2016 Wesleyan Discipline: Constitution of the North American General Conference, The: Summary of contents

135. Identification. The Constitution of the North American General Conference of The Wesleyan Church consists of Articles 1 through 12, paragraphs 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:200 through 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:385, including the 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:Preamble, Name, Articles of Religion, Membership Commitments, Elementary Principles, Observance of Sacraments, Membership, The Ministry, Organization and Government, Powers and Restrictions of the General Conference, The Supreme Judiciary, and Amendments to the Constitution. The Constitution may be amended as set forth in paragraph 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:385. 145. Function. The Constitution is that body of laws (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:135) that sets forth fundamental doctrines and practices, the basic laws, principles, and restrictions by which the Church is governed, and guarantees certain rights to its members and ministers. The Constitution takes precedence over statutory law, ritual, and all other laws and official actions of the governing bodies and officers within its jurisdiction (cf. 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:185). It is the law to which all statutory law, ritual, and any other legislative or official actions must conform. 200. In order that we may wisely preserve and pass on to posterity the heritage of doctrine and principles of Christian living transmitted to us as evangelicals in the Arminian-Wesleyan tradition, and to ensure church order by sound principles of ecclesiastical polity, and to prepare the way for more effective cooperation with other branches of the church of Christ in all that makes for the advancement of God’s kingdom among all people, we, the ministers and lay members of The Wesleyan Church meeting in official assemblies, do hereby ordain, establish, and set forth as the fundamental law, or constitution of The Wesleyan Church, the articles of religion, rules of Christian living, privileges and conditions of church membership, and articles of organization and government, here following: