2016 Wesleyan Discipline:Ministry, The: District supervision of ministers

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(24) To authorize the establishing of a mission (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:537), a developing church (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:510), a church (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:518), a circuit (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:525), the reclassification of a church as a developing church (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:518:7; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:30), to declare a church as discontinued or abandoned (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4730), and to hear a report from the district superintendent of the organization of new churches (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:520:6; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1310:16). Any established church that is not under discipline may not be discontinued without a corroborating vote of the local church conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:655:14; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:30).
(25) To determine the boundaries of each pastoral charge within the district (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:323:5; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10c; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4750).
(26) To receive and pass upon the recommendations of the district board of administration concerning the pastoral agreements, appointments, and district conference relations, as follows (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10):
(a) To approve the pastoral agreements entered into between the pastoral charges and the ministers, or to alter such an agreement, or to veto the action of the pastoral charge and appoint another pastor, provided that any such alteration or veto shall be for reasons as set forth in the Constitution, and shall be voted on as a separate action by the district conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:323:1-2; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:697).
(b) To appoint a pastor to those pastoral charges not yet supplied at the time of the district conference or whenever requested to do so by a local church (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:708) or to delegate such appointment to the district board of administration, and to appoint an interim pastor (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3261:2) or to employ a qualified person as a supply pastor when deemed necessary (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3260).
(c) To appoint each minister to the proper category of service or other appointment (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3250-3391), appointing each ordained minister not included on the appointed list (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:I:A) to the proper district conference relation as retired, on reserve, on educational leave, without appointment (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:I:B-E) or in process of transfer (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104); appointing each commissioned or licensed minister to the proper category of service (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:II:A-B; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:III:A-B; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3255-3391) or in the process of transfer (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104); to license as ministerial students those persons so qualified (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:IV; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:1); and to appoint as commissioned or licensed special workers, designating their particular ministry (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3450-3480), those who have been granted the proper commissions and licenses (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:V:A-C) or to list them as in process of transfer (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:V:B); and to appoint commissioned lay missionaries.
(27) To grant in concurrence with the General Board prior approval to a local church conference for post-secondary education in terms of an institute, junior college or college-level programs (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:655:19; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1655:36).
(28) To elect to ordination or for commissioning as a minister, a candidate the district conference deems qualified (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3070), after receiving a report from the district board of ministerial development (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:5) which shall be acted upon as a separate item of business.
(29) To grant a license, commission, recognition or restoration, in keeping with the requirements of The Discipline, after receiving the report and recommendations from the district board of ministerial development (1390:5), as follows:
(a) A recognition as ordained minister in process of transfer to an ordained minister being received from another denomination (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104), and a recognition as an ordained minister of The Wesleyan Church in full standing when all requirements have been met (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104:4-5).
(b) A district ministerial license, the granting of which shall become effective when the person receives appointment as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3033:7 and 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3040:3 (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:26c; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10).
(c) A recognition of a commissioned or licensed minister being received from another denomination as in process of transfer (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104) and a recognition of such commissioned or licensed ministers in full standing when all requirements are met (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104).
(d) A license as a ministerial student for those who are qualified (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:1; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3350).
(e) A license or commission as special worker, designating the particular ministry (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3450-3480), or a recognition of a commissioned special worker or the equivalent thereof in process of transfer from another denomination, and subsequent recognition as a commissioned special worker in full standing when all requirements have been met (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3470).
(f) A commission as lay missionary (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3490).
(g) Any other license or commission as shall be authorized by The Discipline.
(h) The restoration or reinstatement of ordination, commission or license as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3120-3124; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3480; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5230-5248 (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:4).
(30) To receive and pass on an annual service report, through the district board of ministerial development as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:7-9, from each ordained, commissioned, and licensed minister, ministerial student, and commissioned and licensed special worker; to receive an explanation from the district board of ministerial development relative to each person whose report has been found unsatisfactory, and to vote on the continuation of such person for appointment which shall require a two-thirds vote of confidence for approval (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:9).

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(25) To counsel with the pastors, ministers, and special workers under district care, giving special attention to the encouragement and guidance of candidates for the ministry.
(26) To be responsible, if the General Superintendent is absent, and if the representative appointed by the General Superintendent is absent (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3091), for leading the Council of Ordination (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1405) in conducting the ritual of ordination (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3070:6; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5750-5792), and the ritual of commissioning a minister (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5800-5845), a special worker (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3470; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5855), and a lay missionary (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3490; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5855); to sign with the district secretary such certificates, licenses or other official forms, as are required of this office and issued to such persons as are authorized by the district conference; to have charge of services for the installation of pastors (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5905).
(27) To provide or promote access to continuing education opportunities at least twice each year for the ongoing personal and professional development of all ministerial personnel.
(28) To request any special reports from the pastors, ministers, and churches that will facilitate oversight of the district.
(29) To approve in writing the temporary service of an ordained minister in a district other than the one in which membership is held (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3100:2); to grant a letter of transfer or standing to any ordained, licensed or commissioned worker in good standing of the district (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:6440; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:6460); to instruct the district secretary to enroll as a member of the district a minister who transfers from another district in the manner prescribed by The Discipline (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:313:6; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3100:1; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:6440-6450), and to order the enrollment of a ministerial student or special worker so transferring (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:3c, 5d; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3480; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:6440-6450); to guide a minister or special worker from another denomination seeking recognition and membership in The Wesleyan Church (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3470; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3117); and to provide oversight for the restoration of ministers (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5230).

1390. Duties. The duties of the district board of ministerial development shall be:

Related to Ordination, Commissions, Licenses and Ministerial Students

(1) To examine carefully (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1935:34) each candidate for election by the district conference to ordination or election to a commissioned minister’s status, the granting of a district ministerial license, a license as a ministerial student, a commission or license as special worker, a commission as a lay missionary, and any other commission or license as may be authorized by The Discipline. The examination shall include an interview with each candidate, making such investigation as is deemed necessary to affirm the individual’s:
(a) Personal experience of salvation and entire sanctification;
(b) Full commitment to the Articles of Religion, Membership Commitments, Elementary Principles, and polity of The Wesleyan Church and acceptance of its authority;
(c) Evidence of having the qualifications for the ministry to which the candidate feels called as set forth in The Discipline. The examination shall result in recommendations to the district conference for those whom the district board of ministerial development judges to be qualified for said ministry (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1381; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:5).
(2) To consider each person recommended by a local church conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:655:8) or circuit conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:528:2) or local board of administration (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:655:8) for the granting of a license as a ministerial student (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1240:IV; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:1) and to recommend to the district conference for such license those who are deemed worthy (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:29b, c; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3350:2); to encourage all such ministerial students to enroll for ministerial training in an approved school of The Wesleyan Church (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:2365; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:2382); to supervise and counsel them, keeping a record of their ministerial studies (1387:2) and cooperating with the director of the Ministerial Study Course Agency in supervising those enrolled in courses under the Agency (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:2388; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3170-3210).
(3) To consider and examine any person who desires to be received into the district from another denomination, and to be recognized as an ordained, commissioned or licensed minister or commissioned special worker and to recommend to the district conference for reception as in process of transfer, and subsequently for recognition as in full standing, only such a person as it deems properly qualified according to The Discipline (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3104; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3470); and, in the interim of district conference sessions, to make such recommendation to the district board of administration (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:37).
(4) To consider and examine any person applying for reinstatement or restoration of ordination, commission or license and to recommend to the district conference only such a person as it deems properly qualified according to The Discipline (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3120-3124; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5230-5248).
(5) To present to the district conference, as a separate report, a recommendation for the election of a candidate to ordination as an ordained minister (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:28; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3070:5) or commission as a minister (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3059) or the reinstatement or restoration of ministerial credentials (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3120-3124; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5230-5248), and to present to the district conference a combined report of all other recommendations concerning the commissioning, licensing, and recognition of ministers and special workers, and the licensing of ministerial students (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:29; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:1).
(6) To serve, with the exception of the lay members, and when so designated by the district conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:34; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:38), as a council of ordination (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1405); and to perform such other duties as may be assigned by the district conference.

Related to the Annual Service Reports

(7) To receive, on behalf of the district conference, an annual service report (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1402) from each ordained, commissioned or licensed minister, ministerial student, and commissioned or licensed special worker; to review such reports and pass on each one as follows (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:30):
(a) A report which shows that the work has been done according to The Discipline and that the annual statistical report (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1352:1) has been properly submitted shall be marked as approved and returned to the person submitting it (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:9).
(b) A report in which there are unsatisfactory answers, or which shows that the work has not been done according to The Discipline, or that the annual statistical report (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1352:1) has not been properly submitted, shall be reviewed with the person submitting the report. If reasons for such irregularities are not satisfactory to the district board of ministerial development, the report shall be marked as unsatisfactory and returned to the person submitting it (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:9).
(8) To investigate the reason for the failure to submit an annual service report on the part of those persons required to do so (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1402; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3015:4), and to take appropriate action as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3040:1; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3059:4c; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3089:3; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3460; and 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3470.
(9) To present a report (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1381) to the district conference concerning the results of the examination of the annual service reports, listing all members of the district responsible to submit such reports as to whether their reports were approved, unsatisfactory or not received. The district board of ministerial development shall report to the district conference concerning a person whose annual service report has been found unsatisfactory (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:7b) and it shall require a two-thirds vote of confidence by the district conference to approve such a person for continued appointment.

Related to Appointments and District Conference Relations

(10) To submit reports to the district board of administration concerning the following matters related to district conference appointments and relations: The results of the examination of the annual service reports (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:8-9); the availability for appointment, and any desired changes in appointment or district conference relations, as recorded on the annual service reports; those persons qualified for a district ministerial license, the granting of which shall become effective upon their appointment (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:26c, 29b; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3033:7; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:3040:3); those other persons qualified for a license, commission, reception from another district or denomination or restoration (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1180:26, 29; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:10).

Related to Ministerial Development

(11) To cooperate with the district superintendent (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1310:27) and the district board of administration (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:29) in providing opportunities for the personal and professional growth of ministers within the district. The activities of the district boards of ministerial development may include individual or group interviews, assessments, growth contracts, seminars or other means of assisting ministers to achieve their full potential for ministry.

1402. Annual Service Reports. The district conference shall receive an annual service report from each ordained minister, commissioned minister, licensed minister, ministerial student, and commissioned or licensed special worker on forms authorized by the General Superintendent and made available by the Executive Director of Communication and Administration. Pastors or senior pastors shall submit the “Pastor’s Annual Service Report.” Associate and assistant pastors shall submit the “Associate/Assistant Pastor’s Annual Service Report.” Other ordained ministers and commissioned or licensed ministers shall submit the “Minister’s Annual Service Report.” Special workers shall submit the “Lay Worker’s Annual Service Report.” Ministerial students shall submit the “Ministerial Student’s Annual Service Report.” All such reports shall be submitted to the district board of ministerial development, serving on behalf of the district conference, as directed by the district board of administration or the district superintendent (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1390:7-9).

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