¶6.1  By Transfer.  When a minister in good standing desires to transfer to another denomination, his credentials must be surrendered to the conference for the following inscription to be plainly written across them.

 

                         has this day been honorably transferred by the                          Conference from the ministry of The Bethel Methodist Church after             years of service.

 

Dated:                                               

                                                         , Superintendent.

                                                         , Secretary.

 

This may be done at any time, provided the minister’s character is in the clear.

 

      ¶6.2  Withdrawal.  When a minister desires to withdraw his ministerial relation from the General Conference, he may do so upon request to the General Superintendent and the General Board of Ministerial Relations.  The General Superintendent shall notify the Director of Administration and the next General Conference Session. Ministers leaving or absenting themselves from the session of the General Conference in protest or lack of sympathy and harmony with the policy and proceedings of such conference, when publicly stated, shall be judged, by vote of the conference, as having withdrawn.  Ministers uniting with, or receiving credentials from other denominations, except by transfer, shall be considered as having withdrawn.

 

      ¶6.3  Withdrawal Under Complaints.  See SECTION 7 – JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION: 5.1.

 

      ¶6.4  Voluntary Location.  When a minister in good standing desires to discontinue regular ministerial and evangelistic work he may do so, upon request, provided his credentials are surrendered to the conference for the following inscription to be plainly written across them:

 

                         has this day been honorably dismissed by the                          Conference from the ministry of The Bethel Methodist Church after             years of service, who avowedly intends to discontinue regular ministerial, evangelistic, or missionary work.

 

Dated:                                               

                                                        , Superintendent.

                                                        , Secretary.

 

      ¶6.5  Involuntary Location/Located Without Consent.  The General Conference may locate without consent a ministerial member for any cause listed in SECTION 7 – JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION: 1.1.  The General Superintendent shall submit his reasons for considering a minister’s involuntary location in writing to the Board of Ministerial Relations, and shall notify in writing the individual involved prior to the General Conference session at which the proposed action is to be considered.  The Board of Ministerial Relations shall submit its recommendations to the General Conference which may locate without consent the ministerial member which deprives him of the right to exercise the ministerial office. The records (minutes and pastoral record) shall indicate such action under SECTION 7 – JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION: 1.15.