Key Updates Impacting Local Church Operations
General Conference 2022
General Conference 2022
Several updates received approval
Several updates received approval
that will have an impact on local
that will have an impact on local
church operations. Following are
church operations. Following are
summaries of those of most interest
summaries of those of most interest
to inform pastors and delegates.
to inform pastors and delegates.
Officers & Leadership Requirements
Officers & Leadership Requirements
A local church can add officers to the
A local church can add officers to the
existing list of those needing to meet
existing list of those needing to meet
leadership requirements (¶ 552:3).
leadership requirements (¶ 552:3).
Officers & Leadership Requirements
Officers & Leadership Requirements
A local church can
A local church can
add officers to the
add officers to the
existing list of
existing list of
those needing to
those needing to
meet leadership
meet leadership
requirements.
requirements.
A church could
A church could
add officers to the
add officers to the
list if they desire
list if they desire
(i.e. Sunday
(i.e. Sunday
school teacher,
school teacher,
youth sponsor,
youth sponsor,
worship leader)
worship leader)
Annual Budget
Annual Budget
Authority for the annual budget will
Authority for the annual budget will
be delegated to the local board
be delegated to the local board
(¶ 782:28).
(¶ 782:28).
(Previous practice was that local
(Previous practice was that local
church conference had authority
church conference had authority
unless it had delegated to board).
unless it had delegated to board).
Trustees
Trustees
The local board will serve as a board
The local board will serve as a board
of trustees or designate 3-7 board
of trustees or designate 3-7 board
members to serve as trustees (¶ 850)
members to serve as trustees (¶ 850)
Local Board of Administration
Local Board of Administration
Changes
Changes
requirement
requirement
of monthly
of monthly
meeting to at least once per quarter
meeting to at least once per quarter
(¶ 760).
(¶ 760).
(A board could still meet
(A board could still meet
monthly if it chose to do so)
monthly if it chose to do so)
Nominating Committee
Nominating Committee
The Local board elects the Nominating
The Local board elects the Nominating
Committee. Two members should be
Committee. Two members should be
elected from the local board and two or
elected from the local board and two or
more that non board members.
more that non board members.
(¶ 782:20).
(¶ 782:20).
Membership Reaffirmation
Membership Reaffirmation
The annual reaffirmation process is now
The annual reaffirmation process is now
optional - each church can determine if it
optional - each church can determine if it
would be helpful in their context. (¶.593)
would be helpful in their context. (¶.593)
Pastoral Votes
Pastoral Votes
The initial vote for a pastor and all
The initial vote for a pastor and all
subsequent pastoral votes will be for an
subsequent pastoral votes will be for an
extended call. (4 years / evaluation / vote
extended call. (4 years / evaluation / vote
on continuing call or sending to church for a
on continuing call or sending to church for a
congregational vote ¶ 705:1, ¶ 720:2).
congregational vote ¶ 705:1, ¶ 720:2).
Property Fund Restrictions
Property Fund Restrictions
When property is sold, a greater
When property is sold, a greater
amount of proceeds is eligible to be
amount of proceeds is eligible to be
used for non-property needs. (¶ 4735)
used for non-property needs. (¶ 4735)
(Missions/GP; technology upgrades, etc.)
(Missions/GP; technology upgrades, etc.)
Pastoral Vote
Pastoral Vote
A pastoral vote with less than a
A pastoral vote with less than a
two-thirds majority would require
two-thirds majority would require
approval of the district board (¶ 692:4)
approval of the district board (¶ 692:4)
(previously “favorable vote by majority”)
(previously “favorable vote by majority”)
Financial Plan Restructure
Financial Plan Restructure
The funding model for the denomination
The funding model for the denomination
has been restructured to assure that
has been restructured to assure that
funds will be available to allow for
funds will be available to allow for
planting churches. It also contains a
planting churches. It also contains a
recommendation that no church be asked
recommendation that no church be asked
to send/share more than 10%. (¶.1991)
to send/share more than 10%. (¶.1991)
Local Church Officers and Committees
Local Church Officers and Committees
Significant reduction of the list of
Significant reduction of the list of
required
required
officers, boards, and
officers, boards, and
committees. A local church is free to
committees. A local church is free to
elect additional committees and officers
elect additional committees and officers
as they feel necessary (¶ 800).
as they feel necessary (¶ 800).
Multiple Memorials Regarding Fidelity
Multiple Memorials Regarding Fidelity
The General Conference voted that a study
The General Conference voted that a study
committee be formed to report back to the
committee be formed to report back to the
General Board within one year. The
General Board within one year. The
committee would include members from
committee would include members from
each district that submitted memorials
each district that submitted memorials
regarding fidelity.
regarding fidelity.
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
We affirm our deep commitment to our core
We affirm our deep commitment to our core
mission of evangelizing the lost, discipling
mission of evangelizing the lost, discipling
believers, equipping the Church, and ministering
believers, equipping the Church, and ministering
to society. This mission is foundational as we
to society. This mission is foundational as we
seek to be agents of the hope and holiness of
seek to be agents of the hope and holiness of
Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ.
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
In order to establish our determination to remain
In order to establish our determination to remain
faithful to our guiding principles, the General
faithful to our guiding principles, the General
Conference unanimously adopted the following
Conference unanimously adopted the following
statement of affirmation
statement of affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
Unprecedented times is a term often used to
Unprecedented times is a term often used to
accurately describe our current reality. The
accurately describe our current reality. The
Covid-19 pandemic has upended many things
Covid-19 pandemic has upended many things
we have taken for granted for decades. Coupled
we have taken for granted for decades. Coupled
with the ever-shifting sands of our culture
with the ever-shifting sands of our culture
on the social and political issues of our time,
on the social and political issues of our time,
uneasiness, and a sense of angst hover in the air.
uneasiness, and a sense of angst hover in the air.
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
Changes thrust on us have raised questions and
Changes thrust on us have raised questions and
perhaps even fears and apprehension as we
perhaps even fears and apprehension as we
attempt to navigate the shifting landscape.
attempt to navigate the shifting landscape.
More than once we have asked, “What next?”
More than once we have asked, “What next?”
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
Our General Superintendent, General Board,
Our General Superintendent, General Board,
General Conference, district superintendents,
General Conference, district superintendents,
and the presidents and board chairs of our
and the presidents and board chairs of our
college and universities, have prayed,
college and universities, have prayed,
discussed, and reasoned together on these
discussed, and reasoned together on these
matters and unanimously approved the
matters and unanimously approved the
following statement of affirmation:
following statement of affirmation:
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
“We hereby declare that we remain deeply
“We hereby declare that we remain deeply
committed to proclaim, defend, and hold each
committed to proclaim, defend, and hold each
other accountable for the historic and orthodox
other accountable for the historic and orthodox
doctrinal positions of The Wesleyan Church as
doctrinal positions of The Wesleyan Church as
presented in our Articles of Religion, and
presented in our Articles of Religion, and
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
We hereby affirm our full and ongoing support
We hereby affirm our full and ongoing support
for the official Position Papers on the social
for the official Position Papers on the social
issues of our time including our commitments:
issues of our time including our commitments:
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
1.
1.
To affirm that persons of all races are
To affirm that persons of all races are
created equal in the image of God and are
created equal in the image of God and are
entitled to equal justice under the law.
entitled to equal justice under the law.
2.
2.
To affirm the sanctity of life and that all life is
To affirm the sanctity of life and that all life is
sacred from conception to death.
sacred from conception to death.
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
3.
3.
To affirm that God’s only design for marriage
To affirm that God’s only design for marriage
is between one man and one woman.
is between one man and one woman.
4.
4.
To affirm that religious freedom is a liberty
To affirm that religious freedom is a liberty
essential for our pluralistic democracy.”
essential for our pluralistic democracy.”
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
Loyalty has not changed. Love still thrives.
Loyalty has not changed. Love still thrives.
Commitment remains strong. The core is solid.
Commitment remains strong. The core is solid.
While commitment to our understanding of Biblical
While commitment to our understanding of Biblical
truth is unwavering, we do understand that there
truth is unwavering, we do understand that there
are other points of view on a range of social
are other points of view on a range of social
issues. There is room for courteous dialog on
issues. There is room for courteous dialog on
these issues within the boundaries of Biblical truth.
these issues within the boundaries of Biblical truth.
Statement of Affirmation
Statement of Affirmation
As our leaders, we commit ourselves to pray
As our leaders, we commit ourselves to pray
earnestly for the power of the Father, the Son,
earnestly for the power of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Spirit to rest on the ministry of
and the Holy Spirit to rest on the ministry of
The Wesleyan Church. Our deep passion is to
The Wesleyan Church. Our deep passion is to
be agents of both grace and truth in this
be agents of both grace and truth in this
time and place in history.
time and place in history.
Key updates impacting local church operations include the ability to add officers meeting leadership requirements, delegation of authority for annual budgets to the local board, changes to monthly meeting requirements, election process for the Nominating Committee, optional membership reaffirmation, and extended call for pastoral votes. These changes aim to streamline processes and enhance church governance.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Several updates received approval that will have an impact on local church operations. Following are summaries of those of most interest to inform pastors and delegates. General Conference 2022
A local church can add officers to the existing list of those needing to meet leadership requirements ( 552:3). Officers & Leadership Requirements
A local church can add officers to the existing list of those needing to meet leadership requirements. A church could add officers to the list if they desire (i.e. Sunday school teacher, youth sponsor, worship leader) Officers & Leadership Requirements
Authority for the annual budget will be delegated to the local board ( 782:28). (Previous practice was that local church conference had authority unless it had delegated to board). Annual Budget
The local board will serve as a board of trustees or designate 3-7 board members to serve as trustees ( 850) Trustees
Changes requirement of monthly meeting to at least once per quarter ( 760). (A board could still meet monthly if it chose to do so) Local Board of Administration
The Local board elects the Nominating Committee. Two members should be elected from the local board and two or more that non board members. ( 782:20). Nominating Committee
The annual reaffirmation process is now optional - each church can determine if it would be helpful in their context. ( .593) Membership Reaffirmation
The initial vote for a pastor and all subsequent pastoral votes will be for an extended call. (4 years / evaluation / vote on continuing call or sending to church for a congregational vote 705:1, 720:2). Pastoral Votes
When property is sold, a greater amount of proceeds is eligible to be used for non-property needs. ( 4735) (Missions/GP; technology upgrades, etc.) Property Fund Restrictions
A pastoral vote with less than a two-thirds majority would require approval of the district board ( 692:4) (previously favorable vote by majority ) Pastoral Vote
The funding model for the denomination has been restructured to assure that funds will be available to allow for planting churches. It also contains a recommendation that no church be asked to send/share more than 10%. ( .1991) Financial Plan Restructure
Significant reduction of the list of required officers, boards, and committees. A local church is free to elect additional committees and officers as they feel necessary ( 800). Local Church Officers and Committees
The General Conference voted that a study committee be formed to report back to the General Board within one year. The committee would include members from each district that submitted memorials regarding fidelity. Multiple Memorials Regarding Fidelity
We affirm our deep commitment to our core mission of evangelizing the lost, discipling believers, equipping the Church, and ministering to society. This mission is foundational as we seek to be agents of the hope and holiness of Jesus Christ. Statement of Affirmation
In order to establish our determination to remain faithful to our guiding principles, the General Conference unanimously adopted the following statement of affirmation Statement of Affirmation
Unprecedented times is a term often used to accurately describe our current reality. The Covid-19 pandemic has upended many things we have taken for granted for decades. Coupled with the ever-shifting sands of our culture on the social and political issues of our time, uneasiness, and a sense of angst hover in the air. Statement of Affirmation
Changes thrust on us have raised questions and perhaps even fears and apprehension as we attempt to navigate the shifting landscape. More than once we have asked, What next? Statement of Affirmation
Our General Superintendent, General Board, General Conference, district superintendents, and the presidents and board chairs of our college and universities, have prayed, discussed, and reasoned together on these matters and unanimously approved the following statement of affirmation: Statement of Affirmation
We hereby declare that we remain deeply committed to proclaim, defend, and hold each other accountable for the historic and orthodox doctrinal positions of The Wesleyan Church as presented in our Articles of Religion, and Statement of Affirmation
We hereby affirm our full and ongoing support for the official Position Papers on the social issues of our time including our commitments: Statement of Affirmation
1. To affirm that persons of all races are created equal in the image of God and are entitled to equal justice under the law. 2. To affirm the sanctity of life and that all life is sacred from conception to death. Statement of Affirmation
3. To affirm that Gods only design for marriage is between one man and one woman. 4. To affirm that religious freedom is a liberty essential for our pluralistic democracy. Statement of Affirmation
Loyalty has not changed. Love still thrives. Commitment remains strong. The core is solid. While commitment to our understanding of Biblical truth is unwavering, we do understand that there are other points of view on a range of social issues. There is room for courteous dialog on these issues within the boundaries of Biblical truth. Statement of Affirmation
As our leaders, we commit ourselves to pray earnestly for the power of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to rest on the ministry of The Wesleyan Church. Our deep passion is to be agents of both grace and truth in this time and place in history. Statement of Affirmation
