2. AUTHORITY AND FUNCTIONS
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- 2.1 The committee shall assist the superintendent in the recruiting, interviewing, screening and evaluation of ministerial candidates in each zone. Candidates for ministerial candidacy shall be screened at the time of the teaching of the “Heart of Free Methodism” course.Ministerial candidates applying for ordination shall be interviewed a team composed of the superintendent, zone leader and two lay people from the zone. This committee shall make ordination recommendations to the board of administration which shall have authority to approve candidates for ordination.
When a candidate is being interviewed, his/her pastor shall participate in the interview if possible. If a pastor is the candidate, his/her board chair shall participate in the interview if possible.
It shall be available to counsel ministers in personal growth and professional advancement.
- 2.1 The committee shall assist the superintendent in the recruiting, interviewing, screening and evaluation of ministerial candidates in each zone. Candidates for ministerial candidacy shall be screened at the time of the teaching of the “Heart of Free Methodism” course.Ministerial candidates applying for ordination shall be interviewed a team composed of the superintendent, zone leader and two lay people from the zone. This committee shall make ordination recommendations to the board of administration which shall have authority to approve candidates for ordination.
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- 2.2 The committee shall consider the character and performance of each minister and report to each session of the mission district.
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- 2.3 The committee shall appoint ministers to their various ministries, in consultation with the bishop, superintendent and pastoral leadership task forces. The process for changes of appointments is described in the “Transitions Handbook for Churches.” The MEGaP committee shall have the authority to make changes in appointments without the request of the local society when this is deemed to be in the best interest of the local church or pastor.
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- 2.4 A minister may be appointed to a church without being given charge of that church. In such cases, the church shall be listed “under the superintendent” who shall assume responsibility for its administration.
Any minister who refuses to serve when appointed shall not be appointed by another conference without the approval of the MEGaP committee.The MEGaP committee may grant a leave of absence to any ordained minister. If not restored to active ministry after a two-year leave of absence, the minister’s membership shall be located to a local church (see ¶845). Located ministers may be restored to active ministry by the MEGaP committee. Leave of Absence appointments shall designate the reason for a leave of absence (e.g. illness, education, secular work, personal reasons).Located Ministers have the place of their membership determined by the MEGaP committee. In the process, the minister and official board of the church involved shall be consulted.The MEGaP committee shall rule on divorce cases related to persons preparing for or involved in ordained ministry. (See ¶816) The superintendent shall appoint a Divorce Review Committee of four MEGaP members to assist with the preparation of recommendations related to divorce cases.
- 2.4 A minister may be appointed to a church without being given charge of that church. In such cases, the church shall be listed “under the superintendent” who shall assume responsibility for its administration.
