¶630.3.4.3 Swearing Oaths
As Free Methodists we do not prohibit the taking of an oath when it is required by law. In every case, the Christian must speak in justice and truth (Jeremiah 4:1-2; Matthew 5:33-37; Ephesians 4:25; James 5:12).
The Manual
- FOREWARD
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAPTER 1 – Preamble
- Articles Of Religion: God
- Articles of Religion: The Scriptures
- Articles of Religion: Humankind
- Articles of Religion: Salvation
- Articles of Religion: The Church
- Articles of Religion: Last Things
- Articles of Religion: Scriptural References
- MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP COVENANT
- THE MEMBERSHIP COVENANT
- ¶161 THE QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
- ¶164 TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP*
- CHAPTER 2 THE COMMON CONSTITUTION OF FREE METHODISM: ORGANIZATION
- ¶210 RESTRICTIVE RULES AND METHODS OF AMENDMENT OF THE COMMON CONSTITUTION OF FREE METHODISM
- ¶220 GENERAL CONFERENCES
- ¶221 Provisional General Conferences
- ¶222 New General Conferences
- ¶230 THE WORLD CONFERENCE
- ¶240 Council of Bishops
- ¶250 ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH IN CANADA*
- CHAPTER 3: LOCAL CHURCH ORGANIZATION
- ¶300 INTRODUCTION
- ¶301 NAME
- ¶305 FORMATION OF NEW CHURCHES
- ¶306 AFFILIATION STATUS
- ¶307 MERGERS
- ¶308 THE CLOSURE OF CHURCHES
- ¶310 SOCIETY
- ¶315 SOCIETY MEETINGS
- ¶320 THE ANNUAL MEETING
- ¶325 OFFICIAL BOARD
- ¶330 COMMITTEES
- ¶335 PASTORAL EVALUATION
- ¶340 PASTORAL TRANSITIONS
- ¶350 PROPERTY
- ¶360 FUNDRAISING
- ¶370 INTRODUCTION: ORGANIZING FOR THE MULTIPLICATION OF MINISTRIES
- 370.1 THE IDEA STAGE
- 370. 2 THE CORE FORMATION STAGE
- ¶370.3 NEW CONGREGATION (CHURCH PLANT) STAGE
- ¶370.4 QUESTIONS TO BECOME AN AFFILIATED CONGREGATION
- ¶371 THE SOCIETY
- ¶372 THE OFFICIAL BOARD
- ¶372.1 RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD
- ¶372.2 OFFICERS OF THE OFFICIAL BOARD
- ¶372.2.4 Other Officers
- ¶372.2.5 Access to Donor Information
- ¶373 LOCAL CHURCH COMMITTEES
- ¶373.2 COMMITTEES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
- ¶374 RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE PASTOR AND THE LOCAL CHURCH
- ¶374.4 MULTIPLE STAFF CHURCHES
- ¶374.5 PASTORAL AND STAFF EVALUATION
- ¶374.6 Guidelines for Leaves of Absence Administered by the Local Church
- ¶375 RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE LOCAL CHURCH AND CONFERENCE
- ¶375.2 STAFF ISSUES RELATED TO SENIOR PASTOR TRANSITIONS
- ¶375.3 POLICIES GUIDING CORE AND GIVING STREAMS GIVING
- ¶375.3.1 New Congregation (Church Plant) Projects
- ¶375.3.2 Churches in Affiliate Status
- ¶375.3.3 Churches Applying for Society Status
- ¶375.3.4 Churches Experiencing Financial Challenges Asking for a Period of Grace
- ¶375.4 Policies Guiding Healthy House Church Relationships within the FMCIC
- ¶375.5 Role of the Local Church Delegate
- ¶376 RESOURCES
- ¶380 LOCAL CHURCH FORMS
- CHAPTER 4 GENERAL CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION
- ¶400 INTRODUCTION
- ¶410 SPECIAL REGULATIONS
- ¶415 OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
- ¶420 COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
- ¶420 COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE: Standing Board and Committees
- ¶420 COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE: Nominating Committee
- ¶420 COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE: Study Commission on Doctrine
- ¶420 COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE: Delegate(s) – Free Methodist World Conference
- ¶420 COMMITTEES OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE: Term of Office
- ¶425 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Membership
- ¶425 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Authority and Functions
- ¶425 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Officers of the Corporation (Board of Administration)
- ¶425 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Committees
- ¶425 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Audit Committee
- ¶425 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Management Committee
- ¶425 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: Personnel Team
- ¶430 Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement (MEGaP) Committee: Membership
- ¶430 Ministerial Education Guidance and Placement (MEGaP) Committee: Authority and Function
- ¶435 PROPERTY: Real Property
- ¶440 FUNDING
- ¶440 FUNDING: Core Ministry
- ¶440 FUNDING: Giving Streams
- ¶445 COMPASSION MINISTRIES AND SOCIAL CONCERNS: (ICCM)
- ¶445 COMPASSION MINISTRIES AND SOCIAL CONCERNS: World Relief Fund
- ¶445 COMPASSION MINISTRIES AND SOCIAL CONCERNS: Moral Issues and Social Action
- ¶450 AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
- ¶455 PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
- ¶460A ORGANIZATION CHARTS
- 460 B ORGANIZATION CHART: NETWORKS AND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM CHART
- ¶465 GENERAL CONFERENCE DELEGATE FORM
- CHAPTER 5: CHURCH IN FORMATION, MISSION DISTRICT, ANNUAL CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION
- ¶500 INTRODUCTION
- ¶505 CHURCH IN FORMATION
- ¶510 THE MISSION DISTRICT
- ¶511 MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF THE MISSION DISTRICT
- ¶512 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: MEMBERSHIP
- ¶512 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS
- ¶512 BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION: OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION
- ¶513 MINISTERIAL EDUCATION GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT (MEGAP) COMMITTEE
- ¶513 MINISTERIAL EDUCATION GUIDANCE AND PLACEMENT (MEGAP) COMMITTEE: AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS
- ¶514 NOMINATING COMMITTEE
- ¶515 ROLE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
- ¶516 ROLE OF THE ZONE LEADER
- ¶517 FUNDING
- ¶518 MOVABLE AND IMMOVABLE PROPERTY
- ¶520 PROVISIONAL ANNUAL CONFERENCES
- ¶530 ANNUAL CONFERENCES
- ¶540 PROVISIONAL GENERAL CONFERENCE
- CHAPTER 6: THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY
- ¶600 THE GOAL OF THE CHRISTIAN JOURNEY
- ¶610 THE WAY OF SALVATION
- ¶610.1 GOD’S GRACIOUS INITIATIVE FOR SALVATION
- ¶610.2 AWAKENING TO GOD
- ¶610.3 REPENTANCE AND RESTITUTION
- ¶610.4 TRUST / FAITH
- ¶610.5 Assurance
- ¶610.6 Consecration
- ¶610.7 SANCTIFICATION
- ¶620 GENUINE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER
- ¶620.1 PRAYER
- ¶620.2 STUDY OF THE SCRIPTURES
- ¶620.3 LIFE IN THE CHURCH
- ¶620.4 SERVICE AND MINISTRY
- ¶620.5 Love of Others
- ¶630 CHRISTIAN LIFE IN THE MODERN WORLD
- ¶630.1.1 AS REGARDS GOD: False Worship
- ¶630.1.2 AS REGARDS GOD: The Lord’s Day
- ¶630.1.3 AS REGARDS TO GOD: Divine Healing
- ¶630.1.4 AS REGARDS GOD: Secret Societies
- ¶630.2.1 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Worth of Persons
- ¶630.2.2 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Self Discipline
- ¶630.2.3 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Possessions
- ¶630.2.4 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Life in the Workplace
- ¶630.2.5 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Entertainment
- ¶630.2.6 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Pornography
- ¶630.2.7 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Sexual Intimacy
- ¶630.2.8 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Sanctity of Life
- ¶630.2.8.1 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Reproductive Technology
- ¶630.2.8.2 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Abortion
- ¶630.2.8.3 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: End of Life Care
- ¶630.2.8.4 AS REGARDS MYSELF AND OTHERS: Other Ethical Dilemmas
- ¶630.3 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS
- ¶630.3.1 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: The Christian and Marriage
- ¶630.3.1.1 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Principles Regarding Marriage
- ¶630.3.1.2 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Nurturing Healthy Marriages
- ¶630.3.1.3 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Healing Troubled Marriages
- ¶630.3.1.4 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Principles Regarding Divorce
- ¶630.3.1.5 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Recovery After Divorce
- ¶630.3.1.6 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Remarriage After a Divorce
- ¶630.3.1.7 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Refusal of Counsel
- ¶630.3.1.8 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Exceptional Cases
- ¶630.3.1.9 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Same-Sex Unions
- ¶630.3.1.10 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Use of Free Methodist Church Facilities
- ¶630.3.1.11 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Polygamy
- ¶630.3.2 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Education of Children
- ¶630.3.3 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: The Christian and the Church
- ¶630.3.3.1 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Membership in the Church
- ¶630.3.3.2 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Leadership in the Church
- ¶630.3.4 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: The Christian and the State
- ¶630.3.4.1 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Civic Participation
- ¶630.3.4.2 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: War and Military Enlistment
- ¶630.3.4.3 AS REGARDS DIVINELY APPOINTED INSTITUTIONS: Swearing Oaths
- ¶630.4 AS REGARDS THE CARE OF CREATION
- ¶640 Resources
- CHAPTER 7: CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
- ¶700 INTRODUCTION
- ¶710 CHRISTIAN WORSHIP
- ¶711 COMMUNION SERVICES
- ¶712 INFANT BAPTISM AND DEDICATION SERVICES
- ¶712.1 INFANT BAPTISM AND DEDICATION SERVICES: Guidance Regarding Requests for Infant Baptisms/Dedications
- ¶712.2 INFANT BAPTISM AND DEDICATION SERVICES: Infant Baptism/Dedication Service
- ¶713 INFANT BAPTISM /DEDICATION DISCUSSION PAPER
- ¶714.1 CHILDREN AND ADULT BAPTISM SERVICES: Baptism of Non-Infant Children Under Twelve
- ¶714.2 CHILDREN AND ADULT BAPTISM SERVICES: Affirmation of Baptismal Vows
- ¶715 THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MARRIAGE
- ¶716 THE FUNERAL SERVICE
- ¶717 THE QUESTIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP
- ¶718 DEDICATION OF CHURCHES
- ¶720 CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM (LOCAL AND GLOBAL)
- ¶730 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
- ¶740 Christian Compassion and Justice Ministries
- ¶750 CHRISTIAN NURTURE
- CHAPTER 8: THE MINISTRY
- ¶800 PREAMBLE
- ¶801 ADVICE TO THE MINISTER
- ¶805 DISCERNING THE CALL OF GOD FOR CREDENTIALED MINISTRY
- ¶810 LAY MINISTERS (TRACKING AND LOCAL)
- ¶815 MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES
- ¶816 SEPARATION, DIVORCE AND THE MINISTRY
- ¶820 COMMISSIONED MINISTERS
- ¶821 COMMISSIONED MINISTERS BECOMING ORDAINED MINISTERS
- ¶822 QUESTIONS FOR CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIP
- ¶825 ORDAINED MINISTERS
- ¶830 ORDINATION CREDENTIALS
- ¶835 RECEPTION FROM OTHER DENOMINATIONS AND FROM OTHER FREE METHODIST CONFERENCES
- ¶840 TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP
- ¶845 TERMINATION OF CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIP
- ¶850 APPOINTMENTS
- ¶851 MULTIPLE STAFF APPOINTMENTS
- ¶852 SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS
- ¶853 SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS
- ¶855 NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM, NETWORK MENTOR TEAM AND NETWORK LEADERS
- ¶860 OFFICE OF BISHOP
- ¶ 870 CHARTS, FORMS, RITUALS, DOCUMENTS
- ¶871 MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE’S STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATION
- ¶872 MINISTER’S STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATION
- ¶873 SERVICE FOR THE COMMISSIONING OF MINISTERS
- ¶874 SERVICE FOR THE ORDINATION OF MINISTERS
- ¶875 POLICIES FOR PASTORAL TRANSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS IN THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH IN CANADA
- ¶877 A SERVICE OF INDUCTION
- ¶878 MINISTERS’ AND EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS GUIDELINES
- ¶879 LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING TEMPLATE
- ¶880 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
- ¶881 THE NETWORK SYSTEM OF THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH IN CANADA
- CHAPTER 9: CHURCH DISCIPLINE
- ¶ 900 ACCOUNTABILITY TO COVENANT COMMITMENTS
- ¶ 905 PURPOSE
- ¶ 910 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- ¶ 915 DISCIPLINE AND RESTORATION OF LAY MEMBERS OF LOCAL CHURCHES
- ¶ 920 TRIAL OF A LAY MEMBER
- ¶ 925 DISCIPLINE AND RESTORATION OF MINISTERS
- ¶ 930 TRIAL OF A MINISTER
- ¶ 935 DISCIPLINE AND RESTORATION OF NON-MEMBERS
- ¶ 940 DISCIPLINE AND RESTORATION OF A CHURCH
- APPENDIX ONE
- APPENDIX TWO
- APPENDIX THREE
- APPENDIX FOUR
