1. Church Discipline Right to Hearing and Appeal

1. Right to Hearing and Appeal

5020. The right to a fair and impartial hearing and the right to appeal shall not be denied to any member, minister, local church, district or official body of The Wesleyan Church. No one shall be arbitrarily set aside without due consideration for both spiritual welfare and rights as a member of The Wesleyan Church and shall always have the right to request a hearing or to appeal, even when placed under discipline (Disc. 302:4; 305:3; 313:7; 315:8; 323:10; 360:3f; 375:4, 6; 380).

2. Jurisdiction

5020:1. Original jurisdiction over a member ordinarily belongs to the local church of which the person is a member.

5020:2. Exceptions in Jurisdiction. There are situations as provided for in The Discipline 365 in which jurisdiction over a member may be assumed by the district or by the General Church.

(1) If a member is a person credentialed by the district, or is elected as an officer of the district, full jurisdiction over all offenses passes to the district, with full authority to set the discipline.

(2) If a covenant member is also a general officer, a member of the General Board or otherwise employed by the General Church, or is a district superintendent, full jurisdiction over all offenses passes to the General Church, with full authority to fix the discipline, including removal from office or dismissal from membership.

(3) If a lay member’s conduct is such as to affect the health of the local church where membership is held, and the district superintendent and the district board of administration become convinced that the local church is unable or unwilling to deal appropriately with such member, or if a lay member is alleged to have committed offenses which affect The Wesleyan Church beyond the local church where membership is held, the district superintendent may recommend and the district board of administration may authorize the assumption by the district of jurisdiction in the matter. Investigation and hearing would be conducted in accord with district procedures. Any appeals shall be heard by the district board of review. The district would have full authority to fix the discipline, including removal from office or dismissal from membership.