300 The Connexional Team. (1) There shall be a connexional Team, operating for administrative purposes in four Units together with the Conference Office, with the responsibilities specified in Standing Orders, working collaboratively so as to provide a coherent and effective service on behalf of the Conference. (2) The work of the Team, the assignment of particular tasks and the co-ordination of the work shall be supervised by the Methodist Council. (3) Subject to clause (4) below the Team shall consist of: (i)all persons specified in Standing Orders or stationed under Standing Order 315 as members of the Team; and (ii) all other persons appointed under Standing Order 313 or employed to carry out, in either case, the work specified in Part 3. (4) Persons appointed to or employed in the connexional and other institutions which are the subject of Section 34 are not members of the Team, except as specified in that Section. As to clauses (3)(i) and 4 see S.O. 341(2).
301 Purposes (1) The overall task of the connexional Team is to further the purposes of the Methodist Church, in particular enabling it better to fulfil its calling to worship, discipleship and mission. (2) The Team is charged with providing appropriate support for Local Churches, Circuits and Districts in accordance with Standing Orders and any directions of the Conference given from time to time. (3) The Team shall foster the recognition throughout the Church that the Church s mission includes evangelisation, education, social witness, social caring, the struggle for justice and care for the well-being of the planet. (4) The Team shall encourage ecumenical collaboration throughout the Church and carry out its work, wherever possible and appropriate, in collaboration with other Christian Churches and other agencies. (5) The Team is authorised to act on behalf of the Church in relation to national institutions and public issues in harmony with the existing statements and resolutions of the Conference. See also S.O. 211(1).
(6) The Team is responsible for assisting the Methodist Council in considering and determining future policies. (7) The Team shall have particular responsibility for the areas of work specified in Standing Orders 302 to 306.
302 Church Life. In the discharge of its responsibility to develop church life the Team shall: (i) promote the ministry of all God s people in the church and the world, in particular encouraging the contribution of disadvantaged and minority groups; (ii) foster within the whole Church an awareness of world mission and social responsibility as implications of Christian discipleship; (iii) support and encourage the Church s work with children, young people and young adults, including uniformed organisations and other church and community programmes for the young; (iv) identify, develop, present and sustain the Church s witness concerning family and personal relationships; (v) encourage theological study and reflection and its expression in the worship of the Church and in the Church s engagement with society; (vi) provide resources for the enrichment of the Church s worship and encourage their use, including the creative arts; (vii) foster the spiritual life, fellowship and growth of the local church and promote pastoral care; (viii) offer training and support for the life of the Church, especially at local church and circuit level, including the Wesley Guild and other adult organisations; (ix) promote and co-ordinate the Church s programme of selection, formation, oversight and training for its various forms of ministry, including ministers, members of the Methodist Diaconal Order, local preachers, lay workers and other lay leaders; (x) facilitate the effective use of the Church s resources, through the encouragement of Christian stewardship by means of the Methodist Stewardship Organisation and otherwise, the deployment of personnel, the making of grants and the processing of property schemes; (xi) allocate funds and submit applications for grants to appropriate external bodies for these purposes. As to (i) see S.O.336, 351. As to (iii) see S.O. 328. As to (v) see S.O. 330. As to (ix) see Section 32 and S.O. 340.
303 Church and Society. In the discharge of its responsibility to assist the engagement of the Church with society the Team shall: (i) provide resources for the whole Church to engage in evangelism; (ii) encourage and oversee all forms of evangelisation under Methodist auspices, including chaplaincies to prisons, the armed forces, industry, hospitals and education, urban, rural and London mission and evangelistic agencies; (iii) initiate and support new forms of mission and ministry; (iv) oversee the work of Methodist primary and secondary schools and colleges of higher education; (v) ensure the effective presentation of Christian social witness in harmony with existing Statements and resolutions of the Conference, with particular reference to political, social and economic issues in a European context and to international affairs; (vi) oversee the preparation of resources to help the Conference to review its Statements from time to time or come to a considered mind on new topics; (vii) equip and support the work of Local Churches and Circuits as they engage with the life of society; (viii) consider the implications for the life and mission of the Church of proposed government legislation and advise the Methodist Council and the Conference as necessary. As to (ii) see S.O.352-355, 362. As to (iv) see S.O. 244, 339, 342, 343, 344.
304 Inter-Church and Other Relationships. In the discharge of its responsibility concerning inter-church and other relationships the Team shall: (i) promote and service the Church s relationships with other churches and with ecumenical bodies; (ii) act as a channel for the sharing of resources with sister churches and other agencies; (iii) develop and collaborate in initiatives in world mission; (iv) work in co-operation with Methodist, ecumenical and other agencies for the promotion of justice, the relief of human need, economic and social development and initiatives on ecological issues; (v) increase awareness of the worldwide implications of the gospel and challenge the Church to deeper commitment in prayer, study and action; (vi) encourage a response to opportunities for service across national boundaries through employment in the Church or in other ways; (vii) further the development of relationships with people of other faiths. As to (i) see S.O.334. As to (iii), (v) and (vi) see S.O. 216, 333.
305 Central Services. In the discharge of its responsibility to provide administrative services the Team shall: (i) assist the whole Church to function efficiently and economically; (ii) develop effective communications within the Church and beyond it through the publishing, production and distribution of printed material and other resources and the use of the public media; (iii) develop and maintain satisfactory systems of financial accountability and control, prepare budgets and accounts and provide all financial services that may be required by the Conference or the Methodist Council; (iv) consider any subject bearing on Methodist finances not within the responsibilities of any other body (including taxation and Parliamentary legislation) and advise the Methodist Council or its Executive thereon; (v) provide any administrative or accountancy services required by the Central Finance Board or by the trustees of any connexional fund or other connexional organisation; (vi) implement the personnel policies agreed by the Methodist Council for the Team, including terms and conditions of employment, and keep under review all arrangements for the employment of lay persons within the Church; (vii) provide for the management of records and technological support services and the care of archives and other historical material; (viii) act as agent of the managing trustees of connexional property as may be required by them; (ix) provide the administrative services required by the Methodist Council in discharging its responsibilities for property affairs. As to (ii) see S.O.242, 243. As to (iii) - (v) see S.O. 212(1) - (4), 213(3), (4) and Section 36. As to (vi) see S.O. 357, 438A. As to (vii) see S.O. 337, 358. As to (viii) and (ix) see S.O. 212(9), (10), 331, 332 and Part 9.
306 The Conference Office. (1) The Conference Office, under the direction of the Secretary of the Conference, shall be responsible for: (i) the preparation and conduct of the business of the Conference and the preservation and publication of its records as required by the Deed of Union and Standing Orders, and ensuring that the directions of the Conference are carried out; (ii) the secretarial services required by the Methodist Council and its Executive; (iii) the support of the President and Vice-President; (iv) the preparation of nominations for the designation and appointment of district Chairmen in accordance with Section 42; (v) the maintenance of effective communication between the district Synods and the Conference; (vi) the fulfilment of other duties required by legislation, the Deed of Union or Standing Orders. As to (i) see cls. 16, 36 and 37 of the Deed of Union. (Book II, Part 1) and S.O. 121, 123, 124, 125. As to (ii) see S.O. 210-213. As to (iii) see S.O. 113. (2) The address of the Conference Office shall be the office of the Conference for the purposes of the Methodist Church Act 1976 and any other legislation. See section 21(2) of the Act, Vol 1. p.23.
310 Co-ordinating Secretaries. (1) There shall be four Co- ordinating Secretaries appointed to the connexional Team in accordance with Standing Orders 313 and 314. For the connexional Team see S.O. 300. (2) The Co-ordinating Secretaries shall share collective responsibility for the work of the Team and ensure that it is effectively carried out, in accordance with Standing Orders and the directions from time to time of the Conference and the Methodist Council. (3) Within that collective responsibility each Co-ordinating Secretary shall have responsibility for the area of work specified in one of Standing Orders 302 to 305. (4) The Co-ordinating Secretaries shall work under the direction of the Methodist Council and its Executive.
311 Treasurers. (1) The Methodist Council shall nominate and the Conference shall appoint a treasurer, who shall be known as the the connexional Treasurer , and a deputy treasurer, who shall have overall responsibility for the funds specified in Standing Orders 361 and 362 and for the unified statement of connexional funds required by Standing Order 360(1). For the duties of treasurers generally see S.O. 012A. (2) The council shall appoint not less than four assistant treasurers to assist the connexional Treasurer and the deputy treasurer in the discharge of their responsibilities. (3) The treasurers appointed under clauses (1) and (2) above shall consider the annual accounts and report thereon to the Methodist Council and its Executive. (4) Treasurers and assistant treasurers shall be appointed in the first instance for six years and may be appointed for further periods of one or more years thereafter. No person shall hold the office of treasurer or assistant treasurer for more than twelve years consecutively except by a resolution of the council carried by a majority of 75% of those present and voting and reported, with a reasoned statement, to the Conference.
312 Contracts of Employment. (1) This Standing Order applies to the engagement for remuneration of any person within either of the categories specified in clause (2) below to serve in a post which is within the connexional Team, or as a tutor in a theological college, Cliff College or the United College of the Ascension. (2) The categories referred to in clause (1) above are: (i) ministers of other churches (whether or not recognised and regarded as ministers of the Methodist Church under clause 44 or 45 of the Deed of Union), other than ministers of the Irish Conference; and (ii) all other persons not within Standing Order 313 or 315. (3) In every such case there shall be a contract of employment in writing between the Methodist Council and the employee, complying with the law and with Standing Order 314 where applicable, and containing such other provisions as the council considers proper. (4) The Conference pursuant to clause 21(viii) of the Deed of Union hereby delegates to the Methodist Council its powers of appointment under clause 21(vi) of that deed in so far as they relate to posts to which this Standing Order applies and also any other powers it may have in relation to persons in such posts and which may be necessary to enable the council to exercise its rights of termination or otherwise under contracts of employment entered into pursuant to clause (3) above.
313 Ministerial and Diaconal Appointments by the Conference. (1) This Standing Order applies to the appointment of ministers in full connexion, ministers of the Irish Conference, probationers and, to the extent specified in clause (13) below, members of the Methodist Diaconal Order, appointed to serve, full-time or part-time: (i) as a Co-ordinating Secretary; (ii) as Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order; (iii) with NCH Action for Children; (iv) with Methodist Homes for the Aged; (v) in a theological college or course; (vi) in Cliff College; (vii) in the United College of the Ascension; (viii) as secretary of the Faith and Order Committee. For the Co-ordinating Secretaries see S.O. 310, for the Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order S.O. 793(2), for NCH Action for Children S.O. 240, for Methodist Homes for the Aged S.O. 241, for theological colleges and courses S.O. 007 (ii), 321(3) and 340, for Cliff College S.O. 341, for the United College of the Ascension S.O. 345 and for the Faith and Order Committee S.O. 330.
This Standing Order applies also to the Secretary (S.O. 114) and assistant secretary (S.O. 116A) of the Conference. (2) When it is proposed to appoint or reappoint a person to an office specified in clause (1) above the Methodist Council or, in the case of head (iii), (iv) or (vii) of clause (1) above, the body concerned shall in the year next but one before the appointment or reappointment will be required to take effect submit to the Conference a nomination for that office. The nomination shall be printed in the Agenda if possible, or failing that shall be circulated at or before the opening of the Representative Session. Other members of the Conference may add further names by Notice of Motion on the first day of the Representative Session or, if no nomination has been printed in the Agenda, the second. If further names are thus submitted the vote shall not take place until the day after they have been circulated. All nominations shall be accompanied by a reasoned statement indicating the qualifications of the person nominated. The nomination of the council or other body and any further names duly submitted as above shall be presented to the Conference, with or without speeches as the Conference may determine, and the Conference shall then vote upon the designation of a person for that appointment from among those so presented. For the Agenda of the Conference see S.O. 121. (3) In any appointment to such an office the person designated shall have a clear majority of the total number of votes cast; when such a majority is not obtained on the first ballot a further ballot or ballots shall be taken on those names on the list which have the largest number of votes, except any eliminated by virtue of clause (5) below. (4) Designation shall in the first instance be for a specified period, not exceeding six years. (5) Every designation for reappointment shall be for a specified period, not exceeding three years, and shall require a 60% majority of those present and voting on the first ballot. (6) All appointments under this Standing Order shall terminate at the end of twelve years unless by a specific resolution and by a majority of 75% of those present and voting the Conference decides to extend the period. (7) When designations for new appointments or reappointments are under consideration in the council or other body they shall be discussed in the absence of the persons concerned. (8) The voting on designations in the council or other body and in the Conference shall be by ballot, except that when only one name is proposed an open vote shall be taken. (9) In the Conference next following after the designation of a person for appointment or reappointment under this Standing Order the Methodist Council or other body concerned or any member of the Conference may move that the designation be confirmed by the appointment or reappointment of that person to that office. If no such resolution is moved or if such a resolution is not passed and in any other case where an immediate new appointment to an office specified in clause (1) above requires to be made without prior nomination the Conference shall determine its own procedure. As to the stationing of ministers within this Standing Order and their position in the Circuits where they reside see S.O. 737(1), (2)(b) and (6), 503(1) and 606. (10) If any question involving character or fidelity should arise in connection with the name of a person proposed for designation under this Standing Order the business shall be postponed without discussion to the Conference of the following year, when an appointment shall be made under the last sentence of clause (9) or under clause (12) of this Standing Order. (11) Provisions in this Standing Order for an appointment or reappointment to be for a period capable of exceeding one year shall operate only to obviate any need for earlier application of the procedure prescribed by this Standing Order and shall not derogate from the ultimate authority of the Conference over stationing annually. (12) When, in exceptional circumstances, the nominating body intends to bring a nomination to the Conference for an immediate new appointment it shall complete its work as early in the connexional year as possible and shall notify the Circuit or other authority responsible for the person s current station that the appointment is to be proposed. For the circuit invitation timetable see S.O. 542. (13) When it is proposed to nominate a deaconess or deacon for an appointment under this Standing Order the Methodist Council or other body concerned shall, after consultation with the Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order, submit the name to the Conference, either for designation or for immediate appointment. Clauses (2) to (12) above shall apply with any necessary changes to such a nomination and to the designation or appointment of a deaconess or deacon.
314 Other Appointments by the Conference. (1) This Standing Order applies to the appointment of a person within either of the categories specified in clause (2) of Standing Order 312 as a Co-ordinating Secretary, as secretary of the Faith and Order Committee, or as a tutor in a theological college, Cliff College or the United College of the Ascension. See the note to S.O. 313(1). (2) The provisions of Standing Order 312 shall apply to all appointments under this Standing Order. (3) The appointment by the Methodist Council of a Co- ordinating Secretary requires the prior authority of a resolution of the Conference on the recommendation of the council, specifying the name of the appointee, the date upon which the appointment is to take effect and the period (not exceeding nine years) for which it will continue unless earlier terminated under any contractual provision in that regard. (4) The provisions of clause (3) above apply also to every other appointment made under this Standing Order, with the omission of the word prior , but any such appointment made, and any related contract of employment entered into by the appointing body before obtaining the authority of the Conference, shall be expressly conditional upon obtaining such authority at the next annual meeting of the Conference and shall be void if such authority is declined. (5) The Conference shall not authorise the making of an appointment under this Standing Order except upon the recommendation of the appointing body concerned, and no further names may be added in nomination, by Notice of Motion or otherwise, or considered. (6) Every appointment under this Standing Order shall be subject to a fixed term contract with such additional provisions, if any, as the appointing body considers reasonable for earlier termination, including provisions for the application in appropriate circumstances of a procedure corresponding, as nearly as may be, with that prescribed by Standing Order 316 in the case of the appointments to which it applies. (7) If an appointment is terminated for any reason before the end of the period specified in the resolution of authority the Methodist Council or other body concerned shall report the event in appropriate terms to the next meeting of the Conference. (8) The provisions of this Standing Order apply to re- appointments as well as to initial appointments.
315 Other ministerial and diaconal staff appointments. (1) The Methodist Council may recommend that a minister in full connexion, minister of the Irish Conference, probationer, deaconess or deacon be stationed to serve, full-time or part- time, in the connexional Team in an appointment other than those within Standing Order 114, 116A or 313. Such a recommendation shall be for an initial specified period not exceeding six years. The appointment shall be included in the stations in the same way as an appointment to a Circuit and no separate resolution of appointment by the Conference shall be required. For the connexional Team see S.O. 300. (2) The council may recommend a re-appointment for one or more further specified periods, each not exceeding three years. Such a recommendation shall be determined on or before the 20th September in the final year of the current period, and shall require the votes of not less than 60% or, if for a twelfth or later year, not less than 75% of the members of the council present and voting. (3) Every such appointment of a minister or probationer shall conform to the ministerial establishment of the connexional Team. For ministerial establishments see S.O. 005 (viA) and 737(4). (4) Nothing in this Standing Order shall derogate from the ultimate authority of the Conference over ministerial stationing annually.
316 Curtailment of Appointment. (1) This Standing Order shall apply whenever it is desired on either side to curtail the period of an appointment made under Standing Order 116A, 313 or 315. When requested to do so by the person appointed or by the officer specified in clause (2)(a) below the President shall appoint a curtailment committee to consider the matter. The committee shall consist of the President or his or her representative, who shall preside, and six other members of the Methodist Council. The committee s judgment shall be reported to the body responsible for the appointment as specified in clause (2)(b) below. (2)(a) The officer referred to in clause (1) above shall be: (i) in the case of the Assistant Secretary of the Conference, the Secretary; (ii) in the case of a Co-ordinating Secretary, the chairman of the Methodist Council Executive; (iii) in the case of NCH Action for Children or Methodist Homes for the Aged, the chairman of the responsible body specified in sub-clause (b) below; (iv) in the case of a principal or tutor of the United College of the Ascension, the chairman of the Council of Management of the College; (v) in all other cases, the Co-ordinating Secretary responsible for the oversight of the appointee. (b) The responsible body referred to in clause (1) and sub- clause (a) above shall be: (i) in the case of NCH Action for Children, the Council of NCH Action for Children; (ii) in the case of Methodist Homes for the Aged, the board of managing trustees; (iii) in the case of a principal of the United College of the Ascension, the Council of Management; (iv) in all other cases, the Methodist Council. (3) In the case of a ministerial appointment the judgment of the responsible body shall be reported to the Stationing Committee, and in the case of a diaconal appointment to the Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order. In the case of an appointment under Standing Order 116A or 313 a report shall be made in appropriate terms to the Conference. (4) Nothing in this Standing Order shall derogate from the ultimate authority of the Conference over ministerial stationing annually.
320 Ministerial Candidates Selection Committee. (1) There shall be a connexional Ministerial Candidates Selection Committee appointed annually by the Conference and consisting of: (i) two Team members responsible for initial ministerial training and candidates, each of whom shall be a secretary of a section of the committee; (ii) a Team member responsible for local preachers, two Team members responsible for the support of mission in the home Districts and two with responsibility for world church affairs; (iii) the chairman and the assistant secretary of each section of the committee; (iv) a representative of the Synod of the Cymru District; (v) twelve tutors from theological colleges and courses; (vi) forty other members, of whom the eight senior in length of service shall retire each year and not be eligible for re-appointment under this head until after the expiry of three years; (vii) the secretary of each panel, who shall previously have had experience of the committee as a member appointed under head (vi) above. For the functions of the committee see S.O.s 705, 706. (2) The Methodist Council shall bring nominations to the Conference for appointment under heads (iii), (v), (vi) and (vii) of clause (1) above. (3) The council shall appoint an Appeals Committee consisting of twelve persons who are not members of the Ministerial Candidates Selection Committee to deal with appeals under Standing Order 706A. Such persons shall not otherwise have considered the case under appeal at an earlier stage.
321 Ministerial Candidates and Probationers Oversight
Committee. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint a
connexional Ministerial Candidates and Probationers Oversight
Committee consisting of:
(i) six representatives of oversight committees of
theological colleges and courses; (ii) seven
representatives of district Candidates Committees and district
Probationers Committees, with not less than two from each
type of committee within that total; (iii) one District Chairman;
(iv) three lay persons;
(v) three Team members responsible respectively for
candidates, initial ministerial training and probationers
overseas, and the secretary of the Advisory Committee on
Ministerial Appointments; (vi) one representative of the
Cymru District when the business requires it; (vii) one
probationer and one student minister for all business other
than the discussion of individual cases. (2) The persons
under heads (i) and (ii) of clause (1) above shall be
nominated by the committees concerned in accordance with a
rota approved by the council. (3) The committee shall be
responsible for the recruitment of candidates for the
ministry, the administration of the regulations for
candidates, and decisions about training requirements. It
shall have oversight of the whole period of a person s
training from acceptance as a candidate by the Conference
until reception into full connexion and ordination, and in
particular shall perform the functions prescribed in Section
71.
(4) The committee shall appoint an oversight committee for
each theological college and course. If a course of training
approved under Standing Order 713 is attached to a theological
college the oversight committee of the college shall have
jurisdiction over student ministers following that course.
(5)(a) In an ecumenical or joint theological college or
course, the principal of which is not a Methodist minister, a
member of the staff or a tutor who is such a minister shall be
designated by the Conference as senior Methodist tutor and
shall
undertake in relation to the Methodist student ministers
those offices of a principal which only a Methodist minister
can discharge.
(b) In relation to such a college or course any reference in
these Standing Orders to the principal shall, unless this
clause is expressly excluded or the context otherwise
requires, be construed as a reference to the senior Methodist
tutor.
322 Ministerial Stationing (1) There shall be a connexional Stationing Committee, which in addition to the ex-officio members shall consist of: (i) the assistant secretary of the Conference; (ii) a Team member responsible for overseas personnel; (iii) a Team member responsible for London affairs; (iv) one Team member responsible for the support of mission in the home Districts; (v) the secretary of the Advisory Committee for Ministerial Appointments; (vi) one staff member from a theological college appointed by the Principals and two Team members responsible for ministerial selection and training, who together shall be responsible for student ministers due to complete training; (vii) the Chairman of each District; (viii) one lay representative of each District; (ix) the chairman of the Policy Sub-committee. For the ex-officio members see S.O. 201 As to (ii) see S.O. 304(vi). As to (iii) see S.O. 303(ii). As to (iv) see S.O. 303(i). As to (v) see S.O. 323. As to (vi) see S.O. 302 (ix) and 340. (2) When the Chairman of a District is a member of the committee by virtue of some other qualification, or unable to attend, another minister shall be appointed to represent that District. (3) The ex-officio members and the assistant secretary of the Conference shall attend the committee only in their official character as specially charged with the general interests of the whole Church and shall not be eligible for appointment in any other capacity. (4) The committee shall, as prescribed in Section 73, recommend to the Conference the appointments for the ensuing year of ministers and probationers to the several Districts and Circuits, including ministers in sector and other appointments. (5) Those representatives who are ministers shall be responsible for providing all documents required by the Secretary of the Conference as necessary to the preparation of the preliminary draft for the committee. See S.O. 730. (6) The proceedings of the committee shall be absolutely confidential, and its recommendations shall not be made known until its business on each draft is completed. (7)(a) There shall be a Policy Sub-committee consisting of a lay chairman appointed by the Methodist Council, the Secretary of the Conference as convener, seven ministers and seven lay persons appointed by the committee with a view to the representation of suitable regional groupings of Districts, and two other persons selected by the committee from heads (ii) to (vi) of clause (1) above. (b) The sub-committee shall be responsible for advising the committee on stationing policy, and in particular for assessing priorities for the appointments to be made by the Conference of the next connexional year and after appropriate consultation advising on the appointment of additional ministers in the Circuits and Districts. It shall obtain and consider information and opinions offered by district Policy Committees and the connexional Team and make recommendations to the committee. As to the appointment of additional ministers to Circuits see S.O. 529, 438(1). (8) The committee shall have power to appoint other sub-committees to carry out aspects of its work, but all actions of such sub-committees shall be subject to the approval of the committee.
323 Advisory Committee on Ministerial Appointments. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint an Advisory Committee on Ministerial Appointments. (2) The committee shall: (i) explore the opportunities for ministry in various areas of society and community life and in ecumenical agencies and, where appropriate, encourage ministers with suitable qualifications to consider applying for such appointments; (ii) receive, coordinate and interpret reports of such ministries; (iii) consult with the members of the connexional Team who have responsibilities for work done by ministers in sector or other appointments; (iv) consider applications from ministers in full connexion and probationers for full-time service in sector or other appointments, and from employing authorities; (v) report on such applications and opportunities with recommendations to the Stationing Committee to be presented, if they are approved, to the Conference as an integral part of the stations; (vi) advise on the movements of ministers within such appointments and between them and Circuits; (vii) perform the functions prescribed by Standing Order 752 in relation to part-time appointments; (viii) perform the functions prescribed by Standing Order 746(10) in relation to ministry in local appointments; (ix) perform the functions prescribed by Standing Orders 770(2A) and 775(1) in relation to applications to become a supernumerary or to return to the full work. For the Standing Orders regulating ministry in sector, local and other appointments see Section 74.
For the incorporation of the committee s recommendations into the draft of stations see S.O. 730(7), (8). As to (i) see S.O. 334, 540(4).
324 Methodist Diaconal Order Committee. The Methodist Council shall annually appoint a committee of the Methodist Diaconal Order for the purposes specified in Section 79.
325 Diaconal Candidates Selection Committee. (1) There shall be a connexional Diaconal Candidates Selection Committee appointed annually by the Conference and consisting of: (i) the Warden of the Methodist Diaconal Order; (ii) two other Team members responsible for initial ministerial and diaconal training; (iii) not less than twenty other members. For the Warden see S.O. 793(2). As to (ii) see S.O. 302 (ix). (2) The Methodist Council shall bring nominations to the Conference for appointment under head (iii) of clause (1) above. (3) The committee shall recommend to the Conference the names of those to be accepted as candidates for the Order. See S.O. 790(1).
326 Diaconal Candidates and Probationers Oversight Committee. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint a connexional Diaconal Candidates and Probationers Oversight Committee. (2) The committee shall be responsible for the recruitment of candidates for the Methodist Diaconal Order, the administration of the regulations for candidates, and decisions about training requirements. It shall have oversight of the whole period of a person s training from acceptance as a candidate by the Conference until reception into full membership of the Order and ordination. See S.O. 790(2). (3) The committee shall recommend to the Conference the names of the probationers to be received into full membership of the Order. See S.O. 790(3), (5).
327 Lay Workers. In the discharge of its general responsibility for all matters relating to the development, training and support of lay workers employed under the provisions of Standing Order 405 or 570, the connexional Team shall: (i) develop and coordinate the provision of training for lay workers and monitor its use and effectiveness; (ii) ensure the provision of pastoral support and assistance to lay workers and develop the opportunities for mutual support of lay workers at every level of church life, including the convening of regional and connexional meetings of all such workers; (iii) offer these opportunities for training and support to such persons not employed under Standing Order 405 or 570 as may wish to benefit from them; (iv) promote interest in the ministry of lay workers and encourage the development and support of new forms of lay ministry, particularly those directed towards the mission of the church; (v) provide information and advice to Districts and Circuits and to persons considering the possibility of offering service in this area, and establish, where appropriate, a link between the two; (vi) ensure, so far as local circumstances permit, some parity of treatment between lay workers. See also S.O. 302(ix).
328 Youth Officers. (1) The connexional Team is responsible for the development, training and support of full-time youth workers, youth and community workers and workers with children and the appointment, where necessary, of appeal committees as provided for by their contracts of employment. See also S.O. 302(iii). (2) The Team is responsible for carrying out connexional policy in relation to, and for formulating and implementing a programme for, the employment of youth officers in a District or group of Districts, including standard terms and conditions of service. The contracts of employment of such youth officers shall be with the Methodist Council.
330 Faith and Order. (1) The Conference shall appoint annually a Faith and Order Committee consisting of: (i) the Secretary of the Conference; (ii) a Co-ordinating Secretary; (iii) the secretary of the committee, who shall be appointed in accordance with Standing Order 313 or 314; (iv) up to thirty two other members. For the Co-ordinating Secretaries see S.O. 310. (2) The committee may appoint specialist sub-committees including persons who are not members of the committee. (3) The committee shall encourage reflection on the theological implications of all the work undertaken by the connexional Team and shall seek to stimulate theological reflection and study throughout the Church. (4) The committee shall consider and report upon all matters remitted to it by the Conference touching the faith or order of the Church, and bring to the notice of the Conference any matter of faith or order to which it should give attention. (5) The committee shall in particular consider and report upon all matters so remitted which arise in connection with proposals and projects for inter-communion or organic union between the Methodist Church and other Christian churches at home or overseas. (6) When the Church is involved with another denomination in a local or area scheme for uniting congregations or groups of congregations or for sharing a building or personnel the faith and order aspects of the scheme shall be scrutinised by the committee. See also the Committee for Local Ecumenical Development (S.O. 334), on which serve two representatives of the Faith and Order Committee. (7) The committee shall consider and report upon all matters touching faith or order which concern the relations of the Conference with the World Council of Churches (especially its Faith and Order Commission), the Conference of European Churches, the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland, Churches Together in England, Action of Churches Together in Scotland, Cytun (Churches Together in Wales) or the Free Church Federal Council [. . .]. (8) The committee is empowered to deal with any communication that may be received during any connexional year on the above-named and kindred subjects and to report to the succeeding Conference what, if any, action it has taken with reference thereto. (9) The committee is authorised to make proposals to the Conference for the revision from time to time of the forms of service authorised by the Conference for use in the Methodist Church, and forms of worship intended for regular and general use in Methodist public worship shall be submitted to the Conference for approval after a period of experimentation on the recommendation of the committee. (10) All matters directly concerning the faith or order of the Church presented to the Conference by other bodies shall be scrutinised by the committee [. . .]. Deferred special resolutions must be submitted to the committee for consideration and report (S.O. 126(2), (3) and (7)). (11) The committee shall report annually to the Methodist Council and, whenever its business requires, to the Conference.
331 Property (1) The Methodist Council shall appoint as a Team member a Property Secretary to fulfil the duties assigned in the Model Trusts or in Standing Orders to such an officer or to the General Secretary of the Property Division. See paras. 3(2)(a), 4(1), 5(2), 6(1), 8(3), 20, 21A(b) and 26(1) of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) and S.O. 918(2) and 985(3). (2) The council shall discharge its responsibilities in relation to property in accordance with the provisions of Part 9 and shall exercise the specific functions prescribed in that Part. See the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) passim and S.O. 212(9), (10). (3) The council shall appoint a Property Committee to advise it on property affairs generally, to fulfil the responsibilities specified in Standing Orders and to exercise such other functions in relation to property as the council may prescribe. See Part 9, passim. (4) The council may by resolution delegate to the said Property Committee or Property Secretary or to any other committee or officer all or any of the functions of the council under the Model Trusts. Any such delegation may be general or in relation to a particular transaction, may be for a fixed or indefinite period and may at any time be revoked, extended, restricted, or otherwise modified by the council by resolution. Every resolution of the council under this clause shall be included in the report of the council printed in the Conference Agenda. For the power to delegate such functions see para. 11 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2). (5) Any function of the Property Committee under clause (3) or (4) above or under Part 9 may be exercised by the committee itself or by any sub-committee or officer of the committee authorised in that behalf by the committee. (6) The committee shall consist of: (i) the Property Secretary as convener; (ii) a Co-ordinating Secretary; (iii) a Team member responsible for London affairs; (iv) sixteen representatives nominated by the home Synods according to a rota determined by the council; (v) two persons nominated by the Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes; (vi) up to ten other persons with appropriate qualifications.
332 Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint as one of its committees a Listed Buildings Advisory Committee, which shall have the responsibilities and functions prescribed in Section 98. (2) The committee shall be constituted in such a way as to have expert knowledge of historic church buildings, and shall consist of a convener, as specified in clause (3) below, together with not less than eight other persons chosen with the above object in view and having among them in particular: (i) knowledge of the history, development and use of Methodist chapels; (ii) knowledge of Methodist liturgy and worship; (iii) knowledge of archaeology; (iv) knowledge of the history and development of architecture and the visual arts; and (v) experience of the care of historic buildings and their contents. (3) The convener shall be the Property Secretary or some other person appointed for the purpose in his or her place by the council. (4) The connexional Team shall keep a register of all chapels, ancillary premises and manses which are listed buildings or in a conservation area, and shall supply to managing trustees, for inclusion in the relevant log books, to the appropriate bodies specified in Standing Order 930(5)(a), and to district archivists copies of the relevant parts of the [. . .] register, giving them the necessary information and guidance to enable the significance of such listing to be taken into account whenever a scheme involving a listed building or property in a conservation area is under consideration. See Section 98 as to works to listed buildings and S.O. 943(4) as to the treatment of their contents on sales.
333 World Church. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint a World Church Committee to advise the council on all matters relating to the Church s relationships with overseas churches and work in the overseas Districts. As to the council s responsibilities see S.O. 216 and Articles 5 and 10 of the Constitution of the Methodist Missionary Society (Book IVB, Part 3). (2) The committee shall decide all matters delegated to it by the council. (3) The committee shall consist of: (i) a chairman appointed as such by the council; (ii) sixteen representatives appointed by the home Synods according to a rota determined by the council; (iii) three persons elected by the Conference of the Methodist Church in Ireland; (iv) the secretary and the treasurer of the Methodist Missionary Society; (v) a Co- ordinating Secretary having responsibility for world church affairs; (vi) seven other persons having appropriate experience and knowledge of the work of the world church. As to (iii) and the standing of the Methodist Church in Ireland generally see Articles 1 and 6 of the Constitution of the Methodist Missionary Society (Book IV B, Part 3). As to (iv) see Article 8 of the above constitution. As to (v) see S.O. 304(iii), (v) and (vi) and 310(3). (4) The council shall nominate to the Conference a member of the connexional Team for appointment as secretary of the Methodist Missionary Society and a person to be appointed as its treasurer. See Article 8 of the constitution of the society (Book IV B, Part 3). (5) The committee shall appoint an Overseas Service Sub-committee, which shall be responsible for advising it on all matters relating to the recruitment, training, oversight and recall of all persons appointed to serve overseas in accordance with the Constitution of the Methodist Missionary Society. See Article 9 of the constitution (Book IV B, Part 3).
334 Local Ecumenical Development. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint a Committee for Local Ecumenical Development to exercise the functions specified in this Standing Order.
(2) The committee [. . .] shall consist of: (i) the ecumenical officer of the Methodist Church, who shall be the secretary for local ecumenical development; (ii) the Secretary of the Conference; (iii) a Co-ordinating Secretary responsible for inter- church and other relationships; (iv) two representatives of the Faith and Order Committee[. . .]; (v) two other members of the connexional Team, one of whom shall have knowledge of legal and property matters; (vi) one district Chairman; (vii) five other persons, of whom two shall be ministers and of whom one shall be the convener. For the ecumenical officer see S.O. 116A(2). As to (iii) see S.O. 304, 310(3). For the Faith and Order Committee see S.O. 330, and in particular cl.(6) (3) By virtue of section 1, sub-sections (4) and (10), of the Sharing of Church Buildings Act, 1969, the consent of the committee shall be required for the making or amendment of any sharing agreement under that Act or any legislation amending or replacing it. Where any such agreement requires consent to its termination to be given on behalf of the Church the committee is authorised to give such consent. (4) The committee shall act on behalf of the Methodist Council in performing the following functions: (i) keeping under review the development of ecumenical work in Britain and advising the connexional Team accordingly; (ii) providing guidelines for use of the Synods in designating local ecumenical partnerships and other local schemes involving constitutions for shared churches, and monitoring their operation, and, through the convener, receiving and scrutinizing all proposals for new schemes; (iii) making recommendations to the Conference on applications for the designation of ecumenical areas under schemes involving partnership at circuit level, and on proposals to give or revoke a direction under Standing Order 512, as to all of which the committee shall first obtain the report of the district Policy Committee; (iv) offering advice in new or difficult situations; (v) compiling information for the committee s report to the Conference on the above matters, including a list of all new schemes approved by the Synods under Standing Order 412 (2) and all sharing agreements authorised by the committee; (vi) proposing to the Conference the names of the persons [. . .] to be recognised and regarded for the ensuing year, by virtue of clause 45 of the Deed of Union, as ministers of the Methodist Church admitted into full connexion; (vii) proposing to the Conference the names of the persons recommended to be authorised to serve the Church as ministers under Standing Order 766 or as deacons under Standing Order 766A; (viii) acting in liaison with the Group for Local Unity and similar ecumenical bodies in Great Britain together with the appropriate committees in other denominations. For cl.45 of the Deed see Book II, Part 1, and note also the provisions of S.O. 765. A Guide to Methodist Procedures in Local Ecumenical Partnerships may be obtained from the convener of the committee and should be consulted in the designation and inauguration of all ecumenical partnerships and in any revision of their constitutions.
335 World Methodism. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint a World Methodist Committee, which [. . .] in addition to the ex-officio members shall consist of: (i) the chairman, secretary, assistant secretary and treasurer of the committee and the secretary for the exchange of pastorates, who shall all be appointed as such by the Methodist Council and shall be the officers of the committee; (ii) the British officers of the World Methodist Council and the British members of committees appointed by it; (iii) five other persons chosen from the British section of the world council; (iv) two Team members with responsibility for inter-church and other relationships (of whom one shall be concerned with European affairs), three other Team members, and one representative of Network, nominated by its connexional committee. For the British delegation to the World Council see S.O. 106(3). For general information about the Council see Book VI, Part 4. (2) The officers of the committee shall act as an executive committee with power to add to its numbers for special purposes. (3) The committee is responsible for arranging international exchanges of pastorates and recommending them to the Conference and may, if it thinks fit, appoint a reference group to assist the secretary for the exchange of pastorates. All proposals for exchanges shall require the approval of the Conference. Applications shall initially be made to the secretary for the exchange of pastorates and each must be accompanied by the written support of the Chairman of the District and the Superintendent of the Circuit. (4) The [. . .] committee shall appoint a sub-committee which shall be responsible for the advancement within Great Britain of the charitable purposes of the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies and shall hold and administer all funds raised or received by the sub- committee for such purposes. The Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies was established in 1958 with the purpose of furnishing a place of meeting in Oxford where representatives of the many branches of Methodism from all over the world may periodically meet to explore theological and ethical questions and promote convergence of understanding among Methodist and other churches which are heir to the Wesleyan tradition.
336 Racial Justice. (1) The Methodist Council shall appoint as a Team member a secretary for racial justice and a Committee for Racial Justice, of which the secretary for racial justice shall be the convener. See S.O. 302(i). (2) The committee shall have within its purview the concerns of members of black and Asian communities and of the whole Church for: (i) public policy affecting racial justice; (ii) the contribution of members of black and Asian communities to the life of the Church and its varied ministries.
337 Archives and History. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint an Archives and History Committee to oversee all Methodist archives and other historical material and to advise managing trustees and others responsible for such material. See S.O. 305(vii). As to connexional, circuit and local records see S.O. 015, 473. (2) The committee shall advise the council on the exercise of its powers under Standing Orders 212(11) and 936, establish and maintain the list provided for in the former and monitor and report to the council on compliance with those Standing Orders and the council s decisions under them and on the expenditure of any grants made. (3) The committee [. . .] shall be the Committee of the World Methodist Historical Society (British Section).
338 Law and Polity. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint a Committee on Methodist Law and Polity. The Secretary of the Conference shall be ex officio a member of the committee. (2) The committee shall, as may be necessary, consider questions which concern the laws of the Connexion, together with other matters relating to Methodist legislation and administration which may require special attention. (3) The committee shall advise the Conference as to the interpretation and application of its laws and Standing Orders and, in case of necessity, suggest any alteration or modification or put forward other proposals for legislation. (4) The committee is entrusted with the duty of examining and correlating the various elements of the constitution of the Church. (5) The committee is charged in particular with the scrutiny of all new legislative and administrative proposals as to their coherence with existing usage and with other proposals which may at the same time be under consideration. By S.O. 122(3) and 126(1), (3) and (7) all resolutions requiring confirmation by a subsequent Conference must be submitted to the committee for consideration and report, except where S.O. 126(1)(c) applies. (6) With a view to this scrutiny during the periods of the Conference the committee shall annually appoint a Conference Sub-committee, which shall consist of the committee s secretary and other members of the next Conference, who need not be members of the committee. See also S.O. 126(1)(b) and 131(19), (25).
339 Education. The Methodist Council shall annually appoint an Education Committee to advise the council on all matters relating to its responsibilities under Standing Orders 342 to 344 and to decide all matters delegated to it by the council. See also S.O. 303(iv).
340 Theological Colleges and Courses. The Methodist Council is responsible for the oversight of theological colleges and courses and shall bring nominations to the Conference for the appointment of tutors in accordance with Standing Orders 313, 314 and 713. As to ecumenical theological colleges see also S.O. 321(5), and as to the responsibilities of the connexional Team see S.O. 302(ix).
341 Cliff College. (1) The Methodist Council shall appoint the Cliff College Committee to serve as the governing body of the college. The council and the committee shall maintain, administer and develop the work of the college in all its aspects in accordance with their respective powers under the trusts applying to the college and its associated property and funds. [. . .] The council shall bring nominations to the Conference for the appointment of a principal and tutors. The college, with associated property and funds, is held upon the trusts of two deeds dated the 30th December 1903 and 30th November 1930. (2) The principal of Cliff College shall be a member of the connexional Team.
342 Day Schools. (1) The Methodist Council is responsible for the oversight of Methodist voluntary aided and voluntary controlled schools and for Methodist responsibilities in the oversight of voluntary schools which are joint projects with other denominations. [. . .] See S.O. 303(iv) for the responsibilities of the connexional Team. (2) The connexional Team shall, as may be necessary, consider government legislation which affects the governance of these schools and any directive or proposal by a local authority or other body or denomination which may affect individual schools. (3) The Team shall give information and counsel to the Formal Education Committee of each District in which schools are situated to enable it to carry out its responsibilities to watch over the interest of those schools. For the district committee see S.O. 463. (4) Any proposal to alter the status of a Methodist or joint school must be reported by the governors to the trustees, the district secretary for Formal Education and the Co-ordinating Secretary with responsibility for education affairs. (5) No Methodist voluntary school may be discontinued at the instance of its governors or trustees until permission has been given by the Methodist Council. The governors and trustees shall submit any recommendation for discontinuance to the district Formal Education Committee for its advice before seeking the permission of the council or taking any steps towards closure. (6) Any proposal to promote a Methodist voluntary school or to join in promoting a joint school shall be reported by the Superintendent of the Circuit concerned to the district Formal Education secretary, the Co- ordinating Secretary with responsibility for education affairs and the connexional Property Secretary. (7) No arrangements for new leases of Methodist property to the Local Education Authority or to the governors of a joint aided school for the purpose of a school shall be made and no arrangements for the renewal of such leases shall be made until after consultation with the Co-ordinating Secretary with responsibility for education affairs and the connexional Property Secretary. (8) Trustees of Methodist property used as a day school shall ensure that the premises are adequately insured and, in the case of controlled schools, require that the trustees interest in the property is safeguarded in the insurance policy taken out on the premises by a local education authority. (9) Applications for grants or loans from the Methodist Day Schools Fund shall be made through the district Formal Education Committee.
343 Residential Schools. (1) This Standing Order relates to the schools subject to the Methodist Secondary Education Trust Deed. The schools affected are Ashville College, Culford, Edgehill College, Farringtons, Hunmanby Hall, Kent College (Canterbury), Kent College (Pembury), Kingswood, Queen s College, Rydal, Shebbear College, Truro, and Woodhouse Grove. The Trust Deed provides that the schools shall be administered as to Ashville College and Kingswood and Rydal Schools by Governing Bodies constituted in accordance with the Schemes relating respectively to those schools and as to the remaining schools by a Board of Management appointed annually by the Conference, as to which see S.O. 244. (2) Connexional policy in relation to those schools shall be within the purview of the Methodist Council [. . .]. See S.O. 303(iv). (3) The President of the Conference is appointed Visitor to all such schools. (4) In recommending to the Conference the appointment of ministers as chaplains to such schools the Stationing Committee shall take into consideration any invitations duly given and accepted. For that purpose Standing Orders 542 to 546 shall apply with the substitution of references to the school for those to the Circuit and with the following further adaptations: (i) The functions of the Circuit Meeting and its invitation committee shall be exercised by the head teacher or by the Governing Body or Board of Management, as may be appropriate, having regard in particular to responsibility for making appointments to the teaching staff. Any doubt as to the appropriate person or body shall be resolved by the Co-ordinating Secretary responsible for secondary education affairs. Whoever of the above exercises such functions shall at each stage inform and consult the other and the Co-ordinating Secretary. (ii) The committee to be appointed by the Chairman of the District under Standing Order 544 shall consist of the Co- ordinating Secretary referred to under sub-clause (i) above, the secretary of the Board of Management and two members of that board or two governors, as may be appropriate. (iii) For clause (1) of Standing Order 545 substitute (1) No minister shall be appointed chaplain to the same school for more than five successive years except upon an invitation given in accordance with clause (2) or (3) of this Standing Order or with Standing Order 546. . (iv) For clause (1) of Standing Order 546 substitute (1) If an invitation for a twelfth or later year is to be considered, the person or body responsible for invitations shall so inform the Chairman of the District at the beginning of the year next but one before that to which the invitation would relate, supply all relevant information and obtain the Chairman s advice. No such invitation shall be given without the concurrence of both the head teacher and the Governing Body or Board of Management, after consideration of the Chairman s advice. . (v) Omit clause (3) of Standing Order 546. (5) Every such chaplain shall act under the direction of the Chairman of the District. An instruction to this effect must be printed at the appropriate point in the stations (S.O. 737(5)).
344 Colleges of Higher Education. The Methodist Council is responsible for the oversight of Methodist Colleges of Higher Education in accordance with their trust deeds. By virtue of the trust deeds applicable to Westminster and Southlands Colleges of Education, construed in the light of declarations made by the Conference under section 24 of the Methodist Church Act 1976 (Book I, Part 1, p.24), those colleges are administered and managed by the Methodist Council, whose predecessors have exercised certain powers of delegation in favour of Boards of Governors. 345 The United College of the Ascension. The Conference shall appoint tutors to the staff of the United College of the Ascension on the nomination of the Methodist Council in accordance with the constitution of the college, and, on the nomination of the college s Council of Management, a principal from time to time. The United College of the Ascension is a joint responsibility of the Conference and the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. Its purposes include the training of persons for service overseas.
350 Network. (1) There may be carried on within the [. . .] purview of the connexional Team at connexional, district, circuit and local level, under the general title of Women s Network of the Methodist Church (or simply Network ), activities primarily but not exclusively by and among women which are within the purposes of the Methodist Church, subject to any Standing Orders applying to such activities. For activities at district level see in particular S.O. 403(2), 453. (2) Without limiting the generality of clause (1) above the activities of Network shall include the furtherance of fellowship and training and of mission at home and overseas. (3) There shall be a president of Network, chosen annually by consultation among district officers and committees for Network during the year next but one before the year of office and recognised by the Methodist Council. The president shall hold office as such for one connexional year and during the preceding year is the president-designate. (4) Network shall relate to the World Federation of Methodist Women on behalf of the women of the Church and a connexional Team member responsible for Network shall have the responsibility for the nomination to the Conference of the representatives to the assemblies of the World Federation of Methodist Women.
351 Mission Alongside the Poor Programme. (1) The Conference has declared its commitment that the Methodist Church, in faithfulness to its missionary calling to evangelism, social caring and political justice, will strive to use its resources for all in society, recognising that this will mean especially taking sides with the poor and disadvantaged, and has challenged the Methodist people to respond seriously and imaginatively to the issues raised by that commitment. To give expression to its commitment the Conference has instituted and continues the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme.
(2) The purposes of the programme are: (i) advocacy of the Church s commitment to the poor and disadvantaged; (ii) assistance by way of grants for personnel or property schemes, primarily to Local Churches and Circuits, to assist them in mission alongside the poor; (iii) the maintenance of the Mission Alongside the Poor Fund as one of the sources from which such grants may be made. (3) Grants from Methodist funds for the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme, whether for personnel or property schemes, must be wholly for a purpose or purposes of the Methodist Church, and shall meet the following criteria: (i) there must be evidence of relative poverty whether in an urban or a rural setting; (ii) there must be a commitment to work alongside the poor and disadvantaged,thereby enabling them better to respond to their own sense of God s calling. (4) Grants may be made under clause (3) for applications within the purposes of the relevant fund which would not otherwise qualify for a grant. As to grants from the Methodist Church Fund see S.O. 361(4), from the Methodist Fund for Home Mission S.O. 362(3), from the Methodist Fund for Property S.O. 362(5), from the London Mission Fund S.O. 363(8), and from the Connexional Advance and Priority Fund S. O. 974(1A).
352 City Centre Churches and Projects. (1) The connexional Team shall maintain, [. . .] review and publish an official list of designated city centre churches and projects. All such churches and projects must be within Standing Order 442(1) and each addition to the list requires a notification by the Synod under that Standing Order. Each entry shall identify (i) the relevant Local Church or (ii) the relevant project and the Church Council or Circuit Meeting carrying it on. See S.O. 303(ii). See S.O. 442 for responsibilities and procedure in the Districts, S.O. 540(5) as to invitations and S.O. 944 as to proceeds of sale. (2) Each Church Council or Circuit Meeting responsible for a church or project on the official list shall send an annual report (including the accounts and a property report for every property occupied) to the spring Synod, and to the member of the connexional Team responsible for urban mission. (3) Audited statements of income and expenditure and balance sheets shall be made available in connection with any general appeal for funds on behalf of any such church or project. (4) Any decision to remove a city centre church or project from the official list shall be made by the Synod after consultation with the Methodist Council and notified to the connexional Team. 353 New Towns and New Areas. (1) In a new town or city officially designated as such by the appropriate government department or, at the request of the Chairman or Chairmen of the District or Districts concerned, in a new town not officially designated, or when an expansion scheme to house a population of 20,000 or more is planned by a local authority, the Methodist Council may appoint a New Town or New Area Commission to encourage the Methodist Church towards policies of imaginative experiment and ecumenical co-operation and to reinforce all such sound planning and effective action as will build up the Church and extend its outreach into the life of the new communities. (2) A commission shall include representatives of the connexional Team and of the District or Districts and Circuit or Circuits concerned, as well as other persons with appropriate expertise, and its chairman shall be the Chairman or one of the Chairmen of the District or Districts concerned. (3) The commissions shall meet at least annually during the planning and major development phases of the new towns and new areas. They shall act as advisory committees to the Circuit Meetings, district committees and connexional bodies concerned. (4) When the planning and major development phases in a new town or new area are completed the commission may resolve that the work of the Church there shall in future be under the supervision of the district Policy Committee for such time as the committee judges it necessary. While a new town or new area is under the supervision of the district Policy Committee it shall submit an annual report on its progress, approved by the district committee, together with complete copies of accounts [. . .] to the Methodist Council. (5) A commission may be reconstituted at any time if the district Policy Committee considers it advisable.
354 Prison Chaplaincy. (1) The connexional Team shall have the oversight of all work done by persons appointed as chaplains in pastoral care of Methodist inmates of prisons and prison staff. Such chaplains shall send a report of their work to the [. . .] Synod and to the Superintendent Chaplain of prisons, appointed by the Methodist Council. See S.O. 303(ii). (2) The Team shall be responsible for the nomination of [. . .] prison chaplains. The Superintendent Chaplain of prisons . . .] shall consult with the Chairman of the District in which a prison or young offenders institution is situated concerning a suitable nomination to be forwarded to the Prison Department of the Home Office for appointment as Methodist chaplain.
355 The Forces. (1) The Methodist Council shall annually appoint [. . .] a Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force Board, ( the Forces Board ) through which it shall exercise general oversight of: (i) the work of all ministers who are set apart to serve under the direction of the council as chaplains to the forces; (ii) Wesley Houses; (iii) declared Methodists in the forces. See S.O. 303(ii). Declared Methodists' is a category employed by the Ministry of Defence in determining the number of chaplaincy appointments. (2) The Forces Board shall through its secretary make such arrangements with the government authorities as may be necessary for the well-being of Methodist members of the forces and their families. [. . .] (3) Chaplains shall be regarded as ministers in the home work. [. . .] They shall be members of the Synod of the District specified for that purpose in the stations and subject to its discipline. Each chaplain shall, nevertheless, attend the Synod of the District in which he or she is serving and shall be eligible for election by that Synod as a representative to the Conference. For reports to be made to Synods see S.O. 445. (4) Such chaplains are not for the purposes of Standing Order 520 appointed to the Circuits in which they are for the time being located, and their services may be utilised for circuit purposes only so far as is consistent with the discharge of their proper duties. In order that opportunities of fellowship and service may be offered to forces chaplains, the secretary of the Board shall notify the Superintendents and Chairmen involved of any change in the Circuit or District in which they are located. They should be invited to circuit staff meetings (S.O. 523(1)). (5)(a) The financial support of the work of forces chaplains is provided from government payments. (b) The work of Wesley Houses and of the Forces Board, insofar as it is not provided from government payments, shall be from grants from the Methodist Church Fund and from donations and contributions given specially for the work. (6) Whenever it is proposed to erect or acquire for Methodist purposes property to be used as Wesley Houses the regulations relating generally to such transactions shall apply. In addition the proposals shall be communicated to the secretary of the Forces Board and no binding arrangement shall be entered into until the written consent of the board has been obtained. For the regulations relating to the acquisition of sites and erection of buildings, see S.O. 901 and 930-932.
(7) The secretary of the board shall be responsible for maintaining the Forces Membership Roll and for making the annual return of members held on it.
356 Transfer of Authority. (1) Every request for a new relationship involving the modification of the authority of the Conference over the Synod submitted by an overseas Synod shall be considered by the Methodist Council in consultation with the Synod concerned and reported to the Conference. (2) Before making its recommendation the Council shall consult the Faith and Order, World Church, Law and Polity and [. . .] World Methodist Committees. For the Faith and Order, World Church, Law and Polity and World Methodist committees see respectively S.O.s 330, 333, 338 and 335. (3) In all cases where the Conference is satisfied that autonomy is the appropriate next step in the growth of the church and that the requirements of clause 44(a) of the Deed of Union are met the Conference shall exercise its powers under that clause to concur in the establishment of an autonomous Methodist Church and to grant, convey and transfer any relevant authority, power and properties accordingly. (4) In all cases where the Conference is satisfied that the appropriate conditions exist, it shall exercise its powers under clause 46 of the Deed of Union to approve a scheme or arrangement for the unification, amalgamation or association of an overseas District with another Christian Church or organisation, and take any further steps necessary to give effect to such approval. For the Deed of Union see Book II, Part 1. (5) [. . .] The Conference will seek the closest possible cooperation with any church or organisation so established. The terms of such cooperation shall be entered into by freely negotiated agreement.
357 Employment. (1) The connexional Team shall, not less frequently than annually, procure a review, by a suitably constituted review body, of all arrangements for the employment of lay persons in the light of developments in employment law and practice. See S.O. 305(vi). (2) The Team shall provide standard terms and conditions for contracts of employment within Standing Order 438A, standard conditions of occupancy and such other guidance as may from time to time be required, including any special terms and conditions to be included in contracts of employment of workers under Standing Order 405, 570, 571, 572, 670 or 671.
358 Returns and Information. (1) The connexional Team is authorised by the Conference, as occasion may require, to obtain from Chairmen and Superintendents such statistical returns and other information as are necessary for the business of the Team and Chairmen and Superintendents shall furnish all such information in due form. See S.O. 305(vii). (2) The Team shall prepare every three years a report on the annual membership returns for presentation to the Conference in both sessions.
360 Unitary Finance. (1) The Methodist Council shall submit to the Conference annually a unified statement of connexional finances, clearly distinguishing between restricted and unrestricted funds and conforming to the law and accounting regulations, so as to give an overall view of those monies and other assets for which the council is responsible. See S.O. 212(1). (2) The council may include additional funds in the unified statement where, in its judgment, to do so will assist the Conference, if the trustees or other bodies with authority to do so agree. (3) Every restricted fund included in the statement shall be administered in accordance with its own trusts and purposes, and the money and other assets representing it shall be applied, with the income thereon, in furtherance of those purposes. (4) The general or other funds formerly administered by or in connection with a Division or connexional committee which ceased to exist on or before the 31st August 1996 and for which thereafter there are no separate trustees or other body with responsibility to administer the same and dispose of their assets shall be administered by the Methodist Council as restricted funds in accordance with clause (3) above.
361 Methodist Church Fund. (1) The Methodist Council shall administer the Methodist Church Fund. (2) The fund shall be maintained by an assessment levied by the Conference on each Circuit in the home church through the several Districts, by contributions from Methodist colleges and schools and other organisations, by donations and legacies for the general purposes of the Methodist Church and by dividends and interest. As to the assessment see S.O. 212 (2), 432(3), 532(2), 635(2).
(3) Out of the fund shall be met: (i) the expenses necessary to give effect to the decisions of the Conference; (ii) the expenses of the President, Vice- President and Secretary of the Conference; (iii) costs incurred in guarding the rights and privileges of the Conference, so far as not chargeable to another fund; (iv) grants, not otherwise provided for, to Districts, Circuits and Local Churches; (v) grants in support of ecumenical work and dues and subscriptions to ecumenical bodies; (vi) payments in accordance with Standing Orders 365 and 366; (vii) allocations or grants as required by Standing Order or determined by the Methodist Council for any connexional purpose; (viii) the cost of the work of the connexional Team; (ix) all other connexional expenses not chargeable to other funds. As to (ii) see S.O. 113. (4) Provision shall be made for grants from the fund for the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme. See S.O. 351. (5) Provision shall be made for the support of Methodist and ecumenical multi-racial projects to combat the effects of racism in the Church and in society. See S.O. 336.
362 Specified Funds. (1) The Methodist Council shall raise and administer the four restricted funds specified in clauses (2) to (5) below, for which contributions, including public collections, subscriptions, donations and legacies, shall be invited for particular aspects of the work of the Church. (2) The purposes of the Methodist Fund for World Mission shall be the purposes of the Methodist Missionary Society, which are: (i) to initiate, maintain and encourage Christian mission in other countries; (ii) to encourage the establishment of churches overseas which will themselves undertake that mission within and beyond their own borders; (iii) to engage in a continuing relationship of mutual help and enrichment with churches (including united churches) in the life of which Methodist missions have played a part; (iv) to foster and take part in ecumenical relationships in the field of world mission, including the work of the World Council of Churches and the Churches Commission on Mission; (v) in furtherance of these purposes to engage in education, advocacy, recruitment and fund-raising. See Article 3 of the constitution of the society (Book IVB, Part 3). See also S.O. 304 (iii), (v) and (vi). (3) The purposes of the Methodist Fund for Home Mission shall be the support of work in furtherance of the Church s mission, including grants to Local Churches and Circuits, in the home Districts. Provision shall be made for grants from the fund for the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme. As to the last sentence see S.O. 351. (4) The purposes of the Methodist Fund for Training shall be: (i) the provision of initial and further training for ministers, deaconesses and deacons, lay workers and other lay persons; (ii) the provision of maintenance grants for persons undergoing such training and their dependants; (iii) the maintenance, management and staffing of the Methodist theological colleges, and the Methodist contribution to the cost of joint theological colleges; (iv) the examination of candidates for the ministry and the Methodist Diaconal Order and of ministerial and diaconal probationers. See S.O. 302(ix), Section 32, S.O. 340 and Section 71. (5)(a) The purposes of the Methodist Fund for Property shall be: (i) the support of work in aid or on behalf of trustees of Methodist property; (ii) grants and loans for property purposes to trustees of Methodist property in the home Districts. See the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2), S.O. 212(9), (10), 305(ix) and Part 9. (b) Subject to sub-clause (a) above provision shall be made for grants from the fund for the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme. See S.O. 351. (6) The income of Junior Mission for All shall be allocated as to four fifths to the Methodist Fund for World Mission and as to one fifth to the Methodist Fund for Home Mission. See Article 11 of the Constitution of the Methodist Missionary Society (Book IVB, Part 3).
363 London Mission Fund. (1) The Methodist Council shall raise and administer the London Mission Fund as a restricted fund and shall appoint a London Committee for that purpose. See S.O. 303(ii). (2) The fund shall receive an allocation from the District Expenses Fund of each of the London Districts. The total amount shall be that agreed between the Synods of those Districts and the committee, and the Districts shall contribute in the same proportions among themselves as their Circuits do to the Methodist Church Fund. See S.O. 432(2). (3) There shall be advocacy of the fund in each Circuit within the area of the four London Districts and in such chapels and preaching-places as have been assisted by the fund. (4) Further income shall be solicited by way of donations and subscriptions. (5) The consent of the committee shall be obtained to the erection of any buildings or the purchase of any site for which aid is sought from the fund. (6) No help from the fund shall be given to Circuits which neglect to comply with the foregoing requirements. (7) When it is proposed to erect premises or carry out work in the area of the four London Districts but outside all existing Circuits, or within a Circuit which by vote of its Circuit Meeting, endorsed by the district Synod, declares its inability to undertake the responsibility, then if the Synod appoints a responsible authority to undertake the erection or carry on the work and the committee approves the scheme by a four-fifths majority of those present and voting the committee may make grants out of the fund to assist the erection or the carrying on of the work on such terms as the Conference, on the recommendation of the council, may direct. Such grants shall be made year by year and applications for renewal must be accompanied by a report on the work and financial position. (8) Provision shall be made for grants from the fund for the Mission Alongside the Poor Programme. See S.O. 351.
364 Other Restricted Funds. (1) The Methodist Council shall raise and administer the Auxiliary Fund, the objects of which shall be to provide assistance at the discretion of the council, or of any committee or officer to whom it may delegate its powers in this behalf, to supernumeraries and to ministers and probationers widows or widowers who are in need, and to make grants to the Methodist Ministers Housing Society. The Methodist Ministers' Housing Society is a society registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965, admission to membership of which is subject to the approval of the Conference. See also the note as to the Methodist Ministers Pension Scheme at S.O. 770(1). (2) The council shall administer the sabbatical grant scheme which shall be financed by means of an annual levy on each Circuit or other body responsible for payment of the stipend of any minister in full connexion, deaconess or deacon appointed to a station within the control of the church.
The amount of the levy shall be that from time to time prescribed by the Conference. See S.O. 757. (3) The council shall administer the Mission Alongside the Poor Fund in accordance with Standing Order 351. (4) The council shall appoint a committee to act as the trustees of the Methodist Relief and Development Fund to receive, hold and transmit monies for relief, rehabilitation and development under Methodist, ecumenical or other appropriate oversight primarily overseas but, in cases of exceptional need, also in the United Kingdom. (5) The council also administers the Methodist World Development Action Fund and shall report annually on this fund to the Conference. (6) In pursuance of its powers under the Deed Poll dated the 5th June 1882 establishing the Necessitous Local Preachers Fund the Conference directs the trustees of that fund to pay the income of the fund to the Methodist Council to be applied according to the trusts of the above Deed. The council shall have power to delegate to any two or more persons, whether or not members or a committee of the council, decisions as to the application or distribution of such income according to the said trusts. The income of the fund is directed by the Deed to be applied for the benefit of such necessitous local preachers according to such rules and in such manner as the Conference may from time to time direct.
365 Reimbursements and other Special Payments. (1) If at any time (subject to clause (2) below) a circuit minister, probationer, deaconess or deacon has by reason of illness or injury been unable for a total of 26 weeks during the preceding 24 months to discharge the responsibilities of his or her appointment any Circuit involved shall on application be reimbursed out of the Methodist Church Fund for all sums (less the credit for Social Security benefits and statutory sickness pay) paid by the Circuit to that minister, probationer, deaconess or deacon under Standing Order 751(4) or 791(7) in respect (in either case) of any continued or further periods of incapacity during the next twelve months (any such twelve months being referred to in clause (2) below as an eligible year ). (2)(a) In calculating the total of 26 weeks referred to in clause (1) above there shall be disregarded (i) individual periods of incapacity of four weeks or less each; (ii) after the occurrence of an eligible year, any incapacity occurring before or during that year. (b) The fund shall not in any event be liable to reimburse the same Circuit in respect of any payments made to the same minister, probationer, deaconess or deacon for the next twelve months following an eligible year. (3) Any Circuit involved shall on application be reimbursed out of the fund for all sums paid by the Circuit into the fund of the Methodist Ministers Pension Scheme under Standing Order 751(5)(b) upon the death of a circuit minister or probationer in respect of any period beyond the end of the connexional year or a date three months after the death whichever first occurs. (4) If a circuit minister or probationer dies after the end of February in any connexional year leaving a spouse and/or dependants entitled under Standing Order 751(5)(a) to remain in the manse until the end of that connexional year a sum shall be paid out of the Methodist Church Fund to that spouse and/or dependants equal to rent at the rate then currently charged by the Methodist Ministers Housing Society for the period from the end of that connexional year until the date six months after the death. (5) Any Circuit involved shall on application be reimbursed out of the Methodist Church Fund for all sums (less the credit for Social Security benefits) paid by the Circuit to a circuit minister or probationer under Standing Order 761(3). (6) Payment shall be made out of the Methodist Church Fund of all sums required to be so paid: (i) to any minister, probationer, deaconess or deacon by virtue of any Standing Order relating to disciplinary proceedings or of any direction given by a competent body and authorised by any such Standing Order; (ii) as determined under Standing Order 762(9) by the Stationing Committee or the President, in respect of any minister or probationer for whom no appointment can be found; and (iii) as determined by a district Consultative Committee under Standing Order 040(8) or by a connexional Pastoral Committee under Standing Order 042(5). As to (i) see S.O. 021(7). (7) Payment may also be made out of the fund at the discretion of the council or of any committee or officer to which the council may delegate this discretion: (i) to reimburse any person or body for or discharge any payments, expenses or liabilities incurred or arising in connection with any actual or potential disciplinary proceedings against any person, whether or not a charge is brought, or in connection with any other case involving financial irregularity or improvidence on the part of a minister, probationer, deaconess or deacon or where an application is made under Standing Order 013(11); or (ii) in accordance with any recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Ministerial Appointments or the connexional Ministerial Candidates and Probationers Oversight Committee under Standing Order 762(6); or (iii) in accordance with any recommendation of an advisory committee under Standing Order 042(6). As to (i) see S.O. 021(7).
366 Ministers Children. (1) Provision shall be made out of the Methodist Church Fund for grants in respect of the educational and other needs of the children of ministers and probationers, to be paid at the discretion of the Methodist Council or of any person or persons to whom the council may delegate this discretion, but subject to clauses (2), (3) and (4) below. (2) The children of ministers and probationers in sector, local or other appointments within Section 74, or without appointment, are outside the scope of these grants, except as provided in clause (5) below. (3) Grants may be continued after the death of the qualifying parent. (4) Only in exceptional cases shall grants be made in respect of education at other than Methodist Schools. (5) A grant made in respect of the child of a minister or a probationer may be continued if the qualifying parent becomes a minister or probationer in sector, local or other appointment or without appointment.
367 Accounts. All accounts submitted to the Conference shall, except by approval of the Conference, be closed for each year on the 31st August.
368 Central Finance Board. Pursuant to section 5(3) of the Methodist Church Funds Act 1960 the Conference: (i) authorises the Methodist Council and connexional committees to seek the advice of the Central Finance Board as to investments and empowers that board to give such advice to them and to any other body administering any funds or finances of the Church or any part of the Church or any charity connected with the work of the Church; and (ii) delegates to the said board the administration of a central scheme of covenanted giving for the benefit of local church, circuit and other Methodist funds to which the Act applies. The Central Finance Board was incorporated by the Methodist Church Funds Act 1960 (Vol. 1, p. 49) and its membership is prescribed by the Second Schedule to the Act. The board is responsible for administering the scheme scheduled to the Act (s. 5(1)) and is enabled to perform within certain limits such additional functions as the Conference resolves. (s. 5(3)).