2016 Wesleyan Discipline:Essentials of The Wesleyan Church

125. Relationship to Essentials. The Essentials of The Wesleyan Church consist of an historic statement of faith and practice and are set forth in the Charter of The International Conference of The Wesleyan Church (Appendix A). Each general conference of The International Conference must subscribe to the Essentials’ pronouncements and must not contravene any of its provisions in its constitutions, articles of religion, or discipline. The North American General Conference does so subscribe. The Articles of Religion and other statements of faith and practice which are a part of the Constitution of the North American General Conference are in accord with the Essentials of The Wesleyan Church and are not intended to contravene or contradict them at any point. 340

(2) The General Board of Administration is the chief governing body of the Church in the interim of the General Conferences, and as such is empowered to perfect all plans necessary to the performance of its duties; it shall constitute or create the basic board of control of each and all of the Wesleyan societies and institutions now incorporated or hereafter incorporated under the laws of any state of the United States or of any province of Canada or under any other jurisdiction where such is permitted by the laws of said jurisdiction. The General Board of Administration shall have jurisdiction over mission units under the North American General Conference. It shall have the authority to approve a discipline for each unit achieving recognition as a fully established general conference and for each mission unit. In so doing, it shall have the power to adapt the name of the Church within the restrictions of paragraph 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:205, and to adapt the provisions of The Discipline of the North American General Conference, including both constitutional and statutory law, provided that it does not contravene the Essentials of The Wesleyan Church. In authorizing the adaptation of the name for a unit achieving recognition as an established general conference, it shall first consult with the highest interim administrative bodies of the other established general conferences which are members of The International Conference of The Wesleyan Church.

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(1) To vote on an amendment to the Essentials (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:125).

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(3) The Essentials is a statement of faith, practice, and relationship which serves as a unifying bond for all units of The Wesleyan Church around the world. This statement is incorporated in the Charter of The International Conference of The Wesleyan Church (see Appendix A; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:125) and no unit of The Wesleyan Church may contravene any of the provisions of the Essentials in the development of its own book of discipline or in establishing church structures and practice.

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(8) A discipline as approved by the General Board.

2660. The International Conference of The Wesleyan Church shall consist of those bodies which have originated in or which have affiliated with The Wesleyan Church which adhere to the Essentials of The Wesleyan Church and other provisions of its Charter.