The official board is responsible for the general supervision of the ongoing operation of the local church and, as such, establishes the policies that govern the day-to-day operation of the church and its ministries. It may serve as trustees of the society. (See ¶320.5.2.1)
The Manual
- FOREWORD
- INTRODUCTION
- CHAPTER 1: THE COMMON CONSTITUTION OF FREE METHODISM: DOCTRINE AND MEMBERSHIP
- 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
- ¶714.3 CHILDREN AND ADULT BAPTISM SERVICES: Baptism of Adults
- ¶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
