Discipline! The mere mention of that word often awakens negative, unpleasant memories. Those recollections in turn generate images of punishment, restriction, or stern supervision. It is unfortunate that our more common use of the term usually results in this rather legalistic, punitive frame of reference.
Regrettably, our administrative manual, The Discipline of the Evangelical Methodist Church, is sometimes approached with that attitude. While there are circumstances where it is required to serve in a corrective role, its primary purpose is much more positive.
The Discipline is a comprehensive statement of mutually agreed upon principles, purposes, promises and procedures guiding that covenant relationship known as The Evangelical Methodist Church. Its principles are the foundation of our identity, its purposes are the goals of our ministry, its promises are the bond of our unity, and its procedures are the framework of our integrity.
An accurate, working understanding of The Discipline will facilitate a cooperative and effective ministry. As our conferences and congregations follow the procedures and keep the promises, the principles will be honored and the purposes will be fulfilled.
Principles
The principles are our basic elements of belief and the touchstone against which all activity must be validated. While some principles may be shared by other denominations, the particular blend in each group will determine its individual identity, and the scope of those cooperative activities in which it may share. Therefore, it is important for those who are members of any individual fellowship to embrace and endorse its principles. If we are, in fact, to be an Evangelical Methodist Church, we must become familiar with, and build upon, these fundamental facts of our faith and organization.
Our principles are included in our Historical Statement (Paragraphs 1-16), our Constitution (Paragraphs 21-122), and in our concept of a Christian Church (Paragraphs 201).
A clear understanding of those passages will provide and strengthen a realization of who we are and why we are in existence. Although we became a denominational identity in May 1946, our roots reach back for more than two centuries. We are a part of that vital stream of spirituality called Methodism which God liberated through the lives and ministries of John and Charles Wesley. We share not only an honorable history, we also share a Biblical faith. Point by point our Articles of Religion connect us with the doctrinal teachings of the apostolic church. We are Trinitarians, we believe in the inspiration, the inerrancy, the authority, and the relevancy of the whole Bible, being persuaded it is the Word of God. We believe in the depravity of the human race and its resultant condemnation. We also believe in a salvation obtainable only through faith in the redemptive death of Jesus the Christ and the regeneration resulting from His bodily resurrection. We believe in and teach the necessity of a second experience of God's amazing grace, the infilling of God the Holy Spirit, cleansing the heart and empowering the believer to live a holy life.
Yes, we believe in these fundamental doctrines of Biblical Christianity, and from this framework of faith proceed the other dimensions of our Discipline, the purposes, promises and procedures. A strong word of caution at this point, it is an exercise in futility to attempt the implementation of those other dimensions without having a firm grasp of, and commitment to, these fundamental principles. It is truly imperative that both lay and ministerial members of the Evangelical Methodist Church study and re-study these basic statements, and fulfill their personal and congregational responsibilities in the spirit and wisdom of their teachings.
Purposes
Purposes are the motives and objectives which establish our framework of ministry. Settled on the foundation of our principles, driven by the love of our Savior, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we face the work for which we were called into existence. Our purposes set boundaries and directions for channeling the power inherent in our principles. The purposes of the Evangelical Methodist Church are contained in the Local Church section of our By-laws (read Paragraphs 201-204). Together they condense into four very specific goals:
1. to promote Christian worship through praise, prayer, the exposition of the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the sharing of His sacraments;
2. to foster and encourage spiritual growth through Bible-based Christian Education programs, and by providing a context for both religious and social fellowship;
3. to proclaim and demonstrate Scriptural holiness according to the Wesleyan tradition; and
4. to evangelize the world by engaging in aggressive missionary outreach at home and abroad.
These are lofty but attainable objectives. However, in order to be successful, there must be an unreserved acceptance of, and commitment to, each goal by our membership, laymen and ministers, individuals and congregations. Unity is necessary if we are to succeed in our mission.
Promises
Promises are the voluntary bond of our unity. While all believers are bound together in the Body of Christ, uniting them in common ministry is often challenging. It requires a group of individuals to share in commitment to an effort greater than any personal ambition. When a diverse group of individuals join together in such a common cause, promises made and kept maintain a cohesive, effective group.
Promises to God and each other are found in Paragraph 204, the By-laws and the Ritual. In Paragraph 204, there are promises exchanged between the local church and the denomination which cover congregational and denominational rights and responsiblities. They become a legal bond through an Affiliation Agreement signed by representatives of both bodies.
There are also promises relating to membership and ministry. All members of the Evangelical Methodist Church are required to take vows of repentance, faith, obedience, and service. These are contained in Paragraph 981. Promises concerning the service of Church Officers, Boards and Committees are in Paragraphs 1051 and 1052, while those for Sunday School and Vacation Bible School workers are in Paragraphs 1061. Making and keeping these promises strengthens the individual and collective ministries of those making the commitment.
Many promises are required from those who are trusted with the responsibility of ordained ministry. Some are contained in Paragraph 675, but most are in the ordination and consecration rituals in that section of The Discipline.
When these promises are in place, the next step is channeling the commitments of the individuals in collective ministry.
Procedures
At this point procedures enter the picture. They are the tools with which we coordinate and utilize the promises and resources of congregations and individuals in fulfilling our purposes and reaching our goals.
We believe God provides each congregation with all that is necessary for it to be successful in accomplishing the task He calls it to do. His provision is adequate in every area, spiritual, material and physical. Regardless of the need, His provision is there, either in hand or on deposit awaiting withdrawal. It is important to remember that we are stewards rather than owners of those assets, and that we are finally accountable to Him for that stewardship. Therefore, great care should be given to the methods and programs we employ.
The pastor has a unique role in this process. He is, for all practical purposes, the managing officer of the organization. His role is to lead and advise the congregation in developing and implementing programs of ministry. After their adoption by the Annual Church Conference, it is his responsibility to coordinate the work of the boards, committees, and individuals responsible for doing the work. The pivotal role of the pastor in the life and ministry of the church demands much prayer by the congregation in determining God's choice of the person to be its leader. An excellent brochure outlining the method for pastoral selection is available from our denomination's headquarters.
Boards and committees are vital to the conduct of the mission of the church. They are elected annually by the congregation at the Annual Church Conference, usually after nomination by the Church Nominating Committee. This is a vital committee, and it is chaired by the pastor. It is important that each person considered for each nomination be evaluated as to their suitability for the work of that body. Spiritual and natural gifts, availability, interest and compatibility with other nominees, should be carefully evaluated. Boards and committees are specialized task forces within the congregation and their membership must work well together.
As the pastor serves in the role of a managing officer, the Board of Stewards functions as an executive committee. With the pastor, the members of the Board cooperate as the managing team described in Paragraph 321. The full scope of its duties and the qualifications of its members is outlined in Paragraphs 321-330 in the By-laws. Spiritual maturity should characterize the compostion of this Board because of its heavy load of spiritual and temporal responsibility.
Great responsibilities of a different kind are placed upon the members of the Board of Trustees. The legal titleholders in trust of the church's real estate, they are accountable to the membership for its protection. They are also responsible for its acquisition and sale when authorized by the congregation in a Local Church Conference.
Theirs is a legal responsibility making them accountable to state and local governments. In those states where a church can be incorporated, they are the trustees of the corporation. In all instances, they are responsible for the safekeeping of all legal documents pertaining to the church, and for the managing, as directed by the donor and congregation, of all church valuables other than regular tithes and offerings.
The Discipline, in Paragraphs 271-289, lists and defines the purposes of a number of committees which experience has shown are useful in fulfilling the ministry of the church. They are annual committees and personnel can be changed in the Annual Church Conference. It is important to remember that each committee is intended to be a working part of the ministry of the church. Cooperation is an absolute necessity if success is to be achieved.
It is extremely important to always bear in mind that, under The Discipline, the Annual Church Conference is the highest governing body at the local church level. All other groups and individuals have a delegated authority from that Conference to perform their assigned functions. Inasmuch as it meets only annually, The Discipline makes provision for the handling of issues beyond the jurisdiction of boards and committees. Paragraphs 381-383, authorize and structure a Church Council to handle items the Board of Stewards feels are beyond its authority. A Special Church Conference can also be called to consider business which only a general meeting of the membership should transact. Paragraphs 231-242, and 251-252, describe the functioning of these intermediate bodies.
Conclusion
No claim is made of either past or present perfection of our The Discipline. Time, experience, and a constantly changing society have prompted frequent revision in the past, and the process is likely to continue in the future. However, the claim is made that it is a good working tool, fashioned by honest men and women in a sincere effort to assist the Evangelical Methodist Church in being effective in ministry. Whether or not it fulfills that pupose is likely to depend on us.