¶3.1 The local church, acting at its Annual and Special Called Church Conferences, constitutes the basic governmental body of the Bethel Methodist Church. The General Conference and all duly elected officers derive their administrative powers and duties from the local churches acting through their delegates. The local churches act cooperatively at the general level by carrying out the programs and following the Discipline adopted by their delegates at these conferences.

¶3.2 Any local congregation desiring to unite with the Bethel Methodist Church may do so, providing the following requirements are met:

1. The General Superintendent has met with the pastor, board and congregation.

2. The Interchurch Council and the General Superintendent are satisfied that the congregation is in general agreement with the theology, purpose and program of the Bethel Methodist Church.

3. An invitation is extended by the General Superintendent to the local church to affiliate.

4. A two-thirds (2/3) majority of eligible members of the local church present and voting and fully understanding the privileges and responsibilities pertaining thereof, vote to establish formal affiliation with the Bethel Methodist Church.

¶3.3 Ten percent (10%) of all donations to the local church’s general fund shall be sent monthly to the treasurer of the Bethel Methodist Church with the following exceptions:

1. Personally designated gifts.

2. Special offerings approved by the Board.

¶3.4 The local church treasurer and pastor shall see that all Conference support has been paid at the end of the fiscal year and report the same to the Annual Church Conference. If there is a shortage, the local church will have thirty days prior to the General Conference to make up the shortfall. If the shortfall is not made up in that time, the local church will not be allowed to seat delegates at the conference except upon recommendation of the General Superintendent and a two-thirds favorable vote of the conference.

¶3.5 No transfer, sale or exchange of real property can be made without a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the eligible members present and voting at the Annual Church Conference or a Special Called Church Conference. Proposal of such action shall be posted and announced two Sundays prior to the conference.

¶3.6 The local church may encumber or mortgage church property upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those eligible members present and voting at the Annual Church Conference or a Special Called Church Conference. Proposal of such action shall be posted and announced two Sundays prior to the conference.

¶3.7 The local church may disaffiliate or withdraw from the Bethel Methodist Church upon a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those eligible members present and voting at the Annual Church Conference or a Special Called Church Conference. Proposal of such action shall be posted and announced two Sundays prior to the conference. The General Superintendent must be notified of such proposed action at least ninety (90) days prior to such vote.

¶3.8 If, in the course of providence, a group of Bethel Methodists desires to form a new Bethel Methodist church, yet lacks the numbers and support necessary to become self-sufficient, it may petition the Interchurch Council and/or the General Conference in order to obtain a charter as a Bethel Methodist Mission. As such, the Mission Church is encouraged to participate in Interchurch Council Meetings and at that General Conference, though without voting privileges.

¶3.9 The Interchurch Council and/or the General Conference may elect to draw from General funds in order to support the Mission Church. The local churches and their membership are encouraged to prayerfully consider how they support the Mission Church.

¶3.10 Once a Mission Church has become self-sufficient it is by definition a “local church” of the Bethel Methodist Denomination having satisfied the provisions of ¶3.2. Voting privileges will be extended in accordance with ¶3.3 and ¶3.4.