2016 Wesleyan Discipline: 1036–1050

D. Established District

1. Authorization

1036. An established district is created by the General Conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:317; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1590:10), upon recommendation by the General Board, or, in the interim of General Conference sessions, may be created by the General Board, subject to the approval of the next General Conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1655:25, 34; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1935:40). The authorizing act shall define the boundaries of the district and assign to it an official name.

1038. The minimum requirements for an established district are:

(1) Twenty churches.

(2) Seven hundred fifty members

(3) The holding of all property in trust for The Wesleyan Church as required in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4610, or steps taken to accomplish the same (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4590-4630; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4650-4880; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:4140).

(4) A reasonable degree of spiritual, organizational, and financial stability.

(5) A recommendation by the General Superintendent in concurrence with the Executive Director of Church Multiplication and Discipleship (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1935:40).

2. Organizing Conference

1040. When an established district has been authorized (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1036), an organizing session of the district conference shall be convened by the General Superintendent. The General Superintendent shall declare it to be an established district of The Wesleyan Church, vested with all the authority and power as properly belong to it according to The Discipline. After such has been declared, the district conference shall proceed to do business and elect its officials.

3. Reclassification

1042. If a district no longer meets one or more of the requirements for an established district (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1038), it may be reclassified as a provisional district by the General Conference (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1590:11), or the General Board.

1045. An established district, by a vote of its district conference, may petition the General Board for reclassification as a provisional district if it falls below the requirements for an established district (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1038). The General Board shall have authority to reclassify it as a provisional district and place it under the jurisdiction of the Church Multiplication and Discipleship Division (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1038; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1655:34-35; 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:1935:33).

4. Amenability

1050. An established district is amenable to the General Conference and to the General Board. It may be placed under discipline for cause as set forth in the General Board Policy on Church Discipline (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5350-5385; cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:360:3e).