¶6.1 A Special Church Conference on Pastoral Relations may be called by the pastor, the Board of Stewards or by the General Superintendent. Notice of the Special Church Conference shall be posted and announced two Sundays prior to the conference. In addition, the notification must specify the item(s) of business to be considered.
¶6.2 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 or more 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.
¶6.3 The Special Church Conference shall be conducted in accordance with the Discipline and Robert’s Rules of Order.
¶6.4 The Special Church Conference may be called for the purpose of calling a pastor or determining whether the current pastoral relations should be continued.
¶6.5 In the event of calling a pastor, the
question of the vote should be, “Do you believe it is God’s will for ‘Candidate’s
Name’ to be the theological, spiritual and pastoral leader of the
¶6.6 In the event of a vote on the current pastor,
the question of the vote should be “Do you believe it is God’s will for ‘Pastor’s
Name’ to be the theological, spiritual and pastoral leader of the Bethel
Methodist Church of ‘Location’ at this time?” Vote shall be by secret ballot and a simple
majority shall be required to retain the current pastor. The pastor shall have fifteen (15) days after
notification to respond to an affirmative vote. See ¶4.7a through ¶4.7e.
¶6.7 Any Special Church Conference that deals with the call of a new pastor should also include a full discussion of the proposed salary and timetable for the assumption of duties.