¶4.1 The pastor and the Board of Stewards, in consultation with the General Superintendent, shall set the date of the Annual Church Conference. Notice of the Annual Church Conference shall be posted and announced two Sundays prior to the conference.
¶4.2 A quorum shall be constituted of all eligible members present. Members sixteen years of age and older are eligible to vote. Any member who has been absent for a period of six months prior to the conference except for illness or an absence excused by the Board of Stewards shall forfeit the right to vote, if challenged by an eligible member and upheld by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the conference.
¶4.3 The Annual Church Conference shall be conducted in accordance with the Discipline and Robert’s Rules of Order.
¶4.4 The following is a suggested order of business. The Annual Church Conference shall:
1. Be called to order by the
pastor or Chairman of the Board of Stewards, who shall introduce and turn the
meeting over to the General Superintendent.
In the event that the General Superintendent is unable to attend the
Annual Church Conference, the pastor shall act in his stead.
2. Begin with a short
devotional service and prayer.
3. Establish the voting bar.
4. Elect a presiding
officer. The General Superintendent (or
pastor acting in his stead) may preside over the Annual Church Conference or
ask the
5. Elect a Conference Secretary
to take minutes of all conference business.
6. Vote on an agenda.
7. Receive written reports from
the pastor, Chairman of the Trustees, Chairman of the Stewards, Sunday School
Superintendent, Treasurer and all committees and auxiliary groups of the
church.
8. Read the Nominating
Committee Report.
9.
Elect all officers, teachers, youth sponsors, boards and
committees. All
10.
Present the budget for the coming year.
11.
Conduct any other business that is in keeping with the Discipline. See ¶4.7a through ¶4.7e, pastoral vote for
even numbered years.
¶4.5a The Annual Church Conference shall elect the following Boards, Committees and Delegates:
¶4.5b The Annual Church Conference shall elect the following officers:
Sunday
School Superintendent
Treasurer
Secretary
¶4.5c The Annual Church Conference may elect the
following and any other committees that the
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Advertising and Promotion |
Missions |
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Benevolence |
Music |
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Christian Education |
Nursery |
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Communion |
Parsonage |
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Evangelism/Outreach |
Property Maintenance |
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Fellowship |
Ushers/Welcoming |
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Library |
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¶4.5d The Annual Church Conference may elect the following officers:
¶4.5e The Local Church may organize the following auxiliary groups and others it deems necessary:
¶4.6 It shall be the duty of the local church secretary and officers to make all records and books of the local church available to the Annual Church Conference.
¶4.7a A pastoral vote shall be conducted
at each local church’s Annual Church Conference held on an even numbered year.
1. In the case of a newly
called pastor, a vote shall not be taken unless the pastor has served at least
one complete year.
2. The outgoing Pastoral
Relations Committee has the authority to delay the required pastoral vote for a
period not to exceed ninety (90) days.
¶4.7b Notice of the pastoral vote shall be posted and announced at least two Sundays prior to the conference. Included within this announcement shall be the explanation that:
1. A pastoral vote shall, as a matter of Annual Church Conference business, be conducted at all Bethel Methodist Churches held on even numbered years, noting the exception in ¶4.7a.
2. This pastoral vote is being conducted as a result of business voted on and passed at General Conference.
3. This pastoral vote in no way reflects on the character of the pastor.
¶4.7c The following is the prescribed order of business:
1. The pastoral vote will be the last order of business at the Annual Church Conference and shall be conducted by the General Superintendent or his designated representative.
2. The vote shall be preceded by the General Superintendent, or designated representative, reiterating the explanation as provided in ¶4.7b.
3.
The question of the vote shall be, “Do you believe it
is God’s will for ‘Pastor’s Name’ to be the theological, spiritual and
pastoral leader of the
4. There will be no discussion on the question at the time of the vote.
5. The vote will be conducted by secret ballot.
6. The vote will be determined by a simple majority. A tie vote is the same as a negative vote.
7. After all ballots have been collected, the votes shall be counted in closed quarters by the following, or their designated representative:
a. The General Superintendent.
b. The outgoing Chairman of the
local church’s Board of Stewards.
c. The outgoing Chairman of the
Pastoral Relations Committee.
8. The pastor shall be called
in and given the exact vote count.
9. The General Superintendent,
or his designated representative, shall report the exact vote count to the
conference.
10. The Annual Church Conference
shall be brought to a close.
¶4.7d The pastor shall have fifteen (15) days after notification to respond to an affirmative vote.
¶4.7e In the event of a negative vote, the newly elected Board of Stewards will convene as soon as practical to begin deliberations concerning the following:
1. What pulpit privileges shall the outgoing pastor be afforded?
2. What severance pay shall be awarded?
3. What policy shall be followed with respect to the outgoing pastor’s office and the parsonage?