The Constitution of the Free Methodist Church

Preamble

¶100
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, ensure church order by sound principles and ecclesiastical polity, and prepare the way for evangelization of the world and the more effective cooperation with other branches of the church of Christ in the advancement of Christ’s kingdom, we, the ministers and lay members of the Free Methodist Church, in accordance with constitutional procedure, do hereby ordain, establish and set forth the following as the Constitution of the Free Methodist Church.

Articles of Religion

God

The Holy Trinity

¶102
There is but one living and true God, the maker and preserver of all things. And in the unity of this Godhead there are three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy  Spirit. These three are one in eternity, deity and purpose; everlasting, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness. The Son – His Incarnation

¶103
God was Himself in Jesus Christ to reconcile people to God. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, He joined together the deity of God and the humanity of humankind. Jesus of Nazareth was God in flesh, truly God and truly human. He came to save us. For us the Son of God suffered, was crucified, dead and buried. He poured out His life as a blameless sacrifice for our sin and transgressions. We gratefully acknowledge that He is our Savior, the one perfect mediator between God and us.

The Son – His Resurrection and Exaltation

¶104
Jesus Christ is risen victorious from the dead. His resurrected body became more glorious, not hindered by ordinary human limitations. Thus He ascended into heaven. There He sits as our exalted Lord at the right hand of God the Father, where He intercedes for us until all His enemies shall be brought into complete subjection. He will return to judge all people. Every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Holy Spirit – His Person

¶105
The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. Proceeding from the Father and the Son, He is one with them, the eternal Godhead, equal in deity, majesty and power. He is God effective in creation, in life and in the church. The Incarnation and ministry of Jesus Christ were accomplished by the Holy Spirit. He continues to reveal, interpret and glorify the Son.

The Holy Spirit – His Work in Salvation

¶106
The Holy Spirit is the administrator of the salvation planned by the Father and provided by the Son’s death, resurrection, and ascension. He is the effective agent in our conviction, regeneration, sanctification and glorification. He is our Lord’s ever-present self, indwelling, assuring and enabling the believer.

The Holy Spirit – His Relation to the Church

¶107
The Holy Spirit is poured out upon the church by the Father and the Son. He is the church’s life and witnessing power. He bestows the love of God and makes real the lordship of Jesus Christ in the believer so that both His gifts of words and service may achieve the common good and build and increase the church. In relation to the world He is the Spirit of truth, and His instrument is the Word of God.

The Scriptures

Authority

¶108
The Bible is God’s written Word, uniquely inspired by the Holy Spirit. It bears unerring witness to Jesus Christ, the living Word. As attested by the early church and subsequent councils, it is the trustworthy record of God’s revelation, completely truthful in all it affirms. It has been faithfully preserved and proves itself true in human experience.

The Scriptures have come to us through human authors who wrote, as God moved them, in the languages and literary forms of their times. God continues, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, to speak through this Word to each generation and culture.

The Bible has authority over all human life. It teaches the truth about God, His creation, His people, His one and only Son and the destiny of humankind. It also teaches the way of salvation and the life of faith. Whatever is not found in the Bible nor can be proved by it is not to be required as an article of belief or as necessary to salvation

Authority of the Old Testament

¶109
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New. Both Testaments bear witness to God’s salvation in Christ; both speak of God’s will for His people. The ancient laws for ceremonies and rites, and the civil precepts for the nation Israel are not necessarily binding on Christians today. But, on the example of Jesus we are obligated to obey the moral commandments of the old Testament.

The books of the Old Testament are: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, I Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, The Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament

¶110
The New Testament fulfils and interprets the Old Testament. It is the record of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is God’s final word regarding humankind, sin, salvation, the world and its destiny.

The books of the New Testament are: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation.

Humankind

Free Moral Persons

¶111
God created human beings in His own image, innocent, morally free, and responsible to choose between good and evil, right and wrong. By the sin of Adam, humans as the offspring of Adam are corrupted in their very nature so that from birth they are inclined to sin. They are unable by their own strength and work to restore themselves in right relationship with God and to merit eternal salvation. God, the omnipotent, provides all the resources of the Trinity to make it possible for humans to respond to His grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. By God’s grace and help people are enabled to do good works with a free will.

Law of Life and Love

¶112
God’s law for all human life, personal and social, is expressed in two divine commands: Love the Lord God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. These commands reveal what is best for persons in their relationship with God, others and society. They set forth the principles of human duty in both individual and social action. They recognize God as the only Sovereign. All people as created by Him and in His image have the same inherent rights regardless of gender, race or color. All should therefore give God absolute obedience in their individual, social and political acts. They should strive to secure to everyone respect for their person, their rights and their greatest happiness in the possession and exercise of the right within the moral law.

Good Works

¶113
Good works are the fruit of faith in Jesus Christ but works cannot save us from our sins nor from God’s judgement. As expressions of Christian faith and love, our good works performed with reverence and humility are both acceptable and pleasing to God. However, good works do not earn God’s grace.

Salvation

Christ’s Sacrifice

¶114
Christ offered once and for all the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. No other satisfaction for sin is necessary; none other can atone.

New Life in Christ

¶115
A new life and a right relationship with God are made possible through the redemptive acts of God in Jesus Christ. God, by His Spirit, acts to impart new life and put people into a relationship with Himself as they repent, and their faith responds to His grace. Justification, regeneration and adoption speak significantly to entrance into and continuance in the new life.

Justification

¶116
Justification is a legal term that emphasizes that by a new relationship in Jesus Christ people are in fact accounted righteous, being freed from both the guilt and the penalty of their sins.

Regeneration

¶117
Regeneration is a biological term which illustrates that by a new relationship in Christ, one does in fact have a new life and a new spiritual nature capable of faith, love and obedience to Christ Jesus the Lord. The believer is born again and is a new creation. The old life is past; a new life is begun.

Adoption

¶118
Adoption is a filial term full of warmth, love, and acceptance. It denotes that by a new relationship in Christ believers have become His wanted children freed from the mastery of both sin and Satan. Believers have the witness of the Spirit that they are children of God.

Sanctification

¶119
Sanctification is that saving work of God beginning with new life in Christ whereby the Holy Spirit renews His people after the likeness of God, changing them through crisis and process, from one degree of glory to another, and conforming them to the image of Christ.

As believers surrender to God in faith and die to self through full consecration, the Holy Spirit fills them with love and purifies them from sin. This sanctifying relationship with God remedies the divided mind, redirects the heart to God, and empowers believers to please and serve God in their daily lives.

Thus, God sets His people free to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love their neighbor as themselves.

Restoration

¶120

Christians may be sustained in a growing relationship with Jesus as Savior and Lord. However, they may grieve the Holy Spirit in the relationships of life without returning to the dominion of sin. When they do, they must humbly accept the correction of the Holy Spirit, trust in the advocacy of Jesus, and mend their relationships.

Christians can sin willfully and sever their relationship with Christ. Even so by repentance before God, forgiveness is granted and the relationship with Christ restored, for not every sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit and unpardonable. God’s grace is sufficient for those who truly repent and, by His enabling, amend their lives. However, forgiveness does not give believers liberty to sin and escape the consequences of sinning.

God has given responsibility and power to the church to restore penitent believers through loving reproof, counsel, and acceptance.

The Church

¶121
The church is created by God. It is the people of God. Christ Jesus is its Lord and Head. The Holy Spirit is its life and power. It is both divine and human, heavenly and earthly, ideal and imperfect. It is an organism, not an unchanging institution. It exists to fulfill the purposes of God in Christ. It redemptively ministers to persons. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it that it should be holy and without blemish. The church is a fellowship of the redeemed and the redeeming, preaching the Word of God and administering the sacraments according to Christ’s instruction. The Free Methodist Church purposes to be representative of what the church of Jesus Christ should be on earth. It therefore requires specific commitment regarding the faith and life of its members. In its requirements it seeks to honor Christ and obey the written Word of God.

The Language of Worship

¶122
According to the Word of God and the custom of the early church, public worship and prayer and the administration of the sacraments should be in a language understood by the people.

The Holy Sacraments

¶123
Water baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the sacraments of the church commanded by Christ. They are means of grace through faith, tokens of our profession of Christian faith, and signs of God’s gracious ministry toward us. By them, He works within us to quicken, strengthen and confirm our faith.

Baptism

¶124
Water baptism is a sacrament of the church, commanded by our Lord, signifying acceptance of the benefits of the atonement of Jesus Christ to be administered to believers as a declaration of their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Baptism is a symbol of the new covenant of grace as circumcision was the symbol of the old covenant; and, since infants are recognized as being included in the atonement, they may be baptized upon the request of parents or guardians who shall give assurance for them of necessary Christian training. They shall be required to affirm the vow for themselves before being accepted into church membership.

The Lord’s Supper

¶125
The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death. To those who rightly, worthily and with faith receive it, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ. The supper is also a sign of the love and unity that Christians have among themselves.

Christ, according to His promise, is really present in the sacrament. But His body is given, taken and eaten only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. No change is effected in the element; the bread and wine are not literally the body and blood of Christ. Nor is the body and blood of Christ literally present with the elements. The elements are never to be considered objects of worship. The body of Christ is received and eaten in faith.

Last Things

The Kingdom of God

¶126
The kingdom of God is a prominent Bible theme providing Christians with both their tasks and hope. Jesus announced its presence. The kingdom is realized now as God’s reign is established in the hearts and lives of believers.

The church, by its prayers, example and proclamation of the gospel, is the appointed and appropriate instrument of God in building His kingdom.

But the kingdom is also future and is related to the return of Christ when judgment will fall upon the present order. The enemies of Christ will be subdued; the reign of God will be established; a total cosmic renewal, which is both material and moral, shall occur; and the hope of the redeemed will be fully realized.

The Return of Christ

¶127
The return of Christ is certain and may occur at any moment, although it is not given us to know the hour. At His return He will fulfill all prophecies concerning His final triumph over all evil. The believer’s response is joyous expectation, watchfulness, readiness and diligence.

Resurrection

¶128
There will be a bodily resurrection from the dead of both the just and the unjust, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. The resurrected body will be a spiritual body, but the person will be whole and identifiable. The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee of resurrection unto life to those who are in Him.

Judgment

¶129
God has appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness in accordance with the gospel and our deeds in this life.

Final Destiny

¶130
Our eternal destiny is determined by God’s grace and our response, not by arbitrary decrees of God. For those who trust Him and obediently follow Jesus as Savior and Lord, there is a heaven of eternal glory and the blessedness of Christ’s presence. But for the finally impenitent there is a hell of eternal suffering and of separation from God.

Scriptural References

The doctrines of the Free Methodist Church are based upon the Holy Scriptures and are derived from their total biblical context. The references below are appropriate passages related to the given articles. They are listed in their biblical sequence and are not intended to be exhaustive.

God

The Holy Trinity: Gen. 1:1-2; Exod. 3:13-15; Deut. 6:4; Matt. 28:19; John 1:1-3; 5:19-23; 8:58; 14:9-11; 15:26; 16:13-15; 2 Cor. 13:14.
The Son – His Incarnation: Matt. 1:21; 20:28; 26:27-28; Luke 1:35; 19:10; John 1:1, 10, 14; 2 Cor. 5:18-19; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 2:17; 9:14-15.
The Son – His Resurrection and Exaltation: Matt. 25:31-32; Luke 24:1-7; 24:39; John 20:19; Acts 1:9-11; 2:24; Rom. 8:33-34; 2 Cor. 5:10; Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:1-4.
The Holy Spirit – His Person: Matt. 28:19; John 4:24; 14:16-17, 26; 15:26; 16:13-15.
The Holy Spirit – His Work in Salvation: John 16:7-8; Acts 15:8-9; Rom. 8:9, 14-16; I Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 3:17-18; Gal. 4:6.
The Holy Spirit – His Relation to the Church: Acts 5:3-4; Rom. 8:14; I Cor. 12:4-7; 2 Pet. 1:21.

The Scriptures

Authority: Deut. 4:2; 28:9; Ps. 19:7-11; John 14:26; 17:17; Rom. 15:4; 2 Tim. 3:14-17; Heb. 4:12; James 1:21.
Authority of the Old Testament: Matt. 5:17-18; Luke 10:25-28; John 5:39, 46-47; Acts 10:43; Gal. 5:3-4; I Pet.1:10-12.
New Testament: Matt. 24:35; Mark 8:38; John 14:24; Heb. 2:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:16-21; I John 2:2-6; Rev. 21:5; 22:19.
Humankind
Free Moral Persons: Gen. 1:27; Ps. 51:5; 130:3; Rom. 5:17-19; Eph. 2:8- 10.
Law of Life and Love: Matt. 23:35-39; John 15:17; Gal. 3:28; I John 4:19- 21.
Good Works: Matt. 5:16; 7:16-20; Rom. 3:27-28; Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 1:8-9; Titus 3:5.

Salvation

Christ’s Sacrifice: Luke 24:46-48; John 3:16; Acts 4:12; Rom. 5:8-11; Gal. 2:16; 3:2-3; Eph. 1:7-8; 2:13; Heb. 9:11-14, 25- 26; 10:8-14.
New Life in Christ: John 1:12-13; 3:3-8; Acts 13:38-39; Rom. 8:15-17; Eph. 2:8-9; Col. 3:9-10.
Justification: Ps. 32:1-2; Acts 10:43; Rom. 3:21-26, 28; 4:2-5; 5:8- 9; I Cor. 6:11; Phil. 3:9.
Regeneration: Ezek. 36:26-27; John 5:24; Rom. 6:4; 2 Cor. 5: 17; Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9-10; Titus 3:4-5; I Pet. 1:23.
Adoption: Rom. 8: 15-17; Gal. 4:4-7; Eph. I :5-6; I John 3: 1-3.
Entire Sanctification: Lev. 20:7-8; John 14:16-17; 17:19; Acts 1:8; 2:4; 15:8-9; Rom. 5:3-5; 8:12-17; 12:1-2; I Cor. 6:11; 12:4-11: Gal. 5:22-25; Eph. 4:22-24; 1 Thess. 4:7; 5:23-24; 2 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 10:14.
Restoration: Matt. 12:31-32; 18:21-22; Roman. 6:1-2; Gal. 6:1; 1 John 1:9; 2:1-2; 5:16-17; Rev. 2:5;3:19-20.

The Church

The Church: Matt.16:15-18; 18:17; Acts 2:41-47; 9:31; 12:5; 14:23-26; 15:22; 20:28; 1 Cor. 1:2; 11:23; 12:23; 16:1; Eph. 1:22-23; 2:19-22; 3:9-10; 5:22-23; Col. 1:18; I Tim. 3:14-15.
The Language of Worship: Neh. 8:5-6, 8; Matt. 6:7; 1 Cor. 14:12-14
The Holy Sacraments: Matt. 26:26-29; 28:19; Acts 22:16; Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:23-26; Gal. 3:27.
Baptism: Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12-17; 9:18; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5 John 3:5; I Cor. 12:13; Gal. 2:27-29; Col. 2:11-12; Titus 3:5.
The Lord’s Supper: Mark 14:22-24; John 6:53-58; Acts 2:46; 1 Cor. 5:7-8; 10:16; 11:20, 23-29.

Last Things

The Kingdom of God: Matt. 6:10, 19-20; 24:14; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:19-23; 1 Cor. 15:20-25; Phil. 2:9-10; 1 Thess. 4:15-17; 2 Thess. 1:5-12; 2 Pet. 3:3-10; Rev. 14:6, 21:3-8; 22:1-5, 17.
The Return of Christ: Matt. 24:1-51; 26:64; Mark 13:26-27; Luke 17:26-37; John 14:1-3; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Titus 2:11-14; Heb. 9:27-28; Rev. 1:7: 19:11-16; 22:6-7, 12, 20.
Resurrection: John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:20; 51-57; 2 Cor. 4:13-14.
Judgment: Matt. 25:31-46; Luke 11:31-32; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom. 2:15-16; 14:10-11; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; Heb. 9:27-28; 10:26-31; 2 Pet. 3:7.
Final Destiny: Mark 9:42-48; John 14:3, Heb. 2:1-3; Rev. 20:11-15; 21:22-27.

Membership

Privileges and Requirements

¶150
The privileges and requirements of full membership in the church are constitutional, and changes therein may be made only by amendment according to ¶210-213. Nothing shall be included in the membership ritual that is contrary to the following definitions of requirements and privileges of membership.

¶151
The requirements of full membership are:
A. Christian baptism, confession of a personal experience in regeneration, and a pledge to seek diligently until sanctified wholly if that experience has not been attained;
B. acceptance of the Articles of Religion, the Membership Covenant, the goals for Christian conduct, and matters of church government as written in the Book of Discipline;¹
C. a covenant to support the church, to live in fellowship with the members thereof, to be an active participant in the ministry of the church, and to seek God’s glory in all things;
D. approval of membership by the local Board of Administration and the candidate’s public declaration of membership vows.

¶152
The rights of full membership are:
A. participation in the sacraments and ordinances of the church;
B. eligibility to vote and hold office upon reaching the age designated by the general conference;
C. trial and appeal if charged with failure to maintain the requirements of membership, with the specific provision that joining another religious denomination or sect shall of itself sever membership in the church without trial.

¶153
Church membership may be terminated only by:
A. voluntary withdrawal (including permission to withdraw under complaint);
B. joining another religious denomination or sect or a secret order;
C. expulsion after proper summary proceeding or trial and conviction;
D. persistent neglect of church relationship by a member, which in effect is voluntary withdrawal.

1: When not in conflict with local laws in matters of church government. See our expectation for membership instruction in these things in ¶6110.C relative to lay and clergy transfer members.

Membership Covenant

Privilege and Responsibility

¶154
Membership in the church is a high privilege and responsibility. We believe the Covenant required of members is consistent with the teaching of the written Word of God. Faithfulness to the covenant is evidence of the individual member’s desire to sustain a saving relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord, to bring glory to God, to advance the cause of God on earth, to preserve the unity of the Body of Christ, and to cherish the fellowship of the Free Methodist Church.

¶155
When a member does not keep his/her covenant and habitually violates his/her vows, it is the responsibility of minister and members to point to the failure and to seek in love to restore the member. If, after these steps have been taken, the member does not keep his/her commitments, he/she must be dealt with in accord with the due processes of the Church.

¶156
Members of the Free Methodist Church, trusting in the enablement of the Holy Spirit and seeking the support of the other members of the Church, make the following confession and commitments as a covenant with the Lord and the Church.

The Confession and Commitment

We confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. By faith, we walk with Him. We commit ourselves to know Him in His full sanctifying grace.

As Regards God

¶157
As God’s people, we reverence and worship Him.
We commit ourselves to cultivate habits of Christian devotion, submitting to mutual accountability, practicing private and corporate prayer, studying the Scriptures, attending public worship, and partaking of Holy Communion;
We commit ourselves to observe the Lord’s Day, setting it apart for worship, renewal, and service;
We commit ourselves to give our loyalty to Christ and the church, refraining from any alliance which compromises our Christian commitment.
This we do, by God’s grace and power.

As Regards Ourselves and Others

¶158
As a people, we live wholesome and holy lives and show mercy to all, ministering to both their physical and spiritual needs.
We commit ourselves to be free from activities and attitudes that defile the mind and harm the body, or promote the same;
We commit ourselves to respect the worth of all persons as created in the image of God;
We commit ourselves to strive to be just and honest in all our relationships and dealings.
This we do, by God’s grace and power.

As Regards the Institutions of God

¶159
As a people, we honor and support the God-ordained institutions of family, state, and church.
We commit ourselves to honor the sanctity of marriage as the union of one male and one female in holy love, and the family they form;
We commit ourselves to value and nurture children, guiding them to faith in Christ;
We commit ourselves to seek to be responsible citizens, and we pray for all who lead.
This we do, by God’s grace and power.

As Regards the Church

¶160
As God’s people, we express the life of Christ in the world.
We commit ourselves to contribute to unity in the church, cultivating integrity, love, and understanding in all our relationships;
We commit ourselves to practice the principles of Christian stewardship, for the glory of God and the growth of the Church;
We commit ourselves to go into our world and make disciples.
This we do, by God’s grace and power.

General Organization

¶200
A. Annual Conferences
Annual conferences are the normative Free Methodist organization at the regional level that provides for reasonable spans of care for ministers and congregations as well as the structure for effective kingdom expansion. Each annual conference in the Free Methodist Church shall be a member of a general conference.
B. General Conferences
The general conferences are the governing bodies of the Free Methodist Church. Each general conference shall consist of at least one annual conference or may, when necessary, make alternative provision for caring for annual conference functions as provided for in ¶220.B. (See details in ¶220-222).
C. World Conference
The Free Methodist World Conference exists to coordinate the visions of the general conferences by facilitating communication and harmonious relationships among the leaders of the general conferences. It also facilitates the resolution of constitutional issues. (See details in ¶230.) Additionally, the World Conference encourages its member general conferences to work together with neighboring annual and/or general conferences to partner in ways that fulfil the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations.
D. Council of Bishops
The Council of Bishops constituted of the bishops of the general and provisional general conferences exists for the purpose of fellowship, mutual counsel and accountability, and the extension of the kingdom of God through Free Methodist ministries as outlined in ¶240.

Restrictive Rules and Methods of Amendment of the Common Constitution of Free Methodism

¶210
The Preamble, Articles of Religion, Membership Covenant, General Organization, Restrictive Rules, and Methods of Amendment of the Common Constitution of Free Methodism (¶100–240) together constitute the Common Constitution of Free Methodism. This Common Constitution of Free Methodism shall be binding upon all general conferences and shall be part of each Book of Discipline.¹
These provisions may be translated into various languages and dialects, including colloquial and idiomatic English, provided the meaning is not changed. Paragraphs 100 to 240 inclusive, except for ¶213, may be altered, changed, or revoked only by concurrent approval of two-thirds of the aggregate votes cast thereon in all the general conferences as provided for in ¶230.B. Paragraph 213 may not be amended or changed in any way.

¶211
Proposals to amend ¶¶100–212 and ¶¶220–240, whether by a two-thirds majority vote of a general conference or by a two-thirds majority vote of the Free Methodist World Conference, are provided for in ¶230.B. Proposals shall be referred to the World Conference Executive Committee. It shall then supervise the referendum voting on the proposed amendment(s) in all the general conferences according to the provisions of ¶230.B.

¶212
No general conference of the Free Methodist Church may enact on its own, either by vote of the general conference or by concurrent vote of its general and annual conferences, any order, policy, or legislation that conflicts with, changes, subtracts from, or adds to:
A. The Articles of Religion, the Membership Covenant, any condition or standard of membership, any standard or rule of doctrine, as set forth in ¶¶100–160, or
B. Any part of ¶¶220–240 or any rule of government so as to do away with substantially equal (meaning within one) lay and ministerial representation on boards and committees (except for the Council of Bishops), or to do away with an itinerant (conference-appointed) ministry, or the general superintendency; but
C. Any such change as designated in A and B preceding may be made only by the procedures set forth in ¶¶210–211 above.

¶213
No general conference of the Free Methodist Church nor all of the general conferences of Free Methodism by any procedure or method whatever (including deletion or amendment of this paragraph, number 213), shall have the power to deprive ministerial or lay members under discipline of the right of trial by an impartial committee, or the right of appeal.

¹ Or its equivalent.

General Conferences

¶220
A. Guiding Principles
The Free Methodist Church recognizes the need to preserve unity in faith and fellowship yet allow for the distinctive characteristics of nation, language, and culture. Therefore it provides for the Free Methodist churches of one or more nations to be organized into a general conference provided that the requirements of ¶222.A are met and maintained. When ongoing spiritual, political, economic, or cultural realities make the formation of a general conference inadvisable, these areas may continue as annual conferences or provisional general conferences.
A general conference may encompass more than one nation, but there shall be no more than one general conference in a nation. Any exception to this principle requires approval by the World Conference.
When it becomes necessary for a general conference to elect more than one bishop, the bishops, once elected, shall be formed into a Board of Bishops. Each bishop shall then be assigned to a region, and, where applicable, each shall be granted legal representative status for the assigned region according to the laws of the nation and the bylaws of the general conference.

B. Status
Existing general conferences must continue to meet the requirements of ¶222 to retain general conference status.

1. Existing general conferences experiencing a serious threat to viability due to physical or moral calamity, to war, or to economic crisis, may propose interventions or substantial organizational adjustments. The World Conference Executive Committee is authorized to make interim rulings on such proposals. These rulings shall then be submitted to the World Conference for confirmation.

2. In the event that it is reported to the World Conference Executive Committee that a general conference no longer fulfills the requirements of ¶222, the World Conference Executive Committee shall arrange for an assessment of the situation and may use members of the Council of Bishops to make the assessment.
a. If the assessment does not sustain the need for action, the matter shall be dropped.
b. In the event that action is required, the World Conference Executive Committee shall provide counsel and may use members of the Council of Bishops to assist the general conference in remediation.
c. If remediation is successful, the matter shall be dropped.
d. In cases of persistent inability to meet the requisite conditions, the general conference may request, upon a majority vote of the general conference, to be returned to provisional general conference status or annual conference status; in which case the World Conference Executive Committee shall take action on the request and make assignment to a general conference. Should the general conference not take appropriate actions as above, the World Conference Executive Committee shall submit the matter, with recommendation, to the World Conference for vote.

C. Amendments
Proposals to amend the Common Constitution of Free Methodism as defined in ¶210 may be initiated by a general conference as provided for in ¶230.B.

D. Relationship to the World Conference
Each general conference shall recognize the role of the Free Methodist World Conference as set out in ¶230.

1. Each general conference shall be represented in the World Conference as defined in ¶230.D.1.

2. Each general conference shall ensure that the World Conference president has a copy of its current Book of Discipline² containing all its legislation, orders, and policies. If a question should arise concerning the agreement of any item therein with the Common Constitution of Free Methodism, the procedures of ¶230.C shall be applied.

3. A general conference or its Board of Administration may refer to the World Conference Executive Committee, as a representative coordinating body, any problem that may arise with another general conference involving boundaries, recognition of credentials, and other interjurisdictional matters. The World Conference Executive Committee shall limit its involvement to the giving of counsel and assistance with mediation. If no solution satisfactory to both general conferences is reached, the matter shall be referred to the next sitting of the World Conference and its ruling shall prevail.

4. The Board of Administration of a general conference may appeal to the World Conference Executive Committee (see ¶230.G) for counsel to assist with the resolution of conflicts within its general conference. The World Conference Executive Committee shall limit its involvement to the giving of counsel and assistance with mediation. If no solution satisfactory to the conflict is reached, the matter shall be referred to the next sitting of the World Conference and its ruling shall prevail.

5. A general conference may not, under any circumstances, vote to leave the denomination and/or join another denomination. It may not vote to change its name with the intention of becoming a new denomination. Any action to do either of the above shall be deemed illegal and shall result in action by the World Conference to suspend the general conference, to reorganize the loyal elements within the area of that general conference, to declare all other ministers and members to be withdrawn from the Free Methodist Church, and to ensure that assets are retained by the Free Methodist Church.

6. Where possible, general conferences shall work together with neighboring annual and/or general conferences and/or Free Methodist mission agencies to develop groups such as area fellowships.³ Their purpose is to provide inspiration, spiritual counsel, mutual encouragement, vision casting, and strategic planning to better reach the world with the gospel through Free Methodist ministries.

These partnership organizations shall operate under constitutions suited to their particular vision and mission. These constitutions and any changes thereto must be approved by the World Conference Executive Committee and ratified by the World Conference. Such World Conference-approved entities shall be granted one honorary seat at the regular sitting of the World Conference.

E. Church Name
No church or other organization may use the name “Free Methodist” without the express permission of the Free Methodist World Conference, a general conference, or authorized mission agencies/associations of a general conference. Wherever the use of the name “Free Methodist Church” is impossible or impractical, a general conference, or in the interim of its sessions, its Board of Administration, may authorize an adaptation of the church’s name, subject to the approval of the World Conference.

¶221
Provisional General Conferences
A. One or more annual conferences may petition the general conference to which they belong for status as a provisional general conference. This intermediate developmental stage provides for the mentoring of indigenous leaders who appreciate the interdependent nature of the international church with its systems of mutual dependence and accountability and who will grow by exercising gifts, graces, and authority under the leadership of the sponsoring general conference and its bishop.
A provisional general conference receives a measure of jurisdictional authority and autonomy to develop unique mission and vision statements and to interpret and apply the Book of Discipline&sup4; within its culture under the leadership of its suffragan bishop as it carries out the mission of the church. Achieving the following standards will allow the Board of Administration of the sponsoring general conference to authorize the formation of the requested provisional general conference:
1. Evidence of spiritual depth and maturity in integrity and leadership.
2. A membership growth pattern spanning several years.
3. Evidence of being both an evangelistic and a sending church with plans to reach to a different tribe or people group.
4. Demonstrated loyalty to the doctrines and practices of the Free Methodist Church as set forth in its Book of Discipline.⁴
5. Evidence of ability to understand, articulate, and commit to the biblical and theological tenets of the Wesleyan-Arminian doctrine.
6. Development of its own draft of a Book of Discipline⁵ including the Common Constitution of Free Methodism and organizational structures essential to their culture and size, according to guidelines set forth by the general conference to which it belongs.
7. Adequate financial strength and stability with annual audits.
8. Normally, a minimum of 3,000 adult members and 20 elders.
9. Nomination of a suffragan bishop who shall be mentored by a bishop from the sponsoring general conference.

B. Contractual agreements with any Free Methodist mission agency or association with regard to mission personnel and properties shall remain in force until renegotiated with the mission agency or association and/or its sponsoring general conference.

C. When it can be demonstrated that the above prerequisites are met, a formal petition may be presented to the Board of Administration of the sponsoring general conference. It shall have the power to authorize the formation of a provisional general conference, approve the draft of the Book of Discipline⁵ and elect a suffragan bishop. The/A bishop from the sponsoring general conference shall consecrate the new suffragan bishop at a mutually agreeable time.

D. A provisional general conference may continue in this status indefinitely, as approved by the Board of Administration of the sponsoring general conference.

E. Provisional general conference status may be withdrawn by the Board of Administration of the sponsoring general conference due to any significant regression from these established standards or due to a failure of adequate leadership for any reason.

¶222
New General Conferences
A. A new general conference may be authorized by the sponsoring general conference when the provisional general conference seeking such status has adopted the provisions of the Common Constitution of Free Methodism, which are binding for all general conferences as defined in ¶210, as a part of its constitution and Book of Discipline6 and has been recommended by the Board of Administration of the sponsoring general conference on the grounds that the following standards are satisfied:
1. An effective, financially sustainable organizational structure at all levels;
2. A systemic plan to mentor pastors in the discipleship of new converts, in the nurture and development of healthy church members, and in the equipping of lay workers;
3. A systemic plan to discover and train ordained ministers (elders or their equivalents);
4. Normally, a minimum of 5,000 adult members and 30 elders;
5. A systemic plan to multiply churches locally and globally (or at least to new people groups);
6. Refinement of the draft of the Book of Discipline⁶ for approval by the Board of Administration of the sponsoring general conference, including mission and vision statements, with published copies available to all clergy and all societies;
7. Communication capabilities across the provisional general conference;
8. Evidence of responsible stewardship of life and possessions including the proper management of funds and annual audits and reporting to their own Board of Administration or provisional general conference;
9. The existence of a property-holding body or bodies as required by local laws.

B. Contractual agreements with any Free Methodist mission agency or association with regard to missions personnel and properties shall be renegotiated to reflect the new relationship between the new general conference and the mission agency or association and/or the sponsoring general conference.

C. When it can be demonstrated by a committee composed of the supervising bishop, the suffragan bishop, and two lay members of the provisional general conference Board of Administration that the above prerequisites are met, a formal petition may be presented to the sponsoring general conference. It shall have the power to authorize the formation of a new general conference and the election of a bishop or bishops.

D. Autonomy of the new general conference from the sponsoring general conference is final following a ceremony led by a bishop of the sponsoring general conference at a duly called sitting of the provisional general conference. Following this ceremony, while the delegates are assembled, the new general conference may convene to conduct important or urgent business as an autonomous member of the World Conference.

² Or its equivalent.
³ Or their equivalent.
⁴ Or its equivalent.
⁵ Or its equivalent.
⁶ Or its equivalent.

The World Conference

¶230
A. Purpose
The Free Methodist World Conference exists to facilitate communication and harmonious relationships among the leaders of the general conferences and the area fellowships and to facilitate the resolution of constitutional issues.
In harmony with this purpose its responsibilities shall be:
1. To provide for worldwide fellowship among Free Methodist bodies and regularly convene a global assembly of representatives of the Free Methodist bodies for coordination and planning of worldwide ministries;
2. To encourage the expansion of the kingdom of God by the Free Methodist Church in existing conferences and in new fields through evangelism that is in harmony with Wesleyan doctrine and practices;
3. To assume legislative and judicial authority in matters relating to the Free Methodist Constitution as defined below;
4. To monitor the integrity of every Free Methodist institution under the provisions of the Common Constitution of Free Methodism (see ¶210) and of the Book of Discipline⁷ of the institution’s general conference;
5. To maintain and administer an international scholarship fund for the development of Free Methodist leaders grounded in biblical theology and Wesleyan doctrine.

B. Legislative Authority
The World Conference has the authority to supervise the voting of the general conferences on all matters pertaining to referenda according to the following provisions:

1. Proposals to amend the Constitution (except for ¶213) may be or by a two-thirds majority vote of the Free Methodist World Conference when it is meeting in session. Proposals shall then be circulated as referenda under the supervision of the World Conference Executive Committee to be voted on by all general conferences.
A two-thirds aggregate vote of all general conferences shall be required for approval of referenda. If a general conference has a structure not constituted of the equivalent of one ministerial and one lay member for every 600 full members, its vote results shall be adjusted to have the weight of two votes per 600 members.

2. When a general conference cannot assemble to vote and report back to the World Conference Executive Committee within four years of the time the World Conference Executive Committee has circulated a referendum, rather than surrendering its right to vote on the said issue, its Board of Administration may vote in its place. Votes taken by a Board of Administration shall be reported as the corresponding proportional number of votes of its general conference. The two-thirds aggregate vote shall be based on the votes reported within the four years allowed.

3. When the voting has been completed, the World Conference Executive Committee shall officially declare the results of the vote to all the general conferences by written notice and it shall be in effect as of that date.

C. Judicial Authority
The Free Methodist World Conference shall be responsible for maintaining compliance with the provisions of the Common Constitution of Free Methodism, which are binding for all general conferences as defined in ¶210, and with deciding interjurisdictional matters between general conferences, and internal conflicts within a general conference as defined in ¶220.D.3 and ¶220.D.4.
The World Conference has the following judicial authority over the general conferences. Its duties shall be:

1. To review, through its Executive Committee, the legislation, orders, and policies of all the general conferences and to investigate all actions that are alleged to not be in compliance with the provisions of the Common Constitution of Free Methodism, which are for all general conferences as defined in ¶210.
a. When the World Conference Executive Committee determines that an action of a general conference is in conflict with the Common Constitution of Free Methodism, the general conference shall, upon receiving written notice, discontinue the action in question.
b. Upon written request, if so authorized by a two-thirds vote of the general conference or its Board of Administration, an appeal may be made to the World Conference within one year of the written notice being received.
c. The delegates and bishop(s) of a general conference or general conferences, whose case or cases come before the World Conference, shall, after having presented their evidence, refrain from voting on the issue in which they have direct interest.
d. If the appeal is upheld by a simple majority of the votes of the World Conference, the general conference may resume the action.
e. In the event the appeal is denied by a simple majority of the votes of the World Conference, the action by the general conference found in violation must be permanently discontinued and its effects shall be considered null and void.
f. If upon written notice, the general conference whose action has been called into question should refuse to abide initially by the World Conference Executive Committee’s ruling to discontinue an action as provided for in ¶230.C.1.a or later by a World Conference decision to permanently discontinue an action as provided for in ¶230.C.1.e, the World Conference or its Executive Committee shall be empowered to suspend the general conference and to provide, at its discretion, for the reorganization of the loyal elements of the Free Methodist Church within the area of that general conference, and to declare all other ministers and members to be withdrawn from the Free Methodist Church.

2. To decide any matter that may arise between general conferences involving boundaries, recognition of credentials, and other interjurisdictional matters according to the provisions of ¶220.D.3.

3. To assist with the resolution of conflicts within a general conference according to the provisions of ¶220.D.4.

D. Organization and Structure

1. Voting delegates
Voting delegates to the World Conference shall form a body of substantially equal representation of lay and ministerial members according to the following formula:
a. All bishops of general and provisional general conferences shall be delegates. One lay delegate shall be elected for each bishop.
b. A general conference with one bishop and 50,000 members shall be entitled to one additional ministerial delegate and one additional lay delegate.
c. A general conference with one bishop and 100,000 members shall be entitled to two additional ministerial delegates and two additional lay delegates.
d. A general conference shall have no more than six delegates unless it has more than three bishops.

2. Honorary delegates
a. Each area fellowship⁸ may send one representative.
b. Directors of Free Methodist mission agencies and associations and representatives of area fellowships8 shall be honorary members with a voice but no vote.

3. The World Conference shall meet at least once every four years. Special meetings may be called by a two-thirds majority of the World Conference Executive Committee. It may authorize a vote on this or on any executive matter by mail, telephone conference call, or other electronic means.

4. The World Conference Executive Committee shall be elected by the World Conference when it meets in session. A Nominating Committee composed of one representative from each general conference shall be elected by the World Conference in the first session of its meetings to submit nominations for officers of the World Conference and also members at large of the World Conference Executive Committee. The Nominating Committee shall include substantially equal lay and ministerial representation.

5. The Commissions of the World Conference shall be:
a. Global Impact: Mission to every tongue and tribe, nation, and people (Revelation 7:9).
b. Special Ministries: Development, medical, and relief.
c. Leadership Development: Theological education, scholarships, and leadership training.
d. Constitutional Matters: Area Fellowship Constitutions, Referendums, World Conference Constitutions, Constitutional Compliance.

E. Officers of the World Conference
The officers shall be president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer.
1. The officers shall be members of the World Conference Executive Committee.
2. Officers may serve for two terms. A term is defined as the period between regularly scheduled meetings of the World Conference.

F. The World Conference Executive Committee
The World Conference Executive Committee shall meet at least every two years (preferably in conjunction with the meetings of the Council of Bishops and the World Conference) and shall be composed as follows: president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, and three members at large, including the outgoing president. These members shall be elected so as to allow equitable representation worldwide and to provide substantially equal representation of lay and ministerial members on the Executive Committee.
1. The President shall be the chairperson.
2. The World Conference Executive Committee shall present a budget, including a schedule of conference allocations, to the World Conference for approval.
3. The World Conference Executive Committee is amenable for its actions to the World Conference. If a vacancy occurs on the World Conference Executive Committee, the remaining members may elect a person, preferably a delegate to the prior World Conference, to fill the vacant position until the next meeting of the World Conference.
4. A designated World Conference Executive Committee member may represent the World Conference at each area fellowship.⁹

G. Relationship to General Conference Boards of Administration
1. All negotiations between the World Conference (or the World Conference Executive Committee) and a general conference (or any provisional general conference which the general conference is sponsoring) shall be done by the general conference Board of Administration.
2. The chairperson of each general conference Board of Administration shall be responsible for official correspondence with the World Conference. It shall be the duty of the chairperson to keep the Board of Administration of his/her general conference fully informed of the proceedings of the World Conference.
3. Copies of all official correspondence between the World Conference and any general and/or provisional conference or the respective Board of Administration shall be properly filed and available to the bishop(s) or highest administrative officer(s) of the general conference and to the Board of Administration.

⁷ Or its equivalent.
⁸ Or its equivalent.​
⁹ Or its equivalent.

Council of Bishops

¶240
A. The bishops of the general and provisional general conferences shall together constitute a Council of Bishops for the purpose of fellowship, mutual counsel and accountability, and the extension of the kingdom of God through Free Methodist ministries. The council shall normally meet every four years, with its meetings being near the midpoint of the interim between the meetings of the World Conference.

B. The Council of Bishops shall elect its own Executive Committee composed of a president, vice president, and secretary, who shall be responsible for overseeing its activities.

C. Where a general conference has only one bishop, the executive of the Council of Bishops shall assign another bishop to attend the sittings of that general conference to serve as counsel to the presiding bishop. If the assigned bishop observes irregularities in procedure or policy in the general conference, the assigned bishop shall draw this to the attention of the presiding bishop and note this within a report to the World Conference Executive Committee. The assigned bishop shall also preside over the episcopal election.

D. If a general conference Board of Administration receives evidence of violation of ordination vows in reference to a bishop of its general conference, the Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops must be notified immediately. The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops may appoint a representative to monitor and assist with the hearing process as defined by that general conference’s Book of Discipline.¹⁰

A ruling that a violation has occurred, and the related discipline, may be appealed to the Executive Committee of the World Conference only on the basis that the process provided in the Book of Discipline10 has not been followed. The Executive Committee of the World Conference may remand the ruling to the general conference or rule that the process was appropriately followed, and that ruling is final.

¶250 Articles of Organization and Government Specific to a
General Conference
The ¶250 paragraphs are reserved for bylaws and statutes peculiar to the general conference’s ministry context.

10 Or its equivalent.