C. Established District

1. Authorization

1036. An established district is created by the General Conference (317; 1590:10), upon recommendation by the General Board, or, in the interim of General Conference sessions, may be created by the General Board, subject to the approval of the next General Conference (1655:35). The authorizing act shall define the boundaries of the district and assign to it an official name.

1038. The minimum requirements for an established district are:

(1) Thirty churches.

(2) Two thousand members.

(3) The holding of all property in trust for The Wesleyan Church as required in 4610, or steps taken to accomplish the same (4140; 4590–4630; 4650–4880).

(4) A reasonable degree of spiritual, organizational, and financial stability.

(5) A recommendation by the General Superintendent.

2. Organizing Conference

1040. When an established district has been authorized (1036), an organizing session of the district conference shall be convened by the General Superintendent. The General Superintendent shall declare it to be an established district of The Wesleyan Church, vested with all the authority and power as properly belong to it according to The Discipline. After such has been declared, the district conference shall proceed to do business and elect its officials.

3. Reclassification

1042. If a district no longer meets one or more of the requirements for an established district (1038), it may be reclassified as a developing district by the General Conference (1590:11) or by the General Board.

1045. An established district, by a vote of its district conference, may petition the General Board for reclassification as a developing district if it falls below the requirements for an established district (1038). The General Board shall have authority to reclassify it as a developing district (1038; 1655:34–35).

4. Amenability

1050. An established district is amenable to the General Conference and to the General Board. It may be placed under discipline for cause as set forth in the General Board Policy on Church Discipline (5350-5385; 360:3e).