Incorporated local church propertysale, transfer, lease, or mortgageany real property owned by or in which an incorporated local church has any interest may be sold, transferred, leased for a term of one year or more which shall include leases for less than one year if such a lease is consecutive with the same lessee to a nonunited methodist church or ministry, or mortgaged. The book of discipline is not just about about rules of what it means to be united methodists. It follows similar works for its predecessor denominations. The book of discipline of the united methodist church. The purposes for establishing such a committee include the responsibilities to. Click on the images below to access an online version of. Only those shall be elected to full membership who are of unquestionable moral character and genuine piety, sound in the fundamental doctrines of. Prior to pastor and district superintendent approval. Building requirements 2012 book of discipline paragraph 2544 the book of discipline of the united methodist church 2012 outlines the planning and financing requirements for local church building, if the church desires to build, purchase or remodel a church, educational building or parsonage.
Except in conveyances that require that the real property so conveyed shall revert to the grantor if and when its use as a place of divine worship has been terminated, all written instruments of conveyance by which premises are held or hereafter acquired for use as a place of divine worship or other activities for members of the united methodist church shall. Chris dowd, chair senior pastor, first umc sherman o rev. Discontinuation or abandonment of a local united methodist church in many ways are taskoriented procedures. A clear and detailed threetofiveyear redevelopment plan that projects a selfsupporting ministry must accompany the request. 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 selling, transferring, leasing and mortgaging real property. Checklist, discontinuation or abandonment of local church. At no cost, you may view an online version of the 2016 book of discipline and or book of resolutions 2016. A surviving spouse andor dependent of an active clergy member. The book of discipline of the united methodist church, 2016. Moreover, its historic and present instructions and guidance are to help guide anyone that is a member of united methodism about living in true discipleship of jesus christ.
The basic unit in the book of discipline is the paragraph. Every four years, delegates to general conference vote on changes to both books. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 20. Click on the images below to access an online version of the 2012 book of discipline from abingdon press. What does the united methodist churchs book of discipline. Visit cokesbury now to read the full free version today. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2008 kindle edition by no author. 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. The book of discipline 2012, part ii by abingdon press issuu. The book of discipline of the united methodist church outlines denominational law, doctrine, administration, organizational work and procedures. These changes were tied to a constitutional amendment on paragraph 50 of the constitution that was passed by the 2016 general conference and subsequently ratified. Proposal requirement for loans church refinancing existing.
The book of discipline and the um handbook mississippi umc. Cokesbury has now made available a free online edition of the book of discipline, 2016 edition, limited to view and search capabilities. Purposethe church council shall provide for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local church. The articles of religion are here reprinted from the discipline of 1808 when the first restrictive rule took effect, collated against wesleys original text in the sunday service of the methodists 1784. Be it further resolved that pursuant to paragraph 2540 of the 2016 united methodist book of discipline, that the chairperson of the mississippi river district trustees, along with one representative designated by the. Therefore, 349 370 in the 2012 discipline will decrease by one number in the 2016 discipline. Paragraph 2543 of the 2016 book of discipline states that in specially designated instances the church could request the bishop and cabinet to grant an exemption to provide for congregational redevelopment efforts. Book of discipline of the united methodist church2016 2544 planning and financing requirements for local church buildings 1. The book of resolutions contains pronouncements on social issues. First select either book of discipline or book of resolutions from the first dropdown menu. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2008. Umc book of discipline on campus ministry paragraph 634.
Sale of a parsonage the book of discipline of the united. Bom retirement information if you are planning to seek any of these status changes at the next annual conference session, the board of ordained ministry reminds you to be mindful of the deadlines stated in the 2016 book of discipline. The social principles call all united methodists not only to make a difference in the world and to live differently in the world but also and as urgently to build a different kind. Book of discipline update for on ordained ministry and of. Then select the paragraph or resolution number from the second dropdown menu. Part v organization and administration chapter six church property section i. Paragraph 2 task force report on discontinuation key.
When a proposal is complete, a request may be processed for consideration by the board via email. A local pastor who has been recognized as a retired local pastor in accordance 320. Use this search to find petitions that relate to a particular discipline paragraph or resolution number. The united methodist publishing house nashville, tennessee. The book of discipline 2016 free edition the northwest. The book of discipline of the united methodist church is the product of over. It shall also provide for the administration of its organization and temporal life.
If a loan is needed, the local church shall comply with the provisions of 2540 or 2541. Bom retirement information missouri conference of the umc. Proposal requirements to lease church sanctuary, education. Do the restrictions on proceeds of mortgage or sale of real property on which a church building or parsonage is located, as found in paragraph 2542 of the 1988 book of discipline and in previous editions of the book of discipline apply only to the board of trustees of a local church or charge during the time that particular local church. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 202016, part i.
Who determines what staff positions are required in the local church. When the charge conference appoints a building committee, it is recommended that the minister and spouse be exofficio members of the committee. View the latest updates to the 2016 book of discipline. Paragraph 2540 unincorporated local church property. Discontinuation and abandonment under 2548 of the 2000 book of discipline are the churchs official processes for closing or removing a local church as a charge. The discipline as the instrument for setting forth the laws, plan, polity, and process by which united methodists govern themselves remains constant.
The editors, in the exercise of their judgment, shall have the authority to make changes in wording as may be necessary to. Under the discipline of the holy spirit the church seeks to provide for the maintenance of worship, the education of believers. It is the redeemed and redeeming fellowship in which the word of god is preached by persons divinely called, and the sacraments are duly administered according to christs own appointment. The united methodist handbook the handbook is among the best resources for laity providing leadership, people new to the united methodist church and clergy who occasionally get stumped by a question. Paragraph 2543 of the 2016 book of discipline states that in specifically designated instances the church could request the bishop and cabinet to grant an exemption to provide for congregational redevelopment efforts. This pamphlet gathers together the most frequently asked of these questions with related sections of the book of discipline of the united methodist church, 2012. The book of discipline 2016 free edition northwest plains district.
The parsonage family, having lived in a number of parsonages, has valuable knowledge that will aid the committee in making choices. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2016 paragraph 2534 2534. Judicial council decisions search the united methodist church. Section 3our doctrinal standards and general rules the articles of religion of the methodist church 3 bibliographical note. 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. The united methodist publishing house september 14, 2018 a new edition of the book of discipline 2016 errata is now available which includes changes to paragraphs 408. It was originally published in 1784, in the methodist episcopal church, and has been published every four years thereafter following the meeting of the general conference, which passes legislation that is included in the book of discipline. The book of discipline constitutes the law and doctrine of the united methodist church. An online version of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions, 2016 are offered on the cokesbury web site for free.
No attempt is made here to interpret these paragraphs or to offer advice related to any specific situation. Discipleship ministries what does the umcs book of. At no cost, you may view an online version of the 2016 book of discipline andor book of resolutions 2016. The fulfillment of ministry through the united methodist church. Top 25 ways united methodists dont uphold the book of discipline. How book of discipline comes to be united methodist. The church is a community of all true believers under the lordship of christ. 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. An online version of the book of discipline and the book of resolutions, 2016 are offered on the. If a local church in a nonurban center is closed, any proceeds of the sale of its property may be used for new churches, new faith communities, new missional initiatives, relocating churches, churches building multicampus facilities for the purpose of evangelistic church extension, or an organization that is a nonprofit and has values. Conference in session june 46, 2017, the ministry of new valley united methodist church be discontinued effective june 30, 2017.
The book of discipline of the united methodist church, 2012. 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. Permanent endowment and planned giving ministry committee a charge conference may establish a local church permanent endowment and planned giving ministry committee. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of discipline of the united methodist church 2008. The social principles are a resource for mission and ministry for united methodists across the globe. Lay servant ministries proposed legislation was adopted at 2016 general conference there were several proposed legislative petitions addressing paragraphs 266271 of the book of discipline submitted to the 2016 general conference by the discipleship ministries board of directors. Discipleship ministries lay servant ministries proposed. The book of discipline of the united methodist church 2016. If otherwise qualified, voluntary retirement with 40 years service or attainment of age 65 358. Local church property sale, transfer, lease and mortgage. Paragraph 2 of the 2012 united methodist book of discipline describes a foundational process of discovering a congregations identity and mission field. Since every congregation is located in a community in some type of transition, every local church is encouraged to study their congregations.