1996 Book of Discipline: Paragraph 324| General Conference 2000

ADMISSION AND CONTINUANCE OF FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

¶ 324. Elders in Full Connection--Elders in full connection with an annual conference by virtue of their election and ordination are bound in special covenant with all the ordained elders of the annual conference. In the keeping of this covenant they perform the ministerial duties and maintain the ministerial standards established by those in the covenant. They offer themselves without reserve to be appointed and to serve, after consultation, as the appointive authority may determine. They live with all other ordained ministers in mutual trust and concern and seek with them the sanctification of the fellowship. By entering into the covenant, they accept and subject themselves to the process of clergy discipline, including serving on committees on investigation, trial courts, or appellate committees. Only those shall be elected to full membership who are of unquestionable moral character and genuine piety, sound in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, and faithful in the discharge of their duties.⁴ There shall be an annual meeting of this covenant body in executive session of clergy members in full connection with the annual conference, including both deacons and elders, at the site of the regular session of the annual conference to consider questions relating to matters of ordination, character, and conference relations (¶¶ 605.6, 633.2).⁵

[FTN] 4. See Judicial Council Decisions 406, 534, 552, 555.]

[FTN] 5. See Judicial Council Decisions 42, 406, 534, 555, 686, 690.

A special session of the annual conference may be held at such time and at such place as the bishop shall determine after consultation with the cabinet and the executive committee of the board of ordained ministry. A special clergy session shall have only such powers as stated in the call.

A probationary member of the annual conference who has completed the requirements for Elder's Orders and admission into full membership shall be eligible for election to full membership and ordination as elder by a bishop. The ordaining bishop may invite other elders and laity to be a part of the laying on of hands.



	1996 Discipline ¶ 324
	`ADMISSION AND CONTINUANCE OF FULL MEMBERSHIP IN THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE` ¶ 324. Elders in Full Connection--Elders in full connection with an annual conference by virtue of their election and ordination are bound in special covenant with all the ordained elders of the annual conference. In the keeping of this covenant they perform the ministerial duties and maintain the ministerial standards established by those in the covenant. They offer themselves without reserve to be appointed and to serve, after consultation, as the appointive authority may determine. They live with all other ordained ministers in mutual trust and concern and seek with them the sanctification of the fellowship. By entering into the covenant, they accept and subject themselves to the process of clergy discipline, including serving on committees on investigation, trial courts, or appellate committees. Only those shall be elected to full membership who are of unquestionable moral character and genuine piety, sound in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, and faithful in the discharge of their duties.⁴ There shall be an annual meeting of this covenant body in executive session of clergy members in full connection with the annual conference, including both deacons and elders, at the site of the regular session of the annual conference to consider questions relating to matters of ordination, character, and conference relations (¶¶ 605.6, 633.2).⁵ `[FTN] 4. See Judicial Council Decisions 406, 534, 552, 555.]` `[FTN] 5. See Judicial Council Decisions 42, 406, 534, 555, 686, 690.` `A special session of the annual conference may be held at such time and at such place as the bishop shall determine after consultation with the cabinet and the executive committee of the board of ordained ministry. A special clergy session shall have only such powers as stated in the call.` `A probationary member of the annual conference who has completed the requirements for Elder's Orders and admission into full membership shall be eligible for election to full membership and ordination as elder by a bishop. The ordaining bishop may invite other elders and laity to be a part of the laying on of hands.`
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1996 Discipline ¶ 324