6517

6517. Criteria for Advancement to General Conference Status. An Established National/Regional Conference may appeal to the International Conference to be advanced to General Conference status, provided the following conditions have been met and a checklist of documentation accompany any application for such advancement. It is understood that these criteria will be used for a comprehensive review and composite evaluation of each application. Therefore, it is the overall strength that is being assessed rather than a rigid focus on each criterion. An applicant may request an exception on a specific requirement for cause.

(1) Effective church organization on local, district, and general levels demonstrated by:

(a) An organized district and general conference structure.

(b) A minimum of one hundred fifty fully organized or established churches (not counting preaching points or missions).

(c) A minimum of six thousand full members.

(d) Sufficient number of ordained ministers to support district and general conference levels of administration.