The book of discipline reflects united methodists understanding of the church and outlines what is expected of the united methodist churchs laity and clergy. Numbers in parentheses refer to paragraphs in the 2016 book of discipline. In current church law, the basic principles are set forth in paragraph 2501 of the book of discipline. Its purview includes protection and preservation of church property and maintaining. The eastern pa conference board of trustees united methodist book of discipline, 2512,18 oversees all properties of the conference, including the. The book of discipline of the united methodist church. These will replace the corresponding portions printed in the 2016 book of discipline, and should be used when preparing petitions to the 2020 general conference. You should obtain a current copy from your pastor or from cokesbury phone 18006721789.
Book of discipline of the united methodist church par. At no cost, you may view an online version of the 2016 book of discipline andor book of resolutions 2016. The book of discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over two hundred years of the general conferences of the denominations that now form the united methodist church. Visit cokesbury now to read the full free version today. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2016. General provisions see attachment 2 for definitions a. The discipline as the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which united methodists govern themselves remains constant. The book of discipline provided that property shall be held in trust for the national church and subject to the provisions of its discipline. The local church board of trustees is an important part of the local church. In each pastoral charge consisting of one local church, there shall be a board of trustees, consisting of not fewer than three nor more than nine persons, and it is recommended that at least onethird be laywomen and that at least onethird be laymen. At least onethird of the trustees shall be from each gender, and twothirds must be members of the united methodist church. It provides a definitive view of the united methodist church by detailing the laws, plans, polity, and processes by which the united methodist church governs itself.
The book of discipline clearly indicates that all local church property, not just real estate, is held in trust for the united methodist church. Additional reports should be made as requested by the charge conference or church council or equivalent. Much of the work of the trustees is governed by specific requirements of the book of discipline of the united methodist church. Methodist church describes, among other things, the ministry of all united.
Guide the work of the board of trustees throughout the year, planning. This is one of the twentysix guidelines for leading your congregation 20172020 that cover. The united methodist book of discipline, 2008, 2532. The trustees together have several legal and administrative functions. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 20. Subject to the direction of the charge conference, the board of trustees shall have the supervision, oversight, and care of all real property owned by the local church and of all property and equipment acquired directly by the local church or by any society. The book of discipline of the united methodist church describes the specific responsibilities of board, committees, and work areas. According to the 2008 book of discipline of the united methodist church book of discipline, the board of trustees shall have the supervision, oversight, and care of all real property owned by. Sale of a parsonage the book of discipline of the united. The book of discipline 2016 free edition the northwest. Full text of book of discipline african methodist episcopal church 1920 see other formats. The term trustees as used in the book of discipline of the united methodist church may be construed to be synonymous with director of corporations when required to comply with law. The responsibilities of trustees in congregations often involves legal understanding and compliance with local, state and even federal law regarding property, bequests and foundations.
Paragraph 2543 of the 2016 book of discipline states that in specially designated instances the church. Conference trustees eastern pa conference of the umc. This guideline is intended to be a guide as you begin fulfilling your responsibilities, and a reference throughout your tenure as trustee. To supervise and maintain all property belonging to main street united methodist church so that the ministries of the congregation can be effective. Local church purchase of real property checklist, 2000. United methodist local church committee and officer. Olivia poole, june carpenter, todd burke term expiring 2020.
The book of discipline of the united methodist church, part i. The board of trustees will elect their own chair person. Being a trustee of your local church is an important role and one in which you can take great pleasure. All titles in trust 2501 titles to properties 2502 use of the name methodist or united methodist 2503 trust clauses and deeds 2504 effect of union 2505 oil, gas, and mineral leases. Part v organization and administration chapter six church property section i. Its responsibilities are varied and subject to the direction of the charge conference. The board of trustees always needs to work with a local attorney and a real estate broker, appraiser, title company, etc.
View the latest updates to the 2016 book of discipline. Stewards and trustees fifth episcopal district lay. The book of discipline of the ame church, 2012, pages 6162. Petition for declaratory decision from the council. Local united kentucky annual conference theme methodist. From a practical perspective, held in trust means the denomination has a right to succeed to the title of local church property. The board of trustees usually oversees the contractual negotiations and details. Larry bryars, allen bell, sue bell cobb term expiring 2021. Generally, annual conferences require bonding of trustees and provide a means for such action. All properties of united methodist local churches and other united methodist agencies and institutions are held, in trust, for the benefit of the entire denomination, and ownership and usage of church property is subject to the discipline.
An online version of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions, 2016 are offered on the cokesbury web site for free. Local church board of trustees organization and membership. The book of discipline of the united methodist church, 2016. A provision in the book of discipline allows for up to onethird of the trustees to be nonmembers of your church. The united methodist book of discipline requires certain committees to exist, but it allows the leadership team to function as those committees if the membership of the required committees is satisfied within the leadership team. This includes the responsibilities and duties of the board of trustees see 1992 book of discipline par. For instance, the book of discipline requires the trustees to have a minimum of three members. Presented below are the basics how the board is organized. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 202016. The book editor, the secretary of the general conference, the publisher of the united methodist church, and the committee on correlation and editorial revision shall be charged with editing the book of discipline. According to the book of discipline, the board of trustees shall consist of no less than three persons and no more than nine persons.
There shall be a committee on finance, elected annually by the charge conference upon recommendation by the committee on nominations and leadership development or from the floor, composed of the chairperson. Your role as trustee is governed by the book of discipline. Trustees shall be of legal age as defined by law, and 23 shall be professing members of the united methodist church. Cokesbury has now made available a free online edition of the book of discipline, 2016 edition, limited to view and. Trustees agreedisagree to the sale of the parsonage in trustee meeting. The action of the 2019 general conference affected the following portions of the book of discipline. Book of discipline addendum and errata december 2019. No pastor is a voting member unless elected as a member. The term trustees as used in the book of discipline of the united methodist church may be construed to be synonymous with director of corporations when. The discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over 200 years of the general conferences of the denominations that now form the united methodist church. The board of trustees responsibility of helping has the major a local congregation fulfills its mission to the community and to the world by supervising and maintain all property belonging to the congregation so the ministries of ing. Local church property sale, transfer, lease and mortgage.
The new text of each paragraph or subparagraph is printed below. Local church property sale, transfer, lease and mortgage checklist 2000 book of discipline requirements1 september 2000 the following checklist has been developed to assist the local church in following the disciplinary provisions when. The editors, in the exercise of their judgment, shall have the authority to make changes in wording as may be necessary to. Ds responds and asks trustees to make a presentation about the possible sale during trustee meeting. Beloved brethren, we deem it necessary to annex to our book of discipline, a brief statement of our rise and progress, which we hope will be satisfactory, and conducive to your edification and growth in the knowledge of our lord jesus christ. The board of trustees will accomplish preventative maintenance on all facilitiesequipment, perform needed repairsservice, and procure quotes for large repairsremodels, monitorassist contractors, architects, and. There may be a person who is involved in your congregation, not yet a member, who would make a good trustee. Local church board of trustees qualificationsin each pastoral charge consisting of one local church, there shall be a board of trustees, consisting of not fewer than three nor more than nine persons, and it is recommended that at least onethird be laywomen and that at least. Others may serve as a parsonage committee, while others could see to other needs church van, other buildings, etc. The audit shall be conducted for the purpose of reasonably verifying the reliability of financial reporting, determining whether assets are being safeguarded, and determining compliance with local law, local church policies and procedures, and the book of discipline. The board of trustees may also want to have one or more members give special attention to the nursery to give.
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