Excommunication

276. All Church hearings should be conducted on gospel principles only, and no minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality, the propagation of unchristian doctrines, or for neglect of duties enjoined by the Word of God. 315

(1) Receive and expel or discontinue members subject to the provisions of The Discipline. This right vests severally in each local church. (365).

655

(1) Approve by vote the reception of members and to expel or discontinue members unless it delegates full authority concerning membership to the local board of administration (567; 315:1). Such authority may be withdrawn from the local board of administration at any annual session of the local church conference.

782

(10) Consider all accusations and charges against members of the local church, and to appoint a committee of investigation and a local judicial committee as provided for in the General Board Policy on Church Discipline.

51155115:5 5212

(5) Dismissal (5023:5). In matters where the actions or the attitude of the removed person is especially grievous, the district board of administration has full power to dismiss the person from membership in The Wesleyan Church, and the involved local church, when officially informed of this action, shall so indicate in its membership records. If the district board of administration removes the person but does not choose to dismiss from membership, the district secretary shall notify the local board of administration of the accusations, findings, and discipline and leave the matter of membership to the local church.