2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1796

1796. Generally. In the event of a conflict between provisions of The Discipline relating to church administration at the local, district or general level and applicable local laws, such provisions of The Discipline may be modified to the extent deemed necessary to comply with such local laws, by utilizing the approval process hereinafter specified; provided, however, that this clause shall not be construed to give the consent of The Wesleyan Church (or any component part or affiliated entity thereof) to the regulation of its affairs by any civil authority where such regulation would violate:

(1) Any of the Essentials of the Church (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:2500:3);

(2) The rights of the Church or its members to freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom of speech or other civil rights;

(3) Separation of church and state, in the sense of excessive entanglement of the civil authority in the affairs of the Church; or

(4) The rights of the Church to define its religious doctrines and membership requirements, to prescribe its rituals, and otherwise to maintain its polity on matters such as ordination, sacraments, religious beliefs and practice, requirements for employment by the Church (or its component parts or affiliated entities) or any other similar matters deemed by the Church to be central to the identity, faith, doctrine, and practice of the Church.