall prepare all report blanks and credential certificates for use throughout the entire church.
¶647. The General Conference (as well as any other conference) may be memorialized through its boards, departments, committees, officers or agencies. Memorials may originate with any conference, board, department, committee, lay organization, officer or agency on the District or General Conference levels. The local church may memorialize the District Conference. Memorials are to be sent directly to the appropriate conference, board, department, committee or agency. More than one board, department, committee or agency may be memorialized on the same matter where there is an overlapping of interests. Boards, departments, committees or agencies receiving memorials may accept them in whole or in part or reject them completely as deemed necessary. (For Discipline Revision see ¶649.)
¶648. No persons, no paper, no organization has the authority to speak officially for the Evangelical Methodist Church except as authorized by the General Conference under the Discipline.
¶649. No change shall be made in the Discipline unless the proposed change has been duly presented to the Board of Discipline Revision for consideration. Although proposed changes may originate at any level of the church, a proposed change must receive a favorable vote by a District Conference or by the General Council before being presented to the Board of Discipline Revision. Proposed changes approved by a District Conference or by the General Council must be submitted to the Board of Discipline Revision by January 1 of the year of the General Conference. Proposed changes approved by the Board of Discipline Revision must be submitted to the General Council for review and may be returned to the Board with the recommendation for further revision or study. The final report of the Board of Discipline Revision must be submitted in writing to each local church thirty days prior to the General Conference. To otherwise bring it directly to the floor of the General Conference is possible only by a two-thirds majority vote of the conference. If thus brought directly to the floor, it must be postponed overnight before final action. A two-thirds favorable vote of the conference shall be required to effect all changes.
¶650. The General Conference shall provide adequate surety bonds for all officers handling funds of the conference. The books shall be audited annually by a qualified public accountant and the auditor’s report shall accompany the treasurer’s report. All books and records kept by General Conference officers are the property of the Evangelical Methodist Church and shall be surrendered at the end of one’s tenure in office. Implementation shall be the responsibility of the General Superintendent.
¶651. Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the authoritative basis for the parliamentary procedure of the General Conference and shall be followed in all business sessions of the conference as well as in committee, board, or other group meetings of bodies of the General Conference. The presiding officer shall appoint a parliamentarian at each business session of the conference when the elected parliamentarian is absent.
¶652. Final approval of the Constitution and By-laws of the Evangelical Methodist Men, Evangelical Methodist Women, and Evangelical Methodist Youth must be given by the General Conference before these can become effective. The General Conference may make any change deemed necessary for the good of the coordinated work of the general church.
¶653. The General Council shall ratify the final disaffiliation vote of a local church. A written request for re-affiliation with the denomination requires a favorable vote of a majority of the General Council in order for the local church to re-enter the Evangelical Methodist Church.
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
¶701. Peacemaking: Controversies Regarding Non-Doctrinal Matters
Principles. The Bible provides that believers should resolve disputes among themselves or within the Church whenever possible (Matthew 18:15-20; Corinthians 6:1-8). The Bible also provides that believers are subject to and should obey the governing authorities, which include the courts of law (Romans 13:1-5).
Resolving Disputes. The EMC, its districts and congregations (collectively, the "Parties," individually, "party") agree that they will attempt to resolve all non-doctrinal disputes among themselves without resort to the courts. A non-doctrinal dispute is a dispute within the EMC that a civil court could otherwise decide and, therefore, does not include matters of church doctrine. For example, all disputes between the Parties concerning real and personal property, including all property questions arising out of or related to the withdrawal of a congregation from the EMC, are non-doctrinal disputes. The Parties agree to abide by the requirements of the Discipline regarding withdrawal and other non-doctrinal disputes. This Chapter does not govern disputes regarding a minister’s or member’s alleged violation of church doctrine, including those matters discussed in Paragraphs 901-967 of the Discipline.
Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration. If the Parties are unable to resolve a future non-doctrinal dispute among themselves, they shall resolve that dispute by means of Christian conciliation, mediation, or arbitration. Any party to the dispute (or the General Superintendent of the EMC, if he or she is not already a party to the dispute) may initiate that process by a written request to the Secretary-Treasurer of the EMC, who shall process all such requests. The written request shall state the issues, the amount of money involved, and the remedies sought. If the Parties do not resolve their dispute through conciliation or mediation, they agree to proceed to legally binding arbitration; the arbitrator may impose any remedy available in law or equity. Conciliation, mediation, and arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the then current rules of the Institute of Christian Conciliation (ICC), a division of Peacemaker Ministries. Whenever possible, the Parties will use ICC-trained EMC personnel as conciliators, mediators, and arbitrators. The General Superintendent may designate a dispute resolution provider or trainer other than ICC in his or her sole discretion if the ICC is no longer in existence or is no longer providing appropriate dispute resolution service or training.
Sole Process; Waiver of Civil Legal Action. Resolution by the Parties themselves or through Christian conciliation, mediation and legally binding arbitration are the sole means by which non-doctrinal disputes may be resolved. Therefore, the parties waive any rights they may have to resolve a non-doctrinal dispute by filing a lawsuit in a civil court, except that a party may file suit in a civil court if necessary [i] to enforce another party’s obligation to participate in a dispute resolution process provided in the foregoing conciliation clause, [ii] to enforce an award made during that dispute resolution process, or [iii] to take any other action permitted under the rules of the dispute resolution provider. A party may institute such a civil action in any court having jurisdiction over the Parties.
Additional Matters. These provisions will be interpreted in accordance with Indiana law.
THE MINISTRY
Chapter 1. The Call To Preach
¶801. The following questions are to be asked concerning those persons who profess to be moved by the Holy Spirit to preach:
(1) Do they know God as a pardoning God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire nothing but God? Are they holy in all manner of conversation and life? Are they growing in grace? Are they evangelical in spirit?
(2) Have they gifts, as well as grace, for His work? Have they a clear, sound understanding, a right judgment in the things of God, a just conception of salvation by faith? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly, winsomely?
(3) Have they fruit? Have any been actually convinced of sin and converted to God, and are believers edified by their preaching?
These we receive as sufficient proof that they are moved by the Holy Spirit and called of God to preach the true Gospel of Christ.
Chapter 2. The Matter And Manner of Preaching
¶811. This is Section XI of the 1804 Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church:
Question 1 — What is the best general method of preaching?
Answer 1 — To convince, to offer Christ, to invite, to build up, and to do this in some measure in every sermon.
Question 2 — What is the most effectual way of preaching Christ?
Answer 2 — The most effectual way of preaching Christ is to preach Him in all His offices, and to declare His law, as well as His Gospel, both to believers and unbelievers. Let us strongly and closely insist upon inward and outward holiness in all its branches (See John 15).
Question 3 — Are there any smaller advices which might be of use to us?
Answer 3 — Perhaps these:
(1) Be sure never to disappoint a congregation.
(2) Begin at the time appointed.
(3) Let your whole deportment be serious, weighty, and solemn.
(4) Always suit your subject to your audience.
(5) Choose the plainest text you can.
(6) Take care not to ramble, but keep to your text, and make out what you take in hand.
(7) Take care of anything awkward or affected, either in your gesture, phrase, or pronunciation.
(8) It is recommended to the yearly Conferences to caution and restrict our preachers from improper publications.
(9) Do not usually pray extempore above eight or ten minutes (at most) without intermission.
(10) Frequently read and enlarge upon a portion of Scripture, and let young preachers often exhort without taking a text.
(11) Always avail yourself of the great festivals by preaching on the occasion.
Chapter 3. The Preacher In Charge
¶821. The pastoral duties include:
(1) To preach the unsearchable riches of Christ through the Gospel.
(2) To administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper, to perform the marriage ceremony, and to bury the dead. Un-ordained pastors or local preachers serving pastoral charges may administer the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper, and perform the marriage ceremony where the laws of the state permit, within the bounds of their pastoral charge, as long as they are in good standing and their local preacher’s license is up-to-date. Only preachers who renew their license annually have this privilege.
(3) To preach on the doctrinal distinctives of the Evangelical Methodist Church as contained in the Articles of Religion, and to present the General Rules at least once each year in each local church.
(4) To preach upon stewardship, explaining to the people the meaning of Christian stewardship and tithing, by tithing campaigns and tithers leagues.
(5) To preach on the subject of evangelical Christian education, and to urge upon parents the importance of training their children in public and private worship, daily Bible reading and study, and setting an example through the family altar and the stewardship of all of life.
(6) To preach total abstinence from the use of beverage alcohol, tobacco, and drugs in a winsome manner in view of Christian stewardship of the human body. They are to lay the claim of the ministry on young men, and the claims of Christ upon our lives, time, talents, and tithe, including the Lord’s Day, Sunday.
(7) To hold or appoint prayer meetings, love feasts, watch-night services, regular services, and evangelistic campaigns whenever advisable. The preacher in charge of a church as pastor is not required to secure the consent of the trustees of the church property before holding services in any church on his charge.
(8) To present the missionary program of the church and urge its support by all the people in the church.
(9) To instruct candidates for membership in the church in the doctrines, rules, and regulations of the church, to receive persons into membership, and to grant letters of transfer on request.
(10) To visit from house to house in order to give pastoral guidance and help to members of the church and others in need of spiritual help through Christ.
(11) Upon consultation with the board of stewards to obtain evangelists, missionaries, and Bible lecturers for a series of meetings such as he thinks best for the spiritual welfare of the church at large in keeping with the Discipline.
(12) To have oversight of the local preachers in his pastoral charge, and to arrange opportunities where their talents can glorify God.
¶822. The administrative duties of the pastor include:
(1) To administer all the provisions of the Discipline in his church and see that the ordinances and regulations of the church are duly observed.
(2) To make a written report to the Annual Church Conference and the District Conference of all items required for the statistics of each conference, using the proper forms and observing designated due dates.
(3) To be amenable to the District Conference for the exercise of his office. He shall give due regard to the advice of his District Superintendent and General Superintendent.
(4) To attend the meetings of the board of stewards and work with them, providing inspiration and leadership, in carrying out the program and business of the local church. The pastor may call the stewards into special session whenever it is deemed necessary for the welfare of the church.
(5) To explain the importance and values of the Conference Support, and urge its support by all the people in his charge.
(6) To keep a membership record for the church in which shall be noted the name and time of reception and/or removal of each member of the church.
(7) To keep an up-to-date working file of the membership of the church which shall be ready to assist with addresses, etc., for visitation, evangelism, finance campaigns, and shall be left up-to-date for a new pastor or district superintendent.
(8) To see that the people are supplied with all of our literature and other sound evangelical materials.
¶823. The pastor shall make a written report to each Annual Church Conference on the following:
(1) The spiritual condition of the church or churches in his charge.
(2) The names of all who have been received into the church, indicating the method of reception, and of all who have died, transferred, withdrawn, or been expelled during the conference year.
(3) The enrollment, attendance, and spiritual condition of the Sunday Schools within the charge, including noteworthy events, weekday meetings of children, youth, and adults, as well as fellowship meetings of the church.
(4) Pastor work done with children.
(5) Pastoral calls.
(6) The Conference Support relationship to the conference.
(7) Other items worthy of record.
(8) Plans for future work.
¶824. Annual tenure of service:
(1) All pastoral changes should be made as soon after the last Sunday in July as possible.
(2) The pastor, when it becomes known to him that he is to leave the church for another appointment, shall give the local church at least thirty days notice of his proposed move in order to give the church time to secure another pastor. (See ¶ 257.)
Chapter 4. The District Superintendent
¶841. Qualifications. See ¶ 425.
¶842. Elections. See ¶ 103, 425.
¶843. Duties:
(1) Annual Church Conference. See ¶ 231, 233, 243, 251, 252, 253.
(2) District Conference. See ¶ 402, 403, 408, 423, 429, 431, 435, 441.
(3) General Conference. See ¶ 606 (5).
(4) To preach the Gospel in the churches of his district when invited by the pastor in charge or by the board of stewards when there is no pastor, or when filling his duly appointed office.
(5) To have general oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the churches of his district.
(6) To supervise the work of all preachers in his district, holding them responsible to administer the Discipline and for fulfilling the trust placed in them by the District Conference and the local church.
(7) To counsel with the preachers in his district in regard to their work and ministry.
(8) To give due regard to the advice of his General Superintendent and to consult with his General Superintendent on critical matters, especially those that relate to General Conference matters.
(9) To report the names and addresses of all local preachers within his district to the secretary of the District Conference for insertion in the minutes; to report the names and addresses of all who have been licensed to preach during the year; and to report all candidates for the ministry to the Board of Ministerial Relations.
(10) To advise and encourage local preachers, candidates for the ministry, and conference under-graduates in their studies.
(11) To prepare and deliver to his successor an official list of all district property, along with a list of all endowments, annuities, trust funds, investments, etc. in his district.
(12) To procure statistics from every charge and report them to the District Conference in case the church should fail to make a report.
(13) To approve, change, or remove preachers during the year according to the Discipline; being careful to use only preachers whose record and character are in keeping with the Discipline.
(14) To establish new preaching places and organize new congregations whenever possible, following procedures designated in the Discipline.
(15) To perform such other duties as the Discipline may direct.
Chapter 5. The General Superintendent
¶851. Qualifications:
(1) A member of a District Conference of the Evangelical Methodist Church as an ordained elder for at least 4 years.
(2) Shall have had acceptable ministerial experience.
(3) Proven administrative ability.
(4) Eminent in piety, blameless in character, and mighty in prayer.
¶852. Elections. See ¶ 102, 521.
¶853. Duties:
(1) General Conference. See ¶ 621, 650, 651.
(2) General Council. See ¶ 606, 611 (1).
(3) District Conference. See ¶ 403, 404, 438, 475 (6).
(4) To preach and to oversee the spiritual and temporal affairs of the general church. The General Superintendent shall cooperate with and respect the administrative roles of the District Superintendent and the local pastor.
(5) To promote the interests of Christ in cooperation with the preachers and the people in the churches.
(6) To send immediately to the secretaries of both conferences involved, written notices of the transfer or change of a membership with the standing or official relationship.
(7) To promote the evangelistic activities of the church.
(8) To recommend to and consult with the Cabinet in the facilitation of denominational goals and priorities.
(9) To discharge such other duties as the Discipline may direct.
Chapter 6. Ministerial Relations
¶871. ADMISSION ON TRIAL. A candidate for admission on trial into the District Conference shall have completed the course of study for admission on trial. He shall be recommended by the District Board of Ministerial Relations and the District Superintendent, and receive a favorable vote of the District Conference.
¶872. It is expected that all candidates for the ministry shall complete four years of college level work, or present a bachelor of arts degree or its equivalent.
¶873. A candidate who is admitted on trial is actually on trial for two years. His character, competency, and preaching must prove to be advantageous to the District Board of Ministerial Relations before he can be admitted into full connection. A candidate on trial may be discontinued without any reflection on his character.
¶874. ELDER’S ORDERS. A candidate for admission into full connection into the District Conference as an elder shall have been employed at least two years in the active ministry and shall have passed the course of study for elder’s orders. This course of study is a three-year course and must be completed before admission into full connection and granting of elder’s orders. The candidate shall be recommended by the District Board of Ministerial Relations and the District Superintendent (see ¶914).
¶875. The District Superintendent and the General Superintendent, shall call the class to be admitted into full connection, and receive them into conference membership after asking the following questions of the Discipline. (Here follow the questions, which every Evangelical Methodist preacher from the beginning has been required to answer upon becoming a full member of a conference. These questions were formulated by John Wesley and have been little changed throughout the years.)
(To be read by the General Superintendent)
(1) Have you faith in Christ?
(2) Are you going on to perfection?
(3) Do you expect to be made perfect in love in this life?
(4) Are you groaning after it?
(5) Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to God and His work?
(6) Do you know the general rules of our church?
(7) Will you keep them?
(8) Have you studied the doctrines of the Evangelical Methodist Church?
(9) After full examination, do you believe that our doctrines are in harmony with the Holy Scriptures?
(10) Will you preach and maintain them?
(To be read by the District Superintendent)
(11) Have you studied our form of church Discipline and polity?
(12) Do you approve our church government and polity?
(13) Will you support and maintain them?
(14) Will you diligently instruct the children in every place?
(15) Will you visit from house to house?
(16) Will you recommend fasting or abstinence, both in precept and example?
(17) Are you determined to employ all your time in the work of God?
(18) Are you in debt so as to embarrass you in your work?
(19) Will you observe the following directions:
(a) Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be trifling employed. Never trifle away time; neither spend any more time at one place than is strictly necessary. (b) Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time.
(c) Do not mend our rules, but keep them, not for wrath, but for conscience sake.
This examination of the ministers and the passing of their characters should be business of the same session. Then they are entitled to the floor and a vote.
¶876. Upon election by majority vote of the District Conference, the candidate for admission into full connection as an elder immediately becomes a full member of the District Conference. He will then receive ordination by the laying on of hands at the time set cooperatively by the General Superintendent and the District Superintendent.
¶877. RECEIVING MINISTERS FROM OTHER CHURCHES. Ordained ministers who desire to unite with the Evangelical Methodist Church as traveling preachers may be admitted into a District Conference. They must be recommended by the District Board of Ministerial Relations and the District Superintendent of the district in which they reside. The District Board of Ministerial Education shall determine whether they are to be admitted as elders or at the admission on trial level, but in no case shall they be exempt from the examination on the Discipline which is required of all candidates for ministerial credentials. They shall give evidence of their agreement with the Evangelical Methodist Church in matters of doctrine and polity, and they shall terminate their relationship with the group from which they are transferring.
¶880. SUPERNUMERARY PREACHERS. A supernumerary preacher is one who is partially or totally disabled so as to be unable to fulfill all the normal ministerial responsibilities. A supernumerary relation shall not be granted by a District Conference except on the recommendation of the Board of Ministerial Relations.
¶881. SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS. A superannuated preacher is one who has reached retirement age from the active service. A superannuated relation shall not be granted by a District Conference except on the recommendation of the Board of Ministerial Relations.
¶882. APPROVED SONG EVANGELISTS. A suitable person may be elected to the position of approved song evangelist by a majority vote of the District Board of Ministerial Relations and upon the recommendation of the District Superintendent. An approved song evangelist is not a member of the District Conference unless he has united with the District Conference in the usual way.
¶883. A license shall be issued to all approved song evangelists by the secretary of the District Conference. This license must be renewed annually by request upon recommendation of the District Superintendent:
This is to certify that _______________________________ is granted the relation of APPROVED SONG EVANGELIST in the Evangelical Methodist Church by vote of the ________________________ Conference, and is valid for one year from date of issue. Issued the _________ day of _________________ in the year of our Lord ________.
This license shall be signed by the secretary of the District Conference and the District Superintendent.
¶884. APPROVED EVANGELISTS. A traveling preacher in full connection in a District Conference may be issued a certificate showing that he is an approved evangelist of the Evangelical Methodist Church. Approval for General Conference Evangelist comes by a majority vote of the General Conference upon the approval and recommendation of the General Board of Ministerial Relations. Certificate for General Conference Approved Evangelist is renewable quadrennially. The General Board of Evangelism will be responsible to encourage and endorse through promotion each approved General Conference Evangelist.
¶885. DEACON/DEACONESS’S ORDERS. The church affirms that particular persons are called, recognized and set apart beyond the normal role of the believer for servant leadership within the body of Christ and the world. This set-apart ministry is not a substitute for the deaconal responsibility of all believers.
Those called to this ministry of service in the church and world may be set apart to the office of deacon or deaconess. This ministry exemplifies the servant-hood of every Christian called to live both in the church and the world. The deacon/deaconess embodies the unity of the congregation’s worship with its life in the world by participating with the elder of his or her local church. This is demonstrated in the leadership of worship, working a serving profession in the church and serving the needs of the poor, the sick, and the oppressed.
A deacon/deaconess must be a member in good standing of the Evangelical Methodist Church and have shown fitness in his or her duties by active service in some Christian work. Before consecration, he or she must be recommended by his or her local church and District Superintendent, have completed the prescribed course of study as recommended by the Board of Ministerial Education, have personally met with the Board of Ministerial Relations, be recommended by that Board to the District Conference and receive a majority vote from that Conference. A deacon/deaconess is a member of the District Conference and is amenable to the District Conference for conduct, character and attendance, and shall be under the direct supervision of the District Superintendent.
Chapter 7. Termination of Ministerial Relationship
¶901. BY TRANSFER. When a minister in good standing desires to transfer to another denomination, his credentials must be surrendered to the conference for the following inscription to be plainly written across them.
_______________________________ has this day been honorably transferred by the _________________________ Conference from the ministry of the Evangelical Methodist Church after ______________________ years of service.
Dated ___________________________________________
___________________________________, Superintendent
________________________________________, Secretary
This may be done at any time, provided the minister’s character is in the clear.
¶902. WITHDRAWAL. When a minister desires to withdraw his ministerial relation from a Conference he may do so upon request to the District Superintendent and the chairman of the Board of Ministerial Relations. The District Superintendent shall notify the District Secretary and the records (minutes and pastoral service record) shall so indicate his withdrawal. In the case of a local preacher, the district records shall so indicate.
Ministers leaving or absenting themselves from the sessions and seat of either a General or District Conference in protest or lack of sympathy and harmony with the policy and proceedings of such conference, when publicly stated, shall be judged, by vote of the conference, as having withdrawn, and the records of the District Conference of which he is a member corrected accordingly. Ministers uniting with, or receiving credentials from other denominations, except by transfer, shall be considered as having withdrawn and the records shall so indicate.
¶903. WITHDRAWAL UNDER COMPLAINTS. See ¶1041.
¶904. WITHDRAWAL UNDER CHARGES. See ¶1041.
¶905. VOLUNTARY LOCATION. When a minister in good standing desires to discontinue regular ministerial and evangelistic work he may do so, upon request, provided his credentials are surrendered to the conference for the following inscription to be plainly written across them:
__________________________________ has this day been honorably dismissed by the __________________________ Conference from the ministry of the Evangelical Methodist Church after ____________________ years of service, who avowedly intends to discontinue regular ministerial, evangelistic, or missionary work.
Dated ___________________________________________
____________________________, Superintendent
________________________________, Secretary
This status is granted without any reflection upon the minister’s character or conduct. Upon request by the individual, the credential may be reinstated/restored by a majority vote of the District Conference upon the recommendation of the District Superintendent and the District Board of Ministerial Relations.
¶906. INVOLUNTARY LOCATION/LOCATED WITHOUT CONSENT. The District Conference may locate without consent a ministerial member for any cause listed in ¶435, 436, 437. The District Superintendent shall submit his reasons for considering a minister’s involuntary location in writing to the Board of Ministerial Relations, and shall notify in writing the individual involved prior to the District Conference session at which the proposed action is to be considered. The Board of Ministerial Relations shall submit its recommendations to the District Conference which may locate without consent the ministerial member which deprives him of the right to exercise the ministerial office.
¶907. REHABILITATION FOR RESTORATION OF CREDENTIAL. The process of seeking to bring a minister who has been disciplined or has voluntarily surrendered the rights, privileges and responsibilities of the clergy to a place of spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health and to a place of usefulness and constructive activity is considered in each individual circumstance by the District Board of Ministerial Relations and the District Superintendent. Rehabilitation does not necessarily include the restoration of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of the clergy.
¶908. The guidelines established by the General Board of Ministerial Relations shall be used by each District Board of Ministerial Relations to develop a written plan in harmony with the Discipline and recommendations of the General Board of Ministerial Relations for each individual case, to aid in the process of response, rehabilitation, reconciliation and possible restoration to ministry, of clergy involved in conduct unbecoming a minister. The objective of the plan should be to return the individual to a place of spiritual, emotional, mental and physical health whether or not the person is returned to previous status. . The facilitator(s) or their designee shall report to the District Board of Ministerial Relations once each quarter concerning the progress toward rehabilitation using the form established by the General Board of Ministerial Relations. The District Board of Ministerial Relations may revise the plan of rehabilitation from time to time as the circumstances warrant. This report shall be kept in the individual’s secured and confidential file.
¶909. A member of the clergy, who has committed sexual misconduct (such as pornography, fornication, adultery, etc.), must satisfactorily complete a prescribed plan ( See ¶908) for rehabilitation for a minimum of four years, before good standing may be restored. Restoration of a credential will be considered upon request by the individual and recommendation of the District Superintendent to the District Board of Ministerial Relations. Upon approval of the District Board of Ministerial Relations, a three-fourths majority vote of the clergy members of the District Conference, meeting in executive session, is required for restoration. Individuals who are guilty of sexual misconduct that involves a high probability of repeated misconduct, such as pedophilia and homosexuality, shall not be restored to clergy status.
¶910. A member of the clergy who is in the rehabilitation process shall not preach, teach or hold any other position of trust or authority in the church or worship services, and shall not be given any ministerial role unless the District Board of Ministerial Relations, the District Superintendent and the General Superintendent determine that the individual has made sufficient progress toward rehabilitation to warrant once again allowing the individual to be of service in a position of trust or authority. Careful consideration shall be given as to whether or not the individual has appropriately repented of his or her misconduct. True repentance involves a deep sense of godly sorrow resulting in a change of conduct which continues for a length of time sufficient to be evidence that the change is likely to be permanent (II Corinthians 7:10-11). Approval to serve in a position of trust or authority may be granted with or without restrictions.
¶911. DISCONTINUANCE. See ¶ 873.
Chapter 8. Course of Study for Preachers
¶921. The General Conference Board of Ministerial Education shall be composed of one elder from each District Conference elected by the General Conference which shall also elect one of those members as chairman. The board shall establish the curriculum and prepare all courses of study for elder’s orders, admission on trial, deacon/deaconess’s orders, and local preacher’s license. Ministerial Education manuals shall be published separate from the Discipline. The General Council shall approve the course of study curriculum. The elected board member from each district shall coordinate the work of the board within his district.
¶922. The General Conference Board of Ministerial Education shall prepare standardized examinations in all areas of study. These shall be required of all candidates. The board shall be responsible for recruiting, appointing, and maintaining an adequate number of examiners to efficiently administer and complete the examination procedures. Appointed examiners shall serve under the direction of and be amenable to the board. However, elected board members may serve as examiners. All reports, exams and sermons must be submitted by the enrollee 45 days prior to the respective District Conference.
¶923. The General Conference Board of Ministerial Education shall be charged with implementation of the courses of study, corresponding with candidates, administering examinations, and reporting the names of those who have successfully completed the course to the Boards of Ministerial Relations. The General Conference Board of Ministerial Education is authorized to accept, in its opinion, equivalent work or books covering identical subjects, with the exception of the Discipline. A seminary degree, or its equivalent, from an institution approved by the Board of Ministerial Education, may be accepted in lieu of the entire course of study, with the exception of the Discipline, the Catechism and the candidate’s two written sermons. However, such a candidate for ordination as elder must serve the full two years in his probationary character of admission on trial before he can be ordained as an elder, irrespective of his course of study or its equivalent. The rule cannot be suspended nor altered to a shorter period of time.
¶924. COURSE OF STUDY TIME LIMIT. The maximum time for Local Preacher, Admission on Trial and the Elders Course of Study is three (3) years each. Any person who does not complete the studies within three (3) years shall be discontinued, unless, because of circumstances clearly unusual, an extension of time may be recommended by the District Superintendent and authorized by the Board of Ministerial Relations.
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 1. Offenses
¶1001. Offenses for which a general superintendent, district superintendent, elder, member on trial, local preacher, or deacon/deaconess may be tried:
(1) Disobedience to the Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church.
(2) Un-ministerial or imprudent conduct.
(3) Unchristian tempers, words, or actions.
(4) Habitual neglect of duties.
(5) Disseminating doctrine contrary to the Bible or the Discipline.
(6) Crime or immorality.
(7) Mal-administration in office.
¶1002. The District Conference Investigation Committee shall be composed of 3 elders elected by the District Conference and is authorized to investigate all complaints and give recommendations for all ministerial members of the District Conference together with deacon/deaconesses and local preachers. The duties of the Investigation Committee specifically shall be threefold: (1) Investigations having to do with judicial administration as found in ¶ 1001-1067; (2) Investigations having to do with the termination of ministerial relations as found in ¶901-907; (3) Investigations of all notarized complaints covering ministerial members as to discharge of duties. If a pastor fails to promote the payment of Conference Support in full and fails to submit his annual statistical report, it shall be the duty of the District Superintendent to present his name to the Investigation Committee who shall call upon the pastor to show cause why these have been neglected. After thorough investigation, it shall be their duty to present the pastor’s name to the District Conference for action as to censure or remandment to the Investigation Committee for possible judicial action under ¶1001.
Chapter 2. Investigation And Trial of Ministers
¶1011. INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF A GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT. If a general superintendent shall be accused in writing of any of the offenses hereinbefore mentioned in the course of his administration, the District Superintendent, within whose district the alleged offense is said to have been committed, shall call the Investigation Committee of that District Conference, who shall carefully inquire into the case; and if, in the judgment of the majority of them there is reasonable ground for such accusation, they shall prepare and sign the proper charges and specifications, and send a copy of the same to the accused and to the General Council of the Evangelical Methodist Church. The District Superintendent or appointee in the district where the offense took place shall call together at some convenient place, within fifteen days from the time he receives the charges, five elders of the said district, and also witnesses by whom the accusation is expected to be proved. The District Superintendent or appointee shall preside. The accused shall have the right to make a statement on his own behalf, and to interrogate witnesses, but shall not himself present any. If three of the five elders determine that a trial is justified they shall order one, and they may suspend the general superintendent pending trial, as hereinafter provided.
¶1012. INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF A DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT. If a District Superintendent shall be accused in writing of any of the offenses hereinbefore mentioned in the course of his administration, the General Superintendent or appointee within whose district the alleged offense is said to have been committed, shall call the Investigation Committee of that District Conference, who shall carefully inquire into the case; and if, in the judgment of the majority of them, there is reasonable ground for such accusation, they shall prepare and sign the proper charges and specifications and send a copy of the same to the accused and to the General Council of the Evangelical Methodist Church. The General Superintendent or appointee in the District where the offense took place shall call together at some convenient place, within fifteen days from the time he receives the charges, five elders of the District, and also witnesses by whom the accusation in expected to be proved. The General Superintendent or appointee shall preside. The accused shall have the right to make a statement in his own behalf, and to interrogate witnesses, but shall not himself present any. If three of the five elders determine that a trial is justified they shall order one, and they may suspend the District Superintendent pending trial, as hereinafter provided.
¶1013. Should a trial be ordered, the presiding officer shall, within seven days from the date on which a trial is ordered, fix the time and place of it within thirty days of such order. The trial court shall be constituted as follows.
(1) The officer shall arrange for a meeting of the accused and his counsel, and the counsel for the church, as early as practicable after the trial is ordered, to select the personnel of the trial court.
(2) The officer shall nominate, as proposed jurors of the trial court, twelve elders from a list made up of a cross section of the elders of the said District. In the event that there are insufficient elders available, jurors may be selected from other districts.
(3) The church and the defendant each shall have the right of preemptory challenge to the number of four, and of unlimited challenge for cause.
(4) The officer shall add other elders, if necessary, until the required number is selected. By the same method four alternates shall be chosen.
The trial court as thus constituted shall have full power to try the accused, and by a two-thirds vote to suspend him from the exercise of the function of his office; to depose him from his office, or the ministry, or both; to expel him from the church; or, in case of minor offenses, to fix a lesser penalty. Its findings shall be reported to the General Conference for entry in its minutes. The records of the trial, including the testimony, shall be signed by the presiding officer and secretary of the trial court, and shall be placed in the custody of the secretary of the General Conference, together with all the documents in the case, for preservation with the papers of the General Conference, and shall be the basis of any appeal which may be taken to the General Conference Court of Appeals.
¶1014. A general superintendent or district superintendent suspended or deposed shall have no claim upon the salary funds, dwelling, or any other expenses from the date of suspension or deposition; but in case he is thereafter found not guilty, his claim upon the funds for the period during which he was deprived of the function of his office shall be paid to him.
¶1015. INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF AN ELDER, MEMBER ON TRIAL, OR DEACON/DEACONESS. If a traveling preacher, member on trial or deacon/deaconess shall be accused in writing of any of the offenses enumerated in ¶1001, the District Superintendent or the District Superintendent of the district within the bounds of which such acts are alleged to have taken place, shall call the District Conference Investigation Committee to inquire into the same, and, if possible, bring the accused and the accuser face to face; the accused shall have the right to make a statement in his own behalf, but shall not present any witnesses.
¶1016. The chairman of the District Conference Investigation Committee shall preside throughout the proceedings, and shall certify and declare the judgment of the committee.
¶1017. If, in the judgment of a majority of the Investigation Committee, there is a reasonable ground for such accusation, they shall prepare and sign the proper charges and specifications, send a copy to the accused, to the District Superintendent in charge, and to the secretary of the District Conference. Upon recommendation of the Investigation Committee, the accused may be suspended from all ministerial services pending the trial.
¶1018. Should a trial be ordered, the District Superintendent shall, within seven days from the date on which a trial is ordered, fix the time and place of it within thirty days of such order; shall appoint counsel for the church; and notify the accused, in writing, to appear at a fixed time and place no less than seven days after serving such notice to select nine or twelve elders from a list made up of a cross section of the elders of the said conference. The church and the defendant shall each have the right of preemptory challenge to the number of four and unlimited challenge for cause. By the same method four alternates shall be chosen.
¶1019. The trial court, as thus constituted, shall have full power to try the accused, and by a two-thirds vote to suspend him from his office, or the ministry, or both; to expel him from the church; or, in case of minor offenses, to fix lesser penalty. Its findings shall be reported to the secretary of the District Conference for permanent record after the written proceedings have been signed by the president and secretary of the trial court. This shall include the bill of charges, the evidence taken, the decision rendered, together with all documents brought into the trial.
¶1020. A guilty party shall have no claim upon the salary funds, dwelling, or any other expenses from the date of such suspension or deposition; but in case he is thereafter found not guilty, his claim for funds shall be paid him.
¶1021. INVESTIGATION AND TRIAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER. When a local preacher is accused in writing of any of the offenses enumerated in ¶1001, the District Superintendent shall call the Investigation Committee to meet; the accused shall appear before them. If, in the judgment of a majority of the Investigation Committee, there is reasonable ground for such accusation, they shall prepare and sign the proper charges and specifications, send a copy to the District Superintendent in charge, to the local pastor for his information, or, in his absence, to the chairman of the stewards where the local preacher holds his membership, who becomes the presiding officer of the trial. If the pastor is the accuser, the District Superintendent shall be the presiding officer of the trial. Upon recommendation of the Investigation Committee, the accused may be suspended from all ministerial services pending the trial.
¶1022. Should a trial be ordered, the District Superintendent shall proceed according to ¶1018 and ¶1019, except that the proposed trial court shall be made up of members of the local church who are at least twenty-one years of age or over.
¶1023. WITHDRAWAL UNDER COMPLAINT OR CHARGES. See ¶1041 and ¶1042.
¶1024. COUNSEL. See ¶ 1043.
¶1025. The District Conference may restore the credentials of a minister who has been expelled, suspended, or who has withdrawn from the Evangelical Methodist Church, providing proper restitution has been made and sufficient proof of his good character be presented to the Board of Ministerial Relations.
Chapter 3. Investigation And Trial Of Lay Members
¶1031. A member shall be liable to accusation and trial upon any of the following charges:
(1) Disobedience to the Discipline of the church.
(2) Unchristian tempers, words or actions.
(3) Disseminating doctrine contrary to the Bible or the Discipline.
(4) Crime or immorality.
(5) Buying, selling, or manufacturing intoxicating liquor as a beverage; renting his property for the same; signing a petition in favor of granting a license for the sale thereof; procuring a license for the sale of such liquors; becoming surety on the bond of any person engaged in such traffic; or persisting in the use of intoxicating liquor after private reproof and admonition by the pastor or stewards.
¶1032. In the case of accusation of any of the charges of ¶1031, the pastor shall privately admonish the member; and if there is acknowledgment of fault and proper humiliation, the person may be borne with. Failing such, or on further offense, the pastor may take with him one or two discreet stewards and give further reproof. If the offense be continued, the member shall be brought to trial.
¶1033. If a member of the church shall be accused of endeavoring to sow dissension in the church by inveighing against its doctrines or Discipline, its ministers or members, or in any other such manner, he shall first be reproved by the pastor. If he persists in such practices, he shall be brought to trial.
¶1034. Charges against a member of a local church must be made in writing and be signed by two parties. The written charges are to be given to the pastor in charge who shall appoint an Investigation Committee composed of seven members of the local church in active standing, who are twenty-one years of age or older. The District Superintendent shall fix the time and place of the investigation and shall preside. Such investigations shall normally be held within thirty days after written charges have been made. A quorum of four members of the Investigation Committee shall be necessary to function. The accused and the accuser shall be brought face to face if possible, and the accused shall have the right of making a statement in his own behalf and of interrogating witnesses, but shall not have the right of presenting witnesses. The Investigation Committee shall then determine, by secret ballot, whether a trial is justified. The Investigation Committee shall formulate the charges and order a trial, sending a copy of the order to the District Superintendent in charge, to the local pastor, to the accused and to the party bringing accusation.
¶1035. Should a trial be ordered, the District Superintendent shall proceed according to ¶1018 and ¶1019, except that the trial court shall be made up of members of the local church who are twenty-one years of age or older. The findings of the trial court shall be reported to the secretary of the local church for permanent record. No member of a District Conference who is also a member of the local church according to ¶477 may be tried by a local church trial court, but only by a District Conference trial court.
¶1036. RESTORATION. An expelled member shall have no privileges of the church or of the sacraments of the church without repentance, contrition, and satisfactory restitution to the determination of the stewards. In such a case, the body may permit the individual to take the membership vows of the church and be restored to full membership.
Chapter 4. General Directions
¶1041. WITHDRAWAL UNDER COMPLAINT OR CHARGES. When a general superintendent, elder, member on trial, local preacher, deacon/deaconess, or lay member of a local church is accused of an offense under ¶1001 or ¶1031, and notarized complaints have been filed with the District Conference Investigation Committee, and desires to withdraw from the church, he may be permitted to withdraw; in which case the respective record shall be plainly marked: Withdrawn Under Complaints. If written charges have been presented he may be permitted to withdraw, in which case the respective record shall be plainly marked: Withdrawn Under Charges. In either case, his status shall be the same as if he had been expelled.
¶1042. When anyone mentioned above is deprived of his credentials, license, or ordination, by expulsion or otherwise, the necessary authority shall require them of him, and file them with the respective records dealing with his case.
¶1043. COUNSEL. In all cases of trial, the accused shall be entitled to appear, to be represented by counsel of his own selection, and to be heard in oral or written argument. In all cases of trial where counsel has not been provided, such counsel shall be appointed by the presiding officer. Each counsel shall be allowed one assistant counsel of his own choice.
¶1044. All notices required in judicial administration shall be in writing, signed by or on behalf of the person or body giving or required to give such notice, and shall be addressed to the person or body to whom it is required to be given. Such notices shall be served at least seven days in advance by delivery to the party or leading officer of the body to whom it is addressed in person, or by registered mail addressed to the last known residence or address of such party. The fact of the giving of the notice shall affirmatively appear over the signature of the party required to give such notice, and becomes a part of the record in the case.
¶1045. In all cases of investigation or trial, notice to appear shall be given to such witnesses as either party may name, shall be issued in the name of the church, and be signed by the presiding officer of the trial court. If shall be the duty of a minister and a member of the church to appear and testify when summoned.
¶1046. As soon as the trial court has convened, the accused shall be called upon by the presiding officer to plead the charge, and his pleas shall be duly recorded. On his neglect or refusal to plead, the plea of “not guilty” shall be entered for him, and the trial shall proceed; provided that the court may adjourn from time to time for sufficient cause; and provided that the accused shall at all times during the trial have the liberty to be present to make his defense and produce testimony.
¶1047. In case the accused person, after a seven-day notice has been given him, shall refuse or neglect to appear at the time or place set forth for the hearing, the trial court may proceed in his absence. Sufficient time shall be given by the presiding officer for the accused to appear at the given place and time, and for the same to prepare for the trial.
¶1048. RECORDS. In the trial court the records shall be accurate and full; they shall include the proceedings in detail, all the evidence, taken stenographical if possible, the documents admitted, together with the charges and findings, and shall be approved and attested by the presiding officer and secretary.
¶1049. If within sixty days after the conviction of any of the foregoing accused, he (or she) shall make application in writing to the District Superintendent for a new trail on the ground of newly discovered evidence, and shall submit therewith a written statement of the same, and if it shall appear to the District Superintendent that such evidence is material to the issue involved, he shall grant a new trial. In no case, however, shall a new trial be granted upon newly discovered evidence which could have been obtained for the trial by the exercise of due diligence, or which is merely cumulative in its effect.
Chapter 5. Appeals
¶1061. The General Conference shall elect seven elders, not including General Conference officers, to serve as members of the General Conference Court of Appeals during each quadrennium. One member shall be elected chairman. A quorum of four members of the court of appeals shall be necessary in order to function. Vacancies which may occur in this body shall be filled by appointment by the General Superintendent. This court shall have jurisdiction to hear and to determine all appeals from the decisions or actions of any District Conference trial court.
¶1062. Each district shall have a District Court of Appeals composed of four elders and three laymen elected quadrennial by the District Conference. One member shall be elected as chairman. A quorum of four members shall be necessary in order to function. Vacancies which may occur in this body are to be filled by appointment by the District Superintendent. This court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine all appeals from the decisions or actions of any local church trial court.
¶1063. The above courts of appeals shall determine two questions only: (a) Does the evidence sustain the charge or charges? (b) Were there such errors of procedure or interpretation as to vitiate the verdict? These questions shall be determined by the records of the trial and the arguments of a representative of the trial court and of counsel for the accused. The court shall in no case hear witnesses nor admit new evidence.
¶1064. In all cases of appeal the appellant shall within thirty days following the decision of a trial court, give notice of intent to appeal and shall furnish to the chairman of the court of appeals a written statement of the grounds of his appeal, and the hearing of the court shall be limited to the grounds set forth in such statement. It shall be the duty of the chairman of the court of appeals, on receiving a notice of intent to appeal, to fix the time and place for consideration of the appeal and to notify all persons involved by certified mail.
¶1065. Appeals, properly taken, shall be heard by the appropriate court of appeals, unless it shall appear to the said court that the appellant has forfeited his right to appeal by misconduct, such as refusal to abide by the findings of the committee of investigation or of the trial court, or by withdrawal from the church, or by failure to appear in person or by counsel to prosecute the appeal. The right of appeal, when once forfeited by neglect or otherwise, cannot be revived by any subsequent appellate court.
¶1066. An appeal shall not affect a suspension of the decision or action of a trial court. The finding of the trial court must stand until it is modified or reversed by the proper appellate court.
¶1067. A court of appeals may refuse to admit an appeal as lacking proper grounds; it may reverse, in whole or in part, the findings of the trial court for a new trial. It may determine what penalty, not higher than that affixed at the trial, may be imposed. If no such modification or reversal is made by the appellate court, the judgment of the trial court shall stand. The appellate court shall not take remedial action because of errors of procedure or interpretation by the trial court, which did not affect the verdict.
