2016 Wesleyan Discipline:6745

Article 8. Powers and Duties

6745. Article 8. Powers and Duties. With full respect for the authority of the member General Conferences and Established National/Regional Conferences, the powers and duties of the International Conference shall be:

(1) To promote evangelism ministries around the world.

(2) To stimulate the deeper spiritual life of Wesleyans worldwide.

(3) To promote Wesleyan doctrines as set forth in The Essentials of The Wesleyan Church.

(4) To encourage development of each member body in support, government, and propagation.

(5) To conduct a study of world trends and opportunities with a view to release position statements and securing united Wesleyan action.

(6) To further mutual understanding of cultural, economic, political, and linguistic factors affecting the progress of the gospel.

(7) To receive reports from member conferences and other bodies, to evaluate the same and to make recommendations to the appropriate bodies.

(8) To receive from member General Conferences proposed amendments to the Essentials and direct the process for General Conferences to vote on proposed changes and report the results to the member conferences (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:6765:1). Established National/Regional Conferences and mission units may only submit recommended amendments to The Essentials through their initiating/supervising General Conference, which must also endorse the proposal.

(9) To review member bodies to maintain compliance with The Essentials.

(10) To approve advancement to General Conference status of an Established National/Regional Conference upon authorization of its initiating/supervising General Conference or to revoke by a two-thirds vote the status of an Established National/ Regional Conference that no longer meets the agreed requirements and to refer it back to its initiating/supervising General Conference as a mission unit.

(11) To approve advancement of a mission unit to an Established National/ Regional Conference status upon authorization of its initiating/supervising General Conference.

(12) To consider the special needs common to member bodies, to study and develop position statements on issues of global, moral, and social concerns, and make recommendations regarding the same to the appropriate bodies through their respective General Conference officers.

(13) To receive and to process new applications for membership.

(14) To organize area fellowships where geographic situation, mutual interest, and need for spiritual counsel and encouragement make it advisable.