The Deed of Union, adopted by the uniting conference in 1932 (see s. 8(1) of the 1929 Act (Vol. 1, p.96), and recital (6) of the Deed itself, below) is printed as amended from time to time by the Conference under its powers in that behalf, and in particular as extensively rearranged and revised in form, although not in substance, in 1990. The amendments and rearrangement affect only the operative clauses 1 to 47; the formal parts at the beginning and end (parties,testatum, recitals (1) to (7), testimonium and attestation clauses) are unaltered, and provide the historical setting.
Parties. TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME WE JOHN SCOTT LIDGETT of the Bermondsey Settlement in the County of London Master of Arts Doctor of Divinity the President for the time being of the Uniting Conference referred to in and holden pursuant to the provisions of the Methodist Church Union Act 1929 HENRY MALDWYN HUGHES of Wesley House Cambridge in the County of Cambridge Master of Arts Doctor of Divinity the President elected in the year 1932 of the Annual Assembly or Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist Church WILLIAM YOUNGER of Llanfaes 41 Mead Walk Anlaby Park in the City and County of Kingston-upon-Hull the President elected in the year 1932 of the Annual Assembly or Conference of the Primitive Methodist Church and WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER JACKSON of 45 Northumberland Street Higher Broughton Manchester in the County of Lancaster Master of Arts the President elected in the year 1932 of the Annual Assembly or Conference of the United Methodist Church SEND GREETING.
Recitals. (1) Methodist Church Union Act 1929. WHEREAS by the Methodist Church Union Act 1929 it was enacted that the respective annual Conferences or Assemblies of the three several Churches denominations or connexions in the said Act and in this Deed referred to respectively as the Wesleyan Methodist Church the Primitive Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church and collectively as the said Churches or denominations' respectively holden in the year 1931 or any subsequent year might (by resolution to be passed in the Wesleyan Methodist Conference or Assembly by the votes of not less than three- fourths of the members present and voting in the Pastoral Session and also by the votes of a like majority in the Representative Session of the said Conference or Assembly and in the respective Conferences or Assemblies of the Primitive Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church by the votes of a like majority of the members present and voting in such respective Conferences or Assemblies) decide and determine that each of the said Conferences or Assemblies holden in the then next succeeding year should after the conclusion of its ordinary business adjourn its proceedings to the same day and place to be appointed by the said resolutions for the purpose of holding in such next succeeding year a united meeting of the members of such Conferences or Assemblies and that it should be lawful on the day and at the place so appointed for the said Conferences or Assemblies to unite and sit together as one united Conference (in the said Act and in this Deed referred to as the Uniting Conference') AND WHEREAS by the said Act it was also enacted that it should be lawful for the Uniting Conference by resolution passed by the votes of not less than three-fourths of the respective representatives of each of the said Churches or denominations present at the Uniting Conference and voting upon the said resolution (the representatives of each of the said Churches or denominations voting first separately and then as one body and in the case of the separate voting of the representatives of the Wesleyan Methodist Church the representatives of the Pastoral Session and of the Representative Session voting separately) to declare that the said Churches or denominations should be united in and form one united Church or denomination under the name of The Methodist Church' and under such constitution and upon such terms and conditions as might be declared and defined in a deed poll setting forth the basis of union to be settled and adopted by the Uniting Conference as in the said Act provided AND WHEREAS by the said Act it was also enacted that it should be lawful for the Uniting Conference by resolution passed in like manner as aforesaid to settle and adopt a deed poll setting forth the basis of union and that such deed (in the said Act and in this deed referred to as the Deed of Union) should declare and define the constitution and doctrinal standards of the said united Church or denomination under the name of The Methodist Church' and the terms and conditions of such union aforesaid and should contain all such provisions as to the constitution election powers duties and privileges of the Conference and all such other provisions (including powers from time to time subject to the provisions of the said Act to alter amend or repeal any of the provisions of the Deed of Union or of the constitution of The Methodist Church as declared and defined thereby and to adopt any new provisions with respect to any matter to which the Deed of Union related or to the constitution of The Methodist Church) as in the judgement of the Uniting Conference might be necessary or desirable for the government and discipline of The Methodist Church and the management and administration of the affairs thereof provided that the Conference should not have any power to alter or vary in any manner whatsoever the clauses contained in the Deed of Union which defined the doctrinal standards of The Methodist Church AND WHEREAS by the said Act it was also enacted that the Deed of Union when the same had been adopted by such resolution of the Uniting Conference as aforesaid should be forthwith sealed and delivered by the President of the Uniting Conference and by any of the Presidents elected in the year in which the Uniting Conference should be held of the said respective Annual Conferences or Assemblies of the Wesleyan Methodist Church the Primitive Methodist Church and the United Methodist Church who might be present at the Uniting Conference and be willing to execute the Deed of Union
The above recital (1) summarises the relevant provisions of the Methodist Church Union Act 1929 (Vol.1, p. 89), which has now been repealed and replaced by the Methodist Church Act 1976 (Vol. 1, p. 3). For the most part this recital, recounting as it does the provisions of the 1929 Act, prescribing the procedure to be followed in constituting and holding the Uniting Conference, needs no explanation or qualification. In the third part, however, dealing with the contents of the Deed of Union, the final proviso, excluding amendment of the doctrinal clauses, does not state the present law, which is contained in section 5 of the 1976 Act (Vol 1, p. 10).
(2) Passing of Resolutions to adjourn Conferences of said Churches or Denominations. AND WHEREAS the respective annual Conferences or Assemblies of the said Churches or denominations respectively holden in the year 1931 (by resolutions duly passed in manner in the said Act in that behalf provided and in the case of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference or Assembly not only in both its Representative and Pastoral Sessions but confirmed by the vote of the Legal Conference commonly called the Legal Hundred) decided and determined that the yearly Conference of each of the said Churches respectively to be holden in the year 1932 should after the conclusion of its ordinary business adjourn its proceedings to the 20th day of September 1932 at the Royal Albert Hall London for the purpose of holding the Uniting Conference and carrying into effect the powers conferred upon the three Churches by the said Act.
(3) Adjournment of Conference of said Churches or Denominations. AND WHEREAS the event in that behalf in the said Act mentioned having happened the meetings of the respective annual Conferences or Assemblies of the said Churches or denominations holden in the year 1932 were by virtue of the said Act adjourned as in the said Act mentioned
(4) Sitting of Uniting Conference. AND WHEREAS in pursuance of the recited powers in that behalf conferred on them by the said Act the said Conferences or Assemblies assembled at such adjourned meetings as aforesaid have duly united and sat together as one Uniting Conference
(5) Resolution to Unite. AND WHEREAS the Uniting Conference in pursuance of the recited powers in that behalf conferred upon it by the said Act by resolution duly passed in manner in the said Act in that behalf provided and in the case of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference or Assembly confirmed by the vote of the Legal Conference aforesaid has declared that the said Churches or denominations shall be united in and form one united Church or denomination under the name of The Methodist Church' and under such constitution and upon such terms and conditions as may be declared and defined in a deed poll setting forth the basis of union to be settled and adopted by the Uniting Conference as in the said Act provided AND WHEREAS such united Church or denomination is hereinafter referred to as The Methodist Church'
(6) Resolution settling and adopting this Deed as Deed of Union. AND WHEREAS the Uniting Conference in pursuance of the recited powers in that behalf conferred upon it by the said Act by resolution duly passed in manner in the said Act in that behalf provided has settled and adopted this Deed as the Deed of Union setting forth the basis of union and declaring and defining the constitution and doctrinal standards of The Methodist Church and the terms and conditions of such Union as aforesaid
(7) As to execution of this Deed. AND WHEREAS it is intended that this Deed shall be executed pursuant to the provisions in that behalf in the said Act contained by the said JOHN SCOTT LIDGETT and by any of them the said HENRY MALDWYN HUGHES WILLIAM YOUNGER and WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER JACKSON who may be present at the Uniting Conference and willing to execute this Deed.
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSETH that WE the said JOHN SCOTT LIDGETT HENRY MALDWYN HUGHES WILLIAM YOUNGER and WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER JACKSON do and each of us doth hereby declare as follows that is to say:
Operative Clauses.
1. Particular Expressions. In this Deed, unless the context otherwise requires:
(i) the 1976 Act' means the Methodist Church Act 1976; See Vol. 1, p. 3. (ii) admitted into full connexion' in reference to a minister means that he or she has been admitted by the Conference into full connexion as a minister of the Methodist Church and is entitled to the status of such a minister; For admission into full connexion see also S.O. 718. (iii) Church Council' means the principal meeting responsible for the affairs of a Local Church, constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Deed and of Standing Orders; See cl 40 below and Section 61 of Standing Orders. (iv) Church Courts' means the Conference, the Synods, the Circuit Meetings, the Local Preachers' Meetings, the Church Councils and the boards and committees appointed by or reporting to those bodies; See cl 40 below and the notes to the definitions of the bodies named. (v) Circuit' means the unit of one or more Local Churches in which one or more ministers and probationers are stationed; See cls 38 and 39 below and Part 5 of Standing Orders, especially S.O. 500. (vi) Circuit Meeting' means the principal meeting responsible for the affairs of a Circuit, constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Deed and of Standing Orders; See cl 40 below and Section 51 of Standing Orders. (vii) class leader' means a person appointed by the Church Council or by a responsible committee under its authority to meet a class and exercise pastoral care over those committed to his or her charge, and to fulfil such other duties as may be prescribed by this Deed or by Standing Orders; See cls 9 and 10 below and S.O. 631. (viii) the Conference' means the annual Conference of the Methodist Church, as constituted under this Deed; See cls 11 to 37 below and Part 1 of Standing Orders. (ix) conference-elected representatives' has the meaning appearing from clause 14 (5) below; (x) connexional' means relating to the Methodist Church in general and not only to one or more particular Local Churches, Circuits or Districts; (xi) the date of union' means the date of the execution of this Deed, namely the 20th September 1932; (xii) District' means the unit of one or more Circuits constituted by that name in accordance with the provisions of this Deed and of Standing Orders; See cls 38 and 39 below and Part 4 of Standing Orders, especially S.O. 400. (xiii) the home Districts' means the Districts in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, and home Synods' and the home work' have corresponding meanings; (xiv) the Irish Conference' means the annual conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland; (xv) Local Church' and Society' are equivalent expressions and mean (subject to any exceptions provided for by Standing Orders) the whole body of members of the Methodist Church connected with and attending one particular place of worship; See Part 6 of Standing Orders, especially S.O. 600. For exceptions see S.O. 605, 612 and 942. (xvi) local preacher' means a preacher recommended by the Local Preachers' Meeting, approved by the Circuit Meeting and admitted in an act of public worship; See Section 56 of Standing Orders, and in particular S.O. 567. (xvii) Local Preachers' Meeting' means a meeting of all the local preachers in a Circuit, with other persons, constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Deed and of Standing Orders; See cl 40 below and S.O. 560. (xviii) member of the Methodist Church' means a person recognised as a member of the Methodist Church under the provisions of this Deed and of Standing Orders; See cls 8 and 10 below and S.O. 801 and 803. (xix) minister' when used in relation to the Methodist Church means a minister of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion, or a person recognised and regarded as such a minister under the provisions contained in this Deed; As to persons recognised and regarded' as ministers see cls 43(b), 44(b) and 45(a) below. (xx) minister in the active work' means a minister who is not a supernumerary nor a minister without appointment under any Standing Order in that behalf; See (xxxii) below and, as to ministers without appointment, S.O. 762 and 763(3) (xxi) Ministerial Session' when used in relation to the Conference means a session of the Conference of which only ministers are members; See cls 15, 23, 24 and 25 below and Section 15 of Standing Orders. (xxii) Ministerial Session' when used in relation to a Synod means a session of the Synod of which only ministers and probationers are members; See cl 24(c) (iii) below and Section 48 of Standing Orders. (xxiii) the Model Trusts' means the provisions of Schedule 2 to the 1976 Act, as amended from time to time under the powers in that behalf contained in the Model Trusts; The Model Trusts are set out in Part 2 of this Book II, below. (xxiv) other autonomous Conferences' or other autonomous Methodist Conferences' means the Conference or General Conference as the case may be of each of the following churches, namely every Methodist Church specified for this purpose from time to time in Standing Orders, and every Methodist Church, whether or not so specified, formed after 3rd July 1972 as the constitutional successor of an overseas District of the Conference; See S.O. 002(2). (xxv) overseas District' means a District of the Methodist Church other than a home District and overseas station' means any station to which a minister or probationer is appointed by the Conference outside the home Districts; (xxvi) Pastoral Committee' means the meeting or committee having under the provisions of Standing Orders the responsibilities of a Pastoral Committee as specified in Section 3 of this Deed; See S.O. 644(11). (xxvii) pastoral visitor' means a person appointed by the Church Council or by a responsible committee under its authority to exercise pastoral care over those committed to his or her charge, and to fulfil such other duties as may be prescribed by this Deed or by Standing Orders; See cl 9 below and S.O. 631(2). (xxviii) probationer' means a person who has been admitted by the Conference upon probation for the ministry and is fulfilling ministerial duty by the appointment of the Conference but has not yet been admitted into full connexion; See S.O.s 714 to 717. (xxix) Representative Session' when used in relation to the Conference or a Synod means a session of the Conference or Synod respectively other than the Ministerial Session; (xxx) Standing Orders' means rules or regulations made by the Conference as Standing Orders under clause 19 of this Deed and required to be published in accordance with clause 37 of this Deed; (xxxi) the stations' means the Circuits and other stations to which ministers and probationers are appointed by the Conference under clause 20 of this Deed and the verb to station' has a corresponding meaning; See also Section 73 of Standing Orders. (xxxii) supernumerary' means a minister permitted or directed under the provisions of this Deed or of Standing Orders to retire from the active work of the ministry; See cl 23(i) below and Section 77 of Standing Orders. (xxxiii) Superintendent minister' or Superintendent' in relation to a Circuit means the minister whose name stands first or alone in the list of ministers appointed to the Circuit, or in the event of the death, resignation or incapacity of that person such other minister as may become the Superintendent under the provisions of Standing Orders in that behalf; See S.O. 502(1), 520 to 522 and 737 (1). (xxxiv) Synod' and district Synod' are equivalent expressions and mean the principal meeting responsible for the affairs of a District, constituted in accordance with this Deed and Standing Orders. See cl 40 below and Section 41 of Standing Orders.
2 General Provisions (a) In this Deed, unless the context otherwise requires: (i) the singular includes the plural and vice versa; (ii) the masculine includes the feminine and vice versa; (iii) references to Sections, clauses or sub-clauses by number or letter, without more, or to this Section', this clause' or this sub-clause' are to the Sections, clauses and sub-clauses so identified of this Deed or of the clause in which they occur; (iv) references to persons present and voting' or to votes cast' exclude those not voting for or against, whether or not they are required to be or are enumerated or recorded as neutrals or abstentions or otherwise. (b) The provisions of this Section are subject to and shall pro tanto be displaced by any contrary express provision applicable to any particular part of this Deed. (c) The headings or titles of Sections, clauses or sub-clauses shall not be taken as part of this Deed nor affect its construction or interpretation.
3 Purposes. The purposes of the Methodist Church are and have been since the date of union those set out in Section 4 of the 1976 Act.
4 Doctrine. The doctrinal standards of the Methodist Church are as follows: The Methodist Church claims and cherishes its place in the Holy Catholic Church which is the Body of Christ. It rejoices in the inheritance of the apostolic faith and loyally accepts the fundamental principles of the historic creeds and of the Protestant Reformation. It ever remembers that in the providence of God Methodism was raised up to spread scriptural holiness through the land by the proclamation of the evangelical faith and declares its unfaltering resolve to be true to its divinely appointed mission.
The doctrines of the evangelical faith which Methodism has held from the beginning and still holds are based upon the divine revelation recorded in the Holy Scriptures. The Methodist Church acknowledges this revelation as the supreme rule of faith and practice. These evangelical doctrines to which the preachers of the Methodist Church are pledged are contained in Wesley's Notes on the New Testament and the first four volumes of his sermons.
The Notes on the New Testament and the 44 Sermons are not intended to impose a system of formal or speculative theology on Methodist preachers, but to set up standards of preaching and belief which should secure loyalty to the fundamental truths of the gospel of redemption and ensure the continued witness of the Church to the realities of the Christian experience of salvation.
Christ's ministers in the church are stewards in the household of God and shepherds of his flock. Some are called and ordained to this sole occupation and have a principal and directing part in these great duties but they hold no priesthood differing in kind from that which is common to all the Lord's people and they have no exclusive title to the preaching of the gospel or the care of souls. These ministries are shared with them by others to whom also the Spirit divides his gifts severally as he wills.
It is the universal conviction of the Methodist people that the office of the Christian ministry depends upon the call of God who bestows the gifts of the Spirit the grace and the fruit which indicate those whom He has chosen.
Those whom the Methodist Church recognises as called of God and therefore receives into its ministry shall be ordained by the imposition of hands as expressive of the Church's recognition of the minister's personal call.
The Methodist Church holds the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers and consequently believes that no priesthood exists which belongs exclusively to a particular order or class of persons but in the exercise of its corporate life and worship special qualifications for the discharge of special duties are required and thus the principle of representative selection is recognised.
All Methodist preachers are examined tested and approved before they are authorised to minister in holy things. For the sake of church order and not because of any priestly virtue inherent in the office the ministers of the Methodist Church are set apart by ordination to the ministry of the word and sacraments.
The Methodist Church recognises two sacraments namely baptism and the Lord's Supper as of divine appointment and of perpetual obligation of which it is the privilege and duty of members of the Methodist Church to avail themselves.
5 Interpretation of Doctrine. The Conference shall be the final authority within the Methodist Church with regard to all questions concerning the interpretation of its doctrines.
6 Baptism. According to Methodist usage the sacrament of baptism is administered to infants and regular oversight should be given by the Local Church and its minister to all who have been dedicated to God by this sign. See also S.O. 800 and 805.
7 Children and Young People. Within the Societies of the Methodist Church provision shall be made for the Christian nurture of children and young people. The aim shall be to develop faith and commitment to Christ, as they share in worship and learning based on Holy Scripture. See also S.O. 806
8 Admission to Membership. (a) All those who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and accept the obligation to serve him in the life of the Church and the world are welcome as members of the Methodist Church. (b) Those approved by the Church Council shall at the earliest opportunity be publicly received as members of the Methodist Church and confirmed at a service conducted by the minister in the presence of the Local Church and including the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. (c) If any have not received Christian baptism that sacrament should be administered either before or in connection with the service of reception and confirmation. See also S.O. 801 to 804 (d) Provision may be made by Standing Order for the reception into membership and confirmation of persons approved by the Church Council in accordance with sub-clause (b) above but unavoidably absent from the service provided for by that sub- clause. See also S.O. 804(2)
9 Privileges and Duties of Membership. It is the privilege and duty of members of the Methodist Church to avail themselves of the two sacraments, namely baptism and the Lord's Supper. As membership of the Methodist Church also involves fellowship it is the duty of all members of the Methodist Church to seek to cultivate this in every possible way. The weekly class meeting has from the beginning proved to be the most effective means of maintaining among Methodists true fellowship in Christian experience. All members of the Methodist Church shall have their names entered on a class book, shall be placed under the pastoral care of a class leader or pastoral visitor and shall receive an annual ticket of membership. See also S.O. 526(1), 631, 644(8)(vii) and 810.
10 Lapse of Membership. Any member of the Methodist Church who without sufficient reason persistently absents himself or herself from the Lord's Supper and from the meetings for Christian fellowship shall be visited by both his or her leader and the minister, except that no visit is necessary when the address of the member is not known. The name of any such person who by such prolonged absence severs himself or herself from Christian fellowship shall be removed from the class book by the Pastoral Committee and he or she shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Methodist Church. The Conference may make provision by Standing Order for an appeal or appeals against a decision by the Pastoral Committee under this clause. See also S.O. 815.
13 The Sessions. The Conference shall meet in Representative Session and in Ministerial Session, each constituted as provided below.
14 The Representative Session. (1) General. The Conference in its Representative Session shall consist of equal numbers, prescribed by Standing Orders, of ministers and lay persons. See S.O. 100.
(2) Membership. The Conference in its Representative Session shall comprise: (i) the persons who when it commences its sitting hold office as the President, the Vice-President and the Secretary of the Conference; (ii) the ex-Presidents and ex-Vice-Presidents of the Conference who took office as President or Vice-President during the four Conferences next before the last preceding Conference; (iii) the President-Designate, the Vice-President Designate and (if any) the Secretary-Designate nominated by the last preceding Conference; (iv) assistant secretaries and other officers of the Conference, as prescribed by Standing Orders; (v) the Chairman of each home District; (vi) the two lay persons appointed by the last preceding Conference as representatives to the Irish Conference; (vii) the Vice-President and the Secretary of the Irish Conference; (viii) the members to be appointed by the Irish and other autonomous Conferences and by the Opera for the Evangelical Methodist Churches in Italy, as prescribed below; (ix) the conference-elected representatives, as prescribed below; (x) representatives of connexional [. . .] committees, funds and institutions, as prescribed by Standing Orders; (xA) representatives, as prescribed by Standing Orders, of a Methodist Youth Conference to be established in accordance with Standing Orders; (xi) members elected by the Representative Sessions of Synods, as prescribed below. As to (iv) see S.O. 116A, 117. As to (x) see S.O. 102 (1)-(4). As to (xA) see S.O. 102(5).
(3) The Irish Conference. The Irish Conference shall be entitled to appoint annually to the Conference four ministers and two lay members of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
(4) Other Conferences and Churches (a) There may be appointed annually to the Conference ministers and lay persons in equal numbers by or on behalf of other autonomous Conferences, the Conferences and the numbers to be appointed by each being prescribed by Standing Orders. See S.O. 104. (b) The Opera for the Evangelical Methodist Churches in Italy shall be entitled to appoint one representative annually to the Conference.
(5) Conference-elected Representatives (a) The conference- elected representatives shall be elected by the Conference and shall consist of equal numbers of ministers and lay persons. (b) The numbers, term of office and other matters concerning the election and service of conference-elected representatives shall be prescribed by Standing Orders. (c) Any conference-elected representative who becomes incapable of acting or unfit to act or ceases to be a member of the Methodist Church or, being a minister when elected, ceases to be a minister shall be disqualified from being a conference-elected representative and his or her office shall forthwith become vacant. (d) Casual vacancies occurring from time to time in the number of the conference-elected representatives shall be filled by the Conference. See also S.O. 103
(6) Synod Representatives. Except as provided in heads (i) to (xA) of sub-clause (2) all members of the Representative Session of the Conference shall be elected annually by the Representative Sessions of the home Synods, the numbers of ministers and lay persons to be elected by each Synod being specified by the preceding Conference in accordance with rules prescribed by Standing Orders. See S.O. 105
15 The Ministerial Session (a) The Conference in its Ministerial Session shall consist: (i) of all those members of the Representative Session of the Conference who are ministers, including those appointed as such by the Irish or other autonomous Conferences or the Opera for the Evangelical Methodist Churches in Italy; and (ii) subject to sub-clauses (b) and (c), of such other ministers as attend under their own arrangements with the permission of the Ministerial Sessions of their Synods or (in the case of any minister who is not a member of a Synod) of such person or body as may be specified in Standing Orders; and (iii) of any ministers appointed by the last preceding Conference as assistant secretaries or other officers of the Conference in its Ministerial Session who are not members of the Representative Session of the Conference. As to the last part of (ii) see S.O. 151. (b) Ministers who are members of the Conference under head (ii) of sub-clause (a) shall not be entitled to vote nor, except as otherwise resolved by the Conference at the time, to be present during any closed meeting of the Conference. (c) Any meeting of the Conference in its Ministerial Session convened under clause 24(i) shall be a meeting of those only who are members under head (i) of sub-clause (a) above.
16 List of Members. (a) Before the assembling of the Conference in each year the Secretary of the Conference shall make out a list of the conference-elected representatives and other persons entitled to be members of the forthcoming Conference; (b) On the assembling of the Conference in each year and before any other business is transacted the Secretary of the Conference, if present and willing to act, failing whom the person who has most recently held office as such, if present and willing to act, and failing any such person then some person chosen by the Conference for that purpose shall lay before the Conference the list made out by the Secretary of the Conference under sub-clause (a). If the completeness or correctness of that list is forthwith questioned by any person who (in the opinion of the Conference) is entitled to be a member of the Conference the Conference shall forthwith supply any omission or correct any error but subject as aforesaid such list shall be taken to be final and conclusive as to the persons of whom the Conference consists other than the persons (if any) appointed by the Conference as herein provided to fill up the casual vacancies (if any) in the number of the Conference-elected representatives or as substitutes for any members who are not able or willing to attend.
17 Substitutes. (a) The Conference shall have power to elect a substitute for any member who is unable or unwilling to attend except the Vice-President or the Secretary of the Irish Conference or a member elected by the Irish or another autonomous Conference or by the Opera for the Evangelical Methodist Churches in Italy or by a Representative Session of a Synod.
(b) While the Conference meets first in Ministerial Session it shall in that session have power to elect such a substitute for any such member who is a minister.
18 General. The government and discipline of the Methodist Church and the management and administration of its affairs shall be vested in the Conference, and the Conference shall have and may exercise and shall perform all the powers, authorities, rights and duties necessary or desirable in its discretion for such government, discipline, management and administration; and without prejudice to and not so as to limit or restrict in any way the general powers, authorities, rights and duties conferred or imposed by this clause or any powers, authorities, rights or duties confirmed or imposed by any other clause of this Deed upon the Conference it is hereby expressly declared that until the Conference otherwise resolves the Conference shall have and may exercise and shall perform the particular powers, authorities, rights and duties specified in clauses 19, 20 and 21.
19 Standing Orders. The Conference shall have power from time to time to make, amend or revoke Standing Orders or other rules or regulations for the constitution and procedure of the Conference, for the summoning and meeting of the Conference in the interval between its ordinary meetings, for the determination of the privileges and obligations of ministers and probationers whether as a whole or by categories, including eligibility for membership of the Conference and appointment to the stations, and for the government of the Methodist Church in general and shall also have power to adopt in any special case that may arise any means that it may deem necessary to meet it; provided that no such Standing Order, rule, regulation or means may be contrary to law or to this Deed or to the purposes of the Methodist Church.
20 The Stations. The Conference shall annually appoint as ministers and probationers to the Circuits and other stations such persons as it thinks fit and in the exercise of this power it shall be lawful for the Conference notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the trust deeds of any of the said Churches or denominations existing at the date of union to appoint a minister to the use and enjoyment of any place of worship for more than three years successively. See Section 73 of Standing Orders.
21 Other particular powers. The Conference shall have power at its discretion: (i) to continue or found or authorise the founding of connexional funds or institutions for the promulgation of the Gospel at home and abroad, for assistance to Circuits or Local Churches or for the benefit of retired and superannuated ministers or the widows, widowers or children of deceased ministers or for other objects and purposes of or in connection with the Methodist Church and to direct the application and management thereof and to approve any scheme for the amalgamation of any such funds or institutions, whether founded before or after the date of this Deed, and whether belonging to or connected with any of the said Churches or denominations existing at the date of union or to the Methodist Church and for the transfer in connection with any such amalgamation of any of such funds from the existing trustees or other persons having the legal control thereof to the trustees of any other of such funds or institutions; (ii) to continue or establish such printing or publishing offices carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of or in connection with the Methodist Church (hereinafter referred to as Book Rooms ) as the Conference thinks fit; (iii) to manage all matters connected with the Book Rooms and publications, connexional property, missions, colleges and schools of the Methodist Church; (iv) to elect committees for the management of the various connexional institutions; provided that the election of any such committee is not in contravention of any provision of any trust deed relating to the relevant institution; (v) to appoint boards and committees for the despatch of connexional business or for the exercise of any of the powers or duties of the Conference during or in the interval between its sittings, in such numbers and with such terms of reference, membership, powers and duties as the Conference thinks fit; (vi) to appoint such treasurers, secretaries, stewards, editors and other officers of connexional [. . .] committees, funds or institutions as the Conference thinks fit and to specify their powers, duties and terms of office; (vii) to appoint such representatives or delegates as the Conference thinks fit to act for and represent the Conference; (viii) to delegate to any officer of the Conference or to any board, committee, officer, representative or delegate appointed in exercise of the powers conferred by this clause all or any of the powers of the Conference including, if the Conference thinks fit, power to sub-delegate any power of the Conference so delegated. As to (ii) and (iii) see S. O. 242, 243. As to (v) and (vi) see Parts 2 and 3 of Standing Orders. As to (vii) see S.O. 106. As to (viii) see S.O. 211.
22 Functions of the Representative Session. Except as otherwise provided by this Deed the Conference shall act in its Representative Session.
23 Functions of the Ministerial Session. (a) In addition to any powers conferred by any other clause of this Deed the Conference shall in its Ministerial Session have the powers and perform the functions specified in the following sub- clauses. As to powers conferred by other clauses see e.g. cl 17(b) (appointment of ministerial substitutes) and cl 43 (appointment of ministerial representatives to the Irish Conference. (b) While the Conference meets first in Ministerial Session it shall in that session have power to appoint the ministerial members of any committee required by Standing Orders to be appointed by the Conference from among its own members and to function in both sessions. (c) The Conference shall in its Ministerial Session make such other appointments as may be prescribed by Standing Orders. See, e.g. S.O. 139, 150 (scrutineers, business committee). (d) The Conference in its Ministerial Session shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the following business: (i) continuance or discontinuance in training or on probation or reinstatement of each student or probationer in training or on trial for the ministry; (ii) any appeal to the Conference arising out of any charge against a minister or probationer or a student in training for the ministry. (e) The decisions of the Ministerial Session in the exercise of its jurisdiction under sub-clause (d) and all appointments made by the Conference in that session in exercise of its powers in that behalf shall be reported to the Conference in its Representative Session and there incorporated in the Journal provided for by Clause 36. (f) The Conference shall in its Ministerial Session engage in pastoral consideration of the number and state of the Societies and in pastoral conversation on the Work of God and on pastoral efficiency. (g) Acceptance of candidates for the ministry shall be by the Conference in its Representative Session, but no candidate shall be proposed for acceptance except upon the recommendation of the Ministerial Session. See S.O. 707, 708. (h) Admission (including re-admission) into full connexion, whether of probationers or others, shall in all cases be by the Conference in its Representative Session, which shall by the same act resolve that any person thus admitted and not already ordained shall be ordained by the laying-on of hands, but no person shall be presented for admission into full connexion without the judgment of the Ministerial Session that he or she is fit for such admission and, if appropriate, for ordination. See S.O. 718, 725(16), 788(11). (i) The Conference shall by Standing Order prescribe the circumstances in which a minister may or shall become a supernumerary on the ground of age, years of travel, ill health, compassion, difficulty of finding an appointment or otherwise. A minister may be directed to become a supernumerary by any competent church court upon finding a charge against him or her proved, but otherwise all permissions and directions to become supernumeraries shall be given by the Conference in its Representative Session. All cases shall be considered first by the Ministerial Session, which shall recommend to the Representative Session who shall become supernumeraries and on what grounds. See Section 77 of Standing Orders. (j) The deaths of all ministers shall be reported to the Conference in both sessions and obituaries shall be approved by the Conference in its Ministerial Session and reported to the Representative Session and there incorporated in the said Journal. See S.O. 153, 487. (k) The resignation of a minister or withdrawal of a probationer shall be reported to the Conference in both sessions. See S.O. 786 (l) The Conference in its Ministerial Session shall have such functions in relation to the stationing of ministers and probationers as may be prescribed by Standing Orders. See S.O. 732. (m) The Conference may in its Ministerial Session discuss any subject in the Agenda of the Representative Session or any other subject within the jurisdiction of the Conference and communicate its views thereon to the Representative Session by resolution or otherwise.
24 Transaction of General Business. (a) In this clause general business' means decisions on matters of policy or principle, the adoption, amendment or repeal of Standing Orders, other general resolutions and all other business of the Conference not involving decisions on matters within Clause 23 as to particular persons. (b) The Conference in its Representative Session shall have jurisdiction over all general business, but subject to the following sub-clauses of this clause. (c) In this clause shared business' means any general business which concerns: (i) any of the subjects within sub-clauses (d) and (f) to (k) of clause 23; or (ii) the procedure of the Ministerial Session of the Conference; or (iii) the continuance, composition, functions or procedure of the Ministerial Session of the Synods. Business which concerns the continuance, composition or functions of the Ministerial Session of the Conference would involve an amendment of the Deed, and cl 47 would apply. (d) Shared business shall be dealt with as specified in sub- clauses (e) to (j), which relate only to such business except as provided in clauses (k) and (l). (e) Shared business may be raised on notice of motion in the Representative Session of the Conference, but any consequent resolution shall be referred to the Conference of the next following year. (f) Resolutions referred under sub-clause (e) and all other items of shared business, including the confirmation of provisional legislation on a matter of shared business, shall be presented first to the Conference in its Ministerial Session. They shall then be presented to the Representative Session with a report on any debate or resolutions thereon in the Ministerial Session, including a fair summary of the principal arguments. As to provisional legislation see S.O. 122. (g) If any proposition has been adopted by the Ministerial Session in an amended form those presenting the business in the Representative Session may at their option move it there in its original form or in that adopted by the Ministerial Session. (h) Adoption by the Conference in its Representative Session of a resolution in a form already approved by the Ministerial Session shall dispose of the business. (i) Adoption by the Representative Session of a resolution in any other form shall be conditional upon ratification by the Ministerial Session, which shall be reconvened for the purpose only of deciding whether to concur with the resolution of the Representative Session or to reaffirm its own decision, and may deal with that matter with or without notice, adjournment or debate, and in the presence or absence of the lay members of the Conference. Concurrence by the Ministerial Session shall dispose of the business. (j) If the Ministerial Session as so reconvened reaffirms its own decision the Representative Session shall have the final decision whether to concur with the Ministerial Session or to abandon the business. (k) Any proposition before the Conference which relates both to shared business and to other business shall also be dealt with as specified in sub-clauses (e) to (j). (l) If a report in the Agenda of the Conference proposes some resolutions within sub-clause (d) or (k), and some not, those presenting the report to the Conference may at their option present to the Ministerial Session those resolutions only which are within those sub-clauses or all the resolutions, and in the latter event they shall all be dealt with as specified in sub- clauses (e) to (j).
25 Reference Between Sessions. Either session of the Conference may refer or delegate to the other, for comment or decision, any matter within the jurisdiction of the referring session. The majority required for delegation of a matter for decision shall be that required for a substantive resolution on that matter. Any comment or decision on any such matter shall be reported to the referring session and any such decision so reported to the Representative Session shall there be incorporated in the Journal provided for by Clause 36.
26 The President. The President of the Conference shall be a minister and shall be elected by the Conference by a clear majority of the votes cast. He or she shall be designated at the preceding Conference by ballot and by a clear majority of the votes cast. See also S.O. 110.
27 The Vice-President. There shall be a Vice-President of the Conference who shall be a lay member of the Methodist Church and shall be elected by the Conference by a clear majority of the votes cast. He or she shall be designated at the preceding Conference by ballot and by a clear majority of the votes cast. See also S.O. 110
28 Who presides at the Conference. (a) At every meeting of the Conference the President if present shall preside, save that the President may at his or her absolute discretion, without leaving the Conference, invite the Vice-President to preside for such period as the President may determine. (b) If the President is absent from any meeting of the Representative Session the Vice-President shall during the absence of the President preside and if both are absent the ex-President, failing whom the ex-Vice-President, who has most recently held the substantive office and who is present and willing to act, and failing any such person then such other member of the Conference as the Conference may choose, shall during the absence of the President preside and act as President of the Conference and in each such case with all the powers rights and duties of the President. (c) If the President is absent from any meeting of the Ministerial Session the ex-President who has most recently held the substantive office and who is present and willing to act, and failing any such person then such other member of the Conference (being a minister) as the Conference may choose shall during the absence of the President preside and act as President of the Conference and in each such case with all the powers rights and duties of the President.
29 The President and the Stations. (a) If any person appointed as minister or probationer to any station for any year dies or ceases to be in the active work the President may appoint another person as minister or probationer to take the place for such year or the remainder of such year (as the case may be) of the person so dying or ceasing to be in the active work. (b) If in the opinion of the President it becomes necessary or expedient during the year to remove from or appoint to a station as minister or probationer any person (including a ministerial student) so appointed or eligible to be so appointed or to change the appointment of anyone so appointed the President may effect that appointment, removal or change of appointment in such manner as he or she thinks fit. (c) Any such appointment, removal or change of appointment so made by the President shall take effect and be as valid in every respect as if it had been made by the Conference and shall be deemed to be the act of the Conference to all intents and purposes and a note thereof shall be entered in the current Journal kept under the superintendence of the Conference and shall be signed by the President and Secretary for the time being of the Conference and such Journal being duly subscribed and attested as provided in clause 36 shall be taken and received for all purposes whatsoever as conclusive evidence of such appointment, removal or change of appointment.
30 The Secretary. There shall be a Secretary of the Conference, who shall be a minister. As to the designation and appointment of the Secretary, see S.O. 114.
31 Duration of Office. (a) The President and Vice-President of the Conference shall take office upon election, and subject to the provisions of this clause shall continue in office until the election of their respective successors. (b) The Secretary of the Conference shall take office on the first day of September next following appointment and in the interval is the Secretary-Elect, except that if during that interval there is a casual vacancy in the office of Secretary then the Secretary-Elect shall take office as Secretary forthwith. (c) A casual vacancy arises in the office of President, Vice- President or Secretary of the Conference if the holder of the office dies or becomes incapable of acting or unfit to act or ceases to be a minister or member (as the case may be) of the Methodist Church and a prospective casual vacancy arises in the office of Secretary of the Conference if the Secretary- Elect dies or becomes incapable of acting or unfit to act or ceases to be such a minister. (d) If such a casual vacancy or prospective casual vacancy arises during a meeting of the Conference in its Representative Session it shall be filled by the Conference, which shall for that purpose determine its own procedures. (e) Subject to sub-clauses (b) and (d) any such casual vacancy shall be filled by the substitution as President, Vice-President or Secretary of the Conference (as the case may be) of the person who has most recently held the relevant office and is qualified, able and willing to act. (f) Subject to sub-clause (d) any such prospective casual vacancy shall be filled by the continuance in office of the Secretary of the Conference, if able and willing to act. (g) Failing any person to fill a casual vacancy or prospective casual vacancy in accordance with sub-clause (b), (e) or (f) the vacancy shall be filled (until the taking effect of an appointment by the Conference) by the appointment of a qualified person by such committee as may be specified by the Conference. The Methodist Council is the committee specified for this purpose (S.O. O13(13)(vii)). (h) Upon the occurrence of a casual vacancy in the office of Secretary of the Conference the President of the Conference shall act as and be the Secretary of the Conference for all purposes until it has been ascertained who has filled that vacancy in accordance with the above sub- clauses. (i) If the President-Designate or Vice-President-Designate has died or is for any reason not appointed President or Vice-President respectively the Conference shall determine its own procedure for the purpose of making the relevant appointments. (j) In relation to the provisions in sub-clause (c) concerning the incapacity or unfitness of the President, Vice-President, Secretary or Secretary-Elect of the Conference: (i) any issue whether such a person is unfit to act on grounds apt to be the subject of a charge involving his or her standing as a minister or member shall be determined in accordance with the regulations of the Conference for the time being in force in relation to disciplinary proceedings; (ii) any issue whether such a person is incapable of acting or unfit to act on any other grounds shall be determined in accordance with regulations from time to time made by the Conference for that purpose; (iii) pending determination of any such issue there shall be power to suspend such a person from all or any of his or her functions in accordance with the relevant regulations. As to (i) see Section 02 0f Standing Orders. As to (ii) see S.O. 013 (13), (15).
32 Other Officers. The Conference may appoint such assistant secretaries and other officers as it thinks fit and fill any casual vacancies which may occur in any of those offices. See S.O. 101, 116A.
33 Meetings. (a) Subject to the following sub-clauses of this clause every ordinary meeting of the Conference shall be held at such place and shall commence its sitting on such date as the last preceding Conference may determine. (b) In the case of great emergency, so judged by the President of the Conference, the Conference shall notwithstanding sub-clause (a) meet at such place and shall commence its sittings on such date in the year beginning on the 1st September next following the last preceding ordinary meeting of the Conference as the President of the Conference may, after consulting the Vice-President and Secretary of the Conference, direct. (c) If by reason of a direction given under sub-clause (b) the Conference meets before any one or more categories of members to be elected or appointed by or on behalf of any Conference, Synod, [. . .] committee, institution or other body have been so elected or appointed then the person or persons who were members of the last preceding Conference in the relevant category or categories shall be members of the Conference in that category or categories. Sub-cls (b) and (c) deal with the alteration of the date or place fixed for the next ordinary meeting; compare Section 16 of Standing Orders, which provides for additional meetings between the ordinary meetings.
34 Voting. Except as in this Deed or Standing Orders otherwise expressly provided or as the Conference may otherwise direct the vote of the majority in number of the members present and voting at any meeting of the Conference shall be taken as and be the act of the Conference for any of the purposes for which such act is hereby rendered necessary and be binding and conclusive on and against every member of the Methodist Church to all intents and purposes whatsoever and in the case of the votes being equal the person presiding at the meeting shall have a second or casting vote, which if the vote has been taken by ballot shall be exercised forthwith, but otherwise the person presiding may at his or her discretion either forthwith exercise the second or casting vote or direct that the question be decided by ballot. Special majorities are needed for amendment of the Deed itself (s. 5 of the 1976 Act, Vol 1, p. 10) or of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2, para. 27), or for certain procedural and other resolutions by virtue of the rules of debate in S.O. 131, or for certain appointments (e.g S.O. 313(5), (6)).
35 Validation of Proceedings. (a) All acts done and votes given at a meeting of the Conference or of any committee thereof or of any other committee or board appointed by the Conference by any person acting or voting as a member of the Conference or such committee or board shall notwithstanding its being afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment or election of that person or that he or she had become disqualified be as valid as if there had been no such defect or disqualification. (b) No meeting and no vote, act or proceeding at any meeting of the Conference or of any committee thereof or of any other committee or board appointed by the Conference shall be hindered or rendered invalid, void or voidable by reason of the absence from such meeting of any person or class of persons or representatives forming part of the Conference or of any such committee or board or by reason of any informality in the summoning of the Conference or any such committee or board or by reason of the failure to give due notice of the meeting of the Conference or of any such committee or board to any person entitled to attend the same. (c) No omission by inadvertence or mistake to comply with any provision, whether in the 1976 Act, this Deed, the Model Trusts, Standing Orders or otherwise, requiring submission or reference to or consultation with any Synod or other body or any person or consideration of any report before the adoption or confirmation by the Conference of any resolution shall amount to failure of appropriate consultation for the purposes of the 1976 Act or the Model Trusts or invalidate any purported adoption or confirmation in good faith of any such resolution. See also S.O. 110(4), 126(2).
36 The Journal. (a) Notes, minutes or copies (as the case may require) of all acts, orders, resolutions and proceedings whatsoever of the Conference shall be entered either directly or by reference to the Agenda of the Conference in a Journal to be kept under the superintendence of the Conference and, unless otherwise ordered by the Conference, circulated among or read to the members of the Conference for confirmation during its sittings either verbatim or by reference to a daily record of proceedings kept for incorporation in the Journal, and (together with a copy of the Agenda of the Conference) shall be subscribed by the President, Secretary and (with respect to the Representative Session only) the Vice-President for the time being in the presence of two or more members of the Conference as attesting witnesses at the end of the Conference. (b) The Journal (together with such parts of the said copy of the Agenda of the Conference so subscribed and attested as may be incorporated therein by adoption or otherwise) so subscribed and attested shall be taken and received for all purposes whatsoever as conclusive evidence of the acts and proceedings of the Conference. (c) The Journals of the Conference held in any year and of all preceding Conferences and the copies of the Agenda of the Conferences so subscribed and attested shall be and remain in the custody of such person or persons as such Conference may from time to time direct. See S.O. 125(1).
37 Publications. All Standing Orders adopted or amended and all other general resolutions passed by the Conference held in any year and such other parts of its proceedings as the Conference or its President, Secretary and (with respect to the Representative Session only) Vice-President may direct shall as soon as may be after its close be printed and published. See also S.O.s 123 and 124.
38 The Home Work. The Local Churches in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man forming part of the Methodist Church shall be formed into Circuits for mutual encouragement and help (especially in meeting their financial obligations) in accordance with directions from time to time made by the Conference, and the Circuits shall be arranged by the Conference in Districts in like manner, but the Conference shall not direct the division or combination of existing Circuits or the formation of new Circuits unless and until the Synod or Synods of the District or Districts of which such existing Circuits or proposed new Circuits form or would form parts have been consulted. See also S.O. 401.
39 The Overseas Work. (a) All Local Churches forming or from time to time recognised and regarded by the Conference as forming part of the Methodist Church outside Great Britain (other than in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) and all overseas missions shall so far as may be lawful be organised, governed and regulated in such manner as the Conference may from time to time determine. See also S.O. 128 and Art. 14 of the Constitution of the Methodist Missionary Society (Book IV B. Part 3) (b) In addition to the Districts from time to time existing in the home work the Conference may from time to time, in any case where it may think fit and so far as may be lawful, constitute a District consisting of any number of Circuits or Local Churches situate outside Great Britain (other than in Northern Ireland or in the Republic of Ireland).
40 Church Courts. District Synods (which shall include all the ministers stationed in the District), Circuit Meetings, Church Councils, Local Preachers' Meetings, General Church Meetings and any other meetings and committees shall be constituted in such manner, of such persons, and with and subject to such powers, duties and provisions as may consistently with this Deed be provided in that behalf from time to time by the Conference. For Synods see Section 41 of Standing Orders, for Circuit Meetings Section 51, for Church Councils Section 61, for Local Preachers Meetings S.O. 560 and for General Church Meetings Section 62.
41 Validation of Proceedings. The provisions of clause 35 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the proceedings of meetings or committees constituted under clause 40 as they apply to those of the Conference. See also S.O. 126(2), 518, 616.
42 Chairmen of Districts. (a) The Chairman of each District shall be a minister and upon first appointment as Chairman of that District be elected by the Conference [. . .] by a clear majority of the votes cast. See also S.O. 420 to 423A. (b) The Chairman of each District shall be ex officio the Chairman of the Synod of that District and of all other district meetings having relation to that Synod, save that the President of the Conference, if present, shall preside at the meetings of the Synod of which he or she is a member. See also S.O. 424 and 425. (c) The Chairman of each home District elected by the Conference held in any year shall enter upon his or her duties on the first day of September after being elected and continue in office while appointed to that station under clause 20 above; provided that if the Chairman of any such District becomes incapable of acting or unfit to act or ceases to be a minister he or she shall be disqualified from being Chairman and shall thereupon vacate office as Chairman and a casual vacancy in the office of Chairman of that District shall be deemed to have arisen; provided further that if any casual vacancy arises in the chairmanship of a home District, whether under the provisions of this present clause or by death or otherwise, after the end of the Conference it shall be filled by the substitution as Chairman of that District of such other person, being a minister in the active work stationed in the District, as the members of the district Policy Committee choose, being able and willing to act; and it shall be the duty of the President of the Conference, upon receiving notice of any such casual vacancy to convene a meeting of the district Policy Committee over which the President, or an ex-President designated by him or her, shall preside to ascertain their choice, and thereupon to appoint and declare the minister thus chosen to be the Chairman of such District until the entry upon his or her duties of a new Chairman duly elected by the Conference under sub-clause (a) above (whether already so elected when the vacancy arises or to be elected by the next succeeding Conference). Until the casual vacancy has been so filled the President of the Conference shall act as the Chairman of the District. As to chairmen of overseas Districts see Book IV, Part 4, below. (d) In relation to the provisions of sub- clause (c) concerning the incapacity or unfitness of a Chairman: (i) any issue whether a Chairman is unfit to act on grounds apt to be the subject of a charge involving his or her standing as a minister shall be determined in accordance with the regulations of the Conference for the time being in force in relation to disciplinary proceedings; (ii) any issue whether a Chairman is incapable of acting or unfit to act on any other grounds shall be determined in accordance with regulations from time to time made by the Conference for that purpose; (iii) pending determination of any such issue there shall be power to suspend a Chairman from all or any of his or her functions in accordance with the relevant regulations. As to (i) see Standing Orders 020 to 026A. As to (ii) see S.O. 013 (14), (15).
43 The Irish Conference. (a) Subject to such provisions of law (if any) as may be applicable in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland and in accordance with the provisions constituting the Methodist Church in Ireland the President of the Conference shall also be the President of the Irish Conference and the Conference shall appoint annually two other ministers, its Vice-President and two lay persons as representatives to the Irish Conference. The appointment of such other ministers may be made by the Conference in the Ministerial Session. (b) Ministers of the Irish Conference admitted into full connexion with the Methodist Church in Ireland whether before or since the passing in Northern Ireland of The Methodist Church in Ireland Act (Northern Ireland) 1928 and in the Irish Free State of The Methodist Church in Ireland Act 1928 shall be recognised and regarded as ministers of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion. (c) Ministers and lay members of the Methodist Church in Ireland may be appointed members of the Conference, of the Missionary Committee or of any other committee of the Conference of the Methodist Church. (d) Ministers of the Irish Conference who under the provisions of this clause are recognised and regarded as ministers of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion shall be subject to the rules and discipline of the Conference of the Methodist Church while filling any appointment in the home work or serving in any of the overseas stations of the Methodist Church. See also S.O. 767
44 Other Autonomous Conferences. (a) The Conference shall have power, if satisfied that the constitution of the proposed new church will embody and safeguard Methodist doctrines, to concur in the establishment of an autonomous Methodist Church comprising or including one or more Districts, Circuits or Local Churches until then forming part of the Methodist Church, and so far as the law allows: (i) to grant and transfer to the conference or other governing body of the newly autonomous church the authority and power of the Conference in relation to the members of the Methodist Church concerned; and (ii) to convey and transfer to the newly autonomous church or its trustees or to other appropriate transferees for its use and benefit all or any properties in the relevant area vested on behalf of the Conference of the Methodist Church in the Methodist Missionary Trust Association or other trustees, persons or bodies. (b) Ministers of other autonomous Methodist Conferences, if appointed by the Conference to the stations in the home Districts or overseas, shall during the period of such appointment only be recognised and regarded as ministers of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion. (c) They shall be eligible for membership of the Conference and of other church courts during the period of such appointment as if they were ministers in full connexion with the Conference. (d) Ministers of other autonomous Methodist Conferences who under the provisions of this clause are recognised and regarded as ministers of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion shall be subject to the rules and discipline of the Conference of the Methodist Church while filling any appointment in the home work or serving in any of the overseas stations of the Methodist Church. See also S.O. 767
45 Ministers of other Churches. (a) Such other persons as the Conference may from time to time specify, if appointed by the Conference to the stations in the home Districts or overseas, shall during the period of such appointment only be recognised and regarded as ministers of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion. See also S.O. 765 (b) They shall be eligible for membership of the Conference and of other church courts during the period of such appointment as if they were ministers in full connexion with the Conference. (c) Persons who under the provisions of this clause are recognised and regarded as ministers of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion shall be subject to the rules and discipline of the Conference of the Methodist Church while filling any appointment in the home work or serving in any of the overseas stations of the Methodist Church. See also S.O. 767
46 Power to unite with other Churches. The Conference shall have the powers specified in section 6 of the 1976 Act in relation to schemes or arrangements for unification, amalgamation or association of the Methodist Church or any body thereof with any other Christian church or organisation. For s. 6 see Vol 1, p. 11
47 Amendment. The Conference may amend this Deed by the procedures and with the effect specified in section 5 of the 1976 Act. For s. 5 see Vol 1, p. 10.
IN WITNESS whereof we the said John Scott Lidgett, Henry Maldwyn Hughes, William Younger and William Christopher Jackson have hereunto set our respective hands and seals the 20th day of September 1932.
Signed sealed and delivered by the said John Scott Lidgett in the presence of: J. SCOTT LIDGETT L.S. R. W. Perks, 11 Kensington Palace Gardens, London, W.8. Baronet.
Signed sealed and delivered by the said Henry Maldwyn Hughes in the presence of: H. MALDWYN HUGHES L.S. R. Newbald Kay, Solicitor. York.
Signed sealed and delivered by the said William Younger WILLIAM YOUNGER L.S. in the presence of: S. Alford Butt, Solicitor, 2 Walbrook, E. C. 4.
Signed sealed and delivered by the said William Christopher Jackson WM. C. JACKSON L.S. in the presence of: A. J. Cash, Solicitor, Derby.