Affiliate church

548. An independent congregation of the Wesleyan tradition which seeks a less than full relationship with The Wesleyan Church may be recognized and listed as an affiliate church. This relationship shall exist to encourage fellowship, to include and involve the affiliated body in ministries and opportunities available to Wesleyan churches, and to eventually lead the affiliated unit into full relationship with The Wesleyan Church. Provisions and procedures to establish and govern an affiliate church relationship are located in Appendix C, paragraph 7000 et seq.

7000. An independent congregation of the Wesleyan tradition which seeks a less than full relationship with The Wesleyan Church may commit to Articles of Agreement and be recognized and listed as an affiliate church. The district board of administration shall be authorized on behalf of the district conference to develop and agree to the terms of the Articles of Agreement. Such relationships shall exist to encourage fellowship and to include the affiliated body in adult, youth, and children’s ministries of The Wesleyan Church and to benefit the affiliated unit through acquaintance with and involvement in Wesleyan institutions of higher education, global outreach ministries, and helpful publications of the denomination. The relationship may be terminated at any time, either by vote of the district board of administration or the ruling body of the affiliate church.

7005. Membership. All persons who have met the membership requirements of the independent congregation shall be listed by the district as affiliate members. Any affiliate member who seeks to transfer membership to The Wesleyan Church shall be examined by the pastor and the local board of administration. If it is discovered that the person involved had indeed been previously converted and is fully committed to the doctrines and standards of The Wesleyan Church, said affiliate member may be received by letter into the membership of The Wesleyan Church (570; 578). If the affiliated church elects to become a Wesleyan congregation, the procedures of organization as set forth in The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church, paragraph 520, shall be followed.

7010. Pastors. The calling of pastors to an affiliated church shall be determined by said church’s by-laws and shall not require approval of the Wesleyan district conference. A change of pastor or senior pastor of an affiliate church shall automatically give rise to a review of the affiliate status and shall require a renewal vote by the district board of administration to extend the relationship. In the event the affiliate church seeks to secure the leadership of a Wesleyan minister, that arrangement shall require the consent of the district superintendent and the ratifying vote of a majority of the district board of administration. An ordained minister serving on staff of an affiliate church may be appointed by the district conference as affiliate church pastor (3346).

7015. Government. The Wesleyan Church shall not regulate the governance of an affiliate church. However, the district board of administration shall review the governmental structure of the church seeking affiliate status and shall be satisfied it is founded upon biblical principles prior to authorizing affiliate status. Conversely, any affiliate church desiring to adopt The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church as a governance model for the local church may do so.

7020. Property and Support Obligations. As long as the independent unit retains the status of an affiliate church it is not subject to the trust clause and other provisions for holding property as set forth in The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church.

It is anticipated that the affiliate church will financially support The Wesleyan Church and its various ministries. The details of such support shall be agreed upon between the affiliate church and the district board of administration.

It is expected that the various agencies of The Wesleyan Church shall have access to the affiliate church for the presentation of their programs and for the solicitation of support in the same manner as with all Wesleyan churches.

7025. District/General Conference Representation. Each affiliate church may send the pastor and one lay representative as honorary delegates, having voice but not vote, to the annual district conference. The listed affiliate members shall not be included in the membership count which determines the number of persons a district conference is authorized to elect as General Conference delegates.

7030. Continuance of Status. The district board of administration shall be empowered to renew the status of an affiliate church for up to five years from inception of the relationship. If the affiliate church has not begun the process leading to acceptance as an established church by the fifth year, renewal of the affiliate status shall require the annual recommendation of the district board of administration and the annual approving vote of the district conference.

7035. Use of Name. The affiliate church may not adopt the name The Wesleyan Church nor utilize such benefits as coming under the denominational umbrella for IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity until said unit is received as a developing or established Wesleyan church and conforms to The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church in all matters of governance. It may choose to advertise with such language as “A congregation of the Wesleyan tradition” or “affiliated with The Wesleyan Church.”

Affiliate Churches