2016 Wesleyan Discipline:Property, Local Church: Property transactions

4700. An unincorporated local church within an established district may acquire, purchase, sell, mortgage, transfer or otherwise dispose of real property in accord with the following authorization and conditions:

(1) A resolution authorizing such action shall be recommended by the local board of administration (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:782:32), and passed by the local church conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:655:13) by a majority of those present and voting, at any regular or special session duly called for such purpose, provided that notice of the intended action shall be given to the local church members by announcement from the pulpit in two regular services, the first of which shall be not less than one week before the date of the session of the local church conference at which the proposal shall be considered, and that notice shall also be given at least one week in advance in the church bulletin, when such is available, and that such other notice shall be given as may be required by local laws (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:633:1).

(2) The proposal shall be studied by the district building committee whenever it involves the purchase of property, the construction or remodeling of buildings or other work as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1345, and the written recommendation of the district building committee shall be forwarded to the district board of administration and the local church.

(3) The district board of administration, after receiving the recommendation of the district building committee, shall approve the proposal of the local church in writing and such approval shall be affixed to the written instrument involved (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1233:33).

(4) The resolution authorizing such action shall direct that any contract, deed, bill of sale, mortgage or other necessary written instrument be executed by and on behalf of the local church by the proper officers of the local board of trustees, who thereupon shall be duly authorized to carry out the directions of the local church conference and the local board of administration in keeping with the requirements of The Discipline (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:850–859; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4500–4630; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4720); and any written instrument so executed shall be binding and effective as the action of the local church.

(5) The chair of the local board of trustees, or other designated trustee, shall submit all written instruments of conveyance and title for the acquisition of property to the district superintendent for approval as to their conformity with The Discipline as stated in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1310:13 and shall see that permanent legal and property records are properly stored as set forth in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4760.

(6) When real property is donated to a Wesleyan church for ministries or in a capital or fund raising campaign, and the donor’s intent is that the property be sold and the proceeds invested accordingly, the local board of administration shall have full power to authorize the reception and disposal of the property, subject to the express written approval of each transaction by the district superintendent.

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.