The Wesleyan Church Memorials

The Wesleyan Church
MEMORIALS
GENERAL
CONFERENCE
JUNE 7-11, 2008
Ronald D. Kelly
General Secretary
1
Mem. Page
MEMORIAL TITLE No. No.
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS: Journal Committee 1 4
ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS: Unfinished Business 3 5
STUDY ON FORMULA FOR ASSIGNING DELEGATES TO GENERAL CONFERENCE 5 6
DISTRICT CONFERENCE VOTING MEMBERS 215 7
ADJUSTING OF REPRESENTATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREA BOUNDARIES 315 8
ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS REPRESENTED ON THE GENERAL BOARD 316 9
BOUNDARIES: CHANGE OF REPRESENTATIVE AREAS 317 10
CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: GENERAL CONFERENCE INTERVAL 50 11
NAME CHANGE: GLOBAL PARTNERS 375 12
CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: WORLD MISSIONS DELEGATES TO NORTH AMERICAN
GENERAL CONFERENCE CHANGE OF REFERENCE TO DEPARTMENT OF WORLD 55 13
MISSIONS
CONTITUTIONAL ITEM: GENERAL SECRETARY ELECTION BY GENERAL BOARD 58 14
STEWARDSHIP OF LEISURE TIME 77 15
SPECIAL DIRECTIONS 78 16
RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE 76-L 25
MEMBERSHIP 116 26
CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: MEMBERSHIP CHANGES 60 35
CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: MEMBERSHIP CHANGES 61 44
MEMBERSHIP ISSUES - STATUTORY LAW 62 52
EXPANSION OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS 110 58
REGARDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS 113 60
APPOINTMENT OF A DENOMINATIONAL STUDY COMMITTEE ON MEMBERSHIP 115 61
LOCAL CHURCH EVANGELIZING STRATEGY 101 62
EVANGELISM REQUIREMENT FOR ESTABLISHED CHURCH STATUS 103 63
COVENANT MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR ESTABLISHED CHURCH STATUS 102 64
ASSISTANT PASTOR RESIGNATION 100 65
ASSISTANT PASTOR'S TERMINATION PROCEDURE 144 66
LAY ASSISTANT'S TERMINATION PROCEDURE 146 67
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT APPROVAL FOR SPECIAL LOCAL CHURCH
125 68
CONFERENCE
ELECTRONIC E-MAIL VOTING ON PASTORAL RECALLS 140 69
FOUR-YEAR PASTORAL CALL 142 70
THREE-YEAR TERMS FOR LBA MEMBERS 164 71
THREE-YEAR TERMS OF MEMBERS-AT-LARGE ON THE DBA 165 72
LOCAL CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORTS 166 73
ELIMINATION OF CHURCH PERIODICALS DIRECTOR POSITION 180 74
OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD'S SUPPER 190 75
DISTRICT BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION 234 76
DISTRICT BOARD OF REVIEW 245 77
NOMINATION OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF THE
260 78
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
PROCLAMATION: CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE CENTENNIAL CONGRATULATIONS 300 74
GENERAL CONFERENCE VOTING MEMBERS 305 80
2
Mem. Page
MEMORIAL TITLE No. No.
NUMBER OF GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES 307 81
CONSTITUTIONAL MEMORIALS 310 82
RESTATEMENT OF ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION 740 83
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS AREA ROTATION 319 84
ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION OF GENERAL BOARD MEETINGS 324 85
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS FOR LOCAL, DISTRICT AND GENERAL BOARDS AND
325 86
COMMITTEES
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT EMERITUS NOMINATION 335 88
USF SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL PARTNERS 345 89
GLOBAL PARTNERS FUNDING 346 90
REALLOCATE USF/EIF PERCENTAGES 347 91
STAT REPORT STAY UNCHANGED DURING QUADRENNIUM 350 92
RESTRUCTURE OF DISTRICT TNT 351 93
GENERAL CONFERENCE AUTHORIZED TO ELECT THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF
353 94
GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE GENERAL BOARD
WESLEYAN NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES: REORGANIZATION 354 95
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH CREATION CARE
365 96
POSITION STATEMENT
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
366 98
POSITION STATEMENT
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH IMMIGRATION POSITION
367 101
STATEMENT
HOTELS AND MOTELS USED FOR WESLEYAN EVENTS 348 108
DENOMINATIONAL RESPONSE TO CURRENT MORAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES 349 109
DENOMINATIONAL RESPONSE TO CURRENT MORAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES 352 110
EDITORIAL CHANGES TO REFLECT SPIRITUAL FORMATION NOMENCLATURE 385 111
TRANSFERRING MINISTERS AND AMENDING THE DISCIPLINE 500 112
EXTENSION OF TIME TO MEET ORDINATION REQUIREMENT 525 113
APPLICATION OF FUNDS FROM SALE OF DISTRICT PROPERTY 850 114
USE OF CAPITAL FUNDS FROM PROCEEDS OF PROPERTY SALES 852 115
1
3
1 1
2
3 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS: Journal Committee
4
5 Resolved, That the General Conference first session chairman appoint a journal committee of three
6 members to review and to approve the minutes of the daily proceedings, to report its findings to the General
7 Conference from time to time, and to submit any reports not given to the General Conference by the time of
8 its adjournment to the General Board.
9 COMMITTEE ON MEMORIALS
10 Ronald D. Kelly, Secretary
11 v Recommended.
12 Not Recommended.
4
1 3
2
3 ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS: Unfinished Business
4
5 Whereas, It is possible in the waning hours of June 11, 2008, that some items of business may be
6 inadvertently over-looked or unresolved;
7 Resolved, That the General Board be empowered to take care of any unfinished business from the
8 Eleventh General Conference.
11 v Recommended.
12 Not Recommended.
5
1 5
2
3 STUDY ON FORMULA FOR ASSIGNING DELEGATES TO GENERAL CONFERENCE: Report on Task
4 Force mandated by Memorial 301 of the 2004 General Conference
5
6 Whereas, the 2004 General Conference authorized the General Board to appoint a taskforce to study
7 representation at General Conference and bring a recommendation to the 2008 General Conference; and
8 Whereas, a committee was established by the General Board in its November 15-16, 2004 meeting; and
9 Whereas, this committee did meet as directed on May 2, 2005, November 14, 2005 and April 30, 2007;
10 and
11 Whereas, the committee concluded from its deliberations, reporting the same to the General Board, that
12 no change be made from the established system currently in effect for the following reasons:
13§ a change would necessitate a constitutional amendment;
14§ there is no clear consensus in the task force;
15§ much time and effort would be required to agree on an acceptable set of factors; and
16§ the likelihood of adoption is thought to be very remote
17 Resolved, that Discipline 1503(1) establishing the order and selection of voting delegates to General
18 Conference remain unchanged.
21 v Recommended
22 Not Recommended
23
24 [See exhibit – Report of the Task Force Committee]
6
1 215
2
3 DISTRICT CONFERENCE VOTING MEMBERS: Procedure to better achieve the principle of equal
4 representation of ministers and layman at district conferences.
5
6 Whereas, The principle of equal representation in the district conference of ministerial voting members
7 and lay voting members has been firmly established by the Constitution (Discipline 317);
8 Whereas, Some ministerial voting members are not able to attend the district conference due to
9 distance, health, or other personal circumstances;
10 Whereas, There is no desire to deprive any voting member of the district conference of their
11 constitutional right to vote;
12 Whereas, The actual realization of an equal number of ministerial and lay voting delegates in the district
13 conference session is infeasible due to the lack of mandatory attendance and the reality of personal
14 circumstances;
15 Whereas, The Discipline sections that describe the equality of representation between the ministry and
16 the laity are statements of principle;
17 Whereas, The current implementation of Discipline 1100:1 results in a significant imbalance between the
18 number of ministerial voting members present and the number of lay voting members present;
19 Whereas, The district conference roll call as recorded in district conference minutes from preceding
20 years documents clear patterns of voting member absences; and
21 Whereas, A more nearly equal representation could be achieved by allowing the district board of
22 administration some latitude in determining the total number of lay delegates to be elected;
23 Resolved, That Discipline 1080 be amended to read:
24 “The district conference, as required by the Constitution (317), shall be composed of
25 ministerial members and lay members as voting members, chosen in a way that
26 maintains the principle of equal representation, and other nonvoting members as
27 listed herewith.”;
28
29 Resolved, That Discipline 1086 be amended by replacing the sentence:
30 “The total number of lay members with voting rights shall be equal to the total
31 number of ministerial voting members as set forth in 1100:1.” With the sentence:
32
33 “The total number of lay members with voting rights shall be determined as set forth
34 in 1100:1 while maintaining the principle of equal representation of the ministry and
35 the laity”; and
36
37 Resolved, That Discipline 1100:1 be amended to read:
38 “The District Board of Administration shall first determine the total number of lay
39 delegates required for the next session of the district conference (1086) which shall
40 initially equal the number of ministerial voting members eligible at the time such
41 determination is made (cf. 1083:1-5). The District Board of Administration may adjust
42 this number of lay delegates downward to be not less than the highest number of
43 ministerial voting members who answered the roll call in each of the last three district
44 conferences.”
47 v Recommended.
48 Not Recommended.
7
1 315
2
3 ADJUSTING OF REPRESENTATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE AREA BOUNDARIES: Redistribution of
4 districts in administrative areas resulting in adjustment of how area representatives are elected to the
5 General Board.
6
7 Whereas, It is the responsibility of the General Conference to group the districts into representative
8 areas to serve for the election of representatives to the General Board (1590:12); and
9 Whereas, The current arrangement of four representative areas and three administrative areas serves
10 no real purpose, and has been at times confusing;
11 Resolved, That there be three areas for the purpose of representative and administrative organizational
12 structure;
13 Resolved, That there be four ministerial and four lay representatives elected to the General Board from
14 each of the three representative areas,
15 Resolved, That the areas be redrawn into the following area boundaries: and
16
17 The EASTERN REPRESENTATIVE AREA shall include the Atlantic, Chesapeake,
18 Eastern New York / New England, Florida, North Carolina East, North Carolina West,
19 Penn Jersey, Shenandoah, South Carolina, South Coastal, Tennessee and Western
20 Pennsylvania Districts, and
21
22 The CENTRAL REPRESENTATIVE AREA shall include the Central Canada, Central
23 New York, East Michigan, Greater Ohio, Illinois, Indiana Central, Indiana North,
24 Indiana South, Kentucky, North Michigan, West Michigan, and Western New York
25 Districts, and
26
27 The WESTERN REPRESENTATIVE AREA shall include the Colorado-Nebraska,
28 Dakota, Iowa-Minnesota, Kansas, Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Southwest Hispanic,
29 Texas-Louisiana, Tri-State and Wisconsin Districts and the Wesleyan Native American
30 developing district, and
31
32 Resolved, That the references in 1590:, and 2430-2490 in The Discipline be edited to reflect these
33 changes, including the reference to districts and ministries outside of North America.
34
35 NORTH CAROLINA EAST DISTRICT
36 Rev. Wayne A. Johnson, Secretary
37 Recommended.
38 v Not Recommended. [Cared for by Memorial 317]
8
1 316
2
3 ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS REPRESENTED ON THE GENERAL BOARD: Representatives on the General
4 Board elected from “administrative” areas not “representative” areas.
5
6 Whereas, The General Superintendents relate to the churches and districts on the basis of the
7 administrative areas specified (Discipline 2480, 2485 and 2490) rather than on the basis of the
8 representative areas which are based primarily on a former pattern of educational institution boundaries;
9 and
10 Whereas, Electing members from the administrative areas, rather than the representative areas, more
11 accurately reflects current governance practice, reporting patterns and communication flows;
13
14 “To elect by majority vote, as eligible, three four ordained ministers and three four lay
15 members from each of the representative administrative areas (2480-2490) as members
16 of the General Board (1605:2), who shall be nominated by an area caucus. Area
17 caucuses shall be held simultaneously at a time decided upon by the General
18 Conference, for each of which a chair shall be appointed by the presiding officer. In an
19 area caucus, the delegates of each district and provisional district which comprise the
20 representative area shall nominate three four ordained ministers and three four lay
21 members of that area, by ballot and by majority vote, as their area representatives on the
22 General Board.”
23
24 Resolved, That Discipline 1605:2 be amended to read “Area Representatives. Three four ordained
25 ministers and three four lay members shall be elected by the General Conference from each representative
26 administrative area to serve as members of the General Board…” and
27
28 Resolved, That all other editorial changes as needed to implement this resolution are hereby authorized.
29
30 WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT
31 Rev. Chad J. McCallum, Secretary
32 Recommended.
9
1 317
2
3 BOUNDARIES: CHANGE OF REPRESENTATIVE AREAS: Assigning the same boundaries to
4 “Administrative” areas as the “Representative” areas; resulting in adjustment of how representatives are
5 elected to the General Board.
6
7 Whereas, The structure of the Church provides for area divisions within the North American General
8 Conference that have served primarily three functions; 1) administrative: which specifies the area
9 assignments of the General Superintendents; 2) representative: which defines the district groupings from
10 which area General Board members are nominated for election by the General Conference; and 3)
11 educational: which regulates the oversight of the colleges and universities, and the district representation on
12 the various boards of trustees and certain fiscal policies;
13 Whereas, There were four General Superintendents and four areas in the North American General
14 Conference from 1968 to 1992, with the boundaries of the administrative, representative and educational
15 areas being identical;
16 Whereas, The 1992 General Conference adjusted both the number of General Superintendents and
17 administrative areas from four to three; and
18 Whereas, Adjusting the number of representative areas from four to three without reducing the number
19 of area representatives on the General Board would both complement and parallel the present three
20 administrative area structures, simplify the caucus and related functions, and it would eliminate the present
21 overlap of General Superintendent assignments when the four representative areas are overlaid on the three
22 administrative areas;
23 Resolved, That the number and boundaries of the present representative areas be amended so as to
24 become identical with the number and boundaries of the administrative areas and that Discipline,
25 Paragraphs 2430 – 2445, be edited to reflect this change; and
26 Resolved, That Discipline paragraph 1605:2 be adjusted by changing “three” to “four” in the first line of
27 the paragraph so that it would read: “Four ordained ministers and four lay members” with the rest to remain
28 unchanged resulting in the continuation of having 24 area representatives on the General Board; and
29 Resolved, That the educational boundaries (Discipline 2450-2470) remain unchanged and that the
30 district listings/assignments to these areas presently recorded in Discipline 2430-2445 be transferred to the
31 educational boundaries with the exception of Kentucky which will go with North Central.
32
35 v Recommended.
36 Not Recommended.
37
38
39
10
1 50
2
3 CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: GENERAL CONFERENCE INTERVAL: General Conference mandated to
4 convene every five years instead of four.
5
6 Whereas, Our present quadrennial General Conferences are increasingly costly due to the size, logistics,
7 and the work of inspirational and business meetings;
8 Whereas, Movement from the present four-year interval to a five-year interval could represent substantial
9 financial savings (approximately $300,000) over a five-year period thereby relieving financial pressures and
10 releasing funds for ministries;
11 Whereas, The General Board may authorize a special session of the General Conference any time it is
12 deemed necessary (Discipline 1532);
13 Whereas, A number of districts are electing district officials for a two-year period rather than a one-year
14 period;
15 Whereas, A significant number of our district superintendents and pastors are serving on extended calls;
16 Whereas, The service of the General Superintendents and General Officials for a five-year term rather
17 than a four-year term could be beneficial in the developing of Church-wide programs, initiatives, and
18 ministries;
19 Whereas, The need for a Church-wide meeting for fellowship and inspiration has been and can be
20 provided more satisfactorily by events such as The Gathering, which was instituted in 2007 and is again
21 planned for 2011;
22 Whereas, Since, the first General Conference of 1968 to the present time, there has been a marked
23 decrease in the number of memorials resulting in Discipline alterations and less time required for General
24 Conference business; and
25 Whereas, The amending of the Constitution every time there is a need to change the length of interval
26 between General Conference sessions requires unnecessary involvement in details by the district
27 conferences since Constitutional changes require district ratification;
28 Resolved, That in Discipline 330:1, we strike out the word “quadrennially” and insert the words “at an
29 interval specified in The Discipline.”
30 Resolved, That Discipline paragraph 1528 be changed to read, “The General Conference shall meet
31 quinquennially . . .”
32 Resolved, That Discipline 350:2 be amended by changing the words “four-year” to “five-year” in
33 reference to the term of office for General Superintendents.
34 Resolved, That the Editing Committee of the 2008 Discipline is hereby authorized to harmonize all other
35 quadrennial references upon which the frequency of General Conference bears.
36 Resolved, That the change become effective once approved by the two-thirds aggregate district
37 conference vote. General Officer terms would be adjusted for those persons elected by General
38 Conference.
41 v Recommended.
42 Not Recommended.
11
1 375
2
3 NAME CHANGE: GLOBAL PARTNERS: Official name of World Missions changed to Global Partners.
4
5 Whereas, In recent years the leadership of Wesleyan World Missions adopted the operational name
6 Global Partners, reflecting a commitment to our heritage and at the same time openness to the changing
7 worldviews of an increasingly secular and diverse society;
8 Whereas, Global Partners has been extremely well received by our constituency and beyond; and
9 Whereas, Global Partners is the name by which the mission enterprise of the North American General
10 Conference of The Wesleyan Church is now widely identified across our constituency, with our missionary
11 family and in our places of ministry;
12 Resolved, That Global Partners be approved and adopted as the official name of the mission enterprise
13 of the North American General Conference of The Wesleyan Church and that this name be utilized in the
14 several references throughout The Discipline to the Department of World Missions, other than those in the
15 Constitution.
16 BOARD OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS
17 Thomas E. Armiger, Secretary
18
19 v Recommended.
20 Not Recommended.
12
1 55
2
3 CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: WORLD MISSIONS DELEGATES TO NORTH AMERICAN GENERAL
4 CONFERENCE AND CHANGE OF REFERENCE TO DEPARTMENT OF WORLD MISSIONS:
5
6 Whereas, In Discipline 325 and 340:2, the Constitution of the North American General Conference of
7 The Wesleyan Church refers to the “General Department of World Missions” when defining General
8 Conference membership and general administration details;
9 Whereas, The 2008 General Conference of The Wesleyan Church approved the name “Global Partners”
10 as the official name of the mission department of the North American General Conference; and
11 Whereas, The International Charter provides for a plan of representation of all mission units at the
12 International Conference;
13 Resolved, That the Constitution of the North American General Conference be amended in Discipline
14 325 by deleting the last clause:
15 “and of voting and/or nonvoting delegates from units under the General Department of World Missions
16 according to a plan approved by the General Board of Administration.”
17 and
18 Resolved, That Discipline 340:2 be amended by deleting the words “General Department of World
19 Missions” and replacing them with “North American General Conference.” The second sentence in the
20 paragraph shall then read:
21
22 “The General Conference shall have jurisdiction over mission units under the
23 North American General Conference.”
24
27 v Recommended.
28 Not Recommended.
13
1 58
2
3 CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: GENERAL SECRETARY ELECTION BY GENERAL BOARD
4 Whereas, The paragraph 334 of the Constitution states that the General Secretary shall be elected by
5 General Conference;
6 Whereas, Due to the specialized and expanded responsibilities required for the new General
7 Department of Communications;
8 Whereas, The Director of Communications was elected previously by the General Board (Disc.1800:2);
9 and
10 Whereas, Other General Officials heading departments requiring specialized training (General
11 Treasurer, General Publisher, Stewardship Ministries) are elected by the General Board;
12 Resolved, That the General Conference authorize the General Board to elect the General Director of
13 Communications, who shall be designated as the General Secretary of The Wesleyan Church;
14 Resolved, That Discipline 334 be amended by striking the words “a secretary and,” so it will read:
15 “The General Conference shall elect by ballot such officers as it shall decide upon.” and
16 Resolved, That all other Discipline references be changed to reflect this action
17
18
21
22 v Recommended.
23 Not Recommended.
14
1 77
2
3 STEWARDSHIP OF LEISURE TIME: An elucidation of Discipline paragraph 410:12 regarding the Wesleyan
4 Church view of the legitimate use of leisure time for its members.
5
6 Whereas, Wesleyans place a priority on the biblical call to Christ-likeness in all of life; and
7 Whereas, The current statement regarding leisure time does not address the rapid growth of media and
8 technology, which has provided many avenues of both public and private access to leisure choices;
9 Resolved, That Discipline 410:12 be replaced with the following:
10
11 “The Wesleyan Church believes that its members should exercise responsible
12 stewardship in the use of their leisure time, affirming that times of rest and recreation are
13 part of God’s plan for maintaining good health and wholeness in body, mind, and spirit.
14 As in every area of our lives, the church believes its members should strive for Christ-
15 likeness in their leisure, using spiritual discernment in their choices of entertainment and
16 recreational activities (I John 2:15-17). Members are encouraged to be aware of the
17 secular culture and its potential to desensitize the believer to sin and its destructive
18 impact. Leisure time should not be allocated to environments or activities that normalize,
19 draw humor from, or lessen the horribleness of sinful actions, practices or lifestyles.
20 Addictive practices and environments that encourage promiscuous situations and
21 sensual temptations should be avoided. A Christ-focused approach - His spirit, character,
22 values and priorities - should rule leisure choices in the home, or in public, in solitude, or
23 with others.”
24
25 PENN-JERSEY DISTRICT
26 Board of Administration
27 Recommended.
29
15
1 78
2
3 SPECIAL DIRECTIONS: Changes and elucidation in the Special Directions of The Wesleyan Church.
4
5 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church desires to win men and women to Christ; to disciple them to Christ-like
6 living; and to respond to the prevailing culture in ways through which we can be a positive influence without
7 being anti-cultural and losing touch with the very world we seek to win; and
8 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church desires to reaffirm its historic commitment to the moral high ground of
9 proclaiming total abstinence as the most defensible approach to problems of addictive behaviors or
10 substance abuse, including alcohol and tobacco; and
11 Whereas, The Special Directions are not membership commitments, but collective conscience
12 statements that can guide members in shaping their own personal convictions, as well as provide direction
13 for pastors in leading their congregations as they apply biblical principles to personal living and cultural
14 issues;
15 Resolved, That Discipline 400 be amended by adding the following after the first paragraph:
16
17 The Holy Spirit gives wisdom and guidance to believers as they seek to discern
18 personal boundaries for holy living. The Scriptures illustrate that personal conscience
19 varies among individuals on matters for which direct commands of God are not given and
20 that what God requires as a matter of obedience for one person He may not require of all.
21 Therefore, relying on His help through prayer, Bible study, godly counsel and thoughtful
22 reflection, all believers should develop “personal convictions” to aid them in conforming to
23 God’s will as they relate to and involve themselves in their culture as witnesses for Christ.
24 Such private opinions apply only to one’s own conduct. Legalism is the attempt to
25 impose one’s personal convictions upon others as if they are conditions for salvation or
26 universal standards for holiness.
27 Issues arise periodically that require serious deliberation by the Church as a
28 community of believers regarding its collective witness for Christ in society. Just as He
29 does for individuals, the Holy Spirit also instructs the Church in discerning and applying
30 biblical principles to its corporate response to current culture. Out of these prayerful
31 deliberations, “collective conscience” statements are born. These statements are
32 believed to be important enough that they should be a part of the identity of the Church
33 and should characterize the lifestyle of those who are a part of our specific “family” within
34 the larger Body of Christ. These statements are not implied to be conditions for
35 salvation, and as such become legalistic and judgmental. Rather they reflect commonly
36 held values of our Church that are voluntarily accepted in order to make a positive
37 statement to society; to protect the wellbeing and integrity of each person; to bring
38 transformation to culture; and to be a safe haven for those seeking refuge from the
39 damages inflicted upon them by an abusive and godless society. By speaking
40 collectively, the Church also seeks to provide examples for and encourage young
41 disciples, recent converts, new members and its friends in conforming to Christ’s likeness
42 in areas of personal conscience not yet informed by personal study and understanding of
43 biblical principles.
44 These statements of collective conscience do not speak to every issue and must
45 periodically be amended to speak redemptively to important emerging issues affecting
46 the Church and society.
47
48
16
1 Resolved, That Discipline 410:4 be amended by replacing it with the new statement:
2
3 (4) Care of the Body and Substance Abuse. The Bible teaches the sanctity of the
4 human body as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christians should
5 avoid the use of anything which would damage the body, destroy the family, harm society
6 (1 Corinthians 10:23-24), undermine the fellowship of the church, hinder reaching full
7 potential in Christ, enslave the will (1 Corinthians 6:12), inhibit evangelism (1 Corinthians
8 9:19-23), breach the Lord’s command to love God supremely and to love one’s neighbor
9 as oneself (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-39), or become a
10 stumbling block to the young in age or faith (Matthew18:6; 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 10:32-
11 33). The Wesleyan Church encourages its members to practice self-discipline and
12 temperance in matters of proper eating, exercise and rest. We oppose the production,
13 sale, purchase and use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics and other harmful
14 drugs, unless for mechanical, chemical or medicinal purposes (cf. 265:4). The
15 unprescribed use of hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants, and the misuse and
16 abuse of regularly prescribed medicines should be prohibited; only on competent medical
17 advice and under medical supervision should such drugs be used. The consequences to
18 society stemming from substance abuse are of major concern because of their
19 unarguably negative impact on the spiritual character and nature of individuals and the
20 welfare of society. These include the creation of barriers to conversion, family dysfunction
21 and breakdown, poverty, disease and death, increased violence and crime, the
22 incalculable loss to national economies, and the destruction of the individual caught by
23 the power of addiction. In light of the overwhelming evidence of damage to society and
24 the spiritual health of the individual by the abuse of such substances, we believe that
25 even where their use may be legalized, we choose total abstinence as our appropriate
26 response (i.e., voluntarily refraining from and totally avoiding the use of something in all
27 unnecessary circumstances as determined by the individual Christian’s conscience in
28 submission to the lordship of Christ and the admonitions of the Church). Such
29 abstinence is a willing act of self-discipline, an acceptance of group accountability, and
30 never a test of salvation or an evidence of superior spirituality.
31
32 Resolved, That 410:7 be stricken and replaced with the new statement:
33
34 (7) The Lord’s Day. God prescribed that one day a week be set aside for the spiritual,
35 mental and physical wellbeing of humankind (Genesis 2:2-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-14). The
36 Wesleyan Church encourages its members to refrain from unnecessary employment or
37 merchandizing on the Lord’s Day (cf. 265:1).
38
40
41 (9) Public School. The Wesleyan Church supports the right and responsibility of parents
42 to determine what is appropriate education for their children, testing the education their
43 children are receiving in accordance with biblical principles and striving for excellence in
44 the education provided for all children. We maintain the right of our members to seek
45 exemption from participation by their children in all matters that are contrary to scriptural
46 doctrines and principles as expressed in the Articles of Religion, Covenant Membership
47 Commitments, or Elementary Principles of our Church, without prejudice to academic
48 standing.
17
1
3
4 (12) Use of Time and Entertainments. We believe that our members should exercise
5 responsible stewardship of their time for worship, work, rest, personal leisure, and service
6 to others. Special care should be given to honoring Christ in one’s choices and pursuit of
7 entertainments. This will include refusing to patronize and to carefully regulate the use in
8 the home of activities, media and communication where they feature the cheapening of
9 human life, the excessively violent, and the sexually explicit and pornographic. Members
10 should avoid involvement with activities that tend to be addictive or conducive to
11 gambling (i.e., risking one’s assets or property on the outcome of legal or illegal games of
12 chance, including government-sponsored lotteries). We believe gambling violates the
13 principle of Christian stewardship (i.e., trusting God’s provision for us, as exemplified in
14 Matthew 6:25-34) and the tenth commandment which forbids coveting (Deuteronomy
15 5:21); is harmful to the individual in that it is emotionally addictive; can be a poor example
16 to others of how to manage the resources of God or trust in God’s provision; appeals to
17 greed; endangers families; lowers socio-economic standards and self esteem; engenders
18 false hope; and is exploitative in that it takes advantage of the misplaced hopes,
19 compulsions or poor judgment of others. We believe that total abstinence is the best
20 Christian response to gambling in all its forms.
21
24
25 v Recommended.
26 Not Recommended.
18
1
2 SPECIAL DIRECTIONS
3
4 400. The special directions are expressions by which The Wesleyan Church seeks to bear witness to
5 contemporary society concerning the Christian life and character required by its Articles of Religion and
6 Covenant Membership Commitments. While they are not covenant membership commitments, they are
7 official admonitions to the members, ministers and officials of The Wesleyan Church, and provide guidelines
8 for bearing public testimony on the issues discussed.
9 The Holy Spirit gives wisdom and guidance to believers as they seek to discern personal boundaries
10 for holy living. The Scriptures illustrate that personal conscience varies among individuals on
11 matters for which direct commands of God are not given and that what God requires as a matter of
12 obedience for one person He may not require of all. Therefore, relying on His help through prayer,
13 Bible study, godly counsel and thoughtful reflection, all believers should develop “personal
14 convictions” to aid them in conforming to God’s will as they relate to and involve themselves in their
15 culture as witnesses for Christ. Such private opinions apply only to one’s own conduct. Legalism is
16 the attempt to impose one’s personal convictions upon others as if they are conditions for salvation
17 or universal standards for holiness.
18 Issues arise periodically that require serious deliberation by the Church as a community of
19 believers regarding its collective witness for Christ in society. Just as He does for individuals, the
20 Holy Spirit also instructs the Church in discerning and applying biblical principles to its corporate
21 response to current culture. Out of these prayerful deliberations, “collective conscience” statements
22 are born. These statements are believed to be important enough that they should be a part of the
23 identity of the Church and should characterize the lifestyle of those who are a part of our specific
24 “family” within the larger Body of Christ. These statements are not implied to be conditions for
25 salvation, and as such become legalistic and judgmental. Rather they reflect commonly held values
26 of our Church that are voluntarily accepted in order to make a positive statement to society; to
27 protect the wellbeing and integrity of each person; to bring transformation to culture; and to be a
28 safe haven for those seeking refuge from the damages inflicted upon them by an abusive and
29 godless society. By speaking collectively, the Church also seeks to provide examples for and
30 encourage young disciples, recent converts, new members and its friends in conforming to Christ’s
31 likeness in areas of personal conscience not yet informed by personal study and understanding of
32 biblical principles.
33
34 A. Christian Social Concern
35
36 410. The Wesleyan Church seeks recognition by the society which surrounds it of the authority of
37 Almighty God, and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, in civil, political and temporal as well as spiritual
38 matters, and the transformation of that society into the image of Christ insofar as is possible in this present
39 age. It believes that such a transformation of society shall primarily be accomplished by the divine
40 transformation through faith in Christ of the individuals who compose society, but that Christians ought also
41 to manifest social concern in every manner that is in keeping with their Christian testimony. To this end:
42 (1) Equal Rights. The Wesleyan Church upholds the right of all individuals to equal opportunity
43 politically, economically and religiously, and pledges itself to an active effort to bring about the possession of
44 dignity and happiness by all people everywhere (cf. 220; 265:10, 11; 360:3d).
45 (2) Peace. The Wesleyan Church, knowing that war results in great suffering for the bodies, minds and
46 souls of men and women, staggering economic loss with its legacy of debt for future generations, and the
47 unleashing of the baser passions of life, urges that persons and nations seek by every legitimate means to
48 avoid armed conflict among the peoples and nations of the world. The Wesleyan Church also urges that
19
1 holy people everywhere pray earnestly for those in authority, so that peace may prevail (1 Tim. 2:2), and for
2 the quick return of the Prince of Peace.
3 (3) Military Service. The Wesleyan Church teaches respect for properly constituted civil authority and
4 the proper loyalty to one’s country. It recognizes the responsibility of the individual to answer the call of
5 government and to enter into military service. However, there are those within the fellowship of The
6 Wesleyan Church who believe that military service is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament and that
7 their consciences are violated by being compelled to take part in such. The Wesleyan Church will therefore
8 lend moral support to any member who asks and claims exemption by legal processes from military service
9 as a sincere conscientious objector and who asks to serve one’s country as a noncombatant.
10 (4) Substance Abuse. The Wesleyan Church is opposed to the production, sale, purchase and use of
11 alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics and other harmful drugs, unless for mechanical, chemical or
12 medicinal purposes (cf. 265:4). The unprescribed use of hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants, and
13 the misuse and abuse of regularly prescribed medicines should be prohibited; only on competent medical
14 advice and under medical supervision should such drugs be used.
15 Care of the Body and Substance Abuse. The Bible teaches the sanctity of the human body as the
16 temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christians should avoid the use of anything which
17 would damage the body, destroy the family, harm society (1 Corinthians 10:23-24), undermine the
18 fellowship of the church, hinder reaching full potential in Christ, enslave the will (1 Corinthians 6:12),
19 inhibit evangelism (1 Corinthians 9:19-23), breach the Lord’s command to love God supremely and to
20 love one’s neighbor as oneself (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-39), or become a
21 stumbling block to the young in age or faith (Matthew18:6; 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 10:32-33). The
22 Wesleyan Church encourages its members to practice self-discipline and temperance in matters of
23 proper eating, exercise and rest. We oppose the production, sale, purchase and use of alcoholic
24 beverages, tobacco, narcotics and other harmful drugs, unless for mechanical, chemical or medicinal
25 purposes (cf. 265:4). The unprescribed use of hallucinogens, stimulants and depressants, and the
26 misuse and abuse of regularly prescribed medicines should be prohibited; only on competent
27 medical advice and under medical supervision should such drugs be used. The consequences to
28 society stemming from substance abuse are of major concern because of their unarguably negative
29 impact on the spiritual character and nature of individuals and the welfare of society. These include
30 the creation of barriers to conversion, family dysfunction and breakdown, poverty, disease and
31 death, increased violence and crime, the incalculable loss to national economies, and the destruction
32 of the individual caught by the power of addiction. In light of the overwhelming evidence of damage
33 to society and the spiritual health of the individual by the abuse of such substances, we believe that
34 even where their use may be legalized, we choose total abstinence as our appropriate response (i.e.,
35 voluntarily refraining from and totally avoiding the use of something in all unnecessary
36 circumstances as determined by the individual Christian’s conscience in submission to the lordship
37 of Christ and the admonitions of the Church). Such abstinence is a willing act of self-discipline, an
38 acceptance of group accountability, and never a test of salvation or an evidence of superior
39 spirituality.
40 (5) Human Sexuality. The Wesleyan Church abhors the trend to ignore God’s laws of chastity and
41 purity, and vigorously opposes public acceptance of sexual promiscuity and all factors and practices which
42 promote it. The Wesleyan Church maintains a biblical view of human sexuality which makes the sexual
43 experience, within the framework of marriage, a gift of God to be enjoyed as communion of a man and
44 woman, as well as for the purpose of procreation. Sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual
45 relationships between persons of the same sex are immoral and sinful. The depth of the sinfulness of
46 homosexual practice is recognized, and yet we believe the grace of God sufficient to overcome both the
47 practice of such activity and the perversion leading to its practice.
20
1 (6) Divorce and Remarriage. On the basis of a careful study of the Scriptures, and in keeping with its
2 Covenant Membership Commitments (265:5), The Wesleyan Church teaches the following with reference to
3 divorce and remarriage after divorce:
4 (a) To obtain a divorce on other than scriptural grounds is a sin against God and humanity. Such putting
5 asunder of what God has joined is a direct and deliberate act of disobedience against both the Law and the
6 Gospel. It separates one from God and subjects a member to Church discipline (5115; 5120).
7 (b) However, recognizing the fallen state of humanity, divorce has been recognized in the Scriptures as
8 a valid and permanent dissolution of marriage with all its rights and responsibilities. Divorce is not reversible.
9 There is no way to “restore” a dissolved marriage. The divorced (unmarried) status can be changed only by
10 a new marriage to the same person or another person. No divorced and remarried person has two spouses,
11 only a former spouse and a present spouse, as in Deuteronomy 24:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 7.
12 (c) Divorce, however sinful the act and however serious the consequences, is not “unpardonable.” A
13 redeemed sinner or reclaimed backslider is “free” to marry “in the Lord” or to remain unmarried, a eunuch for
14 the kingdom of God’s sake. The one exception to this freedom of choice is mentioned by the Apostle Paul.
15 It is a believer who disobeys the commandment of God and puts away a believing spouse. That person
16 must remain unmarried to leave room for reconciliation to the spouse (1 Corinthians 7).
17 (d) The right to remarry in no way excuses the sin of divorce. It only implies that the Church must
18 forgive and restore those whom the Lord forgives and restores. Neither penance nor penalty remain to the
19 truly penitent and restored sinner, or backslider, whatever the traumatic consequences of the sin may be.
20 (7) Merchandising on the Lord’s Day. The Wesleyan Church opposes the legalization of merchandising
21 on the Lord’s Day (cf. 265:1).
22 The Lord’s Day. God prescribed one day a week be set aside for the spiritual, mental and physical
23 well being of humankind (Genesis 2:2-3; Deuteronomy 5:12-14). The Wesleyan Church encourages
24 its members to refrain from unnecessary employment or merchandizing on the Lord’s Day (cf. 265:1).
25 (8) Religion in Public Life. The Wesleyan Church, believing that it is possible to allow recognition of God
26 and the invoking of His aid in public functions without violating the Constitution of the United States,
27 advocates the enactment of suitable legislation by the Congress which will strengthen the present provision
28 for the free exercise of religion in national life and allow reference to, or the invoking of the aid of God, in any
29 governmental or public document, proceeding, activity, ceremony or institution. The Wesleyan Church
30 further affirms its belief in the public school’s duty to do full justice to the large place of the Judeo-Christian
31 tradition in our American heritage, and its conviction that the Bible is an appropriate book for reading in the
32 public schools and that the right of students to pray should not be abridged.
33 (9) Public School Activities. The Wesleyan Church protests the inclusion of such questionable items as
34 social dancing in the public school curriculum and maintains the right of its members to seek exemption from
35 participation by their children in all matters that are contrary to scriptural doctrines and principles as
36 expressed in the Articles of Religion, Covenant Membership Commitments or Elementary Principles of The
37 Wesleyan Church, without prejudice to academic standing.
38 Public School. The Wesleyan Church supports the right and responsibility of parents to determine
39 what is appropriate education for their children, testing the education their children are receiving in
40 accordance with biblical principles and striving for excellence in the education provided for all
41 children. We maintain the right of our members to seek exemption from participation by their
42 children in all matters that are contrary to scriptural doctrines and principles as expressed in the
43 Articles of Religion, Covenant Membership Commitments, or Elementary Principles of our Church,
44 without prejudice to academic standing.
45 (10) Judicial Oaths. The Wesleyan Church reserves for its members the right to affirm the truth in
46 testimony before the civil and criminal courts rather than to engage in a judicial oath.
47 (11) Abortion. The Wesleyan Church seeks to recognize and preserve the sanctity of human life from
48 conception to natural death and, thus, is opposed to the use of induced abortion. However, it recognizes that
21
1 there may be rare pregnancies where there are grave medical conditions threatening the life of the mother,
2 which could raise a serious question about taking the life of the unborn child. In such a case, a decision
3 should be made only after very prayerful consideration following medical and spiritual counseling. The
4 Wesleyan Church encourages its members to become informed about the abortion issue and to become
5 actively involved locally and nationally in the preparation and passage of appropriate legislation guaranteeing
6 protection of life under law to unborn children.
7 (12) Use of Leisure Time. The Wesleyan Church believes that its members should exercise responsible
8 stewardship of their leisure time. This will include careful regulation of the use in the home of mass media,
9 such as current literature, radio and television, guarding the home against the encroachment of evil (cf.
10 265:6). It will also involve witnessing against social evils by appropriate forms of influence, the refusal to
11 participate in social dancing, the refusal to patronize the motion picture theater (cinema), together with other
12 commercial ventures as they feature the cheap, the violent or the sensual and pornographic, and the refusal
13 to engage in playing games which tend to be addictive or conducive to gambling (cf. 265:4).
14 Use of Time and Entertainments. We believe that our members should exercise responsible
15 stewardship of their time for worship, work, rest, personal leisure, and service to others. Special
16 care should be given to honoring Christ in one’s choices and pursuit of entertainments. This will
17 include refusing to patronize and to carefully regulate the use in the home of activities, media and
18 communication where they feature the cheapening of human life, the excessively violent, and the
19 sexually explicit and pornographic. Members should avoid involvement with activities that tend to be
20 addictive or conducive to gambling (i.e., risking one’s assets or property on the outcome of legal or
21 illegal games of chance, including government-sponsored lotteries). We believe gambling violates
22 the principle of Christian stewardship (i.e., trusting God’s provision for us, as exemplified in Matthew
23 6:25-34) and the tenth commandment which forbids coveting (Deuteronomy 5:21); is harmful to the
24 individual in that it is emotionally addictive; can be a poor example to others of how to manage the
25 resources of God or trust in God’s provision; appeals to greed; endangers families; lowers socio-
26 economic standards and self esteem; engenders false hope; and is exploitative in that it takes
27 advantage of the misplaced hopes, compulsions or poor judgment of others. We believe that total
28 abstinence is the best Christian response to gambling in all its forms.
29 (13) Modesty in Attire. The Wesleyan Church believes that our people should provide clear testimony to
30 Christian purity and modesty by properly clothing the body and by dressing with Christian simplicity.
31
32 B. Christian Worship and Fellowship
33
34 420. Rites and Ceremonies of Churches. True religion does not consist in any ritual observances such
35 as forms or ceremonies, even of the most excellent kind, be they ever so decent and significant, ever so
36 expressive of inward things. The religion of Christ rises infinitely higher and lies infinitely deeper than all
37 these. Let no one conceive that rites and ceremonies have any intrinsic worth, or that true worship cannot
38 subsist without them. Therefore, it is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the
39 same or exactly alike, for they have always been different and may be changed according to the diversities
40 of countries, times and customs, provided that nothing be ordained against God’s Word.
41
42 Acts 15:10, 28-29; Rom. 14:2-6, 15, 17, 21; 1 Cor. 1:10; 12:25; 14:26; 2 Cor. 13:11; Gal. 5:1, 13; Col. 2:16-
43 17; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14; 1 Tim. 1:4, 6; 1 Peter 2:16.
44
45 430. Healing. The truth that Jesus is both able and willing to heal the body as well as the human soul,
46 whenever such healing is for His glory, is clearly set forth in God’s Word and attested by the experience of
47 many of His people at the present day. Prayer for healing according to the pattern set forth in the Scriptures
48 shall be encouraged.
22
1 Matt. 10:8; Luke 9:2; 10:9; Acts 4:10, 14; 1 Cor. 12:9, 28; James 5:14-16.
2
3 440. Christian Liberty. Christ, through His death on the cross, has freed His followers from sin and from
4 bondage to the law. Christians are “called unto liberty” (Gal. 5:13 KJV), and are not under the law as a
5 means of salvation. They are rather exhorted, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made
6 us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Gal. 5:1 KJV).
7 This liberty, however, is not to be construed as license (Gal. 5:13). Rather, love for Christ constrains the
8 Christian to live righteously and holily as God demands. By the Spirit of God, His laws are written on the
9 heart (Heb. 8:10). So Christians resist evil and cleave to the good, not in order to be saved, but because
10 they have been saved.
11 Within the bounds of Christian liberty, there will be differences of opinion. In such cases, the believer
12 seeks to avoid offending other believers. The stronger one is mindful of the opinions of the one with the
13 weaker conscience (1 Cor. 8 and 10), and is careful not to put a stumbling block in another’s way (1 Cor.
14 10:24; Gal 5:13). On the other hand, the weak does not criticize the strong (1 Cor. 10:29-30), for the
15 conscience of the weak may need instruction.
16 The recognition and exercise of that liberty which Christ affords will glorify God and promote the unity of
17 the Church.
18 450. Christian Unity. The Wesleyan Church, having originated through merger between those of like
19 precious faith, is fully committed to that true Christian unity which is based on scriptural truth and the
20 fellowship of the Spirit, and deplores the separation or division of Christians over peripheral and nonessential
21 matters. While The Wesleyan Church opposes the building of one all-inclusive ecclesiastical organization
22 which regards neither scriptural doctrine nor practice, it welcomes fellowship with those who are committed
23 to the same doctrines and standards of holy living, and cooperation across denominational lines with those
24 who hold the cardinal doctrines of the Christian religion revealed in the Bible.
25
26 C. Christian Stewardship
27
28 460. Meaning of Stewardship. The Scriptures teach that God is the owner of all persons and all things,
29 that people are His stewards of both life and possessions, that God’s ownership and one’s stewardship
30 ought to be acknowledged, and that every person shall be held personally accountable to God for the
31 exercise of their stewardship (cf. 265:3). God, as a God of system and order in all of His ways, has
32 established a system of giving which acknowledges His ownership and humankind’s stewardship. To this
33 end all His children should faithfully tithe and present offerings for the support of the gospel.
34 465. Storehouse Tithing. Storehouse tithing is a scriptural and practical performance of faithfully and
35 regularly placing the tithe into that church to which the member belongs. Therefore, the financing of the
36 church shall be based on the plan of storehouse tithing, and The Wesleyan Church shall be regarded by all
37 its people as the storehouse. All who are a part of The Wesleyan Church are urged to contribute faithfully
38 one-tenth of all their increase as a minimum financial obligation to the Lord and freewill offerings in addition
39 as God has prospered them.
40
41 Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Lev. 27:30-32; Deut. 14:22; Prov. 3:9-10; 11:24-25; Mal. 3:10-11; Matt. 23:23; Acts 4:34-
42 35; 6:1-3; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 8:13-14; Heb. 7:1-2, 6, 9.
43
44 470. Methods of Fund Raising. In the light of the scriptural teaching concerning the giving of tithes and
45 offerings (cf. 465) for the support of the gospel, and for the erection of church buildings, no Wesleyan church
46 should engage in any method of fund raising which would detract from these principles, hinder the gospel
47 message, sully the name of the Church, discriminate against the poor, or misdirect the people’s energies
48 from promoting the gospel.
23
1 475. Wills, Bequests and Annuities. It is essential in the exercise of Christian stewardship that careful
2 thought be given as to what shall be done with one’s estate after death. Civil laws often do not provide for
3 the distribution of an estate in such a way as to glorify God. Each Christian should give careful attention to
4 the preparation of a last will and testament in a careful and legal manner, and The Wesleyan Church and its
5 various ministries through the local church, the district, world missions, extension and evangelism, education
6 and benevolences are recommended for consideration. The General Director of Stewardship Ministries is
7 prepared to assist in these matters (2070-2075; 4240; 4940).
24
1 76 [L]
2
3 RELIGION IN PUBLIC LIFE: An elucidation of Discipline paragraph 410:8 regarding the Wesleyan Church
4 view of the legitimate use of Leisure time for its members.
5
6 Whereas, Paragraph 410:8 is only applicable to members living in the United States of America;
7 Whereas, Many legislative bodies and levels of church government influence the laws and practices of
8 public life; and
9 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church desires to have its Discipline statements embrace all of its
10 constituency;
11 Resolved, That the following changes be made to paragraph 410:8:
12
13 • Strike [the words] “the Constitution of the United States” in line three and substitute [the
14 words] “personal rights and freedoms granted by many nations”.
15 • Strike [the word] “Congress” in line three and substitute [the words] “legislative bodies at
16 all levels of government”.
17 • Strike the word “national” in line five and substitute the word “public”.
18 • Strike the words “in any governmental or public documents, proceeding, activity,
19 ceremony or institution” in lines five and six and substitute the words “by individuals,
20 serving, writing, speaking, leading or contributing to any public function”.
21 • Strike the words “do full justice to the large place” in line seven and substitute [the words]
22 “recognize the historical and ongoing contribution”.
23 • Strike the words beginning in line six “in our American heritage and its conviction that”
24 and substitute [the words] “to world cultures and modern life”.
25
26 Add the words “The Wesleyan Church verifies” prior to the [word] “Bible” in line eight.
27
28 Strike the words “should not be abridged” in line nine and substitute the words “as desired”.
29
30 The new paragraph shall then read:
31
32 “The Wesleyan Church, believing that it is possible to allow recognition of God and the
33 invoking of His aid in public functions without violating the personal rights and freedoms
34 granted in many nations, advocates the enactment of suitable legislation by legislative
35 bodies at all levels of government which will strengthen provision for the free exercise of
36 religion in public life and allow reference to, or the invoking of the aid of God by
37 individuals serving, writing, speaking, leading or contributing to any public function. The
38 Wesleyan Church further affirms its belief in the public school’s duty to recognize the
39 historical and ongoing contribution of the Judeo-Christian tradition to world cultures and
40 modern life. The Wesleyan Church verifies the Bible is an appropriate book for reading in
41 public schools and the right of students to pray as desired”.
42 CENTRAL CANADA DISTRICT
43 Reverend Thurland Brown, Secretary
44 v Recommended.
45 Not Recommended.
46
47
48
25
1 116
2
3 MEMBERSHIP: Restructure of membership
4
5 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church views membership as a means of adhering to the biblical expectation
6 of a higher standard of accountability for leaders in the church; and
7 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church desires to affirm its Covenant Membership Commitments as essential
8 conditions for local, district and general church leadership; and
9 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church desires to affirm the value of local church membership by eliminating
10 restrictions from greater participation in local church life by all persons willing to declare their faith in Jesus
11 Christ and unite with other believers in mutual accountability and service; and
12 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church desires to affirm its commitment to rigorous discipleship strategies,
13 including Student Membership as a means of discipling those who come to Christ in their early years; and
14 Whereas, Community membership is presently only an optional local membership category and its use
15 as a discipleship strategy has led to varying degrees of effectiveness; and
16 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church desires to clarify the expectations of community members and
17 strengthen their loyalty to and involvement in local church life;
18 Resolved, That Discipline 552, Membership Structure, be amended by striking the present paragraph
19 and replacing it with the following:
20 552. Membership Structure.
21 (1) Membership in The Wesleyan Church may be covenant membership, community membership
22 or student membership.
23 (2) Leadership. Covenant membership is the standard required for all elected leadership positions in The
24 Wesleyan Church at local, district and general church levels. The right to hold any leadership office or
25 position, provided that one is not under church discipline, is a privilege of covenant membership. Leaders are
26 expected to live exemplary lives and to serve as models for others to follow. Persons who are elected to
27 serve the church in leadership positions are required to annually affirm and follow the Articles of Religion, the
28 Covenant Membership Commitments and the Elementary Principles; be faithful in local church attendance;
29 practice biblical stewardship; participate in active witness and service for Christ; maintain unity in the church;
30 and agree to give proper accountability to those who are assigned spiritual authority over them by The
31 Discipline.
32 (3) Leadership positions in the local church that require a person to be a Covenant Member are:
33 a) any credentialed ministry
34 b) local board of administration member
35 c) trustee
36 d) delegate to district or general conference
37 e) nominating committee
38 f) lay leader
39 g) witness and membership committee member
40 h) church treasurer
41 i) Sunday school superintendent
42 Resolved, That Discipline 558 be amended by striking the first sentence which reads: “A local church
43 may choose to implement the community membership category.”
44 Resolved, That Discipline 558:1 be amended by inserting the words “and baptism” after the phrase
45 “their Christian experience.”
46 Resolved, That Discipline 558:2 be amended by inserting “commitment to abide by the Articles of
47 Religion of The Wesleyan Church;” after the phrase “a life of practical holiness”; and by striking “the Articles
48 of Religion” after the words “further instruction in.”
26
1 Resolved, That Discipline 560 regarding the rights of community membership be amended by:
2 1. Striking from 560:3 the part of the sentence that reads: “provided that the local board of administration
3 considers the community member sufficiently mature in years and spiritual development, exemplary in
4 conduct and gifted for such service.”
5 2. Striking from 560:4 the voting restrictions placed on community members, with the exception of voting
6 on the reception of covenant members, so the subparagraph will read:
7 (4) The right to vote on all issues presented to the local church conference except votes on the
8 reception of covenant members.
9 3. Adding a new subparagraph 6 which shall read:
10 (6) The right to be transferred to any other Wesleyan church upon the presentation of a letter of
11 transfer and a majority vote by the receiving church’s local board of administration.
12 Resolved, That Discipline 563 be changed by striking the last sentence, which reads, “As a part of its
13 annual review of the church membership roll (cf. 782:10), the local board of administration shall review the
14 status of each community member and assess progress toward covenant membership.”
15 Resolved, That Student Membership be added as a new category of membership, by adding the
16 following paragraphs 564 and 565 and renumbering the present Discipline 565 so it becomes 566. The new
17 paragraphs shall read:
18 3. Student Membership.
19 564. Those children and youth who have been saved from their sins shall be received as
20 student members promptly after their conversion and baptism. The local board of
21 administration, having provided for their examination concerning their relationship with
22 Christ and their intention to develop toward spiritual maturity, may receive them by
23 majority vote. Student members shall be received formally in a public ceremony led by
24 the pastor or staff pastor. The local church shall provide a program that will guide
25 student members toward spiritual maturity and an understanding of the importance,
26 privileges and commitments of covenant and community membership.
27 565. Student members shall have all the rights of community members except to vote
28 and to hold office. They may become covenant or community members at any time they
29 are qualified and received as given in _____. If student members are not qualified for
30 covenant membership by their eighteenth birthday, every effort shall be made by the
31 pastor and the local board of administration during the following year to prepare them for
32 covenant membership. When they are nineteen years of age, they must either become
33 covenant or community members or be dropped from the student membership list.
34 Student members who desire to become covenant or community members shall be
35 received as given in 553 or 558.
36 Resolved, That present Discipline 565 be renumbered and amended by adding “and
37 community” in the first sentence; by striking “Community” from the second sentence and
38 adding “student” so the paragraph shall read:
39 566. Covenant and community members in The Wesleyan Church may be received by
40 confession of faith or by letter. Student members shall be received by confession of faith.
41 Resolved, That Discipline 568 be amended by striking the first sentence; striking
42 “community” and “and covenant” from the second sentence; by adding “community”
43 before “membership” at the end of the sentence; and by correcting Discipline references
44 to include 5565-5567 and 5575, so it shall read:
45 568. The pastor and the local board of administration shall be responsible to provide
46 membership training classes for all members, training them in the biblical doctrines and
47 standards of The Church, acquainting them with the history and organization of The
27
1 Wesleyan Church, and explaining to them the meaning of the vows of covenant and
2 community membership (297; cf. 5565-5567, 5575).
3 Resolved, That Discipline 570 be amended by striking from the last sentence the
4 word “prepare” and replacing it with the words “become community members and to
5 begin preparation”, so the sentence shall read:
6 But if it is discovered that these persons have only now given their hearts to Christ
7 and are seeking after a full knowledge of the truth, they shall be encouraged to become
8 community members and to begin preparation for covenant membership.
9 Resolved, That Discipline 575 be amended by adding “or community” to the first
10 sentence so that it reads in part:
11 575. When any covenant or community member shall request a letter of transfer….
12 Resolved, That Discipline 578:1 be amended by inserting “and community” following
13 “Covenant” in the first sentence; by inserting “and community” following “covenant” and
14 by inserting “in the case of Covenant members,” before “the Covenant Membership
15 Commitments” in the second sentence, so it shall read:
16 (1). Covenant and community members may be received, subject to the approving
17 vote of the local church conference, unless the local church conference shall have
18 delegated this right to the local board of administration (297:5). The transfer of covenant
19 and community membership may be questioned by the receiving church if it is evident
20 that the person involved is not in a state of grace or is living in open violation of the
21 Articles of Religion or, in the case of covenant members, the Covenant Membership
22 Commitments.
23 Resolved, That Discipline 580 be amended by inserting the words “or community”
24 following the word “covenant”, so it shall read in part:
25 580. A covenant or community member of The Wesleyan Church….
26 Resolved, That a new paragraph 582 be added which shall read:
27 582. Student membership is not transferable.
28 Resolved, That Discipline 585 be amended by inserting “or community” following
29 “covenant”, so it shall read in part:
30 585. Covenant or community membership in The Wesleyan Church….
31 Resolved, That Discipline 588 be amended by striking subparagraph 6 which reads: “The
32 discontinuance of the community membership category in the local church.” and
33 Resolved, That Discipline 595, 598, 600 and 605 be amended by inserting “or community” following the
34 word “covenant”, so each paragraph will begin:
35 “When any covenant or community member…”
38
39 v Recommended.
40 Not Recommended.
28
1 Chapter 2
2
3 MEMBERSHIP
4
5 A. Essence and Necessity of Membership
6
7 550. Membership in The Wesleyan Church is conditioned upon an experience of conversion whereby a
8 person becomes a member of the body of Jesus Christ, followed by discipleship within a family of believers
9 for spiritual life and growth. Therefore it is of high importance that immediate steps be taken to shepherd,
10 disciple and train believers through the process of membership for mutual accountability and ministry to the
11 church, community, and the world (cf. 568-570; 725:11; 782:7, 880:11; 2300:5).
12 551. The overall mission objective of membership in The Wesleyan Church is: To acknowledge believers
13 as belonging to the body of Christ; to disciple them into covenant relationship with The Wesleyan Church;
14 and to equip them to minister to the church, community, and the world.
15 (1) The Vision of Membership. It is our belief and practice that The Wesleyan Church is not a collection
16 of independent churches unrelated to each other nor just merely an association of churches, but rather we
17 constitute a “family” of believers connected by our identity in Christ and our identity with one another.
18 Membership serves as the common thread that unifies us within our diversity as a community with the
19 passion for developing fully committed disciples of Christ. Membership is a ministry tool to use in the process
20 of spiritual development, subsequent to conversion and leading to maturity in Christ. To enhance the
21 discipleship process of maturing people toward Christlikeness, membership is used as a means of
22 accountability. The accountability used within the community of faith is based on the primary authority of the
23 Scriptures. We also acknowledge the role of tradition, experience, and reason to shape the collective
24 conscience reflected in the membership accountability commitments. Membership becomes the channel
25 whereby people are discipled and equipped to do ministry within the church and as a witness to the world at
26 large.
27 (2) The Value of Membership. Membership in The Wesleyan Church is built on the premise that it is a
28 discipleship tool within the life of the church. Each local fellowship adapts its ministry scope and sequence
29 but a common path would involve the following steps:
30 Relationship – The personal conversion experience with Christ. This relationship with Christ incorporates
31 the person in the universal Church and identifies one with the fellowship of believers.
32 Discipleship – The process of becoming more and more like Christ with the goal to proceed further in
33 spiritual pilgrimage and spiritual leadership.
34 Ministry – The potential for believers to use their gifts and abilities to serve Christ and others, and
35 demonstrate their allegiance and accountability to the doctrine, polity, and ministry of The Wesleyan Church.
36 Membership provides the personal and corporate benefits of:
37 Believing – Membership helps people identify the essential beliefs taught in the Bible, and how these
38 beliefs impact our lifestyle, relationships, and our witness for Christ within the church and beyond.
39 Belonging – Every person being served by our churches needs a sense of belonging, which in turn gives
40 the Church a wonderful opportunity to enhance the discipling process.
41 Building – The task of building or discipling our believers is the paramount task of the Church, and is best
42 accomplished through the membership process.
43 Blessing – A member is expected to do what makes life worthwhile – contributing and serving with the
44 ultimate goal of reaching the world for Christ.
45 552. Membership Structure.
46 (1) Membership in The Wesleyan Church may be covenant membership, community membership and
47 Student membership. A local church that has a discipleship program may choose to implement the
48 community membership category as part of that discipleship process. Community membership shall not be
29
1 transferable. After consultation with the district superintendent, a local church may institute the community
2 membership option upon two-thirds vote of the covenant members present and voting at a duly called local
3 church conference. The community membership option may be discontinued upon the recommendation of
4 the local board of administration, and approval of the district board of administration.
5 (2) Leadership. Covenant membership is the standard required for all elected leadership
6 positions in The Wesleyan Church at local, district and general church levels. The right to hold any
7 leadership office or position, provided that one is not under church discipline, is a privilege of
8 covenant membership. Leaders are expected to live exemplary lives and to serve as models for
9 others to follow. Persons who are elected to serve the church in leadership positions are annually
10 required to affirm and follow the Articles of Religion, the Covenant Membership Commitments and
11 the Elementary Principles; be faithful in local church attendance; practice biblical stewardship;
12 participate in active witness and service for Christ; maintain unity in the church; and agree to give
13 proper accountability to those who are assigned spiritual authority over them by The Discipline.
14 (3) Leadership positions in the local church that require a person to be a Covenant Member are:
15 a) any credentialed ministry
16 b) local board of administration member
17 c) trustee
18 d) delegate to district or general conference
19 e) nominating committee
20 f) lay leader
21 g) witness and membership committee member
22 h) church treasurer
23 i) Sunday school superintendent
24
25 B. Categories of Membership
26
27 1. Covenant Membership
28
29 553. Those persons shall be admitted to covenant membership in The Wesleyan Church who meet the
30 conditions set forth in the Constitution (297:1-5).
31 (1) Candidates for covenant membership shall be examined as provided for by the local board of
32 administration (782:7; 835-837), to determine whether they meet the requirements of the Constitution
33 concerning their experience of regeneration, Christian baptism, their acceptance of the Articles of Religion,
34 Covenant Membership Commitments, Elementary Principles and the authority of The Discipline in matters of
35 church government, and their willingness to enter into covenant with the Church.
36 (2) Covenant members will further demonstrate their life in Christ and commitment to the local church
37 upon becoming a covenant member, by signing a covenant affirming their personal experience in
38 regeneration and commitment to an experience of heart holiness and a life of practical holiness; their
39 acceptance of the Articles of Religion, the Covenant Membership commitments, the Elementary Principles
40 and the authority of The Discipline in matters of church government; their support of the church; their
41 commitment to live in fellowship with the members thereof and to seek God’s glory in all things.
42 (3) Candidates for covenant membership who have satisfactorily passed the examination by the local
43 board of administration, shall be voted upon by the local church conference unless the local church
44 conference has delegated this right to the local board of administration (297:5; 655:1). In either case, it shall
45 require a majority vote of those present and voting to receive; and if objections are urged against the
46 reception of a member, it shall require a two-thirds vote of those present and voting.
47 (4) Persons who have been duly accepted for covenant membership as explained in 553:3, should be
48 formally received into covenant membership in a public service, in which they shall make their confession
30
1 and vows public, according to the manner given in 5565, and be given the right hand of fellowship by the
2 pastor or the representative of the pastor.
3 555. The rights of covenant membership are set forth in the Constitution (302). Any covenant member
4 charged with failure to uphold the Articles of Religion or to observe the Covenant Membership Commitments
5 must be dealt with by judicial process as given in The Discipline (5100-5130).
6
7 2. Community Membership
8
9 558. A local church may choose to implement the community membership category. Those who are
10 converted to Christ but who are not yet able to assume the responsibility of covenant membership, either
11 because they are young in Christ, young in years or come from a religious background different from The
12 Wesleyan Church in areas of doctrine or discipline, yet demonstrate willingness to be discipled in the
13 Wesleyan convictions, may be received as community members.
14 (1) The local board of administration, having provided for their examination concerning their Christian
15 experience and baptism and their intention to prepare for covenant membership may, if satisfied, receive
16 them by majority vote.
17 (2) Community members will further demonstrate their life in Christ and commitment to growth and
18 development in the body by signing, upon becoming a community member, a Community Member
19 Agreement affirming their personal experience in regeneration and commitment to seek after an experience
20 of heart holiness and a life of practical holiness; commitment to abide by the Articles of Religion of The
21 Wesleyan Church; their participation in a discipleship program including further instruction in the Articles of
22 Religion, Covenant Membership Commitments and the Elementary Principles; and by their support of the
23 church and purpose to live in fellowship with the members thereof.
24 (3) Community members shall be formally received according to the manner given in 5575.
25 560. The rights of community membership are:
26 (1) The fellowship of the saints and the encouragement, admonition and spiritual guidance of the
27 ministry.
28 (2) Access to the sacraments and ordinances of the Church. (This does not mean that The Wesleyan
29 Church practices closed communion—cf. 5605; 5615.)
30 (3) Eligibility to fill any office or position in the local church other than those for which covenant
31 membership is required by The Discipline (____), provided that the local board of administration considers
32 the community member sufficiently mature in years and spiritual development, exemplary in conduct and
33 gifted for such service.
34 (4) Community members have The right to vote on all issues presented to the local church conference
35 except votes on the calling or renewal of the call of pastors or associate pastors, election of members to the
36 local board of administration, reception of covenant members, election of nominating committee members
37 and the delegates to district conference.
38 (5) The right of a hearing before the local board of administration in the event of dismissal from
39 community membership, but if after such hearing the board reaffirms the vote of dismissal there shall be no
40 further right of appeal; joining another religious body shall of itself sever membership in the church.
41 (6) The right to be transferred to any other Wesleyan church upon the presentation of a letter of
42 transfer and a majority vote by the receiving church’s local board of administration.
43 563. A community member may become a covenant member at any time the community member is
44 qualified and received as given in 553. It shall be the duty of the pastor and the local board of administration
45 to assist a community member in qualifying for covenant membership. If upon reception into community
46 status, the member is sufficiently mature in years, every effort shall be put forth to prepare the community
47 member for reception into covenant membership. As a part of its annual review of the church membership
31
1 roll (cf. 782:10), the local board of administration shall review the status of each community member and
2 assess progress toward covenant membership.
3
4 3. Student Membership
5
6 564. Those children and youth who have been saved from their sins, shall be received as student
7 members promptly after their conversion and baptism. The local board of administration, having
8 provided for their examination concerning their relationship with Christ and their intention to develop
9 toward spiritual maturity, may receive them by majority vote. Student members shall be received
10 formally in a public ceremony led by the pastor or staff pastor. The local church shall provide a
11 program that will guide student members toward spiritual maturity and an understanding of the
12 importance, privileges, and commitments of covenant membership.
13 565. Student members shall have all the rights of community members except to vote and to hold
14 office. They may become covenant or community members at any time they are qualified and
15 received as given in ____. If student members are not qualified for covenant membership by their
16 eighteenth birthday, every effort shall be made by the pastor and the local board of administration
17 during the following year to prepare them for covenant membership. When they are nineteen years
18 of age, they must either become covenant or community members or be dropped from the student
19 membership list. Student members who desire to become covenant or community members shall be
20 received as given in 553 or 558.
21
22 C. Reception of Members
23
24 565. 566. Covenant and Community members in The Wesleyan Church may be received by confession
25 of faith or by letter. Community Student members shall be received by confession of faith.
26 568. Those who are received as covenant members after having been community members, shall be
27 considered as having joined on confession of faith. The pastor and the local board of administration shall be
28 responsible to provide membership training classes for all community members, training them in the biblical
29 doctrines and standards of The Church, acquainting them with the history and organization of The Wesleyan
30 Church, and explaining to them the meaning of the vows and covenant of covenant and community
31 membership (297; cf. 5565-5567, 5575).
32 570. Those who present letters of recommendation from other denominations shall be examined by the
33 pastor and the local board of administration. If it is discovered that the persons involved have indeed been
34 previously converted and are fully committed to the doctrines and standards of The Wesleyan Church, they
35 may be received as by letter (cf. 5570). But if it is discovered that these persons have only now given their
36 hearts to Christ and are seeking after a full knowledge of the truth, they shall be encouraged to become
37 community members and to begin preparation prepare for covenant membership.
38
39 D. Transfer of Membership
40
41 575. When any covenant or community member shall request a letter of transfer to another Wesleyan
42 church, the pastor and local church secretary shall grant it on the proper form as given in 6000-6020
43 providing the member is neither under discipline nor under charges. Both pastor and secretary shall sign the
44 letter, and shall forward it to the pastor and local church secretary of the church to which the member is
45 transferring. The letter shall be presented to the local board of administration of the receiving church at its
46 next session, but not later than thirty days from the date of issuance, and acted upon in the manner indicated
47 in 578. When the member has been duly received, the second part of the form shall be completed by the
48 receiving church and forwarded to the church granting the transfer. The date the return letter is received shall
32
1 mark the expiration of membership in the church granting the letter, and in the official membership record the
2 local church secretary shall enter opposite the member’s name, the date and Withdrawn by letter of transfer.
3 578. The receiving church shall handle transfers as follows:
4 (1) Covenant and community members shall be received, subject to the approving vote of the local
5 church conference, unless the local church conference shall have delegated this right to the local board of
6 administration (297:5). The transfer of covenant and community membership may be questioned by the
7 receiving church if it is evident that the person involved is not in a state of grace or is living in open violation
8 of the Articles of Religion or, in the case of covenant members, the Covenant Membership Commitments.
9 (2) The membership of a pastor, senior pastor, associate pastor, or assistant pastor and of such
10 members of the pastor’s family as so desire and have the proper credentials, shall be automatically
11 transferred to the church to which appointed, or if the pastoral charge consists of more than one church, to
12 the church of choice. The secretary of the church from which the pastor is moving shall forward the proper
13 forms for the pastor’s membership and that of family members who so desire to the secretary of the receiving
14 church who shall record them without any further action by the local church conference or local board of
15 administration.
16 580. A covenant or community member of The Wesleyan Church transferring from one local church to
17 another shall not be required to be involved in a public service of reception.
18 582. Student membership is not transferable.
19
20 E. Termination of Membership
21
22 585. Covenant or community membership in The Wesleyan Church may be terminated only by one or
23 more of the following (305):
24 (1) Voluntary withdrawal.
25 (2) Joining another religious body or joining a secret order.
26 (3) Expulsion after proper trial and conviction (5115:5).
27 (4) Persistent neglect of church relationship as defined in 600-605.
28 (5) Death.
29 588. Community membership in a local church may be terminated by one or more of the following:
31 (2) Joining another religious body.
32 (3) Removal by the local board of administration.
33 (4) Persistent neglect of church relationship.
34 (5) Death.
35 (6) The discontinuance of the community membership category in the local church.
36 590. When any covenant member requests a letter of recommendation to some other denomination, the
37 pastor and local church secretary shall grant it on the proper form provided in 6030, if the member is neither
38 under discipline nor under charges. Such a person’s membership in the local church granting the letter shall
39 cease immediately, and the secretary shall enter opposite the member’s name, the date and Withdrawn by
40 letter of recommendation.
41 592. When any covenant member requests a letter of withdrawal, the pastor and local church secretary
42 shall grant it on the proper form provided in 6040. The secretary shall enter on the record book (610),
43 opposite the member’s name, the date the letter was granted and Withdrawn by letter of withdrawal. If the
44 member’s withdrawal occurs during the course of a judicial investigation, the secretary shall note on the
45 membership record, Withdrawn under accusation, and if withdrawal occurs during the course of a trial,
46 Withdrawn under charges (cf. 5048).
47 595. When any covenant or community member joins another denomination, or other religious body
48 exercising the functions of a church, or a secret society, no trial is necessary to remove such a member. The
33
1 pastor, having investigated and ascertained the facts, shall report the same to the next session of the local
2 board of administration, and upon the board’s order the local church secretary shall enter opposite the
3 member’s name the date of the session and Withdrawn through having joined another body.
4 598. When any covenant or community member moves away from the church in which membership is
5 held, and it is evident that distance will not permit full and regular participation in the life of the church, the
6 pastor shall encourage the member to transfer membership to the Wesleyan church nearest the new
7 residence. To that end, the pastor shall notify the General Secretary of The Wesleyan Church of the name
8 and address of the member.
9 600. When any covenant or community member moves away from the church in which membership is
10 held, and does not leave a forwarding address, or fails to report spiritual standing or to send financial
11 support, or to transfer membership to the nearest Wesleyan church, after one year the member may be
12 dropped from the roll provided that every effort has been made to contact the member and notify the member
13 of such an intention. The member’s name shall be dropped upon the recommendation of the local board of
14 administration and the majority vote of the local church conference, unless the local church conference shall
15 have delegated full responsibility in such matters to the local board of administration. The secretary shall
16 enter opposite the member’s name the date of the vote, and Discontinued by vote.
17 605. When any covenant or community member fails to attend the services of the church where
18 membership is held for one year without a reason deemed justifiable by the local board of administration, or
19 to support the church financially, as able, the pastor and local board of administration shall seek to restore
20 the member to active fellowship, but if unable to do so, the member’s name may be dropped upon the
21 recommendation of the local board of administration and the majority vote of the local church conference,
22 unless the local church conference shall have delegated full responsibility in such matters to the local board
23 of administration. The secretary shall enter opposite the member’s name the date of the vote, and
24 Discontinued by vote for persistent neglect.
25
26 F. Record of Membership
27
28 610. Each local church shall have a permanent record maintained by the local church secretary, in which
29 shall be recorded all the names of the members, category of membership, the time when received and
30 whether by profession of faith or by letter, the time and manner of termination of membership, whether by
31 some manner of withdrawal, or by discontinuance for neglect, dismissal or death; and all dedications,
32 baptisms, marriages, pastoral terms and other information essential to a permanent written record of the life
33 and ministry of the local church.
34
35
36
34
1 60
2
3 CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: MEMBERSHIP CHANGES (PSW): A basic level membership, in combination
4 with a Discipleship Covenant requirement for persons in leadership which requires annual affirmation;
5 Resulting in Editorial changes to the Constitution.
6
7 Whereas, The ultimate goal of The Wesleyan Church is to help individuals become believers in God
8 through Jesus Christ and to disciple them in the way of holy living (entire sanctification);
9 Whereas, The current Covenant and Community membership structure of The Wesleyan Church is not
10 fully attaining the desired function and outcomes;
11 Whereas, Covenant membership is being implemented by local churches inconsistently. The result is
12 that there is a large disparity in our churches between the percentage of Covenant members compared to
13 average worship attendance. In 2004-2005 there were 211 (out of 1,638) churches with less than 40%
14 Covenant members compared to average worship attendance in contrast to 400 (out of 1,638) churches with
15 100% or more Covenant members compared to average worship attendance. Also, there were 57 churches
16 that reported average worship attendance and no Covenant membership, and 10 churches reported
17 Covenant membership and no average worship attendance;
18 Whereas, Pastors often desire to bring people into the Kingdom of God and love them through a
19 discipleship process, rather than to defend our current Covenant membership commitments to new or
20 immature believers;
21 Whereas, There are instances when Covenant members who are living a lifestyle below the standards of
22 their Covenant membership vows have been elected to serve as officers and board members, resulting in
23 less than exemplary leadership;
24 Whereas, Community membership is becoming an end in itself with less than 15% of Community
25 members annually transferring to the Covenant membership roles;
26 Whereas, Once an individual becomes a Covenant member, the process of discipling and bringing
27 correction and discipline to that member who is not living up to the Covenant membership vows is very
28 difficult within the openness of the local church;
29 Whereas, It may take a period of years for a newly planted church to develop a Wesleyan ethos,
30 including lifestyle characteristics, and the bringing in of the first Covenant membership class has often
31 resulted in a loss of attendees;
32 Whereas, The goal of having spiritually mature individuals serve in the clergy and as officers and elected
33 leaders in the church can be achieved by the annual affirmation of leadership commitments including the
34 following of the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant. The Covenant Membership Commitments would become
35 the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant;
36 Whereas, This can be accomplished through a more open membership process followed by a deep level
37 of discipleship where individuals are encouraged to make a commitment to a covenant representing our
38 historic holiness standards; and
39 Whereas, This proposed new structure would create an annual system of individual affirmation and
40 accountability to our historic Wesleyan Holiness doctrinal and lifestyle positions;
41 Resolved, That The Wesleyan Church establish a basic level of membership with the criteria being: a
42 personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, baptism, affirmations of our summary of the Articles
43 of Religion, of our Elementary Principles, of the authority of The Discipline in matters of church government,
44 and of our Scriptural stand on the family and sexuality;
45 Resolved, That there be a Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant that will be the goal for every believer to
46 attain and for certain offices and leadership positions an annual affirmation of following the Covenant will be
47 required along with other leadership commitments;
48
35
1 Resolved, That the following changes will be made to the Constitution of The Wesleyan Church:
2 Resolved, In Article 3, in the title, the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted and
3 replaced with the following "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
4 Resolved, In paragraph 260, the words "Covenant Membership" are deleted and replaced with the
5 following — "the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
6 Resolved. In paragraph 260, the following is to be deleted — "Disregard of the principles embraced in
7 these Covenant Membership Commitments subjects a member to Church discipline (268)";
8 Resolved, In paragraph 265, the words "admitted to Covenant Membership" be deleted and replaced
9 with the following — "affirming the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
10 Resolved, In paragraph 265:5 in the title, the words "Toward Family" be deleted and replaced with the
11 following — "Toward Family and Sexuality";
12 Resolved, In paragraph 268 in the first and second sentences, the words "Covenant Membership
13 Commitments" are deleted and replaced with the following "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
14 Resolved, In paragraph 268, the last two sentences are deleted as they relate to church membership;
15 Resolved, In paragraph 295, the following word to be deleted in sentence 1 and 2 “covenant" and to be
16 replaced with the word "full";
17 Resolved, In paragraph 297, the following word to be deleted — "covenant" and to be replaced with the
18 word "full";
19 Resolved, In paragraph 297:3, the following words to be deleted — "the Covenant Membership
20 Commitments";
21 Resolved, In paragraph 297:4, the following words to be added after the word thereof, "to follow the
22 teachings of Scripture regarding family and sexuality (265:5), to be discipled to a level of spiritual maturity
23 that reflects the standards of the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
25 word "full";
27 word "full";
28 Resolved, In paragraph 302:3 that the paragraph be divided into two paragraphs after the word "vote";
29 Resolved, In paragraph 302:3 the following be substituted for the remaining paragraph —"the right to hold
30 any office or position for which full members are eligible, provided that one is not under church discipline,
31 affirmation of following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant (if required for election or appointment), is
32 faithful in local church attendance, practices biblical stewardship, participates in active witness and service
33 for Christ, maintains unity in the church, and agrees to give proper accountability to those who are assigned
34 spiritual authority over the member by The Discipline.";
35 Resolved, In paragraph 302:5, the following word to be deleted — "covenant" and to be replaced by the
36 word "full";
37 Resolved, In paragraph 305: 5, the following word is added — "death";
38 Resolved, In paragraph 360:3a, the words "any Covenant Membership Commitment" are deleted and
39 replaced with "the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant"; and
40 Resolved, That an implementing resolution be approved concerning the changes necessary in the
41 Statutory Law.
42 The proposed changes to the Constitution are as follows:
43
44
45
46
47
48
36
1 The Discipline
2 Chapter 4
3
4 The Constitution of the North American General Conference
5 Article3. Covenant Membership Commitments
6
7 Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant
8
9 260. To be identified with an organized church is the blessed privilege and
10 sacred duty of all who are saved from their sins and are seeking completeness in
11 Christ Jesus. From the Church's beginnings in the New Testament age, it has
12 been understood that such identification involves putting off the old patterns of
13 conduct and putting on the mind of Christ. In maintaining this Christian concept
14 of a transformed life, The Wesleyan Church intends to relate timeless biblical
15 principles to the conditions of contemporary society in such a way as to respect the
16 integrity of the individual believer, yet maintain the purity of the Church and
17 the effectiveness of its witness. This is done in the conviction that there is
18 validity in the concept of the collective Christian conscience as illuminated and
19 guided by the Holy Spirit. The following items (265) represent historic,
20 ethical and practical standards of The Wesleyan Church. While it is hoped that
21 our people will earnestly seek the aid of the Spirit in cultivating a sensitivity to evil
22 which transcends the mere letter of the law, it is expected that those entering into
23 Covenant. Membership the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant shall follow carefully and
24 conscientiously these guides and helps to holy living. Disregard of the principles
25 embraced in these Covenant Membership Commitments subjects a member to
26 Church discipline (268).
27
28 265. Those affirming the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant admitted to Covenant
29 Membership in our churches commit themselves to demonstrate their life in Christ in
30 such ways as:
31 Toward God
32
33 (1) To reverence the name of God and to honor the Lord's Day by divine worship
34 and spiritual edification, participating in those activities which contribute to the moral
35 and spiritual purposes of this day.
36
37 Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:3, 7-11; Deut. 5:11-15; Isa. 58:13-14; Mark
38 2:27; Acts 20:7; Heb. 4:9.
39
40 (2) To seek only the leading of the Holy Spirit and to abstain from all forms of
41 spiritism, such as the occult, witchcraft, astrology and other similar practices.
42
43 Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut 18:10-14; Acts 19:18-19; Gal. 5:
44
45
46
47
48
37
1 Toward Self
2
3 (3) To exercise faithful stewardship through the wise use of their time and
4 material resources, practicing careful self-discipline in order to further the mission of
5 Christ's church (remembering the principle of tithing which is basic to the New
6 Testament standard of stewardship) and to demonstrate compassion to those in
7 need.
8 Prov. 3:9; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 25:34-40; Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2
9 Cor. 9:7; Eph. 5:16; Col. 3:17; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17.
10
11 (4) To demonstrate a positive social witness by abstaining from all forms
12 of gambling and by abstaining from using or trafficking (production, sale or
13 purchase)* in any substances destructive to their physical, mental and spiritual
14 health, such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs (other than proper medical
15 purposes of drugs); and by refraining from membership in secret societies and
16 lodges which are oath bound, believing that the quasi-religious nature of such
17 organizations divides the Christian's loyalty, their secret nature contravenes the
18 Christian's open witness and the secret nature of their oaths is repugnant to the
19 Christian conscience.
20
21 Ex. 20:17; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12. Gambling violates the principle of
22 Christian stewardship and the tenth commandment, is harmful to the individual
23 in that it is emotionally addictive, is a poor example to others, and pollutes the
24 moral climate of society.
25 Prov. 20:1; Rom. 6:12; 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:18; 1
26 Thess. 5:22. Christians are to regard their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.
27 While no "thing" of itself is sinful, the Christian should avoid the use of anything
28 which would not help build the fellowship of the church, would not help the
29 believers to realize their full potential in Christ, or which would enslave them. In
30 the light of the scientific knowledge of our day concerning the actual and
31 potential harm of these substances, total abstinence is more in keeping with
32 these biblical principles than is moderation.
33 Ex. 20:3; Matt. 5:34-36; John 18:20; Acts 4:12; James 5:12. These
34 prohibitions do not restrict membership in labor, civic or other organizations
35 which do not contradict loyalty to Christ and the Church. When in these
36 relationships Christian principles are violated, members shall be dealt with
37 because of such violations and not because of the membership itself. *See 6805
38 in Appendix B. Toward Family Toward Family and Sexuality
39
40 (5) To follow the teachings of the Scriptures regarding marriage and divorce.
41 We affirm that sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual relationships
42 between persons of the same sex are immoral and sinful. We further affirm that
43 heterosexual monogamy is God's plan for marriage, and we regard sexual sin of the
44 spouse, such as adultery, homosexual behavior, bestiality or incest, as the only
45 biblical grounds for considering divorce, and then only when appropriate counseling
46 has failed to restore the relationship.
47
48
38
1 Ex. 20:14, 17; 22:19; Lev. 20:10-16; Matt. 5:32; 19:19; Mark
2 10:11-12; Luke 16:18.
3
4 (6) To preserve the sanctity of the home by honoring Christ in every phase of
5 family life and by demonstrating Christ like love (always avoiding spousal or child
6 abuse), and by living peacefully with one another, thereby encouraging the nurture
7 and education of the children in the Christian faith so as to bring them early to the
8 saving knowledge of Christ.
9
10 Prov. 22:6; Mark 10:9; Eph. 5:28; 6:4.
11
12 Toward The Church
13
14 (7) To work together for the advancement of God's kingdom and for the mutual
15 edification of fellow believers in holiness, knowledge and love; to walk together in
16 Christian fellowship by giving and receiving counsel with gentleness and affection;
17 by praying for each other; by helping each other in sickness and distress; and by
18 demonstrating love, purity and courtesy to all.
19
20 Rom. 15:1-2; Eph. 4; 1 Thess. 5.
21
22 (8) To grow in the knowledge, love and grace of God by participating in public
23 worship, the ministry of the Word of God, the Lord's Supper, family and personal
24 devotions and fasting.
25
26 Mark 2:18-20; Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; Rom. 12:12; 1 Cor.
27 11:2328; Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; 2 Tim.
28 3:16-17; Heb.10:25; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18.
29
30 (9) To preserve the fellowship and witness of the Church with reference to the
31 use of languages. The Wesleyan Church believes in the miraculous use of
32 languages and the interpretation of languages in its biblical and historical setting.
33 But it is contrary to the Word of God to teach that speaking in an unknown
34 tongue or the gift of tongues is the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or of
35 that entire sanctification which the baptism accomplishes; therefore, only a language
36 readily understood by the congregation is to be used in public worship. The
37 Wesleyan Church believes that the use of an ecstatic prayer language has no clear
38 scriptural sanction, or any pattern of established historical usage in the Church;
39 therefore, the use of such a prayer language shall not be promoted among us.
40
41 A c t s 8 : 1 4 - 1 7 ; 1 C o r . 1 2 : 1- 1 4 : 4 0 ; G a l . 5 : 2 2- 2 4 .
42
43 Toward Others
44
45 (10) To do good as much as is possible to all people as God gives opportunity,
46 especially to those in the body of Christ; by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the
47 destitute, by visiting or helping those who are sick or in prison; by instructing,
48 correcting or encouraging them in love.
39
1 Matt. 25:31-46; Eph. 5:11; 1 Thess. 5:14; Heb. 3:13; 10:23-25.
2
3 (11) To respect the inherent individual rights of all persons, regardless of race,
4 color or sex.
5 1 Cor. 8:13; 12:13; Gal. 3:28; 1 Tim. 5:21.
6
7 (12) To live honestly, be just in all dealings and faithful in all commitments.
8
9 Eccl. 5:4-5; Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8-9; 1 Peter 2:12.
10
11 268. These are (This is?) the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant
12 Covenant Membership Commitments of our Church. We believe all these to be
13 consistent with the principles of Christ as taught in the Word of God, which is the
14 only and sufficient rule both of our faith and practice. If any among us do not
15 observe them, and/or habitually break any of them, we will admonish such persons
16 in love with the hope of restoring them to lives of harmony with the above Wesleyan
17 Discipleship Covenant Covenant Membership commitments. If such efforts of
18 restoration continue to prove fruitless, official action should be taken toward
19 termination of said persons’ church membership. However, the church members are
20 encouraged to continue efforts toward the spiritual restoration of these persons.
21
22 Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:6-7, 9-13; 2 Cor. 2:5-7; 5:18-20;
23 6:1418; Gal. 6:1-10; Eph. 4:25-32; Titus 3:10-11.
24
25 Article 4. Elementary Principles
26
27 270. Christ is the only Head of the Church, and the Word of God the only rule of
28 faith and conduct.
29 272. No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and obeys the gospel of God
30 our Savior, ought to be deprived of church membership.
31 274. Every person has an inalienable right to private judgment in matters of
32 religion, and an equal right to express personal opinions in any way which will not
33 violate the laws of God or the rights of others.
34 276. All church trials should be conducted on gospel principles only; and no
35 minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality,
36 the propagation of unchristian doctrines, or for neglect of duties enjoined by the
37 Word of God.
38 278. The pastoral or ministerial office and duties are of divine appointment, and
39 all ordained ministers in the church of God are equal; but ministers are forbidden to
40 be lords over God's heritage, or to have dominion over the faith of the saints.
41 280. The Church has a right to form and enforce such rules and regulations
42 only as are in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, and may be necessary or have a
43 tendency to carry into effect the great system of practical Christianity.
44 282. Whatever power may be necessary to the formation of rules and
45 regulations is inherent in the ministers and members of the Church; but so much of
46 that power may be delegated from time to time, upon a plan of representation, as
47 they may judge necessary and proper.
48
40
1 284. It is the duty of all ministers and members of the Church to maintain
2 godliness and oppose all moral evil.
3 286. It is obligatory upon ministers of the gospel to be faithful in the discharge of
4 their pastoral and ministerial duties, and it is also obligatory upon the members to
5 esteem ministers highly for their works' sake, and to render them a righteous
6 compensation for their labors.
7
8 Article 5. Observance of Sacraments
9
10 290. All persons to be baptized shall have the choice of baptism by immersion,
11 pouring or sprinkling. Since children are born into this world with natures inclined to
12 sin, and yet the prevenient grace of God provides for their redemption during the
13 period before reaching the age of accountability, those parents who so choose may
14 testify to their faith in God's provision by presenting their small children for baptism,
15 while those who prefer to emphasize baptism as a testimony by individual believers
16 to their own act of faith may present their children for dedication.
17
18 Mark 10:13-16; Acts 2:38-39; 16:15; 18:8.
19
20 293. The Lord's Supper shall be observed in each local Wesleyan church at
21 least once each three months.
22 Article 6. Membership
23
24 295. The privileges and conditions of covenant full membership in the Church
25 are constitutional, and changes therein may be made only by constitutional
26 enactment. The General Conference may at its own discretion establish categories
27 of membership other than covenant full membership. Nothing shall be included in
28 the membership ritual that is contrary to the following definitions, conditions and
29 privileges of membership.
30 297. The conditions of covenant full membership are:
31 (1) Confession of a personal experience in regeneration, and a pledge to
32 seek diligently until sanctified wholly if that grace has not been obtained.
33 (2) Christian baptism.
34 (3) Acceptance of the Articles of Religion which are summarized in 299, the
35 Covenant Membership Commitments-the Elementary Principles, and the
36 authority of The Discipline in matters of church government.
37 (4) A covenant to support the Church, to live in fellowship with the members
38 thereof, to follow the teachings of the Scripture regarding family and sexuality
39 (265:5), to be discipled to a level of spiritual maturity that reflects the standards
40 of the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant, and to seek God's glory in all things.
41 (5) The approving vote of the members of the receiving church who are
42 present and voting, unless the church by vote shall delegate this right to the
43 church board. In both cases, it shall be by majority vote, provided that when
44 objections are urged against the reception of a member, it shall require a
45 vote of two-thirds of those present and voting to receive.
46
47
48
41
1 299. Candidates for covenant full membership shall declare their agreement
2 with the following summary of the Articles of Religion:
3 We believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
4 We believe that Jesus Christ the Son suffered in our place on the cross,
5 that He died but rose again, that He now sits at the Father's right hand until
6 He returns to judge every person at the last day.
7 We believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God.
8 We believe that by the grace of God every person has the ability and
9 responsibility to choose between right and wrong, and that those who repent
10 of their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith.
11 We believe that God not only counts the believer as righteous, but that He
12 makes such persons righteous, freeing them from sin's dominion at
13 conversion, purifying their hearts by faith, perfecting them in love at entire
14 sanctification, and providing for their growth in grace at every stage
15 of spiritual life, enabling them through the presence and power of the Holy
16 Spirit to live victorious lives.
17 302. The rights of covenant full membership are:
18 (1) The fellowship of the saints and the encouragement, admonition and
19 spiritual guidance of the ministry.
20 (2) The access to the sacraments and ordinances of the Church.
21 (3) The right to vote. and the eligibility to hold any office for which a person
22 in covenant membership is eligible, if not under discipline.
23 The right to hold any office or position for which full members are eligible,
24 provided that one is not under church discipline, affirmation of following the
25 Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant (if required for election or appointment), is faithful
26 in local church attendance, practices biblical stewardship, participates in active
27 witness and service for Christ, maintains unity in the church, and agrees to give
28 proper accountability to those who are assigned spiritual authority over the member
29 by The Discipline.
30 (4) The right to trial and appeal if charged with failure to maintain the
31 conditions of membership, with the specific provision that joining another religious
32 body shall of itself sever membership in the Church.
33 (5) A covenant full member in good standing in any Wesleyan church is
34 entitled to membership privileges in any Wesleyan church to which a transfer of
35 membership may be desired, subject to 297:5.
36 305. Church membership may be terminated only by one or more of the
37 following:
39 (2) Joining another religious body or a secret order.
40 (3) Expulsion after proper trial and conviction.
41 (4) Persistent neglect of church relationship as defined by The Discipline.
42 (5) Death.
43
44
45
46
47
48
42
1 Article 9. Powers and Restrictions
2 of the General Conference
3
4 360. The General Conference shall have full power:
5 (1) To designate a criterion for parliamentary procedure for itself and for the
6 other bodies of The Wesleyan Church.
7 (2) To elect such officers as it shall choose and to define their duties and
8 responsibilities.
9 (3) To make and administer rules and regulations for The Wesleyan Church
10 subject to the Constitution and the following restrictions:
11 (a) It shall not have power to revoke, alter or change our Articles of
12 Religion, Elementary Principles or any Covenant Membership Commitment the
13 Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant, or the conditions of membership, or to establish any
14 standards of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of
15 doctrine.
16 PACIFIC SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
17 Dr. Larry G. Orr, Secretary
18 Recommended.
19 v Not Recommended.
43
1 61
2
3 CONSTITUTIONAL ITEM: MEMBERSHIP CHANGES (Dakota): A basic level membership, in combination
4 with a Discipleship Covenant requirement for persons in leadership which requires annual affirmation;
5 Resulting in Editorial changes to the Constitution.
6
7 Whereas, The ultimate goal of The Wesleyan Church is to help individuals become believers in God
8 through Jesus Christ and to disciple them in the way of holy living (entire sanctification);
9 Whereas, The current Covenant and Community membership structure of The Wesleyan Church is not
10 fully attaining the desired function and outcomes;
11 Whereas, Covenant membership is being implemented by local churches inconsistently. The result is
12 that there is a large disparity in our churches between the percentage of Covenant members compared to
13 average worship attendance. In 2004-2005 there were 211 (out of 1,638) churches with less than 40%
14 Covenant members compared to average worship attendance in contrast to 400 (out of 1,638) churches with
15 100% or more Covenant members compared to average worship attendance. Also, there were 57 churches
16 that reported average worship attendance and no Covenant membership, and 10 churches reported
17 Covenant membership and no average worship attendance;
18 Whereas, Pastors often desire to bring people into the Kingdom of God and love them through a
19 discipleship process, rather than to defend our current Covenant membership commitments to new or
20 immature believers;
21 Whereas, There are instances when Covenant members who are living a lifestyle below the standards of
22 their Covenant membership vows have been elected to serve as officers and board members, resulting in
23 less than exemplary leadership;
24 Whereas, Community membership is becoming an end in itself with less than 15% of Community
25 members annually transferring to the Covenant membership roles;
26 Whereas, Once an individual becomes a Covenant member, the process of discipling and bringing
27 correction and discipline to that member who is not living up to the Covenant membership vows is very
28 difficult within the openness of the local church;
29 Whereas, It may take a period of years for a newly planted church to develop a Wesleyan ethos,
30 including lifestyle characteristics, and the bringing in of the first Covenant membership class has often
31 resulted in a loss of attendees;
32 Whereas, The goal of having spiritually mature individuals serve in the clergy and as officers and elected
33 leaders in the church can be achieved by the annual affirmation of leadership commitments including the
34 following of the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant. The Covenant Membership Commitments would become
35 the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant;
36 Whereas, This can be accomplished through a more open membership process followed by a deep level
37 of discipleship where individuals are encouraged to make a commitment to a covenant representing our
38 historic holiness standards; and
39 Whereas, This proposed new structure would create an annual system of individual affirmation and
40 accountability to our historic Wesleyan Holiness doctrinal and lifestyle positions;
41 Resolved, That The Wesleyan Church establish a basic level of membership with the criteria being: a
42 personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, baptism, affirmations of our summary of the Articles
43 of Religion, of our Elementary Principles, of the authority of The Discipline in matters of church government,
44 and of our Scriptural stand on the family and sexuality;
45 Resolved, That there be a Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant that will be the goal for every believer to
46 attain and for certain offices and leadership positions an annual affirmation of following the Covenant will be
47 required along with other leadership commitments;
48
44
1 Resolved, That the following changes will be made to the Constitution of The Wesleyan Church:
2 Resolved, In Article 3, in the title, the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted and
3 replaced with the following "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
4 Resolved, In paragraph 260, the words "Covenant Membership" are deleted and replaced with the
5 following — "the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
6 Resolved, In paragraph 260, the following is to be deleted — "Disregard of the principles embraced in
7 these Covenant Membership Commitments subjects a member to Church discipline (268)";
8 Resolved, In paragraph 265, the words "admitted to Covenant Membership" be deleted and replaced
9 with the following — "affirming the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
10 Resolved, In paragraph 265:5 in the title, the words "Toward Family" be deleted and replaced with the
11 following — "Toward Family and Sexuality";
12 Resolved, In paragraph 268 in the first and second sentences, the words "Covenant Membership
13 Commitments" are deleted and replaced with the following "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
14 Resolved, In paragraph 268, the last two sentences are deleted as they relate to church membership;
15 Resolved, In paragraph 295, the following word to be deleted in sentence 1 and 2 “covenant" and to be
18 word "full";
19 Resolved, In paragraph 297:3, the following words to be deleted — "the Covenant Membership
20 Commitments";
21 Resolved, In paragraph 297:4, the following words to be added after the word thereof, "to follow the
22 teachings of Scripture regarding family and sexuality (265:5), to be discipled to a level of spiritual maturity
23 that reflects the standards of the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
25 word "full";
27 word "full";
28 Resolved, In paragraph 302:3 that the paragraph be divided into two paragraphs after the word "vote";
29 Resolved, In paragraph 302:3 the following be substituted for the remaining paragraph —"the right to hold
30 any office or position for which full members are eligible, provided that one is not under church discipline,
31 affirmation of following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant (if required for election or appointment), is
32 faithful in local church attendance, practices biblical stewardship, participates in active witness and service
33 for Christ, maintains unity in the church, and agrees to give proper accountability to those who are assigned
34 spiritual authority over the member by The Discipline.";
35 Resolved, In paragraph 302:5, the following word to be deleted — "covenant" and to be replaced by the
36 word "full";
37 Resolved, In paragraph 305: 5, the following word is added — "death";
38 Resolved, In paragraph 360:3a, the words "any Covenant Membership Commitment" are deleted and
39 replaced with "the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant"; and
40 Resolved, That an implementing resolution be approved concerning the changes necessary in the
41 Statutory Law.
42 The proposed changes to the Constitution are as follows:
43
44
45
46
47
48
45
1 The Discipline
2 Chapter 4
3
4 The Constitution of the North American General Conference
5 Article 3. Covenant Membership Commitments
6
7 Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant
8
9 260. To be identified with an organized church is the blessed privilege and
10 sacred duty of all who are saved from their sins and are seeking completeness in Christ
11 Jesus. From the Church's beginnings in the New Testament age, it has been
12 understood that such identification involves putting off the old patterns of conduct
13 and putting on the mind of Christ. In maintaining this Christian concept of a
14 transformed life, The Wesleyan Church intends to relate timeless biblical principles to
15 the conditions of contemporary society in such a way as to respect the integrity of the
16 individual believer, yet maintain the purity of the Church and the effectiveness of
17 its witness. This is done in the conviction that there is validity in the concept of the
18 collective Christian conscience as illuminated and guided by the Holy Spirit. The
19 following items (265) represent historic, ethical and practical standards of The
20 Wesleyan Church. While it is hoped that our people will earnestly seek the aid of the
21 Spirit in cultivating a sensitivity to evil which transcends the mere letter of the law, it is
22 expected that those entering into Covenant. Membership the Wesleyan Discipleship
23 Covenant shall follow carefully and conscientiously these guides and helps to holy living.
24 Disregard of the principles embraced in these Covenant Membership Commitments
25 subjects a member to Church discipline (268).
26 265. Those affirming the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant admitted to Covenant
27 Membership in our churches commit themselves to demonstrate their life in Christ in such
28 ways as:
29 Toward God
30
31 (1) To reverence the name of God and to honor the Lord's Day by divine worship and
32 spiritual edification, participating in those activities which contribute to the moral and
33 spiritual purposes of this day.
34
35 Gen. 2:3; Ex. 20:3, 7-11; Deut. 5:11-15; Isa. 58:13-14; Mark
36 2:27; Acts 20:7; Heb. 4:9.
37
38 (2) To seek only the leading of the Holy Spirit and to abstain from all forms of
39 spiritism, such as the occult, witchcraft, astrology and other similar practices.
40
41 Lev. 19:31; 20:6; Deut 18:10-14; Acts 19:18-19; Gal. 5:
42
43 Toward Self
44
45 (3) To exercise faithful stewardship through the wise use of their time and material
46 resources, practicing careful self-discipline in order to further the mission of Christ's
47 church (remembering the principle of tithing which is basic to the New Testament
48 standard of stewardship) and to demonstrate compassion to those in need.
46
1 Prov. 3:9; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 25:34-40; Acts 20:35; 1 Cor. 16:2;
2 2 Cor. 9:7; Eph. 5:16; Col. 3:17; James 2:15-16; 1 John 3:17.
3
4 (4) To demonstrate a positive social witness by abstaining from all forms of
5 gambling and by abstaining from using or trafficking (production, sale or purchase)*
6 in any substances destructive to their physical, mental and spiritual health, such as
7 alcoholic beverages, tobacco and drugs (other than proper medical purposes of
8 drugs); and by refraining from membership in secret societies and lodges which are
9 oath bound, believing that the quasi-religious nature of such organizations divides
10 the Christian's loyalty, their secret nature contravenes the Christian's open witness
11 and the secret nature of their oaths is repugnant to the Christian conscience.
12
13 Ex. 20:17; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12. Gambling violates the principle of Christian
14 stewardship and the tenth commandment, is harmful to the individual in that it is
15 emotionally addictive, is a poor example to others, and pollutes the moral climate of
16 society.
17 Prov. 20:1; Rom. 6:12; 14:21; 1 Cor. 6:12-20; 10:23; 2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:18; 1
18 Thess. 5:22. Christians are to regard their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. While no
19 "thing" of itself is sinful, the Christian should avoid the use of anything which would not
20 help build the fellowship of the church, would not help the believers to realize their full
21 potential in Christ, or which would enslave them. In the light of the scientific knowledge
22 of our day concerning the actual and potential harm of these substances, total abstinence
23 is more in keeping with these biblical principles than is moderation.
24 Ex. 20:3; Matt. 5:34-36; John 18:20; Acts 4:12; James 5:12. These prohibitions
25 do not restrict membership in labor, civic or other organizations which do not
26 contradict loyalty to Christ and the Church. When in these relationships Christian
27 principles are violated, members shall be dealt with because of such violations and not
28 because of the membership itself.
29 *See 6805 in Appendix B.
30 Toward Family
31 Toward Family and Sexuality
32
33 To follow the teachings of the Scriptures regarding marriage and divorce. We affirm
34 that sexual relationships outside of marriage and sexual relationships between persons of
35 the same sex are immoral and sinful. We further affirm that heterosexual monogamy is
36 God's plan for marriage, and we regard sexual sin of the spouse, such as adultery,
37 homosexual behavior, bestiality or incest, as the only biblical grounds for considering
38 divorce, and then only when appropriate counseling has failed to restore the relationship.
39
40 Ex. 20:14, 17; 22:19; Lev. 20:10-16; Matt. 5:32; 19:19; Mark
41 10:11-12; Luke 16:18.
42
43 (5) To preserve the sanctity of the home by honoring Christ in every phase of family
44 life and by demonstrating Christ like love (always avoiding spousal or child abuse), and
45 by living peacefully with one another, thereby encouraging the nurture and education of
46 the children in the Christian faith so as to bring them early to the saving knowledge of
47 Christ.
48
47
1 Prov. 22:6; Mark 10:9; Eph. 5:28; 6:4.
2
3 Toward The Church
4
5 (6) To work together for the advancement of God's kingdom and for the mutual
6 edification of fellow believers in holiness, knowledge and love; to walk together in
7 Christian fellowship by giving and receiving counsel with gentleness and affection; by
8 praying for each other; by helping each other in sickness and distress; and by
9 demonstrating love, purity and courtesy to all.
10
11 Rom. 15:1-2; Eph. 4; 1 Thess. 5.
12
13 (7) To grow in the knowledge, love and grace of God by participating in public
14 worship, the ministry of the Word of God, the Lord's Supper, family and personal
15 devotions and fasting.
16
17 Mark 2:18-20; Acts 13:2-3; 14:23; Rom. 12:12; 1 Cor. 11:2328
18 Eph. 6:18; Phil. 4:6; 1 Tim. 2:1-2; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Heb.10:25;
19 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18.
20
21 (8) To preserve the fellowship and witness of the Church with reference to the use of
22 languages. The Wesleyan Church believes in the miraculous use of languages and the
23 interpretation of languages in its biblical and historical setting. But it is contrary to the
24 Word of God to teach that speaking in an unknown tongue or the gift of tongues is
25 the evidence of the baptism of the Holy Spirit or of that entire sanctification which the
26 baptism accomplishes; therefore, only a language readily understood by the congregation
27 is to be used in public worship. The Wesleyan Church believes that the use of an ecstatic
28 prayer language has no clear scriptural sanction, or any pattern of established historical
29 usage in the Church; therefore, the use of such a prayer language shall not be promoted
30 among us.
31 A c t s 8 : 1 4 - 1 7 ; 1 C o r . 1 2 : 1- 1 4 : 4 0 ; G a l . 5 : 2 2- 2 4 .
32
33 Toward Others
34
35 (9) To do good as much as is possible to all people as God gives opportunity,
36 especially to those in the body of Christ; by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the
37 destitute, by visiting or helping those who are sick or in prison; by instructing, correcting
38 or encouraging them in love.
39
40 Matt. 25:31-46; Eph. 5:11; 1 Thess. 5:14; Heb. 3:13; 10:23-25.
41
42 (10) To respect the inherent individual rights of all persons, regardless of race, color
43 or sex.
44 1 Cor. 8:13; 12:13; Gal. 3:28; 1 Tim. 5:21.
45
46 (11) To live honestly, be just in all dealings and faithful in all commitments.
47
48 Eccl. 5:4-5; Rom. 12:17; Phil. 4:8-9; 1 Peter 2:12.
48
1 268. These are the Wesleyan Discipleship Covena nt Covenant
2 Membership Commitments of our Church. We believe all these to be consistent with
3 the principles of Christ as taught in the Word of God, which is the only and sufficient rule
4 both of our faith and practice. If any among us do not observe them, and/or
5 habitually break any of them, we will admonish such persons in love with the hope of
6 restoring them to lives of harmony with the above Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant
7 Covenant Membership commitments. If such efforts of restoration continue to prove
8 fruitless, official action should be taken toward termination of said persons’ church
9 membership. However, the church members are encouraged to continue efforts toward
10 the spiritual restoration of these persons.
11
12 Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:6-7, 9-13; 2 Cor. 2:5-7; 5:18-20; 6:1418;
13 Gal. 6:1-10; Eph. 4:25-32; Titus 3:10-11.
14
15 Article 4. Elementary Principles
16
17 270. Christ is the only Head of the Church, and the Word of God the only rule of faith
18 and conduct.
19 272. No person who loves the Lord Jesus Christ, and obeys the gospel of God our
20 Savior, ought to be deprived of church membership.
21 274. Every person has an inalienable right to private judgment in matters of religion,
22 and an equal right to express personal opinions in any way which will not violate the laws
23 of God or the rights of others.
24 276. All church trials should be conducted on gospel principles only; and no
25 minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality, the
26 propagation of unchristian doctrines, or for neglect of duties enjoined by the Word of God.
27 278. The pastoral or ministerial office and duties are of divine appointment, and all
28 ordained ministers in the church of God are equal; but ministers are forbidden to be lords
29 over God's heritage, or to have dominion over the faith of the saints.
30 280. The Church has a right to form and enforce such rules and regulations only as
31 are in accordance with the Holy Scriptures, and may be necessary or have a tendency to
32 carry into effect the great system of practical Christianity.
33 282. Whatever power may be necessary to the formation of rules and regulations
34 is inherent in the ministers and members of the Church; but so much of that power may
35 be delegated from time to time, upon a plan of representation, as they may judge
36 necessary and proper.
37 284. It is the duty of all ministers and members of the Church to maintain godliness
38 and oppose all moral evil.
39
40 286. It is obligatory upon ministers of the gospel to be faithful in the discharge of
41 their pastoral and ministerial duties, and it is also obligatory upon the members to esteem
42 ministers highly for their works' sake, and to render them a righteous compensation for
43 their labors.
44 Article 5. Observance of Sacraments
45
46 290. All persons to be baptized shall have the choice of baptism by immersion,
47 pouring or sprinkling. Since children are born into this world with natures inclined to sin,
48 and yet the prevenient grace of God provides for their redemption during the period
49
1 before reaching the age of accountability, those parents who so choose may testify to
2 their faith in God's provision by presenting their small children for baptism, while those
3 who prefer to emphasize baptism as a testimony by individual believers to their own act
4 of faith may present their children for dedication.
5
6 Mark 10:13-16; Acts 2:38-39; 16:15; 18:8.
7
8 293. The Lord's Supper shall be observed in each local Wesleyan church at least
9 once each three months.
10 Article 6. Membership
11 295. The privileges and conditions of covenant full membership in the Church are
12 constitutional, and changes therein may be made only by constitutional enactment. The
13 General Conference may at its own discretion establish categories of membership other
14 than covenant full membership. Nothing shall be included in the membership ritual that is
15 contrary to the following definitions, conditions and privileges of membership.
16 297. The conditions of covenant full membership are:
17 (1) Confession of a personal experience in regeneration, and a pledge to seek
18 diligently until sanctified wholly if that grace has not been obtained.
19 (2) Christian baptism.
20 (3) Acceptance of the Articles of Religion which are summarized in 299, the
21 Covenant Membership Commitments-the Elementary Principles, and the authority of The
22 Discipline in matters of church government.
23 (4) A covenant to support the Church, to live in fellowship with the
24 members thereof, to follow the teachings of the Scripture regarding family and
25 sexuality (265:5), to be discipled to a level of spiritual maturity that reflects the standards
26 of the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant, and to seek God's glory in all things.
27 (5) The approving vote of the members of the receiving church who are present
28 and voting, unless the church by vote shall delegate this right to the church board. In
29 both cases, it shall be by majority vote, provided that when objections are urged against
30 the reception of a member, it shall require a vote of two-thirds of those present and
31 voting to receive.
32 299. Candidates for covenant full membership shall declare their agreement with the
33 following summary of the Articles of Religion:
34 We believe in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
35 We believe that Jesus Christ the Son suffered in our place on the cross, that
36 He died but rose again, that He now sits at the Father's right hand until He returns to
37 judge every person at the last day.
38 We believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word
39 of God.
40 We believe that by the grace of God every person has the ability and
41 responsibility to choose between right and wrong, and that those who repent of their
42 sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith.
43 We believe that God not only counts the believer as righteous, but that He
44 makes such persons righteous, freeing them from sin's dominion at conversion,
45 purifying their hearts by faith, perfecting them in love at entire sanctification, and
46 providing for their growth in grace at every stage of spiritual life, enabling them
47 through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to live victorious lives.
48
50
1 302. The rights of covenant full membership are:
2 (1) The fellowship of the saints and the encouragement, admonition and spiritual
3 guidance of the ministry.
4
5 (2) The access to the sacraments and ordinances of the Church.
6 (3) The right to vote and the eligibility to hold any office for which a
7 person in covenant membership is eligible, if not under discipline.
8
9 The right to hold any office or position for which full members are eligible, provided that
10 one is not under church discipline, affirmation of following the Wesleyan Discipleship
11 Covenant (if required for election or appointment), is faithful in local church attendance,
12 practices biblical stewardship, participates in active witness and service for Christ,
13 maintains unity in the church, and agrees to give proper accountability to those who are
14 assigned spiritual authority over the member by The Discipline.
15
16 (4) The right to trial and appeal if charged with failure to maintain the conditions of
17 membership, with the specific provision that joining another religious body shall of itself
18 sever membership in the Church.
19 (5) A covenant full member in good standing in any Wesleyan church is entitled to
20 membership privileges in any Wesleyan church to which a transfer of membership may
21 be desired, subject to 297:5.
22 (6) 305. Church membership may be terminated only by one or more of the
23 following:
25 (2) Joining another religious body or a secret order.
26 (3) Expulsion after proper trial and conviction.
27 (4) Persistent neglect of church relationship as defined by The Discipline.
28 (5) Death.
29 Article 9. Powers and Restrictions
30 of the General Conference
31
32 360. The General Conference shall have full power:
33 (1) To designate a criterion for parliamentary procedure for itself and for the other
34 bodies of The Wesleyan Church.
35 (2) To elect such officers as it shall choose and to define their duties and
36 responsibilities.
37 (3) To make and administer rules and regulations for The Wesleyan Church subject
38 to the Constitution and the following restrictions:
39 (a) It shall not have power to revoke, alter or change our Articles of Religion, Elementary
40 Principles or any Covenant Membership Commitment the Wesleyan Discipleship
41 Covenant, or the conditions of membership, or to establish any standards of doctrine
42 contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine.
43
44 DAKOTA DISTRICT
45 Rev. Ron Wickard, Secretary
46 Recommended.
51
1 62
2
3 MEMBERSHIP ISSUES – STATUTORY LAW: Editorial changes necessary in The Discipline upon the
4 passage of Memorial 60.
5
6 Whereas, A Constitutional change has been proposed concerning membership in The Wesleyan Church
7 necessitating a revision to the Statutory Law; and
8 Whereas, If this Constitutional change is approved by a two-thirds vote General Conference and a two-
9 thirds aggregate vote of the district conferences, then a change in Statutory Law is needed;
10 Resolved, That the following changes to the Statutory Law be implement:
11 Resolved, In paragraphs 3 and 135 the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted and
12 replaced with the words "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
13 Resolved, In paragraph 175 the word "Covenant" before the word "members" be deleted and replaced
14 with the word "Full" and the words "Covenant Questions" be deleted and replaced with the words "Full
15 Membership Questions" and the words "Reception of Covenant Members" be deleted and replaced with the
16 words "Reception of Full Members";
17 Resolved, In paragraphs 190 and 400 the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted and
19 Resolved, In paragraph 400 the words "covenant membership" be deleted and replaced with the words
20 "full membership";
21 Resolved, In paragraph 410:6 and 410:9 the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted
22 and replaced with the words "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
23 Resolved, In paragraphs 503, 518:1 and 5185a the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the
24 word "full"; Resolved, in paragraph 520:1 the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted and
26 Resolved, In paragraph 520:3 and 528 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
27 Resolved, That paragraph 552 be deleted;
28 Resolved, That paragraphs 553-563 be deleted and replaced with the following:
29
30 1. Full Membership
31 553. Those persons shall be admitted to full membership in The Wesleyan Church who
32 meet the conditions set forth in the Constitution (297:1-5).
33 (1) Candidates for full membership shall be examined as provided for by the local
34 board of administration (782:7; 835-837), to determine whether they meet the
35 requirements of the Constitution concerning their experience of regeneration, a pledge to
36 seek diligently until sanctified wholly if that grace has not been obtained, Christian
37 baptism, their acceptance of the Articles of Religion which are summarized in 299,
38 Elementary Principles, the authority of The Discipline in matters of church government,
39 and a covenant to support the Church, to live in fellowship with the members thereof, to
40 follow the teachings of the Scripture regarding family and sexuality (265:5), to be
41 discipled to a level of spiritual maturity that reflects the standards of the Wesleyan
42 Discipleship Covenant, and to seek God's glory in all things.
43 (2) Candidates for full membership who have satisfactorily passed the examination by
44 the local board of administration shall be voted upon by the local church conference
45 unless the local church conference has delegated this right to the local board of
46 administration (297:5; 655:1). In either case, it shall require a majority vote of those
47 present and voting to receive; and if objections are urged against the reception of a
48 member, it shall require a two-thirds vote of those present and voting.
52
1 (3) Persons who have been duly accepted for full membership as explained in 553:2,
2 should be formally received into full membership in a public service, in which they shall
3 make their confession and vows public, according to the manner given in 5565, and be
4 given the right hand of fellowship by the pastor or the representative of the pastor.
5 555. The rights of full membership are set forth in the Constitution (302). Any full
6 member charged with failure to their membership vows (553:1) must be dealt with by
7 judicial process as given in The Discipline (5000-5140);
8
9 Resolved, In paragraph 565 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full" in the first
10 sentence and the second sentence to be deleted;
11 Resolved, that paragraph 568 be deleted;
12 Resolved, in paragraph 570 be deleted and replaced with the following "Those who present letters of
13 recommendation from other denominations shall be examined by the pastor and the local board of
14 administration. If it is discovered that the persons involved do meet the criteria of a full member, they may
15 be received as by letter"; and
16 Resolved, In paragraph 575 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
17 Resolved, In paragraph 578:1 the word "covenant" be deleted where is appears before the word
18 "member" and replaced with the word "full" in all instances and the words "Covenant Membership
19 Commitments" be deleted and replaced with "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
24 Resolved, In paragraph 590, 592, 595, 598, 600 and 605 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced
25 with the word "full";
26 Resolved, In paragraph 625 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full" and the
27 following sentence to be deleted "In churches which choose to implement the community membership
28 category, community members will attend the local church conference and participate in keeping with the
29 limits set forth in 560:3-4";
30 Resolved, In paragraph 633:2, 640 and 655:1 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the
31 word "full";
32 Resolved, In paragraph 655:3 the word "covenant" be deleted in both instances and replaced with the
33 word "full" and after the word "membership" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan
34 Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302" and after the revised phrase "four additional full
35 members" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and
36 leadership commitments in 302";
37 Resolved, In paragraph 692:3-4, 695 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
38 Resolved, In paragraph 725:10 to replace "Covenant Membership Commitments" with "Wesleyan
39 Discipleship Covenant";
40 Resolved, In paragraph 725:10 to replace the following "and to maintain with diligence and love
41 adherence to these membership requirements" with "and to establish and maintain a discipleship program
42 that will bring believers to a level of spiritual maturity that reflects the standards of the Wesleyan Discipleship
43 Covenant";
44 Resolved, In paragraph 725:11 to replace "Covenant Membership Commitments" with "Wesleyan
45 Discipleship Covenant";
46 Resolved, In paragraph 725:11 to delete the following "holding or arranging for membership classes for
47 community members that they might be adequately prepared for covenant membership";
48 Resolved, In paragraph 752:1 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with word "full" and after the
53
1 phrase "members of the local church" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan
2 Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
4 Resolved, In paragraph 782:7 after the word "classes" add the following "and to establish and maintain a
5 discipleship program that will bring believers to a level of spiritual maturity that reflects the stands of the
6 Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
8 word "full";
9 Resolved, In paragraph 782:9 the deletion of the paragraph;
10 Resolved, In paragraph 782:11 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
11 Resolved, In paragraph 815:1, 820, 825:1, 830 and 833 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced
12 with the word "full" and after the phrase "members of the local Wesleyan church" add the following "who
13 affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
14 Resolved, In paragraph 837:1 to delete "the Covenant Membership Commitments" and replace with
15 "membership vows";
16 Resolved, In paragraphs 842, 850, 880:5, 889 and 965 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced
17 with the word "full" and after the revised wording "full members" add the following "who affirm they are
18 following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
19 Resolved, In paragraph 1025:1, 1038:2, 1086, 1100:4 and 1103 the word "covenant" be deleted and
21 Resolved, In paragraph 1109 and 1206 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full"
22 and after the word "member" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship
23 Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
25 Resolved, In paragraph 1258 and 1278 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full"
26 and after the word "church" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship
28 Resolved, In paragraph 1292 after the word "death", the following to be added "by failure to annually
29 affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
30 Resolved, In paragraph 1390:1b the words "Membership Commitments" be deleted and replaced with
31 the words "Wesleyan Discipleship Commitment";
32 Resolved, In paragraph 1503:1b the word "covenant" be deleted in both instances and replaced with
33 word "full";
34 Resolved, In paragraph 1512 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with word "full";
35 Resolved, In paragraph 1524 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full' and after
36 the word "member" add the following "who affirm the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership
37 commitments in 302";
38 Resolved, In paragraph 1810 the word "covenant" be deleted in both instances and replaced with the
39 word "full" and after the word "church" add the following "who currently and annually affirm they are following
40 the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302"; Resolved, in paragraph 2242:1
41 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full' and after the word "church" add the
42 following "who currently and annually affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and
44 Resolved, In paragraph 2275:2 and 3 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with word "full';
45 Resolved, In paragraph 2358:2 and 3012 the words "Covenant membership Commitments" be deleted
46 and replaced with "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
47
48
54
1 Resolved, In paragraph 3015:1 and 3033 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with word "full"
2 and after the word "Church" add the following "who currently and annually affirm they are following the
3 Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
4 Resolved, In paragraph 3059:3a to add at the beginning of the sentence these words "To annually affirm
5 they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302 and";
6 Resolved, In paragraph 3070:1 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full" and
7 after the word "Church" add the following "who affirms they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship
9 Resolved, In paragraph 3075:1 to add at the beginning of the sentence these words "To annually affirm
10 they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302 and";
11 Resolved, In paragraph 3097 in the first sentence, the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the
12 word "full" and after the word "Church" add the following "who currently and annually affirm they are following
13 the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
14 Resolved, Paragraph 3097 in sentences four and five, the word "covenant" to be deleted and replaced
16 Resolved, In paragraph 3108, 3111 and 3275 the words "Covenant membership Commitments" be
17 deleted and replaced with "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
18 Resolved, In paragraph 3 111 the words "Covenant membership Commitments" be deleted and replaced
19 with "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
20 Resolved, In paragraph 3410, 3460 and 3480 in the first sentence, the word "covenant" be deleted and
21 replaced with the word "full" and after the word "Church" add the following "who currently and annually affirm
22 they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
23 Resolved, In paragraph 4010:8, 4040:1, 4120:8, 4320:4 and 4350:4 the word "covenant" be deleted in
24 both places and replaced with the word "full";
25 Resolved, in paragraph 4350:4 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
27 word "full: and after the word "church" add the following "who currently and annually affirm they are following
28 the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and leadership commitments in 302";
30 Resolved, In paragraph 5004:1 the following to be inserted after the word "holding" "(this applies to
31 minister, special worker or district or general official of The Wesleyan Church);
32 Resolved, In paragraph 5004:4 and 5010 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word
33 "full";
34 Resolved, In paragraph 5012 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full" and after
35 the word "church" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant and
39 word "full";
40 Resolved, In paragraph 5024:3 and 5028 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word
41 "full';
43 word "full" and after the word "church" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan
46 word "full";
47 Resolved, In paragraph 5038 and 5040 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
55
1 after the word "member" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship
3 Resolved, In paragraph 5040:4 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word “full”;
4 Resolved, In paragraph 5042 the word "Covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "Full";
5 Resolved, In paragraph 5046 and 5050 the word "covenant" be deleted in both instances and replaced
10 Resolved, In the title for Chapter 2, the word "Covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "Full";
11 Resolved, In paragraph 5 100 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full"; Resolved,
12 In paragraph 5105 the word "covenant" 'be deleted in both instances and replaced with the word "full";
13 Resolved, In paragraph 5105:1 the word "covenant" be deleted in the four instances and replaced with
14 the word "full";
16 Resolved, In paragraph 5105:4 the word "covenant" be deleted in the three instances and replaced with
17 the word "full";
18 Resolved. In paragraph 5110 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
19 Resolved, In paragraph 5 110: 1 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full" and after
20 the word "members" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant
21 and leadership commitments in 302";
22 Resolved, In paragraph 5115:3a the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
23 Resolved, In paragraph 5115:3b the word "covenant" be deleted in both instances and replaced with the
24 word "full";
26 Resolved, In paragraph 5120:1 the words "holding or" be deleted; and
27 Resolved, In paragraph 5120:4, 5125, 5125:1, 5125:2, and 5125:3 the word "covenant" be deleted and
29 Resolved, In the title to 5130 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full";
30 Resolved, In paragraph 5130 the word "covenant" be deleted in the three instances and replaced
32 Resolved, In paragraph 5200:6 the word "covenant" be deleted in all instances and replaced with the
33 word "full";
37 after the revised wording "full members" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan
40 word "full";
41 Resolved, In paragraph 5215:1 the word "covenant" be deleted in the three instances and replaced with
42 the word "full";
44 Resolved, In paragraph 5218 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full' and after
45 the word "members" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant
46 and leadership commitments in 302" in both instances;
47 Resolved, In paragraph 5 22 1: 1 the word "covenant" be deleted in all instances and replaced with the
48 word "full";
56
2 word "full";
3 Resolved, In paragraph 5227:1 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full';
4 Resolved, In paragraph 5251 the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted and replaced
5 with the words "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
6 Resolved, In paragraph 5279 the word "covenant" be deleted in four instances and replaced with the
7 word "full";
8 Resolved, In paragraph 5282 and 5285 the word "covenant" be deleted in both instances and replaced
11 Resolved, In paragraph 5320 the word "covenant" be deleted in five instances and replaced with the
12 word "full";
15 word "full";
18 leadership commitments in 302"; ‘
19 Resolved, In paragraph 5400:4 in the first sentence, the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with
20 the word "full" and after the word "members" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan
23 word "full" and after the word "members" add the following "who affirm they are following the Wesleyan
26 word "full";
27 Resolved, In paragraph 5550 that the following be deleted "or community membership";
28 Resolved, In paragraph 5565 the word "covenant" be deleted in six instances and replaced with the word
29 “full”;
30 Resolved, In paragraph 5566 the word "covenant" be deleted and replaced with the word "full" in the title;
31 Resolved, In paragraph 5566 the words "Covenant Membership Commitments" be deleted and replaced
32 with the words "Wesleyan Discipleship Covenant";
33 Resolved, In paragraph 5570 the word "covenant" be deleted in the first instance and replaced with the
34 word "full";
37 word "full";
38 Resolved, In paragraph 6030 the word "covenant" be deleted in the first two instances including the title
39 and replaced with the word "full";
40 Resolved, In paragraph 6040 the words "covenant or community" be deleted and replaced with the word
41 "full" in the title;
43
45 Recommended. Dr. Larry G. Orr, Secretary
57
1 110
2
3 EXPANSION OF VOTING RIGHTS FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Full voting rights granted to community
4 members with the exception of voting on reception of covenant members.
5
6 Whereas, The membership commitments for covenant membership within The Wesleyan Church
7 requires one to adhere to a certain set of behavioral standards that may or may not be mandated by the Holy
8 Scriptures;
9 Whereas, The Discipline provides for the category of membership known as community membership;
10 Whereas, The Discipline requires that anyone who holds an elected office at the local church, district,
11 and/or General Church level be a covenant member of The Wesleyan Church;
12 Whereas, According to The Discipline, a community member may not serve in one of these elected
13 offices (i.e. – a pastor, a member of the local board of administration, a delegate to district and/or general
14 conference, etc.); and,
15 Whereas, Community members could only elect covenant members of The \Wesleyan Church to provide
16 leadership to the local church, district, and General Church.
17 Resolved, That The Discipline paragraph 560 be amended as follows:
18
20
21 (1) The fellowship of the saints and the encouragement, admonition, and
23 (2) Access to the sacraments and ordinances of the Church. (This does
24 not mean that The Wesleyan Church practices closed communion—cf. 5605;
25 5615.)
26 (3) Eligibility to fill any office or position in the local church other than
27 those for which covenant membership is required by The Discipline, provided
28 that the local board of administration considers the community member
29 sufficiently mature in years and spiritual development, exemplary in conduct and
30 gifted for such service.
31 (4) Community members have the right to vote on all issues presented to
32 the local church conference except votes on the calling or renewal of the call of
33 pastors or associate pastors, election of members to the local board of
34 administration, reception of covenant members, election of nominating committee
35 members and the delegates to district conference.
36 (5) The right of a hearing before the local board of administration in the
37 event of dismissal from community membership, but if after such hearing the
38 board reaffirms the vote of dismissal there shall be no further right of appeal;
39 joining another religious body shall of itself sever membership in the church.
40
41 The newly revised paragraph 560 would read as follows:
42
44
45 (1) The fellowship of the saints and the encouragement, admonition and
47 (2) Access to the sacraments and ordinances of the Church. (This does not
48 mean that The Wesleyan Church practices closed communion—cf. 5605; 5615.)
58
1 (3) Eligibility to fill any office or position in the local church other than those
2 for which covenant membership is required by The Discipline, provided that the
3 local board of administration considers the community member sufficiently
4 mature in years and spiritual development, exemplary in conduct and gifted for
5 such service.
6 (4) Community members have the right to vote on all issues presented to the
7 local church conference except votes on the reception of covenant members.
8 (5) The right of a hearing before the local board of administration in the
9 event of dismissal from community membership, but if after such hearing the
10 board reaffirms the vote of dismissal there shall be no further right of appeal;
11 joining another religious body shall of itself sever membership in the church.
12
13
14 WEST MICHIGAN DISTRICT CONFERENCE
15 Reverend Chad J. McCallum, Secretary
16 Recommended.
59
1 113
2
3 REGARDING COMMUNITY MEMBERS: Removes the requirement for the LBA to annually review
4 community membership; leaving in place the encouraging of community members to embrace covenant
5 membership.
6
7 Whereas, The Discipline provides for the category of membership known as community membership;
8 Whereas, The Discipline presently calls for the local board of administration to annually review the status
9 of each community member and assess progress toward covenant membership; and,
10 Whereas, The instruction to review the status of every community member may not be practical in
11 churches with many community members but the goal should continue to be aiding and encouraging
12 community members to embrace covenant membership.
13 Resolved, That Discipline 563 be changed to read:
14
15 563. “A community member may become a covenant member at any time the
16 community member is qualified and received as given in 553. It shall be the duty of
17 the pastor and the local board of administration to assist a community member in
18 qualifying for covenant membership. If upon reception into community status, the
19 member is sufficiently ]mature in years, every effort shall be put forth to prepare the
20 community member for reception into covenant membership. As a part of its annual
21 review of the church membership roll (cf. 782:10), the local board of administration shall
22 review the status of each community member and assess progress toward covenant
23 membership aid and encourage community members to embrace covenant
24 membership.”
25
27 Board of Administration
28 Recommended.
60
1 115
2
3 APPOINTMENT OF A DENOMINATIONAL STUDY COMMITTEE ON MEMBERSHIP: Mandates the
4 General Board establish a study committee on Biblical requirements for church membership and report
5 conclusions to the General Conference in 2012.
6
7 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church recognizes four sources of authority, sometimes known as the
8 Wesleyan Quadrilateral, including: scripture, tradition, reason and experience;
9 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church affirms that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired and infallibly written
10 Word of God, fully inerrant in their original manuscripts and superior to all human authority, and have been
11 transmitted to the present without corruption of any essential doctrine;
12 Whereas, Discussion of membership and leadership requirements should be founded on clear Scriptural
13 teaching;
14 Whereas, The New Testament church itself, in developing a list of requirements for those who had
15 already believed to be accepted into the communion of the local church, was guided by the following: “It
16 seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following
17 requirements:” (Acts 15:28 NIV);
18 Whereas, The New Testament church itself, in developing a list of requirements for those who had
19 believed to be accepted into the communion of the local church, limited those external tests of membership
20 to the following: “You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled
21 animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” (Acts 15:29 NIV),
22 Whereas, The New Testament church itself, in developing a list of church leadership requirements
23 specifically addressed the issue of the use of alcohol by leaders and called for moderation (1st Timothy 3:1-7
24 and Titus 1:6-9) rather than abstinence, a standard less restrictive than The Wesleyan Church requirements
25 for our members;
26 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church recognizes the terrible personal and societal impact of substance
27 abuse and remains committed to being a voice for Biblical temperance in the same way as we advocate for
28 the rights of the unborn (Discipline 410:11) and for peace (410:2) while not limiting our membership or
29 leadership to those who do not yet fully embrace those positions;
30 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church, in recent years, has reconsidered its position on other potentially
31 divisive issues such as the use of languages (265:9) and divorce and remarriage (410:6) on the basis of a
32 careful study of Scriptures; and
33 Whereas, There is a missiological imperative for The Wesleyan Church to address vital issues such as
34 membership requirements primarily from a scriptural perspective, both on behalf of our mission fields and in
35 our own increasingly post-Christian North American culture.
36 Resolved, That the 2008 General Conference authorize the General Board to appoint a study committee
37 of Wesleyan biblical scholars, theologians and pastors to engage in a thorough exploration of Scripture to
38 develop a comprehensive understanding of the Bible’s teaching on church membership and to articulate
39 scripturally and missiologically consistent requirements for both membership and leadership within The
40 Wesleyan Church and bring its recommendation to the 2012 General Conference.
41
43 Chad J. McCallum, Secretary
44 Recommended.
61
1 101
2
3 LOCAL CHURCH EVANGELIZING STRATEGY: Criteria for evaluating the reclassification of a church to a
4 developing church
5
6 Whereas, the Discipline states the goal of the pastor in cooperation with the Local Board of
7 Administration should be “To direct the church in its evangelistic outreach, seeking to win its community to
8 Christ;” according to Discipline 782:5
9 Whereas, at the heart of every declining and dying church is the failure to develop and implement an
10 effective outreach strategy to its community;
11 Whereas, the heart and the history of The Wesleyan Church is its commitment to win the lost and
12 reaching out to the spiritual unresolved;
13 Resolved, that absence of a pastor and board to direct the church in an strategic and effective
14 “evangelistic outreach” “to its community” become one of the criteria by which a church is evaluated for
15 reclassification.
16
17 Discipline 518: 5 would read:
18
19 (5) An established church may be reclassified by the district conference or the
20 district board of administration as a developing church if such is recommended
21 by the district superintendent and:
22 (a) If its covenant membership drops to ten or fewer (cf. 1180:24;
23 1233:29; 5320); or
24 (b) If it ceases to meet one or more of the other conditions set forth
25 in 518:2-4 (cf. 4670); or
26 (c) If it fails to demonstrate a plan for evangelistic outreach, seeking
27 to win its community to Christ.” (cf. 782:5)
28
29 SOUTH COASTAL DISTRICT CONFERENCE
30 Rev. Rick Hayworth, Secretary
31
32 Recommended.
62
1 103
2
3 EVANGELISM REQUIREMENT FOR ESTABLISHED CHURCH STATUS: Effective evangelism in place to
4 qualify for established church status.
5
6 Whereas, The mission of The Wesleyan Church as stated in The Discipline 105 includes: (1) sharing the
7 divine revelation of full salvation through Christ as recorded in the Holy Scriptures so as to evangelize the
8 lost and to minister redemptively to human society and its institutions, and (2) relating new converts to local
9 churches and providing Spirit-filled and well-trained pastors and leaders for the same;
10 Whereas, The local board of administration is responsible “to direct the church in its evangelistic
11 outreach, seeking to win its community to Christ;” and
12 Whereas, An effective evangelism program is a positive sign of a healthy local church and the lack of an
13 effective evangelistic outreach is a strong indicator of a declining church;
14 Resolved, That a local church be required to demonstrate an effective evangelism program to be
15 organized as a fully established church and The Discipline 518 be amended by inserting after The Discipline
16 518:1:
17 “(2) A reasonable evangelistic program and a record of new converts incorporated
18 into the church.” and renumbering the following statements of existing 518;
19
20 Resolved, That, if effective evangelism is not maintained, an established church may be reclassified as a
21 developing church, and The Discipline 518 be amended by inserting after 518:5(a)
22
23 “(b) If no new converts have been reported by the church within the previous two
24 years; or….”
25
26 and renumbering the following statements of existing 518:5(a); and
27
28 Resolved, That other paragraphs of The Discipline pertaining to the organization and reclassification of
29 churches be amended accordingly.
30
31 CHESAPEAKE DISTRICT
32 James N. Hosey Jr. Secretary
33 v Recommended with the following amendments.
34 Not Recommended.
35
36 st rd
Strike the words “an” and “program” in the 1 line of the 3 whereas;
37 st st
Strike the word “program” in the 1 line of the 1 Resolve;
38 st
Strike the words “A reasonable evangelistic program” in the 1 Resolve; (2) substituting the words
39 “effective evangelism”.
63
1 102
2
3 COVENANT MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR ESTABLISHED CHURCH STATUS: Number of
4 covenant members required to organize an established church changed from 10 to 25; and for reclassifying
5 an established church to a developing church from 10 to 20.
6
7 Whereas, A critical mass of unified Christian believers is required to support a healthy local church in its
8 efforts of evangelism, nurture, fellowship and worship; and
9 Whereas, A body of fewer than twenty-five Christians is rarely able to adequately staff
10 the organization, effectively execute the mission, and sufficiently finance the ministry of the church; and
11 Whereas, The 1996 General Conference initiated the developing church organization for “a new work, or
12 a work which does not meet the requirements for an established church;” and
13 Whereas, The developing church structure provides an adequate organization for the development and
14 revitalization processes for a local church; and
15 Whereas, The minimum membership requirement for the organizing of an established church has not
16 been increased since the creation of the developing church; and
17 Whereas, A declining established church typically has inactive members and will rarely decrease its
18 covenant membership to ten or fewer members, prohibiting reclassification of the church by the district board
19 of administration for revitalization purposes based on membership;
20 Resolved, That the minimum number of covenant members required for the organization of a church as
21 a fully established church be increased from twelve to twenty-five so that The Discipline 518:1 shall read:
22
23 “(1) Twenty-five or more persons who are covenant members or are approved and ready
24 to be received as covenant members when the organization shall be effected.”
25
26 Resolved, That the minimum number of covenant members for reclassifying an established church as a
27 developing church be increased from ten to twenty so that The Discipline 518:5(a) shall read:
28
29 “(a) If its covenant membership drops to twenty or fewer (cf. 1180:24;
30 1233:29; 5320)…” and
31
32 Resolved, That other paragraphs of The Discipline pertaining to the organization and
33 reclassification of churches be amended accordingly.
34
35 CHESAPEAKE DISTRICT
36 James N. Hosey Jr., Secretary
37 v Recommended.
38 Not Recommended.
64
1 100
2
3 ASSISTANT PASTOR RESIGNATION: Flexible policy allowing for orderly change of staff during times of
4 senior pastoral change.
5
6 Whereas, Many Wesleyan churches employ multiple staff;
7 Whereas, The multiple staff oversees a wide range of ministry in the churches served;
8 Whereas, In larger churches the time required to find a new qualified senior pastor can take several
9 months;
10 Whereas, In the time of uncertainty while a senior pastor is being pursued, staff members may begin to
11 look for other opportunities to serve;
12 Whereas, The loss of the staff would greatly impact the ministries of the church in a negative way; and
13 Whereas, Maintaining the continuity of leadership and church programming reduces the trauma of
14 pastoral change;
15 Resolved, That a number (5) be added to 741 in The Discipline to read: “In a church with multiple staff,
16 the local board of administration, in consultation with and with the approval of the District Superintendent,
17 may choose to exercise the option of asking any or all staff to continue serving through the next conference
18 year.”
19 CENTRAL NEW YORK DISTRICT
20 M. Richard Wolfe, Secretary
21 Recommended.
65
1 144
2
3 ASSISTANT PASTOR’S TERMINATION PROCEDURE: Assistant pastor termination policy.
4
5 Whereas, An assistant pastor is a staff minister hired on the joint agreement of the senior pastor and
6 local board of administration as described in Discipline 741:2; and
7 Whereas, It is essential that the assistant pastor serve at the will of the senior pastor and that service
8 must be compatible with the ministry objective of the senior pastor;
10
11 "The assistant pastor's appointment may be terminated at any time at either the
12 senior pastor's or local board of administration's recommendation to and approval of the
13 district superintendent."
14
15 The rest of the paragraph remains the same.
16 WESTERN NEW YORK DISTRICT
17 Robin W. George, Secretary
18 Recommended.
66
1 146
2
3 LAY ASSISTANT’S TERMINATION PROCEDURE: Lay assistant termination policy.
4
5 Whereas, The lay assistant to the senior pastor serves at the will of the senior pastor;
6 Whereas, The lay assistant to the senior pastor must be compatible in vision and mission to the senior
7 pastor's ministry objectives; and
8 Whereas, There is potential for conflict between the lay assistant and the senior pastor should the lay
9 minister develop ministry priorities, programs, and/or styles of worship which are not in harmony with the
10 expressed wishes of the senior pastor;
11 Resolved, That a new sub-paragraph (4) be added to Discipline 744 that would read:
12
13 "The lay assistant's appointment may be terminated at any time by either the senior
14 pastor or local board of administration."
15
16 WESTERN NEW YORK DISTRICT
17 Robin W. George, Secretary
18 Recommended.
67
1 125
2
3 DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT APPROVAL FOR SPECIAL LOCAL CHURCH CONFERENCE: Insures
4 district superintendent supervision when local church conference is called into special session.
5
6 Whereas, It is already required that local church conferences be conducted annually and that the time of
7 such sessions must be approved by the district superintendent (Discipline 630:1);
8 Whereas, Local church conference quarterly sessions may only be scheduled with similar district
9 superintendent approval (Discipline 630:2);
10 Whereas, Local church conference special sessions for pastoral votes may only be called by the vice-
11 chairman with the knowledge and approval of the district superintendent (Discipline 633:3); and
12 Whereas, It seems prudent that the district superintendent should also be fully aware of and approve the
13 purpose and calling of all other special sessions of local church conferences under district supervision;
14 Resolved, That Discipline 633:1 be amended by inserting the words “only with the approval of the district
15 superintendent” after the word “pastor” in the first sentence, so that the new sentence shall read, “The local
16 church conference may be called into special session by the pastor only with the approval of the district
17 superintendent” (remainder of sentence unchanged).
20 v Recommended.
21 Not Recommended.
68
1 140
2
3 ELECTRONIC E-MAIL VOTING ON PASTORAL RECALLS: Allows for electronic balloting on pastoral
4 vote.
5
6 Whereas, Church members are sometimes not in residence at their home address when their pastoral
7 recall votes are held;
8 Whereas, Church members could have access to electronic communication with their churches through
9 identity management systems on church or denomination websites and/or email;
10 Whereas, The element of secret ballot is not totally secret as the policy currently stands with a member
11 mailing a ballot to the board secretary who opens it and can imagine the identity of the person who sent it;
12 Whereas, Opening an electronic ballot would be comparable in regards to the secrecy privilege of
13 opening a mailed paper ballot;
14 Whereas, A church member would be willing to allow the possible revelation of their vote to the LBA
15 recipient of an electronic vote; and
16 Whereas, Member participation in the pastoral selection in The Wesleyan Church is the heart of its
17 democratic ideals;
18 Resolved, That local churches be given the option to provide for members not in residence at their home
19 address during the time of the pastoral recall by allowing them to vote electronically through the identity
20 management system selected by their local church; and
21 Resolved, That a new sub paragraph 696 be added to read:
22
23 “The local church conference by a two-thirds vote may establish the option for church
24 members not in residence at their home address, due to reasons sited in paragraph 695,
25 during the time of the pastoral recall vote to utilize electronic voting through a church
26 approved identity management system.”
27
30 Recommended.
69
1 142
2
3 FOUR-YEAR INITIAL PASTORAL CALL: Initial pastoral call to be four years with a mandated mid-term
4 pastoral evaluation by the LBA under the direction of the district superintendent.
5
6 Whereas, The normative term of an initial call for a Wesleyan ordained or licensed minister to a local
7 church is presently two years (705:1);
8 Whereas, The effective term of service of a minister during their initial term is actually closer to eighteen
9 months before the renewal vote is cast;
10 Whereas, The amount of time that a minister has to initiate programmatic changes during their initial
11 term is further reduced at the onset due to the process of becoming acquainted with the church constituency,
12 operations and needs;
13 Whereas, Substantive organizational change typically requires at least eighteen to thirty-six months to
14 plan, initiate and evaluate which is well beyond the date of the initial renewal vote;
15 Whereas, Dr. George Bullard (Southern Baptist Church Consultant) reports that new pastors who have
16 been called to initiate change typically encounter resistance to their proposed changes from the same
17 leadership group that called them at about eighteen to twenty-four months into their new pastorate, which is
18 about the same time that they are to be voted upon for renewal;
19 Whereas, It is generally agreed that pastors do not reach their prime in ministry at a specific church
20 location until their fifth to seventh year of service and yet the tenure of the average pastor is less than three
21 years, thus resulting in many churches never realizing the best service a pastor can provide;
22 Whereas, A mid-term evaluation would provide an opportunity for constructive dialogue between the
23 pastor and the local board of administration regarding issues of pastoral performance, church health and
24 proposed changes at a time when adjustments, if needed, could be implemented well ahead of a pastoral
25 vote; and
26 Whereas, The Discipline currently allows for a four-year or extended initial call if such is recommended
27 by the local board of administration and approved by the district superintendent (705:2) yet the normative
28 initial term is the two-year initial call specified in 705:1;
29 Resolved, That the initial call of a Wesleyan ordained or licensed minister be increased from two years to
30 four years;
31 Resolved, That a mid-term pastoral evaluation during the initial call be conducted by the local board of
32 administration under the direction of the district superintendent or their representative;
33 Resolved, That the revised 705:1 would read, “(1) The vote shall be for a four-year call, subject to such
34 adjustment as the district superintendent shall approve, so that the term shall expire at the uniform time set
35 by the General Conference (700). A pastoral evaluation shall be conducted by the local board of
36 administration in the third year of the initial term under the direction of the district superintendent or their
37 representative”; and
38 Resolved, That the phrase “four years or” be stricken from paragraph 705:2.
39
40 GREATER OHIO DISTRICT
41 Rev. Martin Baker, Secretary
42 Recommended.
44
45
46
47
48
70
1 164
2
3 THREE-YEAR TERMS FOR LBA MEMBERS: Allows local church conference to establish three-year terms
4 of service policy for LBA members.
5
6 Whereas, Continuity in the membership of a local board of administration is usually a strength;
7 Whereas, The provision of three-year terms for board members would foster continuity; and
8 Whereas, If the terms are staggered so that approximately a third of the members are elected each year,
9 the election process is simpler;
10 Resolved, That the option be provided for the local church conference to authorize implementing three-
11 year terms of service for local board of administration members with approximately one-third being elected
12 each year; and
13 Resolved, That a new paragraph 758 be added to The Discipline to read:
14
15 “A local church conference may, by a two-thirds vote, adopt three-year terms for the
16 local board of administration.”
17
20
21 v Recommended. [With the following amendment “with approximately one-third being elected each
22 year inserted at the end of the new paragraph]
23 Not Recommended.
71
1 165
2
3 THREE-YEAR TERMS FOR MEMBERS-AT-LARGE ON THE DISTRICT BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION:
4 Term of office can be for one, two or three years.
5
6 Whereas, Continuity in the membership of the district board of administration is usually a strength,
7 Whereas, The provision of three-year terms for board members would foster continuity; and
8 Whereas, If the terms were staggered so that approximately a third is elected each year the election
9 process is simpler;
10 Resolved, That the option be provided for the district conference to approve implementing three-year
11 terms of service for the members-at-large of the district board of administration and that approximately a third
12 be elected each year; and
13 Resolved, That paragraph 1206 be amended to provide the option of a three-term, to read:
14
15 “Regulations for a Member-at-Large. Each member-at-large of a district board of
16 administration shall be a covenant member of a local Wesleyan church within the
17 district of service, both at the time of election and throughout the tenure of
18 membership. A ministerial member-at-large shall be chosen from among the
19 ordained ministers of the district. The term of office shall be for one year, two years
20 or three years as determined by the district conference, and the member-at-large
21 shall serve from the close of the district conference at which elected until the close of
22 the prescribed term or until a successor is elected and qualified. Regulations
23 governing the amenability of a member-at-large of the district board of administration
24 and the declaring and filling of a vacancy in such office are the same as those for
25 district officials set forth in 1265 and 1272.”
26
29 Recommended.
72
1 166
2
3 LOCAL CHURCH FINANCIAL REPORTS: provided upon request rather than mandated monthly reports to
4 all members.
5
6 Whereas, It is important to maintain fiscal responsibility within a local church; and
7 Whereas, It is possible to do so without encumbering the local church with undue reporting processes;
8 and
9 Whereas, The present exhortation in Discipline 842:3 to provide the members of the local church
10 monthly financial reports which are presented to the Local Board of Administration; and
11 Whereas, This exhortation has been interpreted by some members to be a binding requirement; and
12 Whereas, The intent appears to be full access and accountability for all financial matters related to the
13 local church; and
14 Whereas, The accountability intent is satisfied with monthly reporting to the Local Board of
15 Administration and annual reporting to the Local Church Conference, and accessibility by members to
16 reports can be done in a less encumbering manner;
17 Resolved, That Discipline 842:3 regarding monthly financial reports that reads:
18
19 "which should be duplicated and distributed to the members of the church"
20
21 Shall be changed to read:
22
23 "which shall be available upon request to any member of the local church."
24
25 PENN-JERSEY DISTRICT
26 Dwight L. Addington, Secretary
27 v Recommended.
28 Not Recommended.
73
1 180
2
3 ELIMINATION OF CHURCH PERIODICALS DIRECTOR POSITION: With current periodical policy, there is
4 no longer a need for a periodicals director.
5
6 Whereas, The denomination no longer publishes subscription-based periodicals for which local and
7 district promotional assistance was necessary; and
8 Whereas, The elected positions and duties of the local director for church periodicals and the district
9 director for church periodicals are no longer functional or essential;
10 Resolved, That Discipline 840 and 1355 be amended by striking them in their entirety;
11 Resolved, That Discipline 725:26 be amended by striking the comma after the word “literature” and the
12 words “promoting all subscription campaigns for the official church publications and other official General
13 Church or district periodicals, setting a proper example with personal subscriptions;” (so that the new
14 subparagraph shall then read, “To circulate holiness literature and to use in all educational departments and
15 agencies curriculum materials provided by The Wesleyan Church.”
16 Resolved, That all other references to the director for church periodicals be removed from The Discipline
17 (see especially 800:2, 1250:2, and 1275, along with references in the Index).
18
21 v Recommended.
22 Not Recommended.
74
1 190
2
3 OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER: Discipline recommendation for monthly observance.
4
5 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church, as indicated in paragraph 242 of The Discipline, espouses a high view
6 of the Lord’s Supper as a sacrament of our redemption and our eternal hope as well as a sign of Christian
7 love and a means of grace;
8 Whereas, Jesus clearly commands his disciples to partake of the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:14-23);
9 Whereas, The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 clearly indicates that this mandate applies to all
10 believers as a means of proclaiming the gospel and anticipating the return of Christ;
11 Whereas, John Wesley in The Duty of Constant Communion contended that it is the duty of every
12 Christian to receive the Lord’s Supper as often as possible because of its benefits including giving believers
13 the strength to perform their duty and leading believers on to entire sanctification;
14 Whereas, The Lord’s Supper is not only a sign of Christian love within a local church, but it is also an
15 expression of Christian unity globally and throughout history; and
16 Whereas, The current policy of one observance per quarter is out-dated as it originated in the worship of
17 the early Methodist Quarterly Meetings of the 1700’s, which were necessitated by the lack of ordained
18 ministers to administer the sacraments within in the circuit system [cf. Dr. Lester Ruth, A Little Heaven
19 Below: Worship at Early Methodist Quarterly Meetings, Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2000);
20 Resolved, That the second sentence of 725:6 be amended to read:
21
22 “Each pastor is encouraged to provide for the observance of the Lord’s Supper at least
23 once each month, but is required to do so at least once every three months (293).”
24
27
28 v Recommended.
29 Not Recommended.
30
75
1
2 234
3
4 DISTRICT BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Active involvement in local church a precondition for
5 membership on the DBA.
6
7 Whereas, The Discipline Paragraph 1206 under the heading of District Board of Administration states:
8
9 "Each Member-at-Large of a District Board of Administration shall be a Covenant
10 Member of a local Wesleyan Church within the district of service both at the time of
11 election and through-out the tenure of membership"; and
12
13 Whereas, District Board of Administration members have held local church membership but not
14 remained active in a local Wesleyan Church during their entire tenure of membership,
15 Resolved, That the following words be added following the phrase district of service: "and remain active
16 in a local Wesleyan Church," so that Paragraph 1206 shall read:
17
18 “Each Member-at-Large of a District Board of Administration shall be a Covenant
19 Member of a local Wesleyan Church within the “district of service” and remain active in
20 a local Wesleyan Church both at the time of election and throughout the tenure of
21 membership." and
22
23 Resolved, That the action be taken on Paragraph 1206 District Board of Administration in The Discipline
24 of The Wesleyan Church be made to bring the following reading current.
25
26 EASTERN NEW YORK/NEW ENGLAND DISTRICT
27 Rev. Jeffrey Turcotte, Secretary
28 Recommended.
76
1 245
2
3 DISTRICT BOARD OF REVIEW: Election of district board of review when needed rather than mandated
4 annual election.
5
6 Whereas, In many districts, the District Board of Review has never met (except to organize) which raises
7 the question of why are we doing this election;
8 Whereas, When the District Board of Review is elected, it could be beneficial to elect the membership
9 from the geographical area of where they would need to meet; and
10 Whereas, Having the Area General Superintendent give approval to those serving on the District Board
11 of Review would give a level of protection to the integrity of the election process;
12 Resolved, The wording in 1370 and 5218 be changed from "each established district shall have a district
13 board of review, which shall consist of four ordained ministers and three lay members elected annually by the
14 district board of administration" to "each established district shall have a district board of review, which
15 shall consist of four ordained ministers and three lay elected either annually by the district board of
16 administration or as needed by district board of administration subject to the approval of the Area General
17 Superintendent".
19 Dr. Larry G. Orr
20 Recommended.
77
1 260
2
3 NOMINATIONS OF DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GENERAL
4 SUPERINTENDENTS: Oversight of district superintendent election procedure by area General
5 Superintendent.
6
7 Whereas, The district superintendent level of leadership is critical to the advancement of the Church
8 in that district programs of evangelism, church planting, and administration require the visionary leadership of
9 capable and experienced people;
10 Whereas, The selection of a district superintendent normally results in the person selected remaining
11 in office for a significant number of years, perhaps to retirement from active ministry;
12 Whereas, The district superintendent position requires leadership skills enabling the person selected
13 to relate to pastors of churches of all sizes and, in most cases, to cross cultural churches and pastors,
14 educational institutions, General Church officials;
15 Whereas, The district superintendent office requires special skills in relating to building and property
16 issues, legal concerns and counseling skills; and
17 Whereas, The selection of a district superintendent requires the careful search process of the special
18 district committee on nominations and should also involve the counsel and consent of the area general
19 superintendent;
20 Resolved, That Discipline 1303:8, be amended by inserting before last sentence the following: . . .
21 “District superintendent nominees submitted by the Special District Committee on Nomination shall be
22 subject to the approval of the Board of General Superintendents.”
23
26
27 v Recommended.
28 Not Recommended
29
78
1 300
2
3 PROCLAMATION: CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE CENTENNIAL CONGRATULATIONS: Cordial
4 th
greetings and congratulations to the Church of the Nazarene upon the celebration of their 100 anniversary.
5
6 Whereas, The Church of the Nazarene will celebrate its centennial anniversary on October 4, 2008; and
7 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church seeks “effective cooperation with other branches of the Church of
8 Christ in all that makes for the advancement of God’s kingdom among all people” (Discipline 200); and
9 Whereas, The Church of the Nazarene and The Wesleyan Church share a rich heritage as sister
10 Christian denominations committed to missional effectiveness in spreading scriptural holiness; and
11 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church wishes to affirm its historic relationship with, sincere appreciation for,
12 and continuing partnership with the Church of the Nazarene;
13 Resolved, That the North American General Conference of The Wesleyan Church congratulates the
14 Church of the Nazarene on the occasion of its centennial anniversary and for its renewed commitment to be
15 “A Church Ablaze,” existing to carry out its mission to advance God’s kingdom by the preservation and
16 propagation of Christian holiness as set forth in the Scriptures; and
17 Resolved, That the North American General Conference of The Wesleyan Church affirms its sincere
18 desire to continue and enhance collaboration with the Church of the Nazarene in all practical ways that will
19 help our respective communions fulfill the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment; and
20 Resolved, That the Board of General Superintendents call upon Wesleyans everywhere to offer prayers
21 of thanksgiving and petitions for God’s gracious blessings upon our sister congregations in the Church of the
22 Nazarene on Sunday, October 4, 2008.
25 v Recommended.
26 Not Recommended.
27
79
1 305
2
3 GENERAL CONFERENCE VOTING MEMBERS: Transfers North American General Conference delegates
4 from units under Global Partners to the International Conference of The Wesleyan Church.
5
6 Whereas, In 2004, internationalization plan for the denomination was adopted creating an International
7 Conference; an International Board; and an International Board of General Superintendents;
8 Whereas, The Charter of the International Conference provides for voting representation by all national
9 and regional churches;
10 Whereas, The International Board has recommended a change in the International Charter which would
11 provide for representation for mission units under the Department of World Mission of the North American
12 General Conference as well as for those which might be under the Caribbean General Conference and the
13 Philippine General Conference; and
14 Whereas, The agenda of the General Conference of the North American Wesleyan Church addresses
15 the concerns of the North American Church almost exclusively;
16 Resolved, That Discipline,1503:1d, which provides for voting delegates from units under the General
17 Department of World Missions according to a plan approved by the General Board, be deleted; and
18 Resolved, That Discipline 1655:31 be amended by striking the last clause, “And to provide for the
19 General Conference representation of units under the General Department of World Missions.”
20
23 v Recommended.
24 Not Recommended.
80
1 307
2
3 NUMBER OF GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATES: Establishing the number of voting delegates to
4 General Conference at 400 [incumbent upon passage of Memorial 60]
5
6 Whereas, A Constitutional change has been proposed concerning membership in The Wesleyan, Church
7 necessitating a revision to the Statutory Law;
8 Whereas, This change in membership change would drastically increase the number of delegates to
10 Whereas, The 2004 General Conference had 410 voting delegates including World Missions delegates;
11 and
12 Whereas, Setting the number of General Conference delegates at a fixed number of 400 seems
13 appropriate;
14 Resolved, In paragraph 1503:1 the word "400" be added after the first "the" and it would read as follows,
15 "The 400 voting members shall consist of an equal number of ordained ministers and lay members of The
16 Wesleyan Church";
17 Resolved, That paragraph 1503:1b be deleted and in it’s place be the following:
18
19 "Each established district will have minimum representation by its district
20 superintendent and one lay delegate elected by the district conference.
21 Additional ministerial and lay delegates will be allocated by the General Board
22 using a formula it shall determine based on ratios of full members and applied in
23 such a manner as to assign the exact number of delegates to be elected by each
24 district."
25
26 Resolved, That in the third sentence of paragraph 1512 the word "annual" would be deleted and in its
27 place would be the word "preceding" so that the sentence would read:
28
29 "The statistical report for the preceding session of the district conference at which
30 the delegates are elected shall be used for determining the number of full
31 members, and consequently, the number of General Conference delegates".
32
35 Recommended.
81
1 310
2
3 CONSTITUTIONAL MEMORIALS: Memorials routed from General Conference to district conferences for
4 ratification to include a “plain English” version.
5
6 Whereas, The annual District Conferences must ratify certain Memorials from the Wesleyan General
7 Conferences;
8 Whereas, These Memorials are often written with legal and/or theological terms, referencing paragraphs
9 from the Wesleyan Discipline;
10 Whereas, District delegates are not always versed in the Wesleyan Discipline and/or the technical
11 language used in these Memorials; and
12 Whereas, The presentation of the Memorials can lead to confusion and misunderstanding resulting in
13 instances where Delegates have cast votes on Memorials without understanding their meaning;
14 Resolved, That compendium Memorials be drafted and attached to the original memorial presented to
15 the district conferences, in terminology allowing for comprehension by the greater body of delegates to help
16 assure informed and accurate voting on each issue.
17 WISCONSIN DISTRICT
18 Mark A. Holmes, Secretary
19 Recommended.
82
1 740
2
3 RESTATEMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION: Updating corporate documents
4
5 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church was incorporated under the 1935 Indiana incorporation laws;
6 Whereas, There have been two changes to the incorporation laws since 1935;
7 Whereas, There are benefits to The Wesleyan Church to restate its Articles of Incorporation; and
8 Whereas, Church corporation legal counsel has advised that The Wesleyan Church restate its Articles
9 of Incorporation;
10 Resolved, That the 2008 General Conference empower the General Board to approve and file a
11 restatement of the Articles of Incorporation.
12
15
16 v Recommended
17 Not Recommended.
18
83
1
2 319
3
4 GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT AREA ROTATION: General Superintendent administrative area
5 assignment, as well as the length of the assignment, determined by the General Board.
6
7 Whereas, In keeping with Discipline 1915, the Board of General Superintendents recommends and the
8 General Board approves boundaries for the administrative areas of The Wesleyan Church and assignment of
9 the General Superintendents to supervise each of the areas;
10 Whereas, It is desirable to provide for greater continuity in the relationship of General Superintendents to
11 area and district leaders to whom they relate and to allow for greater flexibility in adjusting responsibilities;
12 and
13 Whereas, Current statutory law dictates that no General Superintendent shall be assigned to an area
14 twice before having served each of the other areas;
15 Resolved, That Discipline 1915:4 be amended by striking the existing sentence, which reads:
16
17 "(4) The assignment of a General Superintendent to an administrative area shall be
18 for the term of four years, coinciding with the term of office, or until the close of the next
19 General Conference, providing that no General Superintendent shall be assigned to an
20 area twice before having served each of the other areas";
21
22 And by replacing it with the following:
23
24 "(4) The assignment of a General Superintendent to an administrative area shall be
25 for a term determined by the General Board, based upon the recommendation of the
26 Board of General Superintendents."
27
28 EAST MICHIGAN CONFERENCE
29 Delbert Gibson, Secretary
30 v Recommended.
31 Not Recommended.
84
1 324
2
3 ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION OF GENERAL BOARD MEETINGS: Allowing for the option of using
4 electronic means to publish General Board meetings.
5
6 Whereas, The Discipline (1615) requirement that all sessions of the General Board shall be published in
7 the official church publication was written at a time when the church publication was the predominate means
8 of communication;
9 Whereas, The General Board meeting schedule is published in the Pastor’s Directory Calendar and on
10 the General Secretary’s website; and
11 Whereas, The bulk of communication to the General Board is done electronically;
12 Resolved, That we strike the words in the official publication and substitute the word electronically in the
13 last sentence of Discipline 1615.
14 Resolved, That we add the words or electronically following the words in writing in the last sentence of
15 Discipline 1615. The last sentence of Discipline 1615 would then read:
16
17 “Notice of all sessions shall be published by the General Secretary electronically and
18 sent in writing or electronically to all members at least four weeks in advance.”
19
21 Ronald D. Kelly, General Secretary
22 v Recommended.
23 Not Recommended
85
1 325
2
3 EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR LOCAL, DISTRICT AND GENERAL BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:
4 Maintaining confidentiality of meetings.
5
6 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church has chosen a representative form of government that entrusts boards
7 and committees with significant decision-making authority on behalf of the congregation, including
8 responsibility for investigating, evaluating and discussing potentially sensitive information sometimes best
9 held in confidence;
10 Whereas, Whereas state or provincial not-for-profit corporation laws often allow such organizations to
11 determine for themselves who should have access to their corporate minutes or proceedings and under what
12 conditions such access may be granted;
13 Whereas, It is prudent for church governing bodies to safeguard the privacy of their members; to
14 maximize freedom of expression for leaders who must work together in various boards or committees to form
15 consensus or make difficult decisions on important issues; and to protect the local, district or general church
16 from inappropriate intrusion or interference by non-members or individuals who may not be motivated by the
17 best interests of the Church;
18 Whereas, Christian ethics and legal liabilities sometimes require confidentiality in the handling of
19 information and the conduct of church business by elected representatives; and
20 Whereas, Lack of clarity about whether or not local, district or general church board or committee
21 sessions are open or closed meetings can result in confusion, conflict, or actual harm to individual church
22 members or to the Church corporately;
23
24 Resolved, That new paragraph 769 be added to The Discipline, reading as follows:
25
26 “769. Status of Meetings, Minutes and Proceedings. All meetings and sessions
27 of boards and committees elected or appointed by the local church conference or by the
28 local board of administration are executive session, except for non-members or guests
29 who are specifically invited by the chair to attend as observers or as resource persons to
30 provide information or expert advice helpful to the consideration or conduct of church
31 business. The minutes or proceedings of all such sessions or meetings are executive
32 session, subject to such terms and conditions for their examination, use, reproduction or
33 dissemination as may be determined by the local board of administration or as regulated
34 by applicable civil laws.”
35
37
38 1219. Status of Meetings, Minutes and Proceedings. All meetings and sessions
39 of boards and committees elected or appointed by the district conference or by the
40 district board are executive session, except for non-members or guests who are
41 specifically invited by the chair to attend as observers or as resource persons to provide
42 information or expert advice helpful to the consideration or conduct of church
43 business. The minutes or proceedings of all such sessions or meetings are executive
44 session, subject to such terms and conditions for their examination, use, reproduction or
45 dissemination as may be determined by the General Board of Administration or as
46 regulated by applicable civil laws.
47
48
86
2
3 “1629. Status of Meetings, Minutes and Proceedings. All meetings and sessions
4 of boards and committees elected or appointed by the General Conference or the
5 General Board are executive session, except for non-members or guests who are
6 specifically invited by the chair to attend as observers or as resource persons to provide
7 information or expert advice helpful to the consideration or conduct of church business.
8 The minutes or proceedings of all such sessions or meetings are executive session,
9 subject to such terms and conditions for their examination, use, reproduction or
10 dissemination as may be determined by the General Board local board or as regulated by
11 applicable civil laws.”
12
15 v Recommended.
16 Not Recommended.
87
1 335
2
3 GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT EMERITUS NOMINATION
4
5
6 Whereas, Discipline 1590:20 makes provision for and establishes the criteria for the designation
7 General Superintendent Emeritus;
8 Whereas, Earle L. Wilson has declared his intention to retire from the General Superintendency at the
9 rise of the 2008 General Conference; and
10 Whereas, Earle L. Wilson meets all the criteria for the General Superintendent Emeritus designation
11 referenced above;
12 Resolved, That the title of General Superintendent Emeritus be conferred upon Dr. Earle L. Wilson
13 effective at the rise of General Conference 2008.
16 v Recommended.
17 Not Recommended.
18
88
1 345
2
3 USF SUPPORT FOR GLOBAL PARTNERS ASSISTANCE: USF assistance to Global Partners specified
4 for rental costs at World Headquarters; General Board mandated to set up a commission to study eliminating
5 Global Partners administrative costs linked to missionary salaries.
6
7 Whereas, The cost of sending Global Partner missionaries has risen to an annual cost approaching
8 $120,000 dollars in many cases;
9 Whereas, Raising the annual cost of missionary support is becoming more difficult in view of the amount
10 needed;
11 Whereas, The amount needed has the potential of limiting the number of missionaries that can be
12 sponsored by Global Partners;
13 Whereas, Potential missionaries may be tempted to go with other organizations that require less in the
14 amount of funding needed;
15 Whereas, The administrative costs of Global Partners is contained within that annual funding a
16 missionary has to raise;
17 Whereas, Part of that administrative cost is to pay rent on the space at the International Center in the
18 amount of some $100,000 annually; and
19 Whereas, Presently Global Partners does not receive any direct USF allocation;
20 Resolved, That the USF/EIF distribution be adjusted to provide funding to pay the Global Partners rental
21 costs in the International Center; and
22 Resolved, That the General Board establish a study commission to work with the Director of Global
23 Partners to find ways of reducing the cost of sending and supporting missionaries on the field.
24
27 Recommended with the following amendment:
28 Recommended.
30
89
1 346
2
3 GLOBAL PARTNERS FUNDING: Mandates the General Board to appoint a committee to study alternative
4 methods for raising the administrative costs of Global Partners; reporting back to the General Conference in
5 2012.
6
7 Whereas, Global Partners (GP) funding for administrative costs and fees at the World Headquarters is
8 primarily accomplished by individual missionaries needing to raise an additional 20+% over their own needs;
9 and
10 Whereas, Donations to Global Partners projects overseas are assessed a 12% administrative fee, and
11 Whereas, All other departments at the World Headquarters are funded from the general fund; and
12 Whereas, Most new missionaries spend two or more years raising support; and
13 Whereas, Removing this administrative funding burden from missionaries would result in less fundraising
14 costs and more time on the field; and
15 Whereas, Many missionaries, missions committees, and pastors have expressed frustration with the
16 current system;
17 Resolved, That a committee appointed by the General Board, in consultation with Global Partners seek
18 alternative methods by which this administrative funding can be met, and that the General Board report back
19 to the 2012 General Conference with its recommendations for actions.
20 WISCONSIN DISTRICT
21 Rev. Mark A. Holmes
22 Recommended.
90
1 347
2
3 REALLOCATE USF/EIF PERSENTAGES: Providing for Global Partners administrative expenses currently
4 linked to missionary’s salaries; and providing funds for church plant projects under the Department of Church
5 Growth and Evangelism.
6
7 Whereas, The General Conference has the authority to determine the allocation of funds between USF-
8 General Fund and USF-Educational Institutions Fund;
9 Whereas, The current percentages total 6% and are allocated as follows: 2.75% for USF – General Fund
10 and 3.25% for USF – Educational Institutions Fund;
11 Whereas, The General Department of Education and the Ministry already benefits from the USF –
12 General Fund;
13 Whereas, A review of the current allocation of USF revenues would suggest that our first priority as a
14 denomination is to support our educational institutions;
15 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church exists to exalt Jesus Christ by: (1) Evangelizing the lost; (2) Discipling
16 the believers; (3) Equipping the Church; and (4) Ministering to society; and,
17 Whereas, Local Wesleyan churches are the primary place for The Wesleyan Church to accomplish her
18 worldwide mission.
19 Resolved, That the percentages be allocated as follows:
20
21 2.75% for USF-General Fund and 2.75% for USF-Educational Institutions Fund; and,
22 0.5% for USF-Great Commission Fund. The USF-Great Commission Fund shall be
23 designated (50%) to offset administrative expenses of Global Partners thereby reducing
24 the amount that every missionary will have to raise and the remaining (50%) shall be
25 designated for the General Department of Evangelism & Church Growth to use as grants
26 for new church plants.
27
30 Recommended.
91
1 350
2
3 STAT REPORT STAY UNCHANGED DURING QUADRENNIUM: Changes to denominational annual
4 statistical report forms limited to once in a quadrennium.
5
6 Whereas, Having the annual church statistical report remain constant for at least a four year period
7 would add to better statistical analysis;
8 Whereas, The present policy of changing at will makes good analysis impossible in that there are not
9 constant categories being reported over a significant period of time;
10 Whereas, Having the report unchanged for at least a four year period would be very helpful to the local
11 churches in terms of collecting and reporting data;
12 Whereas, A report remaining unchanged for at least four years would help Districts in designing their
13 annual Journal; and
14 Whereas, Our General leadership have ample ability to design a statistical report with appropriate
15 categories that would serve the church well beyond four years;
16 Resolved, That General Superintendents implement a policy that the statistical report be designed to be
17 used unchanged for at least four years.
20 Recommended.
92
1 351
2
3 RESTRUCTURE OF DISTRICT TNT: Restructuring of denominational “Teen Talent” competition program.
4
5 Whereas, The Central New York District of The Wesleyan Church has been blessed for numerous years
6 on a local church level and district level, with the talents and gifts God has given our youth;
7 Whereas, It has been disheartening that the Campus Challenge student participation has dropped over
8 fifty percent this past year from our district, and over fifty percent on an area level from the districts within our
9 area;
10 Whereas, This was mainly due to the changes made when TNT (Teens N’ Talent) was changed to
11 Campus Challenge by the Education and The Ministry Department of The Wesleyan Church which
12 eliminated the district level competition;
13 Whereas, This was further followed with poor communications and promotion of the new program on
14 many levels, including the individual level;
15 Whereas, In the past the real promoters have been the district TNT directors at the district level
16 competitions, but with the district level competitions eliminated that level of promotion is no longer in place;
17 Whereas, Placing information almost solely on the website and assuming people will find it has proven
18 inadequate, when most students and parents have no idea that Campus Challenge is in the Education and
19 The Ministry Department, as opposed to the youth division of the Spiritual Formation Department;
20 Whereas, This year Campus Challenge has been scheduled during the summer months;
21 Whereas, The summer is very poor timing in view of youth and family camps and most vacation, which
22 will cause further erosion in the participation; and
23 Whereas, The Campus Challenge competition provides important scholarship money to the students and
24 the opportunity for students to visit our college campuses;
25 Resolved, That the competition dates be changed back to the fall following the Spiritual Formation
26 Department leadership training events so more students could participate as well as be on site at our
27 campuses when students and faculty are actually present, so as to get a real taste of the campuses;
28 Resolved, That district competitions be put back into effect to regain an important ministry on the district
29 level which builds unity between the student, parents, and the district;
30 Resolved, That the Campus Challenge program be placed in the youth division of the Spiritual Formation
31 Department where most parents and students expect it to be, and where it worked the best; and
32 Resolved, That the promotion and communication be significantly improved utilizing various means of
33 communication.
35 M. Richard Wolfe, District Secretary
36 Recommended.
37 v Not Recommended. [Referred to appropriate departments and the General Board for further
38 consideration.]
93
1 353
2
3 GENERAL CONFERENCE AUTHORIZED TO ELECT THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL
4 SUPERINTENDENTS AND THE GENERAL BOARD: General Conference election of chair of Board of
5 General Superintendents; and General Board election of vice-chair.
6
7 Whereas, The governance of our denomination allows for the local church conference to elect the Chair
8 of its governing board in its election of a pastor, and the district conference to elect the Chair of its board in
9 its election of a district superintendent;
10 Whereas, The Chair of the General Board is currently elected by the General Board and not by the
12 Whereas, Authority for selecting the Chair for the General Board and the Board of General
13 Superintendents maybe vested in the General Conference;
14 Whereas, Allowing the General Conference to express its will on this matter is consistent with the
15 expressed desire for greater accountability that electing a Chair would accommodate; and
16 Whereas, This expression of the General Conference would provide for a point leadership among peers
17 as the collegial cohort of General Superintendents serve our growing denominational family;
18 Resolved, That The Discipline paragraph 1590(16) be amended as follows:
19
20 “(16) To elect by ballot and by majority vote, from among the ordained
21 ministers of The Wesleyan Church three General Superintendents (1900- 1909).
22 The first ballot for election of General Superintendents shall be a “yes/no” ballot for
23 incumbent General Superintendents available for reelection. Any vacancies
24 remaining after the first ballot shall be filled by using unprinted ballots until elections
25 are completed. An additional ballot shall be cast to elect one of the General
26 Superintendents as the chair of the Board of General Superintendents and the General
27 Board. “
28
29 Resolved, That The Discipline paragraph 1630 be amended as follows:
30
31 “1630. Vice-Chair. The General Board shall elect quadrennially, at its organizing
32 session, from among the General Superintendents and on a rotating basis, a chair
33 (1935:1) and a vice-chair for terms of equal length during the quadrennium;” and
34
35 Resolved, That The Discipline paragraph 1935(1) be amended as follows:
36
37 “1935. In addition to the duties as a member of the Board of General
38 Superintendents, a General Superintendent shall be responsible:”
39
40 General Supervision
41 “(1) To preside over the General Board and the Executive Board, when elected
42 to such duty by the General Board Conference on a rotating basis, and to call for a
43 special session of the Executive Board (1760; cf. 5279; 5365).”
46 Recommended.
94
1 354
2
3 WESLEYAN NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES: REORGANIZATION:
4
5 Whereas, Organizational directives for Wesleyan Native American Ministries can be adequately
6 addressed by General Board policy;
7 Whereas, This would provide for more effective day to day oversight of the changing needs of this
8 ministry;
9 Resolved, That authority for developing appropriate policies and procedures for the governance of
10 Wesleyan Native American Ministries and Wesleyan Indian Ministries, Inc., be assigned to the General
11 Board;
12 Resolved. That Discipline 2239-2242 and 2244-2246 be removed from The Discipline.
13
14
17 v Recommended.
18 Not Recommended.
95
1 365
2
3 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH
4 CREATION CARE POSITION STATEMENT
5
6 PREAMBLE
7 The psalmist wrote “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). Yet any honest reader of
8 the newspaper or thoughtful observer of current events must acknowledge that all is not well with this earth
9 that belongs to our God. Rainforest destruction. Endangered species. Air, land and water pollution. Oil
10 spills. Plundering of natural resources. Ozone depletion. Waste mismanagement. As the earth’s population
11 grows and humanity’s ability to impact the created order increases, we face an increasing and intensifying
12 cluster of environmental concerns.
13 The Wesleyan Church believes that creation care is an important social issue of our day and that the
14 time has come for us to take energetic, intentional steps toward more effective environmental stewardship.
15 Our concern for the environment is not driven by any political agenda, but rather by what the Bible clearly
16 teaches about God and His creation.
17
18 SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
19 The very first thing the Bible teaches us about God is that He created the heavens and the earth
20 (Genesis 1:1). The opening chapter of Genesis is a cosmic call to worship this God who is so amazing,
21 majestic and powerful that simply by speaking He brings the world into existence. Speaking of Christ’s work
22 in creation, the New Testament affirms God as the Creator: “Through him all things were made; without him
23 nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3). Fundamental to the Christian understanding of God is
24 that He is not a part of nature, but that He stands over and above it as its all-powerful Creator. This world in
25 which we live is His handiwork. The Bible reveals, however, that God’s interest in creation did not stop when
26 the work of creation was completed. To the contrary, the Scriptures show us a God who has an ongoing
27 interest in and care for his creation:
28 • God delights in His creation. At the close of each day of creation, God looks at what He has made
29 and sees that it is good (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31).
30 • When God first makes a covenant with His children, that covenant also includes “every living
31 creature on earth” (Genesis 9:10). The covenant was not just with Noah and his offspring, but also
32 with the broader created order.
33 • God speaks to human beings through His creation: “the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies
34 proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1; see also Romans 1:20, Psalm 8:3-8). Creation is a
35 rich testimony to the goodness and power of God.
36 • God cares for His creation (Psalm 104:10-30; Job 38:25-28).
37 • God provides for His creation, even the smallest sparrow (Matthew 6:26).
38 • God calls all of His creation to worship (Isa. 55:12-13).
39 • God is actively involved in sustaining His creation – “He is before all things, and in him all things hold
40 together” (Col. 1:17).
41 • The final redemption of all things will include the redemption of God’s creation. The Apostle Paul
42 says: “…in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into
43 the glorious freedom of the children of God” (Rom. 8:21). God’s purpose in Christ is to bring healing
44 and reconciliation not just to humans, but to everything in the created order.
45
46
47
48
96
1 THE STATEMENT
2 THE WESLEYAN CHURCH
3 STATEMENT ON CREATION CARE
4
5 The Wesleyan Church believes it is time for Christians to take the lead in ensuring that the beauty and
6 majesty of God’s creation are sustained. We believe that these efforts will help ensure the protection and
7 health of future generations, will be a blessing to peoples all around the world (especially the poor), will
8 improve our witness to a watching world, and most of all, will express our love and worship for our Creator,
9 Redeemer and Friend.
10 We encourage Wesleyans to work vigorously for the protection and care of God’s creation. We suggest the
11 following practical steps:
12 1. Become informed about environmental issues and needs — locally, nationally, and globally.
13 2. Take intentional measures to reduce the harm we personally do to the environment, by giving
14 attention to such matters as recycling, fuel consumption, and minimizing waste.
15 3. Encourage our local churches to adopt policies and practices that minimize environmental damage
16 and reflect good environmental stewardship.
17 4. Include environmental stewardship as a topic for teaching and discussion in our churches, so that
18 Wesleyans might be equipped to take action appropriate to their setting and context.
19 5. Advocate for reasonable public and governmental policies which will protect and preserve the
20 environment.
21 6. Lovingly communicate that all of these efforts are motivated by our love for our Creator and our
22 desire to steward what He has entrusted to our care.
23
24 RESOLUTION
25
26 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church recognizes the responsibility of all people to be good stewards of
27 God’s resources entrusted to our care, which includes our natural environment;
28 Resolved, That the position statement on creation care be adopted by the North American General
29 Conference and be recommended for implementation in each of our local congregations.
30
33
34 v Recommended.
35 Not Recommended.
97
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2
3 GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH
4 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POSITION STATEMENT
5
6 PREAMBLE
7 Wesleyans believe the family is a divinely ordained institution. Yet, we need to face the reality that
8 across our world and within our churches violence casts its long shadow across many homes. Domestic
9 violence is a sin committed in the sacred sanctuary of family relationships. Whatever form it takes—physical
10 abuse (involving intentional exposure to danger or the infliction of actual physical harm or cruelty); sexual
11 abuse (including exploitative, coerced or violent sexual contact); or psychological abuse (crushing verbal
12 attacks, belittlement or non-physical harm through domination, humiliation, manipulation or intimidation)—
13 domestic violence damages lives, destroys relationships, devastates society, defiles integrity and devours
14 faith. It is time for us to hear the prophetic call “to bind up the brokenhearted” (Isaiah 61:1).
15 Domestic violence is pervasive—it exists in every country of the world, among all people groups, within
16 all socioeconomic classes and within every faith community. In No Place for Abuse: Biblical and Practical
17 Resources to Counteract Domestic Violence (2001), Catherine Clark Kroeger and Nancy Nason-Clark
18 document the prevalence and severity of abuse in families across the globe. As a church family, we deplore
19 facts such as the following:
20
21 • According to the World Health Organization, one in five women around the globe is physically or
22 sexually abused during her lifetime.
23 • Gender violence causes more death and disability among women aged 15-44 than cancer, malaria,
24 traffic accidents or war.
25 • Women worldwide tell governments that family violence is one of their biggest concerns.
26 • Canadian women with a violent father-in-law are at three times the risk for spouse abuse as women
27 with a non-violent father-in-law (pointing to the generational transference of violent behavior
28 patterns).
29 • In the United States, there are three times as many animal shelters as there are shelters for battered
30 women and their children.
31 • About one-third of female victims of homicide are killed by a male intimate partner or relative.
32
33 World governments are beginning to respond to the tragic consequences of violence committed by
34 intimate partners, spouses, or other family members against one another. Large sums of public money are
35 gradually being directed towards a greater understanding of the dynamics of the problem, reforming the
36 judicial system to respond more quickly, and providing health and other social services in an effective,
37 coordinated community response to the needs of violated men, women and children. Abuse prevention and
38 response are not simply criminal, therapeutic or public policy issues, however.
39
40 Abuse is never part of God’s design for healthy family living. It distorts relationships and shatters
41 dreams. It creates pain and despair that can last a lifetime. Often, it is transferred from one generation to
42 the next as learned behavior. Many people look first to their faith community for help in the aftermath of
43 domestic violence. Will they find their pastor willing and able to help them? What advice will be given? How
44 will the services offered by their faith community coordinate with assistance offered by community-based
45 professionals and services?
46 Unfortunately, most denominations and most local congregations have remained silent through willful or
47 unintentional neglect of victims, perpetrators and their families during their period of crisis. The Church must
48 exercise its prophetic voice and speak out against the ugly reality of domestic violence that has penetrated
98
1 every corner of our world, including our churches. The time has come to shatter the silence and offer
2 practical and spiritual support to survivors and their families and to call to accountability, repentance, and
3 change those who act abusively.
4
5 SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
6 What does God say about violence?
7 God’s Word to those who have been violated:
8 “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” Psalm 9:9
9 “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
10 “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
11 give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
12 “Because you have made the Lord your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no
13 scourge come near your tent…Those who love me, I will deliver: I will protect those who know my name.
14 When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them.”
15 Psalm 91:9-10, 14-15
16
17 God’s Word to those who have acted abusively:
18 “Put away violence and oppression, and do what is just and right.” Ezekiel 45:9
19 “Do not envy the wicked, nor desire to be with them: for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of
20 mischief.” Proverbs 24:1
21 “They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” Proverbs 4:17
22 “‘…I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,’ says the Lord Almighty. So
23 guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.” Malachi 2:16
24 “The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.” Psalm 11:15
25 “Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.” Proverbs 3:31
26
27 God’s Word to the Church and its leaders:
28 “A bishop, as God’s steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to
29 wine or violent or greedy for gain; but he must be hospitable, a lover of goodness, prudent, upright, devout,
30 and self-controlled.” Titus 1:7
31 “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.” Isaiah 1:17
32 “Thus says the Lord: Execute justice in the morning, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who
33 has been robbed, or else my wrath will go forth like fire and burn, with no one to quench it, because of your
34 evil doings.” Jeremiah 21:12
35 “Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an
36 apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.” 1 Timothy
37 3:2
99
1 THE STATEMENT
2 THE WESLEYAN CHURCH
3 POSITION STATEMENT ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
4
5 The Wesleyan Church is committed to its mission of “Fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the
6 Great Commandment.” The Great Commandment calls us to minister to the needs of society with the love
7 and spirit of Christ. We cannot ignore, minimize or deny the abuse that occurs in the families of our
8 congregations and of our communities. Without intervention and help, the abuse frequently grows more
9 severe. We must provide resources and refuge for its victims. We must call those who act abusively to
10 accountability, repentance and change. We must engage ourselves in the response of our communities to
11 this issue by cooperating and collaborating with community-based resources, such as shelters, therapists,
12 police and legal aid. When we apply the “healing balm of Gilead,” we do what Jesus would do. We feed,
13 clothe and weep with those who are suffering. We speak out against evil. We serve our communities like
14 our mission statements promise. We obey God and the Scriptures and love our neighbor—both within and
15 beyond the household of faith.
16 The Wesleyan Church is committed to alleviating domestic violence and to providing refuge and care to
17 those who have become its victims. We recognize and accept our biblical responsibility to offer the
18 redemptive transformation of Jesus Christ to perpetrators of violence, as well as hope and healing to its
19 victims.
20 We will demonstrate our concern by:
21 1. Offering training opportunities through print, web-based resources, and in-person conferences for
22 pastors and other religious leaders on strategies and resources to raise awareness on abuse within their
23 congregations and to meet the needs of those who suffer;
24 2. Designating one week per calendar year as Domestic Violence Awareness Sunday and offering
25 ideas and resources to help congregations highlight the issue;
26 3. Encouraging our educational institutions to offer awareness training for students about violence in
27 their personal and dating relationships; support services for students who are experiencing or have
28 experienced (or witnessed) violence in their homes; and training for those preparing for full-time ministry to
29 ensure that they are equipped with resources to respond to this social issue;
30 4. Supporting community-based policies, programs and services that protect abuse victims and hold
31 offenders accountable;
32 5. Encouraging pastors to discuss domestic violence and prevention in their premarital counseling and
33 preaching; to refrain from counseling married couples together when one is the perpetrator and one is the
34 victim; to employ best practices in their response to victims and perpetrators; to provide referral suggestions
35 for victims to faith-based and community-based resources for emergency services, shelter and counseling;
36 and to call perpetrators to embrace the transforming grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ that leads to
37 righteousness and holiness.
38
39 RESOLUTION
40 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church recognizes the evil of domestic violence and the responsibility of the
41 Church to the victims and perpetrators of violence;
42 Resolved, That the position statement on domestic violence be adopted by the North American General
43 Conference and be recommended for implementation in each of our local congregations.
44
47 v Recommended.
48 Not Recommended.
100
1 367
2
3 POSITION STATEMENT ON IMMIGRATION
4
5 Preamble
6
7 The Wesleyan Church is inspired by a God-given vision of equipping and empowering believers,
8 leaders and churches for “Fulfilling the Great Commission in the spirit of the Great Commandment.”
9 Focused on this vision, our mission is to exalt Jesus Christ by…
10 • Evangelizing the lost;
11 • Discipling the believers;
12 • Equipping the Church; and
13 • Ministering to society.
14 This vision and mission are nourished by “spiritual DNA” from The Wesleyan Church’s origins in
15 historic Methodism and the American holiness and revival movements. We proudly claim our place among
16 an earnest corps of disciples God is raising up to spread hope and holiness everywhere, proclaiming full
17 salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
18 Early strategies, from circuit-riding preachers, protracted meetings and camp meetings, to the
19 Underground Railroad and the abolition of slavery, reveal the success of our forebears in balancing
20 passionate evangelism and discipleship with godly concern for social reform. These have long since yielded
21 to new ministry methods, necessitated by changing times and circumstances. Like our forebears, God calls
22 us today to engage in promoting both personal holiness and social holiness. New issues of justice,
23 compassion, and human need require us to respond boldly and wisely.
24 Immigration is a contemporary issue that beckons Wesleyans to act as agents of Spirit-filled
25 outreach and compassion in North American society. The United States and Canada are predominantly
26 nations made up of immigrants and their descendants. Men, women and their families seeking a better way
27 of life, religious freedom, political asylum, opportunity to pursue great dreams and experience new
28 beginnings have contributed to the prosperity and diversity that make our nations strong.
29 According to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Immigration Statistics, as of January 1,
30 2006, there were 17.6 million legally resident immigrants and an estimated 11.6 million unauthorized
31 immigrants in the United States. In 2006, U.S. Border Patrol and other agents located 1.2 million deportable
32 aliens among the unauthorized population. Data from Statistics Canada based on 2006 census figures
33 showed the proportion of the Canadian population born outside the country was at its highest ratio in 75
34 years—some 6.2 million foreign-born persons now represent 22.2% of Canada’s population (up from 18.4%
35 just five years ago).
36 Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded” (Luke 12:48). God
37 is blessing The Wesleyan Church in many ways to be a voice and force for the gospel among immigrant
38 persons. We celebrate the increasing cultural and ethnic diversity of the North American Wesleyan family.
39 We yearn for denominational demographics to reflect the cultural mosaic of American and Canadian society
40 as a visible testimony of the success of our commitment to make disciples of all peoples. Ten years ago,
41 133 out of 1,671 Wesleyan congregations in the United States and Canada were self-identified as non-
42 White. In 2007, 221 out of 1,691 churches were non-White—a 66% increase. By far, the fastest growing
43 segment of the North American Church in the last decade has been Hispanics and Latinos. Many of our
44 newest Wesleyans are recent immigrants.
45 We are grateful for the steady leadership of Wesleyan districts and local churches that are setting
46 the pace for dynamic ministries of evangelism, church growth, church multiplication and ministries of
47 compassion that include newcomers and strangers as our neighbors. Yet, we recognize there is much more
48 that we can and must do as Christ’s messengers of hope and as examples of holy living.
101
1 God is mindful of all people and concerned for their needs. Many immigrants face serious
2 hardships—family separation and loneliness, financial distress, language barriers, exploitation, prejudice or
3 racism, personal safety issues, social isolation, lack of food or shelter, problems adapting or assimilating into
4 a new culture, insecurity and fear (especially for those who do not have proper documentation). More
5 urgently, they are persons in need of the grace of God and the knowledge of Christ that leads to salvation.
6 The Church as “the body of Christ” is the ongoing incarnation of His love and life. We represent Him
7 when we give “cups of cold water in Jesus’ name” to persons who have fled countries of origin in which they
8 suffered persecution, poverty, or political oppression. We model His compassion when we offer charity and
9 hospitality to strangers He sovereignly brings to our shores to offer talents, skills and labor that can
10 contribute positively to our society. We are His servants when we aid newcomers and their families in
11 dealing with the enormous challenges they face in assimilating into North American society—such as
12 language learning, friendship building, finding medical care, making economic adjustments, and meeting
13 legal requirements. While respecting those whom God has ordained to govern and protect society and
14 submitting to their authority (so long as it does not violate the laws of God), we are the Lord’s voice to speak
15 out prophetically against injustice and unrighteousness towards the weak. We must treat all persons with
16 dignity, including those who have entered the country illegally or who entered legally but are now out of
17 status with immigration authorities.
18 The responsibility of the Body of Christ to bear His message and to minister to all people rests in the
19 hands of individual believers and congregations. As we wrestle with and respond to the challenges of
20 immigration in our local communities and lands, we do so in full awareness that, as citizens of the Kingdom
21 of God, we ourselves are strangers and sojourners in the world in which we presently dwell. Therefore,
22 Wesleyans everywhere are called to recognize and respond to the purposes of God among all peoples within
23 their spheres of influence and to accomplish the redemptive and restorative purposes of Jesus Christ on their
24 behalf. Trusting in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit, we embrace the following eight biblical
25 principles to inform and guide The Wesleyan Church’s response to immigration issues.
26
27 Kingdom Values Regarding Christians and Immigration:
28 Eight Biblical Principles to Guide Wesleyan Responses
29
30 1. The Creation Principle: All persons are created equal and are of equal worth in their Creator’s eyes.
31 Each individual possesses fundamental rights to live and be respected as a human person of intrinsic worth
32 and dignity. These rights are derived from one’s creation in the image of God and from the vicarious death
33 of Jesus Christ for all humanity.
34
35 26
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea
36 and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the
37 27
ground. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he
38 28
created them. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and
39 subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on
40 the ground." (Genesis 1:26-28)
41
42 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
43 (Galatians 3:28)
44
45 Action Step: Understanding that all are made in the image of God, as Wesleyans we will seek to treat all
46 people humanely and with dignity, regardless of race, class, nationality, or legal status.
47
48
102
1 2. The Great Commandment Principle: Christ commands us to love God with all our heart and soul and
2 mind and our neighbors as ourselves. This commandment sums up the entire Law and the Prophets,
3 requiring us to live in perfect love with God and our neighbor, which is holiness. We are to love our neighbor
4 unconditionally regardless of race, class, nationality or legal status in our land.
5
6 37
Jesus replied: "’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'
7 38 39
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
8 40
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
9
10 14
The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." (Galatians 5:14)
11
12 22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23
gentleness and
13 self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
14
15 The King will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you
16 did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
17
18 8 20
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love…. If anyone says, "I love God," yet
19 hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love
20 God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:8, 20)
21
22 15 16
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.
23 (1 Peter 1:15-16)
24
25 Action Step: As Wesleyans, we will give of ourselves in wholehearted love to others without intolerance,
26 judgment, favoritism or disrespect, and in spite of who they are or what they have done to live among us.
27
28 3. The Sovereignty Principle: God is sovereignly at work to establish His kingdom in heaven and on
29 earth. He determines the times and places where the peoples of the nations should live so that people will
30 seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him. No one can ultimately succeed in thwarting God’s
31 work. God can bring good from the fallen intentions and actions of humanity and save many lives. Our
32 responsibility as His people is to recognize His hand at work and cooperate with Him in ways that build up
33 His kingdom in heaven and on earth.
34 26
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined
35 27
the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek
36 28
him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. “For in him we
37 live and move and have our being.” As some of your own poets have said, “We are his offspring.” (Acts
38 17:26-28)
39 9
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation,
40 tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white
41 10
robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation
42 11
belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the
43 throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne
44 12
and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and
45 strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” (Revelation 7:9-12)
46
47
48
103
1 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and
2 the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:35)
3
4 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of
5 many lives. (Genesis 50:20)
6
7 Action Step: As Wesleyans, we view immigration as an aspect of God’s larger plan to bring salvation to
8 the world. Immigration can be used through God’s wisdom to introduce many to Jesus who might not
9 otherwise hear the gospel message.
10
11 4. The Submission Principle: Christians possess dual citizenship, one heavenly and the other earthly.
12 Christians should respect and submit to the laws of the land, except when they are in contradiction to biblical
13 principles. When there is a conflict between the heavenly and earthly citizenships as to specific claims,
14 Christians have a moral duty and right to seek a change in the law and to act so as to maintain a clear
15 conscience before God.
16
17 1
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God
18 2
has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels
19 against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on
20 3
themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be
21 4
free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's
22 servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is
23 5
God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit
24 6
to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why
25 7
you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone
26 what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor,
27 then honor. (Romans 13:1-7)
28
29 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, “Go,” and he goes; and that
30 one, “Come,” and he comes. I say to my servant, “Do this,” and he does it. (Matthew 8:9)
31
32 “Caesar's,” they replied. Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.”
33 (Matthew 22:21)
34
35 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the
36 supreme authority. (1 Peter 2:13)
37
38 16
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend
39 17
ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to
40 18
save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to
41 know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-
42 18)
43
44 19
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than
45 20
God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:19-20)
46
47 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29)
48
104
1 Action Step: As Wesleyans, we will exercise awareness of the laws as they pertain to immigration and will
2 endeavor to obey them, unless they are contrary to God’s Word. We support the rights of those who engage
3 in civil disobedience against harsh and unjust laws, policies and measures on the basis of biblical principles.
4
5 5. The Hospitality Principle: Christ’s love compels us to be kind and compassionate and to offer
6 hospitality, especially to those in need, including strangers, widows, orphans, aliens and immigrants
7 regardless of their legal status.
8 29 30
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A
9 man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of
10 31
his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same
11 32
road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the
12 33
place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man
13 34
was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil
14 35
and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day
15 he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I
16 36
will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor
17 37
to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on
18 him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:29-37)
19 18
He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing.
20 19
And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. (Deuteronomy 10:18-19)
21
22 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the
23 Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
24
25 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you
26 the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. (Matthew 10:42)
27
28 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)
29
30 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13)
31
32 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their
33 distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
34
35 Action Step:As Wesleyans, we will encourage one another to engage in acts of kindness and compassion
36 (e.g., providing food, shelter, clothing, and other resources) toward immigrants who are in need regardless of
37 their immigration status (documented or undocumented).
38
39 6. The Great Commission Principle: Jesus Christ brings Good News and has commissioned us to make
40 disciples of all peoples, including citizens and aliens alike. We are called to follow His example and carry on
41 His ministry, declaring Good News to the poor, proclaiming freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the
42 blind, release to the oppressed, and the year of the Lord’s favor.
43
44 18
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has
45 sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,
46 19
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
47
105
1 19
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
2 20
and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
3 you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
4
5 1 2
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the
6 3
people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees
7 4
brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher,
8 5
this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now
9 6
what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But
10 7
Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he
11 straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
12 8 9
Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time,
13 10
the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and
14 11
asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither
15 do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:1-11)
16
17 37
Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
38
Ask the Lord of the
18 harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38)
19
20 Action Step: As Wesleyans, we will unashamedly engage in both evangelizing and discipling immigrants
21 in our communities, training and appointing immigrant persons as pastors, lay leaders and workers, with
22 respect for applicable employment laws as we do.
23
24 7. The Grace Principle: All have sinned and deserve God’s judgment and punishment. Yet, He is a
25 merciful God and seeks to reconcile us to Himself by grace. God’s grace is a model for our own human
26 relationships, compelling us to respond with grace to those who have sinned. We are called to seek
27 reconciliation wherever possible, by standing against extreme and harsh measures and calling for
28 appropriately balanced measures that restore one to a right relationship with God and with one’s neighbors.
29
30 1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself,
31 2
or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
32 (Galatians 6:1-2)
33
34 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish
35 but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
36
37 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our
38 righteousness, holiness and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
39
40 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's
41 grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
42
43 17 18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from
44 19
God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was
45 reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us
46 20
the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his
47 21
appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin
48 to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
106
1 35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I
2 36
was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after
3 37
me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see
4 38
you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and
5 39
invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
6 40
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you
7 41
did for me.' "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire
8 42
prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and
9 43
you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did
10 44
not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' "They also will answer, 'Lord, when
11 did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
12 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for
13 46
me.’ "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." (Matthew 25:35-46)
14
15 Action Step: As Wesleyans, we will show Gods grace by accepting those less fortunate than us. We will
16 seek to have a welcoming heart to those that are strangers in our land, showing them acts of kindness and
17 doing our part to understand other people’s cultures to better serve them through Gods love.
18
19 8. The Justice Principle: God’s people are called to seek justice for all persons proactively by calling for
20 just, fair, reasonable, and humane laws and serving as advocates and defenders for those who are
21 powerless, disenfranchised, and marginalized. Special attention ought to be given to protect the welfare of
22 children and innocent dependents of foreigners, regardless of their legal status.
23
24 33 34
When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated
25 as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
26 (Leviticus 19:33-34)
27
28 3
Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
4
Rescue the
29 weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalms 82:3-4)
30
31 The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat
32 the alien, denying them justice. (Ezekiel 22:29)
33
34 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love
35 mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
36
37 Action Step: As Wesleyans, we oppose and condemn all unjust and harsh laws, policies and measures
38 directed against immigrants among us, whether documented or undocumented. We will act as advocates for
39 just and humane policies for all people by all levels of government and in all parts of society.
40
41
44
45 v Recommended.
46 Not Recommended.
107
1
2 348
3
4 HOTELS AND MOTELS USED FOR WESLEYAN EVENTS: Priority given to hotels/motels and other
5 businesses that do not provide pornographic and other sinful entertainment to clientele when booking
6 Wesleyan events.
7
8 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church seeks to bear witness to contemporary society concerning the Christian
9 life and character required by its Articles of Religion and Covenant Membership Commitments (The
10 Discipline, 400);
11 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church abhors the trend to ignore God’s laws of chastity and purity, and
12 vigorously opposes public acceptance of sexual promiscuity and all factors and practices which promote it
13 (The Discipline, 410.5);
14 Whereas, There is compelling evidence linking pornography to child molestation, rape and other sexually
15 deviant crimes in our society (“Pornography’s Permeation in a Sexually-Saturated Society,” Focus on the
16 Family fact sheet);
17 Whereas, Most porn profits today are earned by businesses not traditionally associated with the sex
18 industry (Eric Schlosser, “The Business of Pornography,” US News and World Report, February 10, 1997);
19 Whereas, Hotel chains such as the Holiday Inn, Marriott and Hyatt reportedly earn millions of dollars
20 every year by supplying adult films to their guests (ibid.);
21 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church under its Special Directions directs “witnessing against social evils by
22 appropriate forms of influence (The Discipline 410:12); and
23 Whereas, Church leadership should lead;
24 Resolved, That the General Board of The Wesleyan Church adopt a policy of giving priority to
25 hotels/motels/ accommodations of any kind that do not offer pornography or “adult entertainment” when
26 booking events for The Wesleyan Church. If a sufficient number of rooms cannot be found, the Church will
27 require that pornography/adult entertainment be turned off during the event;
28 Resolved, That The Wesleyan Church representative to the National Association of Evangelicals
29 propose that NAE also adopt such a policy and encourage its member denominations and parachurch
30 organizations to adopt this policy; and
31 Resolved, The Wesleyan Church through its publications inform its constituency of cleanhotels.com so
32 that informed decisions can be made when making personal reservations.
33
36 Recommended.
108
1 349
2
3 DENOMINATIONAL RESPONSE TO CURRENT MORAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES: Establishment of
4 Wesleyan Church Social Concerns Commission with directive to keep local churches knowledgeable on
5 ways to combat social evils confronting our nations today.
6
7 Whereas, Jesus Christ clearly stated that Christians are to be the light of the world and the salt of the
8 earth;
9 Whereas, The Bible directs Christians to be active in pursuing righteousness and justice;
10 Whereas, There are those who are highly motivated and well funded that work daily to eliminate
11 Christian values;
12 Whereas, The legalization of sin results in the impoverishment of life;
13 Whereas, There are strong forces at work to silence the church especially in voicing the Biblical teaching
14 regarding homosexuality;
15 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church has remained rather silent; and
16 Whereas, The action of the 2004 General Conference has not resulted in preparation and distribution of
17 thoughtful position papers to assist churches in responding on the local level in a positive way;
18 Resolved, That the General Conference require that a Social Concerns Commission be appointed by the
19 General Board within six months to develop a Wesleyan voice in the public square;
20 Resolved, That a think tank composed of those with expertise and passion be established to address the
21 most pressing social issues of the day;
22 Resolved, That E-mail networks be formed in every district for quick dispatch of information and calls to
23 action;
24 Resolved, That a Wesleyan Alert Column be featured in the Wesleyan Life magazine and on the
25 denominational web site to inform and motivate Wesleyans to be advocates for righteousness and
26 influencers on legislation;
27 Resolved, That informational and motivational material be forwarded to each district on a regular basis to
28 be utilized by the pastors and churches;
29 Resolved, That a fund be established and contributions sought to support this endeavor;
30 Resolved, That the following moral concerns be given initial priority: abortion, traditional marriage,
31 freedom of speech, human trafficking, pornography and gambling; and
32 Resolved, That the Department of Education enlist the help of the college presidents in motivating the
33 professors to give leadership in developing awareness and motivation in the lives of our students to become
34 leaders in promoting social righteousness and justice.
35
36 CENTRAL NEW YORK DISTIRCT
38 Recommended.
109
1 352
2
3 DENOMINATIONAL RESPONSE TO CURRENT MORAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES: Establishment of think
4 tank.
5
6 Whereas, Jesus Christ clearly stated that Christians are to be the light of the world and the salt of the
7 earth;
8 Whereas, The Bible directs Christians to be active in pursuing righteousness and justice;
9 Whereas, There are those who are highly motivated and well funded that work daily to eliminate
10 Christian values;
11 Whereas, There are strong forces at work to silence the church;
12 Whereas, The Wesleyan Church has remained rather silent;
13 Whereas, The broader Church has remained rather silent; and
14 Whereas, There is need for thoughtful dialogue and corresponding instruction that will assist churches in
15 responding on local, national, and international levels;
16 Resolved, That the General Conference request that the General Board appoint a think tank composed
17 of those with expertise and passion to address the most pressing social issues of the day and mobilize the
18 church to action;
19 Resolved, That the following moral concerns be given initial priority: Sanctity of life, preservation of
20 marriage, freedom of speech, human trafficking, pornography, gambling, creation care, racial and economic
21 justice;
22 Resolved, That the Department of Education and the Ministry enlist the help of the college presidents in
23 developing awareness and motivation in the lives of our students to become leaders in promoting social
24 righteousness and justice.
25
28 v Recommended.
29 Not Recommended.
30
31
32
33
110
1 385
2
3 EDITORIAL CHANGES TO REFLECT SPIRITUAL FORMATION NOMENCLATURE: Bringing Discipline
4 language and terminology into sync with the new Department of Spiritual Formation.
5
6 Whereas, the Spiritual Formation Department was formed by the vote and authority of the 2004 General
7 Conference of The Wesleyan Church;
8 Whereas, there are numerous instances in The Discipline that reflect old programming and ministry
9 names that no longer exist;
10 Whereas, the ministries of Sunday School and Christian Education have all been incorporated into the
11 structural and functional ministry divisions (Children, Youth, & Adult) of the Spiritual Formation Department
12 on the General, District and Local Church levels; and
13 Whereas, the implementation of the Spiritual Formation model is taking place at the General, District and
14 Local Church levels in various degrees, it would therefore be helpful for everyone to become familiar with
15 and use the same language;
16 Resolved, that the 2008 Discipline Editorial Committee be charged to edit the Discipline using current
17 Spiritual Formation nomenclature in all Discipline uses as they relate to Sunday School, Christian Education,
18 Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Adult Ministry and/or any of the other related ministries of the Spiritual
19 Formation Department at the General, District and Local Church levels. This would include Discipline 875-
20 924; 940; 1250; 1437; 1440-1494; and other possible Discipline locations where Spiritual Formation
21 nomenclature is warranted.
22
25
26 v Recommended
27 Not Recommended.
111
1 500
2
3 TRANSFERRING MINISTERS - AMENDING DISCIPLINE 3104: Updating process for reception of
4 ministers from another denomination.
5
6 Whereas, It is the duty of General Superintendents to approve the reception of ministers from other
7 denominations who desire to transfer their ministerial membership into The Wesleyan Church (see Discipline
8 1935:16); and
9 Whereas, It would be helpful to transferring ministers and district officials overseeing their process of
10 transfer for the timing and conditions of this approval to be clarified in Discipline 3104, which outlines the
11 necessary steps to be followed:
12 Resolved, That Discipline 3104 be amended by substituting the following as new subparagraphs 1 and 2:
13
14 “(1) The applicant shall complete a written application for transfer provided by the
15 General Secretary’s office and present it, along with a valid letter of standing or
16 photocopy of ministerial credentials and photocopies of transcripts or other records of
17 ministerial training, to the district superintendent (1310:25), who shall research the
18 applicant’s background, check references, and verify his or her current credential status
19 and good standing.
20
21 (2) If favorable to the transfer, the district superintendent shall recommend in writing
22 and request approval by the area General Superintendent with copies of the application,
23 credentials, and educational records submitted by the applicant. If approval is granted,
24 the General Superintendent shall forward copies of the applicant’s ministerial credentials
25 and educational records to the Ministerial Study Course Agency for its evaluation.”
26
27
30 v Recommended.
31 Not Recommended.
112
1 525
2
3 EXTENSION OF TIME TO MEET ORDINATION REQUIREMENTS: Provides additional time if needed to
4 complete educational requirements for ordination.
5
6 Whereas. The denomination has numerous ways that individuals can complete educational requirements
7 to become an ordained or commissioned minister;
8 Whereas, There are a growing number of bi-vocational or mature individuals now preparing to become
9 an ordained or commissioned minister and in some cases the years needed to complete their studies are
10 greater than currently provided for in The Discipline;
11 Whereas, The district board of ministerial development could be given the responsibility to monitor this
12 and give an extension of time;
13 Resolved, That in the last sentence of Discipline paragraphs 3040:2 and 3059:1c the following be added
14 after the word "year":
15
16 "unless an extension of time is granted by the district board of ministerial development."
17
18
21 v Recommended.
22 Not Recommended.
113
1 850
2
3 APPLICATION OF FUNDS FROM SALE OF DISTRICT PROPERTY: Extends authority of DBA in
4 managing funds from the sale of district property.
5
6 Whereas, A district sometimes determines it is in its own best interest to sell property owned by the
7 district, such as a campground facility;
8 Whereas, The district board of administration may determine that purchasing another piece of real estate
9 is not in the best interest of the District;
10 Whereas, It may not be deemed fair or equitable to apply the proceeds of the sale of district property
11 toward another property owned by the district;
12 Whereas, The district may determine that the ministries that have previously taken place on the property
13 that was sold should be preserved and continued;
14 Whereas, Those ministries will need continued funding in order to take place elsewhere;
15 Whereas, It is the desire of the district to be good stewards of the monies God has entrusted to the
16 district to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and
17 Whereas, The Discipline does not specifically address this situation;
18 Resolved, That the following be added to The Discipline at the appropriate place regarding district
19 property: “When district property is sold, the District Board of Administration may approve the use of the
20 proceeds from the sale of the property to fund current and future ministries that previously took place on the
21 property that was sold.
22
23 INDIANA CENTRAL DISTRICT
24 Rev. Douglas R. Slack, Secretary
25
26 v Recommended With the following amendment:
27 “with written approval of the area General Superintendent” at the end of the Discipline paragraph.]
28 Not Recommended.
114
1 852
2
3 USE OF CAPITAL FUNDS FROM PROCEEDS OF PROPERTY SALES: Provides the option for a district to
4 allocate 5% of the proceeds of the sale of district property to compassionate ministries and/or missionary
5 needs outside the district.
6
7 Whereas, The Discipline (4720, 4730) currently states that proceeds from the sale of any real property (if
8 not used for the purchase or improvement of that local church), are to be forwarded to the district treasurer
9 and “shall be used for the construction of churches or parsonages within the bounds of the district, for district
10 property, or for the purchase of property or construction of buildings involved in the planting of new
11 churches,” and is recognized as a wise provision designed to protect the equity of the district from being
12 used for operational expenses;
13 Whereas, It is conceivable that a district may have significant assets which are a part of its capital funds;
14 Whereas, The Discipline (4720, 4730) prevents proceeds from the sale of real property to be used to
15 provide needed assistance for compassionate ministries and/or to invest in church properties in countries
16 where a district has a Global Partnership relationship; and
17 Whereas, The grace of financial generosity speaks well concerning the nature of God’s liberality and
18 provides a positive witness for the Church to a world that views it with skepticism, especially in the area of its
19 financial motivations;
20 Resolved, That following The Discipline 4720 and 4730, the following is inserted:
21
22 “From the sale, acquisition, or transfer of real properties that occur within its fiscal year, a
23 district may choose to invest or contribute up to 5% from the net proceeds to assist in the
24 development of a Wesleyan presence in another country where that district has a Global
25 Partnership relationship. Or, a district may elect to contribute up to 5% from the sale,
26 acquisition, or transfer of real properties to assist domestic Wesleyan compassionate
27 ministries. The aggregate total of the district’s investment and/or contribution, whether
28 internationally or domestically, cannot exceed 5% from the net proceeds of its
29 transactions. The district board of administration must approve each investment and/or
30 contribution with a two-thirds majority vote. Furthermore, each investment and/or
31 contribution must have the written approval of the area General Superintendent.”
32
33 “Any district that chooses to exercise the provision of The Discipline ______ may
34 make a lump sum investment and/or contribution under the conditions mentioned therein
35 or it may make a series of smaller investments and/or contributions, so long as the
36 aggregate total does not exceed 5% of the total proceeds from transactions as noted in
37 The Discipline _______.”
38
39 KANSAS DISTRICT BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
40 Eugene Rothfuss, Secretary
41 v Recommended.
42 Not Recommended.
43
115

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The Wesleyan Church

JUNE 7-11, 2008

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