2016 Wesleyan Discipline:F. Preliminary Considerations Prior to Restoration

F. Preliminary Considerations Prior to Restoration

2012. Prior to the implementation of any formal restoration agreement, the following conditions will need to be met:

1. Judicial proceedings or investigation into the nature and scope of the offense should be complete before restoration begins.

2. There are certain offenses that if committed by ministers render them ineligible for restoration. These offenses include: ministers who have been restored previously and have failed again, sexual misconduct with a minor, incest, or repeated acts of sexual immorality (such as adultery, fornication, homosexual acts).

3. The district should review with the minister specific questions from the ordination process in an effort to gain a clear understanding of the depth of issues experienced by the minister.

4. The restoration team should receive a full, written report from the district superintendent before determining steps for restoration.The report should detail the nature and scope of the offense and under what category the offense falls (e.g. suspension, removal).

5. The minister should be informed that there is a difference between being restored spiritually or personally, and having credentials restored for future ministry.

6. The minister needs to qualify for restoration of credentials whether they were surrendered voluntarily or for disciplinary reasons.

7. Consideration for restoration to ministry is not automatic, but also dependent upon the attitude and disposition of the minister. A repentant and contrite heart should be manifested, a willingness to make restitution if necessary, as well as a willingness to submit to the authority of the district and the prescribed steps of restoration.

8. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the offense, a period of time should elapse before the start of any restoration process for initial healing and for making wise decisions about future direction. For serious offenses that bring direct harm to others, such as adultery or violent acts, there should be a longer period of time. For offenses that are less egregious, a shorter period of time should be considered. The timeframe will be determined by the restoration committee.

9. If the minister had previously withdrawn voluntarily and now desires to be reinstated, the district should determine if the minister originally withdrew under accusation or discipline; this might determine the nature of the restoration process.