Chapter 7: District Missions and Evangelism

A. District Coordination of Missions and Evangelism

1410. The district board of administration shall be responsible within the district for the promotion of world missions, general and district evangelism and church growth, and the coordination of men’s ministry and women’s ministry on the district level as set forth in The Discipline (1233:3, 21–25).

B. District Board of Evangelism and Church Growth

1413. Function. The district board of administration shall serve as or shall establish a district board of evangelism and church growth to aid the district superintendent and the district board of administration in developing, supervising, and promoting an aggressive program of district evangelism and church growth (1233:21; 1310:2).

1416. Membership. If a separate district board of evangelism and church growth is established, it shall have as its chair the district superintendent (cf. 1310:2), unless the district superintendent shall appoint another to serve instead, with such appointment subject to ratification by the district board of administration. In addition to the chair, the board shall consist of two or more ordained ministers and an equal number of lay members elected by the district board of administration who are especially concerned and qualified for this phase of the church’s mission. In addition, the district director of evangelism and church growth shall serve as an ex officio member (1426). The term of office for the elected members shall be for two years, with the election so arranged that approximately one-half shall be elected each year. Other than the chair, the board shall elect its own officers. General regulations governing the members of this board are set forth in 1275-1292.

1420. Sessions. The district board of evangelism and church growth shall meet soon after the close of the district conference to make plans for the year and shall meet for regular sessions as it shall decide or the district board of administration shall order. Special sessions may be called by the chair as needed.

1423. Duties. The duties of the district board of evangelism and church growth shall be:

(1) To study potential fields for district extension work and report on and make recommendations to the district board of administration concerning the same.

(2) To stimulate interest in district evangelism and church growth throughout the district to help raise the funds needed for the district church growth program.

(3) To make recommendations to the district board of administration concerning the establishment of a mission, developing church or church, the appointment of pastors for the same, and real estate transactions and building projects connected with church growth projects (cf. 1233:30, 33).

(4) To assume direct supervision of the district church growth program or a specific church growth project to the extent delegated by the district board of administration.

(5) To perform other duties as may be required by the district board of administration in the interest of district evangelism and church growth.

C. District Director of Evangelism and Church Growth

1426. A district director of evangelism and church growth shall be elected by the district conference (unless the district conference by prior action has voted to authorize the district board of administration to appoint the district director of evangelism and church growth, 1180:35; cf. 1175:2), and is an ex officio member of the district board of evangelism and church growth (1416). The term of office, amenability, and other requirements as a district departmental officer are set forth in 1275-1292. The duties of the district director of evangelism and church growth are:

(1) To report the election or appointment promptly to the Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship and to cooperate with the same in promoting the interests of general evangelism and church growth; and likewise to promote the interests of the district program of evangelism and church growth.

(2) To make a general plan of activities for the year and submit it to the district board of administration for approval.

(3) To assist the district superintendent in arranging for visitation within the district by representatives of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship Division.

(4) To assist the district superintendent in planning and conducting special services in the interests of general or district evangelism and church growth at the district conference or camp meeting; to arrange for promotional displays and the distribution of literature at district or zone meetings.

(5) To assist pastors in promoting evangelism and church growth in the local churches.

(6) To promote membership in the Church Builders’ Club.

(7) To keep a record of activities, reports, and correspondence and to submit it to the successor in office.

(8) To submit an annual report of official activities to the district conference (1180:13), including a financial report of expenses and a report of what has been accomplished in the district for general and district evangelism and church growth, a copy of which shall be forwarded to the Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship; and to submit other reports as may be requested (cf. 1288).

(9) To perform other duties in the interest of general and district evangelism and church growth as may be required by the district conference, the district board of administration or the district board of evangelism and church growth.

D. District Director of Global Partners

1429. A district director of Global Partners shall be elected by the district conference (1180:35; cf. 1175:2), unless the district conference by prior action has voted to authorize the district board of administration to appoint the district director of Global Partners. The term of office, amenability and other requirements as a district departmental officer are set forth in 1275-1292. The duties of the district director of Global Partners are:

(1) To report the election or appointment promptly to the Executive Director of Global Partners and to cooperate with the same in promoting an interest in and a burden for world missions outreach within the district.

(2) To make a general plan of activities for the year and submit it to the district board of administration for approval (cf. 1410).

(3) To assist the district superintendent in arranging for home ministries work within the district by missionaries and representatives of the Global Partners Division.

(4) To assist the district superintendent in planning and conducting special services in the interests of world missions at the district conference or camp meeting; to arrange for promotional displays and the distribution of literature at district or zone meetings.

(5) To assist pastors in planning for world missions conventions and in promoting world missions in the local church.

(6) To keep a record of all activities, reports, and correspondence and to submit this to the successor in office.

(7) To submit an annual report of official activities to the district conference (1180:13), including a financial report of expenses and a report of what has been accomplished by the district for world missions, a copy of which shall be forwarded to the Executive Director of Global Partners; and to submit other reports as may be requested (cf. 1288).

(8) To perform other duties in the interest of world missions outreach as may be requested by the district conference or the district board of administration.

E. District Board of World Missions

1430. Function. The district board of administration shall serve as or shall establish a district board of world missions to aid the district board of administration in developing, supervising, and promoting an aggressive program of district participation in The Wesleyan Church’s program of world evangelism.

1432. Membership. If a separate district board of world missions is established, it shall have as its chair the district superintendent, unless the district superintendent shall appoint a chair subject to ratification by the district board of administration. In addition to the chair, an equal number of ordained ministers and lay members shall be elected to two-year terms, with terms so arranged that approximately one-half shall be elected each year. The district board of administration shall determine the size of the board. The district director of Global Partners and the district director of women’s ministry shall be ex officio members. General regulations governing the membership of this board are set forth in 1275-1292.

1434. Sessions. The district board of world missions shall meet soon after the close of the district conference to make plans for the year and shall meet for regular sessions as deemed necessary or as directed by the district board of administration. Special sessions may be called by the chair as needed.

1435. Duties. The district board of world missions is amenable to the district board of administration in fulfilling the following duties:

(1) To develop yearly and long-range plans for the promotion of world missions within the district.

(2) To stimulate interest in and increase awareness of Global Partners throughout the district.

(3) To build a strong prayer base for world missions.

(4) To promote increased financial support of world missions.

(5) To assist pastors in developing local church programs for promotion of and participation in missions.

(6) To emphasize the call to missions service and encourage those in preparation for such service.

(7) To perform other duties as may be required by the district board of administration in the interest of world missions.

F. District Director of Women's Ministry

1439. The district director of women’s ministry is a nonvoting member of the district conference unless she is a voting member by some other right (1090:9). She shall submit all district plans for women’s ministry to the district board of administration for approval (1233:25). In the interim of district board of administration sessions, such plans may be approved by the district superintendent. She shall endeavor to guide the district activities of women’s ministry into soul-winning, evangelism, pioneer work, and concern for world outreach in a coordinated effort to forward the district program.