2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4720–4750

4720. The proceeds from the sale of any real property of a local church whether incorporated or unincorporated, other than as provided for in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4700:6, shall be used for the purchase or improvement of property for that local church, unless otherwise authorized by the district board of administration (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:33). In the event of a situation where two or more local churches have merged, proceeds from the sale of such property shall be used by the merged church unless otherwise authorized by the district board of administration. Whenever a local church does not wish to invest the money received as stated herewith, the money shall be forwarded to the district treasurer, and provided that all debts against such property being sold shall first be paid, it shall be used as ordered by the district conference or the district board of administration for the construction of churches or parsonages within the bounds of the district, for district property, or for purchase of property or construction of buildings involved in the planting of new churches. Such moneys may be used for other expenses involved in the planting of new churches only with the approval of the General Superintendent. 4725. From the sale, acquisition, or transfer of real properties that occur within its fiscal year, a district may choose to invest or contribute up to 5 percent from the net proceeds to assist in the development of a Wesleyan presence in another country where that district has a Global Partnership relationship. Or, a district may elect to contribute up to 5 percent from the sale, acquisition, or transfer of real properties to assist domestic Wesleyan compassionate ministries. The aggregate total of the district’s investment and/or contribution, whether internationally or domestically, cannot exceed 5 percent from the net proceeds of its transactions. The district board of administration must approve each investment and/or contribution with a two-thirds vote. Furthermore, each investment and/or contribution must have the written approval of the General Superintendent. 4728. Any district that chooses to exercise the provision of Discipline 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4725 may make a lump sum investment and/or contribution under the conditions mentioned therein or it may make a series of smaller investments and/or contributions, so long as the aggregate total does not exceed 5 percent of the total proceeds from transactions as noted in Discipline 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4725.

4. Abandoned Church Property

4730. When the property of a local church is no longer used, a local church may be declared by the district board of administration as discontinued or abandoned (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:30) and the title shall thereupon vest in the district corporation (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4100), or in the district board of trustees in the case of an unincorporated district (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4855). The district board of administration shall have the authority to order the sale of said property and to appropriate the proceeds for the purchase of property for a local church, for the construction of churches or parsonages within the bounds of the district, for district property, or for the purchase of property or construction of buildings involved in the planting of new churches. Such moneys may be used for other expense involved in the planting of new churches only with the approval of the General Superintendent. The actions of the district board of administration shall be reported to the next session of the district conference. Any bequests, devises, gift annuities or other benefits to a local church that accrue or become available after said church has been discontinued shall become the property of the district corporation (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4100), or, in the case of an unincorporated district, shall become the property of the district board of trustees (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4855).

4735. From the sale, acquisition, or transfer of real properties that occur within its fiscal year, a district may choose to invest or contribute up to 5 percent from the net proceeds to assist in the development of a Wesleyan presence in another country where that district has a Global Partnership relationship. Or, a district may elect to contribute up to 5 percent from the sale, acquisition, or transfer of real properties to assist domestic Wesleyan compassionate ministries. The aggregate total of the district’s investment and/or contribution, whether internationally or domestically, cannot exceed 5 percent from the net proceeds of its transactions. The district board of administration must approve each investment and/or contribution with a two-thirds vote. Furthermore, each investment and/or contribution must have the written approval of the General Superintendent.

4738. Any district that chooses to exercise the provision of Discipline 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4735 may make a lump sum investment and/or contribution under the conditions mentioned therein or it may make a series of smaller investments and/or contributions, so long as the aggregate total does not exceed 5 percent of the total proceeds from transactions as noted in Discipline 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4735.

C. Circuit Property

4740. The organization and government for a circuit within an established district are set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:525–535. The regulations concerning the acquisition, purchase, sale, encumbrance, transfer or other disposition of circuit property within an established district shall be the same as for local church property within the district as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4680 and 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4700:1–5. The proceeds from the sale of circuit property shall also be disposed of in the same manner as the proceeds from the sale of local church property as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4720–4730. The circuit board of trustees shall carry such duties concerning circuit property as are required of a local church board of trustees (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:850–859) and shall be subject to the general regulations as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4500–4630.

4750. Whenever the discontinuance of a circuit shall be ordered by the district conference, or whenever a local church is separated from a circuit and established as a separate pastoral charge (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:25), the district conference shall also order the sale or disposition of circuit property, for which a recommendation shall be received from the district board of administration (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10c). Each local church shall be entitled to receive its just share of the property in which it has invested funds; and the amount of such value and just share shall be determined by the district board of administration or a special committee appointed for that purpose.