2016 Wesleyan Discipline:MRP-2018:2

2. Suspension. Ministers who have committed offenses that are considered more serious in nature, are intentional, or ignore previous warnings, may be required to surrender their credentials to the District for a period. The time frame involved will normally be a minimum of 12 months. The suggested guidelines listed for Admonition & Rebuke are required here with the addition of the following:

a. An initial assessment must be conducted by a licensed psychologist or mental health counselor if a licensed psychologist is not available. A written report of the assessment is forwarded to the restoration team. Strategies for restoration must take the psychologist’s report into consideration.

b. A series of counseling sessions should be arranged. The pastor must allow for the release of information to the appropriate person representing the committee.

c. A pastoral friend/mentor should be identified to accompany the minister along the path to restoration.

d. Specific and relevant spiritual disciplines should be identified, cultivated, and journaled. The journal of experiences will form the basis of discussion with the pastoral friend.

e. Identify those affected by the minister’s behavior and guide him/her in determining appropriate restitution.

f. The minister should provide demonstrable evidence of cooperation with the process, genuine repentance, and heartfelt change with regard to the presenting behavior. This should not be forced, but be a natural outcome of the restoration process.

g. Upon written positive reports or recommendations from the counselor(s), the mentoring pastor, and the restoration team, and upon final approval of the DS and DBA, the minister will be deemed to have completed the restoration process.