2016 Wesleyan Discipline: Dismissal: Reasons for

276. All church hearings should be conducted on gospel principles only; and no minister or member should be excommunicated except for immorality, the propagation of unchristian doctrines, or for neglect of duties enjoined by the Word of God. 305. Church membership may be terminated only by one or more of the following (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:585):

(1) Voluntary withdrawal.

(2) Joining another religious body or a secret order.

(3) Expulsion after proper hearing and conviction.

(4) Persistent neglect of church relationship as defined by The Discipline.

(5) Death.

585. Membership in The Wesleyan Church may be terminated only by one or more of the following (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:305):

(1) Voluntary withdrawal (see also 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:553:3).

(2) Joining another religious body or joining a secret order.

(3) Expulsion after proper hearing and conviction (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5023:5).

(4) Persistent neglect of church relationship as defined in 2016 Wesleyan Discipline:600-605.

(5) Death.

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(5) Dismissal (2016 Wesleyan Discipline:5023:5). In matters where the actions or the attitude of the removed person is especially grievous, the district board of administration has full power to dismiss the person from membership in The Wesleyan Church, and the involved local church, when officially informed of this action, shall so indicate in its membership records. If the district board of administration removes the person but does not choose to dismiss from membership, the district secretary shall notify the local board of administration of the accusations, findings, and discipline and leave the matter of membership to the local church.