1996 Book of Discipline: Paragraph 258| General Conference 2000

¶ 258. Program Agencies--The ministries of the local church are implemented through the encounter of persons with God's redeeming love for the world and with his action in the world. To achieve this ministry, persons are involved in age-level or family groupings. Usually a variety of settings is essential. Some will be formed by the church council. Others will emerge with the approval of this body. Another type is historical, expressing itself in organizational structures that are related to counterparts in annual conferences and the general Church. These are referred to as program agencies and are related to the church council.

1. The Church School--In each local church there shall be a church school for the purpose of accomplishing the church's educational ministry.

The church school is challenged to nurture the skills of social interaction in keeping with our Christian tradition. Beginning in their early years, children should be nurtured to develop the attitudes and skills that enable them to seek nonviolent solutions. As an integral part of the curriculum, church schools shall teach the skills and practice of nonviolence as a powerful witness to Christian faith and an effective strategy for conflict resolution.

2. Youth Ministry--The term youth ministry is an inclusive title, encompassing all the concerns of the Church and all activities by, with, and for youth. The youth ministry of The United Methodist Church shall include all persons from approximately twelve through eighteen years of age (generally persons in the seventh grade through the twelfth grade, taking into account the grouping of youth in the public schools), who are currently or potentially associated with the church or any of its activities. Youth who are full members of the church have all rights and responsibilities of church membership except voting on matters prohibited by state law. (See ¶ 227.5.)

a) The coordinator of youth ministries and the youth council, when organized, shall be responsible for recommending to the church council activities, program emphases, and settings for youth. The coordinator and council shall use available resources and means to inform youth concerning the Youth Service Fund and shall cultivate its support; provided that prior to this cultivation or as a part of it, the youth shall have been challenged to assume their financial responsibilities in connection with the total program and budget of the local church.

b) The local church may designate one of its settings as the United Methodist Youth Fellowship.

c) The local church may designate the Scouting ministry as one of its settings and elect a coordinator of Scouting ministry who would be responsible for upholding the quality of these programs.

3. United Methodist Women--In every local church there shall be an organized unit of United Methodist Women. The following is the authorized constitution:

Article 1. Name--The name of this organization shall be United Methodist Women.

Article 2. Relationships--The unit of United Methodist Women in the local church is directly related to the district and conference organizations of United Methodist Women and to the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.

Article 3. Purpose--The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the Church.

Article 4. Membership--Membership shall be open to any woman who indicates her desire to belong and to participate in the global mission of the Church through United Methodist Women. The pastor(s) shall be an ex officio member of the local unit and of its executive committee.

Article 5. Officers and Committees--The local unit shall elect a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a committee on nominations. Additional officers and committees shall be elected or appointed as needed, in accordance with the plans of the Women's Division as set forth in the bylaws for the local unit of United Methodist Women.

Article 6. Funds--a) The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall secure funds for the fulfillment of its purpose.

b) All funds from whatever source secured by the unit of United Methodist Women belong to the organization and shall be disbursed only in accordance with its constitution and by its order.

c) The total budget secured and administered by the organized unit in the local church shall include: (1) pledges and other money for the programs and responsibilities of the Women's Division to be directed through regular channels of finance of United Methodist Women; and (2) funds to be used in mission locally, which shall include amounts for administration and membership development.

d) The organized unit in the local church shall make an annual pledge to the total budget of the district or conference organization of United Methodist Women.

e) All undesignated funds channeled to the Women's Division shall be appropriated by the division.

Article 7. Meetings--The organized unit in the local church shall hold such meetings for implementing the purpose and transacting its business as the unit itself shall decide.

Article 8. Relationship in the Local Church--The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall encourage all women to participate in the total life and work of the Church and shall support them in assuming positions of responsibility and leadership.

Article 9. Amendments--Proposed amendments to this constitution may be sent to the recording secretary of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries before the last annual meeting of the division in the quadrennium.

Note: For a description of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries and its subsidiary organizations, see ¶¶ 1317{@-}1325.



	1996 Discipline ¶ 258
	¶ 258. Program Agencies--The ministries of the local church are implemented through the encounter of persons with God's redeeming love for the world and with his action in the world. To achieve this ministry, persons are involved in age-level or family groupings. Usually a variety of settings is essential. Some will be formed by the church council. Others will emerge with the approval of this body. Another type is historical, expressing itself in organizational structures that are related to counterparts in annual conferences and the general Church. These are referred to as program agencies and are related to the church council. `1. The Church School--In each local church there shall be a church school for the purpose of accomplishing the church's educational ministry.` `The church school is challenged to nurture the skills of social interaction in keeping with our Christian tradition. Beginning in their early years, children should be nurtured to develop the attitudes and skills that enable them to seek nonviolent solutions. As an integral part of the curriculum, church schools shall teach the skills and practice of nonviolence as a powerful witness to Christian faith and an effective strategy for conflict resolution.` 2. Youth Ministry--The term youth ministry is an inclusive title, encompassing all the concerns of the Church and all activities by, with, and for youth. The youth ministry of The United Methodist Church shall include all persons from approximately twelve through eighteen years of age (generally persons in the seventh grade through the twelfth grade, taking into account the grouping of youth in the public schools), who are currently or potentially associated with the church or any of its activities. Youth who are full members of the church have all rights and responsibilities of church membership except voting on matters prohibited by state law. (See ¶ 227.5.) a) The coordinator of youth ministries and the youth council, when organized, shall be responsible for recommending to the church council activities, program emphases, and settings for youth. The coordinator and council shall use available resources and means to inform youth concerning the Youth Service Fund and shall cultivate its support; provided that prior to this cultivation or as a part of it, the youth shall have been challenged to assume their financial responsibilities in connection with the total program and budget of the local church. `b) The local church may designate one of its settings as the United Methodist Youth Fellowship.` `c) The local church may designate the Scouting ministry as one of its settings and elect a coordinator of Scouting ministry who would be responsible for upholding the quality of these programs.` `3. United Methodist Women--In every local church there shall be an organized unit of United Methodist Women. The following is the authorized constitution:` `Article 1. Name--The name of this organization shall be United Methodist Women.` `Article 2. Relationships--The unit of United Methodist Women in the local church is directly related to the district and conference organizations of United Methodist Women and to the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church.` `Article 3. Purpose--The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the Church.` `Article 4. Membership--Membership shall be open to any woman who indicates her desire to belong and to participate in the global mission of the Church through United Methodist Women. The pastor(s) shall be an ex officio member of the local unit and of its executive committee.` `Article 5. Officers and Committees--The local unit shall elect a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and a committee on nominations. Additional officers and committees shall be elected or appointed as needed, in accordance with the plans of the Women's Division as set forth in the bylaws for the local unit of United Methodist Women.` `Article 6. Funds--a) The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall secure funds for the fulfillment of its purpose.` `b) All funds from whatever source secured by the unit of United Methodist Women belong to the organization and shall be disbursed only in accordance with its constitution and by its order.` `c) The total budget secured and administered by the organized unit in the local church shall include: (1) pledges and other money for the programs and responsibilities of the Women's Division to be directed through regular channels of finance of United Methodist Women; and (2) funds to be used in mission locally, which shall include amounts for administration and membership development.` `d) The organized unit in the local church shall make an annual pledge to the total budget of the district or conference organization of United Methodist Women.` `e) All undesignated funds channeled to the Women's Division shall be appropriated by the division.` `Article 7. Meetings--The organized unit in the local church shall hold such meetings for implementing the purpose and transacting its business as the unit itself shall decide.` `Article 8. Relationship in the Local Church--The organized unit of United Methodist Women shall encourage all women to participate in the total life and work of the Church and shall support them in assuming positions of responsibility and leadership.` `Article 9. Amendments--Proposed amendments to this constitution may be sent to the recording secretary of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries before the last annual meeting of the division in the quadrennium.` `Note: For a description of the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries and its subsidiary organizations, see ¶¶ 1317{@-}1325.`
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1996 Discipline ¶ 258