500 Nature and Purposes. (1) The Circuit is the primary unit in which Local Churches express and experience their interconnexion in the Body of Christ, for purposes of mission, mutual encouragement and help. It is in the Circuit that ministers, probationers, deaconesses and deacons are stationed and local preachers are trained and admitted and exercise their calling. The purposes of the Circuit include the effective deployment of the resources of ministry, which include people, property and finance, as they relate to the Methodist churches in the Circuit, to churches of other denominations and to participation in the life of the communities served by the Circuit and in ecumenical work in the area including, where appropriate, the support of ecumenical Housing Associations. (2) Since every member in the Circuit is as such a member of the Methodist Missionary Society, the purposes of the Circuit include the promotion of understanding of and support for the work of the Society to the end that every member may share actively in world mission. See Articles 2 and 4 of the constitution of the society (Book IV B, Part 3)
501 Constitution. The constitution and enumeration of Circuits shall be that set out year by year in the stations appointed by the Conference. See the note above as to 38 of the Deed of Union. As to the alteration of circuit boundaries see S.O 401.
502 Chairmanship and Notice of Meetings. (1)(a) Subject to Standing Orders 027(10)(b) and 028(7A) the Superintendent has the right to preside at every official meeting (however described) connected with the Circuit, or with any Local Church included within the Circuit, or with any committee, institution or organisation having official connection with the Circuit or with any of its Local Churches. (b) The Superintendent may appoint a deputy in writing, being in ordinary circumstances a minister appointed to the Circuit or to an adjoining Circuit, with the right to preside over the Circuit Meeting or any Church Council in the Circuit at any meeting specified in the appointment during the transaction of its business as managing trustees. (c) Subject to (a) and (b) above the Superintendent's colleagues have the right to preside at official meetings within (a) above, in the order in which their names appear in the stations. (2) Circuits and Local Churches may appoint lay persons as chairmen of committees, who shall preside unless on any occasion any right conferred by clause (1) above is exercised. (3) Such appointments, when required, shall be made by the Circuit Meeting in the case of circuit committees and by the Church Council in the case of local church committees. (4) Any body to which this standing Order applies may fix the time and place of its next meeting, and if it does so no further consultation or consent is required for the calling of that meeting as so fixed. (5) Subject to clause (4) above official meetings shall be convened and held only after consultation (in the case of circuit meetings or committees) with the Superintendent or (in the case of local meetings or committees) with the minister, probationer or person authorised to serve the Church as a minister or deacon under Standing Order 766 or 766A who is in pastoral charge of the Local Church and (in either case) with the appropriate lay chairman where one has been appointed. (6) Subject to clause (4) above such a meeting shall be called only by, or with the consent of, its chairman or the Superintendent, except that if they both refuse to call or consent to the calling of a meeting required by the Deed of Union or Standing Orders, or requested in writing by not less than one third of the persons entitled to attend as members of that meeting, then that meeting may be called by its secretary or convenor, or by any three other members. For the purposes of this clause the chairman' of any meeting which has no lay chairman means the person who must be consulted under clause (5) above and subject to clause (1) above that person shall preside. (7) In all cases due care shall be taken to ensure that notice of such meetings reaches all persons entitled to be present and that decisions and recommendations of the meetings are notified to the person or persons entitled under clause (5) above to be consulted before the relevant meeting is convened. Fourteen days' written notice shall be given to every member of meetings of the Circuit Meeting or a Church Council at which the business includes annual appointments, the approval of budgets, the appointment of church stewards or decisions to be taken as managing trustees of model trust property. Cl. 41 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) contains provisions for preventing proceedings from being invalidated by absence, informality or lack of due notice. (8) If the person whose duty it is to preside at any such meeting fails to attend it, the meeting having been properly called on due notice in accordance with clauses (4) to (7) above, the Superintendent or one of his or her colleagues, if present, shall preside; otherwise those present shall elect a chairman from amongst themselves. (9) For the purposes of clauses (1) and (8) above a Superintendent's colleagues' are the other ministers and probationers appointed to the Circuit and any persons authorised to serve the Church as ministers or deacons under Standing Order 766 or 766A who reside in the Circuit.
503 Eligibility for Appointment. (1) The provisions as to eligibility for appointment to any office or membership of any official meeting, committee or other body (however described) in the Circuit shall be those set out in relation to the office or body in question, and may incorporate by reference one or more of the following categories of persons: (i) ministers, probationers, deaconesses, deacons and other persons (including those authorised to serve as ministers under Standing Order 766) stationed in the Circuit or residing in the Circuit for the purposes of the stations, so far as not otherwise eligible; (ii) subject to Standing Order 010, members of other communions who hold office or are elected members of a meeting under the constitution of a local ecumenical partnership in the Circuit authorised by the Conference or (if so empowered) by the Synod, if they would have been eligible had they been members of the relevant Local Church; (iii) subject to Standing Order 010, persons named on the community roll of a Local Church in the Circuit. The persons within category (i) include supernumeraries without pastoral charge, ministers and probationers in other appointments or without appointment and those within S.O. 737 (6) (c) and (d) (see S.O. 737 (2) (a)). S.O. 010 prescribes the doctrinal qualification for office in the Methodist Church. (2) In a duly constituted ecumenical area authorised by the Conference eligibility for office or for membership of official meetings, committees or other bodies connected with the area shall, subject to Standing Orders 512, 530 and 553, but notwithstanding any other provisions of Standing Orders, be governed by the constitution of the area, so far as it makes provision for such matters.
504 Duration of Appointments. (1) Subject to clauses (2) and (5) below all appointments and elections connected with the Circuit shall unless otherwise prescribed by Standing Orders be for one year and shall take effect from the date specified in the resolution of appointment. (2) If a casual vacancy occurs the meeting with authority to appoint shall fill the vacancy with immediate effect for the remainder of the term of the appointment vacated. (3) Subject to clause (4) below no person shall hold the office of circuit steward, or of secretary of the Circuit Meeting, the Local Preachers' Meeting or the circuit Pastoral Committee for more than six successive years. (4) If the operation of clause (3) above would make it impossible adequately to fill an essential office in the Circuit, the Circuit Meeting may, by a 75% majority of those present and voting on a ballot vote, reappoint annually beyond the sixth year. (5) This Standing Order does not apply to the appointment of persons employed or engaged under a contract, nor to ex officio membership, nor to the office of local preacher.
505 Connexional Funds. (1) The Circuit Meeting shall appoint a connexional funds treasurer, who shall receive from the Local Churches and private subscribers collections and gifts for those connexional funds for which no treasurer with specific responsibility is appointed. (1A) The connexional funds treasurer shall be a member in the Circuit or elsewhere in the Connexion or in another Methodist church or be within category (i) or (ii) of Standing Order 503(1). (2) A report on each connexional fund, by way of audited accounts, shall be presented to the Circuit Meeting by the treasurer specifically responsible for that fund, or if there is none then by the connexional funds treasurer.
510 Constitution. (1) Subject to clause (2) below and Standing Orders 511 and 512 the Circuit Meeting shall consist of: (i) the ex-officio members specified in Standing Order 552; (ii) any other ministers and probationers stationed in the Circuit and any person residing in the Circuit for the purposes of the stations who is authorised to serve the Church as a minister under Standing Order 766 or as a deacon under Standing Order 766A; (iii) any minister or probationer who for the purposes of the stations is residing in the Circuit pursuant to Standing Order 737(6), any minister or probationer without appointment residing in the Circuit and any student minister training for ministry in local appointment who is based in the Circuit under Standing Order 746(4); (iv) any worker appointed under Standing Order 570, 571 or 572 who is a member in the Circuit and employed by the Circuit Meeting; (v) the secretary of the meeting; (vi) the secretary of the Local Preachers' Meeting; (vii) from each Local Church one church steward and the church treasurer; (viii) representatives elected by the Church Council of each Local Church from its own members in numbers specified by the Circuit Meeting; (ix) additional persons as the Circuit Meeting may desire and appoint to ensure that all areas of the life of the Circuit are adequately represented, provided that the total number appointed under this head shall not exceed the total of the numbers specified by the Circuit Meeting for the purposes of head (viii); (x) (in Circuits of which the title as set out in the stations includes the words London Mission') the Chairman of the District and a connexional Team member [. . .] responsible for London affairs, appointed by the Co-ordinating Secretary with oversight of such affairs. The ministers stationed in the Circuit include ministers in other appointments (as to whom see S.O. 744 (ii)) and supernumeraries (as to whom see S.O. 774 (2)). As to ministers and probationers without appointment see S.O. 762, 763. As to the listing of ministers and probationers in Circuits in the stations see S.O. 737 (2). As to head (viii) see clauses (4) to (6) below. (2) The persons eligible for appointment under heads (v) and (ix) of clause (1) above or heads (v) and (viii) of Standing Order 511(2) are those who are members in the Circuit or elsewhere in the Connexion or in another Methodist church or are within category (i) or (ii) of Standing Order 503(1). (3) The Circuit Meeting may invite other church members in the Circuit and non-members who are active in the life of the Circuit to attend its meetings. Those who thus attend are not members of the meeting; they are entitled to speak but not to vote nor to propose or second any resolution. (4) If a representative appointed under head (viii) of clause (1) ceases to be a member of the Church Council a vacancy occurs. (5) Decisions under head (viii) of clause (1) shall be taken before the beginning of the year to which they relate. (6) In Circuits consisting of more than one Local Church the number of representatives appointed under head (viii) of clause (1) for each church shall be allocated in such a way that no church has more representatives than another church with a greater membership and that there is at least one representative and no more than eight per church.
511 Single-Church Circuits. (1) In Circuits which comprise only one Local Church the Circuit Meeting and the Church Council may elect to have the same constitution, and if both bodies so elect then both shall be constituted as set out in clause (2) below. (2) A Circuit Meeting or Church Council constituted under this clause shall consist of: (i) the persons who are members of the Circuit Meeting under heads (i) to (iv), (vi) and (x) of Standing Order 510(1); (ii) the persons who are members of the Church Council under head (v) of Standing Order 610(1); (iii) the church stewards; (iv) the church treasurer; (v) the secretary of the Circuit Meeting and the secretary of the Church Council, who may be the same person; (vi) the secretary of the local Pastoral Committee; (vii) not less than six nor more than fifteen representatives elected annually by the General Church Meeting, or, where the membership does not exceed 49 and the joint meeting so resolves, all members of the Local Church who are willing to serve; (viii) additional persons as the joint meeting may desire and appoint to ensure that all areas of the life of the church and Circuit are adequately represented, provided that the total number appointed under this head shall not exceed the maximum number who can be elected to or become members of the joint meeting under head (vii) above. (3) Standing Orders 510(2) and 610(2) shall apply to both bodies when they are constituted under clause (2) above, so as to achieve identity of membership. (4) When the Circuit Meeting and Church Council are constituted under clause (2) above meetings of the two bodies may be convened separately or, if required by the business or so desired, together, but in every case distinct and identified minutes shall be maintained for the business of each. Decisions which under heads (vii) and (viii) of clause (2) above are to be taken at joint meetings and any other decisions at joint meetings which properly relate to the responsibilities of both bodies shall be identified as such. Invitations under Standing Order 510(3) or 610(3) may be given by the appropriate body for a separate meeting or by the joint body for a joint meeting. (5) In no circumstances may local and circuit funds, Model Trust property or other assets be mixed or confused or decisions in relation to them be taken or recorded as having been taken by other than the body having jurisdiction to do so. (6) The Circuit Meeting and the Church Council shall cease to be constituted under clause (2) above if at any time either body so resolves. (7) Decisions under clause (1), clause (2)(vii) or (viii) or clause (6) shall be taken before the beginning of the year to which they relate.
512 Ecumenical Areas. Where an ecumenical area has been duly constituted it shall appear in the stations as a Circuit. If the Conference so directs, when designating the area or later, the meeting responsible under its constitution for the general management of the area shall become the Circuit Meeting for the purposes of paragraph 2 of the Model Trusts, Section 54 of Standing Orders and Standing Orders 553 and 567 and for any other purpose for which a Methodist Circuit Meeting may be required. During the currency of such a direction, which the Conference may at any time revoke, there shall be no other or separate Circuit Meeting constituted under Standing Order 510 or 511. Paragraph 2 of the Model Trusts (Book II, Part 2) provides that the Circuit Meeting are the managing Trustees of circuit property. Section 54 relates to invitations, S.O. 553 to the appointment of a circuit Pastoral Committee in certain situations, and S.O. 567 to the admission of local preachers. As to invitations in ecumenical areas see S.O. 547(2).
513 Composition of Meeting. In making appointments under Standing Order 510(1)(ix) or 511(2)(viii) the meeting shall consider its own composition as a whole with regard to age, sex and ethnic origin.
514 Meetings. (1) The meeting shall be held at least twice a year. (2) Before each meeting the Superintendent and the secretary of the meeting shall make out a list, by name, of the persons who are in their opinion members of the meeting under Standing Order 510, 511 or 512 as the case may be distinguishing those, if any, who are not of full age. At the meeting, before any other business is transacted, that list shall be laid before the meeting which shall, after making any correction which seems to the meeting necessary, adopt it, and the list as thus adopted shall be final and conclusive as to the persons of whom the meeting then consists. For Chairmanship and notice see S.O. 502. (3) The Circuit Meeting may resolve from time to time to go into closed session and to exclude visitors from all or part of the proceedings.
515 Responsibilities. (1) The Circuit Meeting is the principal meeting responsible for the affairs of the Circuit and the development of circuit policy. It shall exercise that combination of spiritual leadership and administrative efficiency which will enable the Circuit to fulfil its purposes as set out in Standing Order 500, and shall act as the focal point of the working fellowship of the churches in the Circuit, overseeing their pastoral, training and evangelistic work. (2) The meeting shall encourage leadership within the Circuit which involves the circuit stewards and other lay persons along with the ministers appointed to the Circuit. The Circuit Meeting approves preachers on trial for admission as local preachers on the recommendation of the Local Preachers' Meeting (S.O. 567(4)) and arranges for their admission at a public service (ib., cl. (6)). For other functions of the meeting not prescribed or noted elsewhere in this Section see S.O. 011 (conduct of the lord s Supper), S.O. 605 (5) (provision of worship for isolated Classes) and S.O. 950 (management of circuit property).
516 Memorials. (1) The meeting may, subject to the provisions of this Standing Order, address to the Conference a memorial on any connexional subject. For procedure of the conference committee see S.O. 138. (2) Notice of a memorial must be given in writing to the Superintendent not less than seven days before the date of the meeting at which it is to be brought forward. (3) The memorial, if approved by a majority of the persons present and voting, shall be signed by the chairman of the meeting and a record shall be taken and added of the number of persons present and entitled to vote and of the numbers voting for and against the memorial. (4) A copy of the memorial shall be sent so as to reach the convener of the Memorials Committee immediately after the Circuit Meeting. Memorials received later than the 5th April will not be presented to the Conference. A copy shall also be sent to the secretary of the Synod for the information of the Synod at its spring meeting. (5) A memorial from an overseas Circuit may be submitted to the Conference only if it has been previously reported to and considered by the Synod. (6) The meeting may also receive and vote upon any proposed resolution addressed to the Synod.
517 Procedure. (1) Voting shall be open, except that voting by ballot shall be used on the following occasions only: (i) when these Standing Orders so provide; (ii) if the Conference so directs; (iii) if the meeting by the votes of two thirds of those present so resolves. Standing Orders provide for voting by ballot when extending local or circuit appointments beyond six years (S.O. 607 (4), 504 (4)), when extending ministerial invitations beyond eleven years (S.O. 546(3)) and when recommending candidates for the ministry (S.O. 701 (5)). (2) Subject to clause (1) the meeting may regulate its own procedure, but unless it adopts other rules of debate the rules comprising clauses (5) to (7) and (10) to (25) of Standing Order 413 shall apply, with the necessary substitutions. (3) Notwithstanding clause (1) above and any applicable rules of debate any member who maintains that a decision is or may be illegal or in contravention of the Deed of Union, the Model Trusts or Standing Orders or (in the case of managing trustees business) otherwise a breach of trust shall be entitled to have his or her dissenting vote recorded by name. See, e.g. S.O.985 in particular cls. (5) and (6).
518 Irregularities. (1) When the rules of debate in clauses (5) to (7) and (10) to (25) of Standing Order 413 apply in accordance with Standing Order 517(2) they shall take effect subject to the provisions of this Standing Order. (2) No resolution or other act or proceeding of the meeting shall be rendered invalid, void or voidable by reason of any non-compliance with any of the provisions of clauses (6), (7), (10), (11), (16), (20), (21), (23), (24) or (25) of Standing Order 413. As to the validation of proceedings see also cl.41 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) and S.O. 126(2). (3) If before any resolution or other act or proceeding of the meeting has been acted upon, or the minute recording it approved and signed, it comes to the attention of the chairman that there was any irregularity of a kind described in clause (5) below in or leading to the making of that decision, then unless satisfied that the irregularity could not have affected or influenced the decision the chairman shall ensure that the decision is not irrevocably acted upon until the meeting has been reconvened to reconsider the question and come to a regular decision upon it. (4) If any such irregularity does not come to the attention of the chairman until after the decision has been acted upon, or the minute recording it approved and signed, or if the chairman is satisfied that the irregularity could not have affected or influenced the decision, then the decision shall be as valid as if regularly made in all respects. (5) The irregularities referred to in clauses (3) and (4) above are the following: (i) failure to achieve the majority required by clause (17) or (22) of Standing Order 413, where applicable; (ii) an incorrect ruling that a greater majority is required than is the case; (iii) miscounting of votes; (iv) failure to put to the meeting a resolution, amendment or procedural motion which the mover and seconder are entitled to have put; (v) failure to comply with clause (18) of Standing Order 413 by requiring unnecessarily an immediate decision on a motion that the question be not put.
520 Responsibilities. (1) The Superintendent and other minister or ministers appointed to the several Circuits is and are appointed by the Conference to preach and perform all acts of religious worship and Methodist discipline in each of the Methodist chapels and other preaching places approved by the Conference already erected or to be erected in each Circuit respectively, within the space of twelve calendar months, at such time or times and in such manner as they find proper; subject, nevertheless, to the Superintendent minister and to the existing laws and regulations of the Conference. As to the position of forces chaplains see S.O. 355(3), (4) and of ministers in other appointments S.O. 744. As to part- time appointments see S.O. 752. For specific responsibilities of the Superintendent see S.O. 521 below and the references in the Index. (2) It is the duty of ministers in full connexion to be willing to baptize infants in appropriate circumstances.
521 The Plan. (1) It is the responsibility of the Superintendent in consultation with his or her colleagues to make the circuit plan of preaching appointments. As to preaching appointments for ministers in other appointments see S.O. 744(iii). As to the duties of local preachers see S.O. 568 (l) (iv). (2) The Chairman shall keep under review the single-minister Circuits within the District, and where appropriate encourage, in consultation with the circuit stewards, the minister or probationer appointed to such a Circuit to exchange regularly for Sunday preaching appointments with the minister or ministers of an adjoining Circuit or Circuits. The expense of these interchanges shall be met by the Circuits concerned.
522 Visitation. (1) The Superintendent shall also visit all the Local Churches in the Circuit to provide encouragement, challenge and support. (2) The Superintendent is further encouraged to gather, in conjunction with the Circuit Meeting, a group of people, who, in the name of the Circuit, may visit a Local Church which needs help in fulfilling its ministry in any way more effectively.
523 Meetings. (1) Ministers, probationers, deacons and deaconesses appointed to the same Circuit, ministers in sector or other appointments stationed in the Circuit and ministers without appointment residing in the Circuit shall meet together once a week, or as often as is practicable, in order to take counsel together respecting the affairs of the Circuit, and persons residing in the Circuit who are authorised to serve the Church as ministers or deacons under Standing Order 766 or 766A and forces chaplains located for the time being in the Circuit shall be invited to attend. For the consideration in such meetings of the need for doctrinal preaching see S.O. 524 below. As to meetings with the circuit stewards see S.O. 531 (3) (ii). As to circuit leadership see S.O. 515 (2). As to forces chaplains see also S.O. 355(4). (2) The ministers, probationers, deacons and deaconesses of different Circuits within the same town or neighbourhood shall meet together monthly, or at frequent intervals, for the purpose of mutual conference and prayer and for consultation on subjects of common concern in their respective Circuits. All ministers and probationers in single-minister Circuits shall be involved in such meetings unless, in the judgment of the Synod, geographical conditions render this impossible, and persons residing in any such Circuit who are authorised to serve the Church as ministers or deacons under Standing Order 766 or 766A shall be invited to attend.
524 Doctrinal Preaching. There is urgent need that the main doctrines of the Christian faith should be more plainly and systematically set forth in public preaching, so that the Methodist people may be established in the faith and better defended against error and uncertainty. Ministers and probationers in their ministers' meetings are directed to consider how this may be arranged.
525 Preparation for Membership. It is part of the pastoral duty of a minister or probationer: (i) to encourage those within the pastoral care of the Local Church who are not members to become candidates for membership; (ii) to ensure that the review of the community roll to that end under Standing Order 811(2) occurs, and to join in that review; (iii) to meet every candidate for membership and bring before him or her the basis of membership in the Methodist Church as set out in clause 8(a) of the Deed of Union and the solemn affirmations made in the service of reception into membership and confirmation; (iv) to lead or otherwise participate in the preparation classes for membership, as arranged by the Church Council or Pastoral Committee, and to render any help to candidates which sympathy and confidence in Christ may supply; (v) to report to the Church Council, in conjunction with any other person responsible for doing so, when it considers whether to approve the admission of candidates into membership, on the matters of which it must be satisfied under Standing Order 803. As to the procedure for admission into membership see cl. 8 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) and Section 80 of Standing Orders.
526 Pastoral Care. (1) The ministers and probationers appointed to a Circuit are responsible for visiting the Classes at least once in each quarter and for issuing the tickets of membership to all members. [. . .] As to membership tickets, the Classes and pastoral care generally see cl. 9 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) and Section 81 of Standing Orders. For the pastoral duties of class leaders and pastoral visitors see S.O. 631. As to the roll of church members see S.O. 810. (2) The pastoral oversight of Methodists in hospitals shall be regarded as part of their duty by the ministers and probationers stationed in Circuits in which such institutions are situated. For part-time appointments as hospital chaplains see S.O. 752. For pastoral care of Methodists in prison see S.O. 354, in the forces S.O. 355, 540(1)(i), and in educational establishments S.O. 343 (4), (5), 631 (3), 463 (1), (4) and 801.
527 Benevolence Fund. (1) The purposes of the Circuit include the relief of poverty and distress and to that end the Circuit Meeting may maintain a circuit Benevolence Fund and invite contributions to it or collections for it, and shall maintain such a fund if moneys are allocated to it out of any local Benevolence Fund in the Circuit. The circuit stewards shall be the treasurers of the fund. For the local Benevolence Fund see S.O. 651. (2) The fund shall be applied, at the confidential discretion of the Superintendent, the other ministers, probationers, deaconesses and deacons appointed to the Circuit and the circuit stewards, for the relief of poverty and distress in the congregations and neighbourhood of the Circuit or, if so recommended by the Chairman, of some other Circuit or Circuits in the Districts, and allocations may also be made out of the fund to a district Benevolence Fund, applicable at the confidential discretion of the Chairman for the relief of poverty and distress in the District.
528 Removals. (1) Ministers and probationers appointed by the Conference to a Circuit shall receive from that Circuit the amount of expenses incurred by their travelling and removal to the Circuit. As to supernumeraries see S.O. 773 and as to widows and widowers of deceased ministers S.O. 751 (5). (2) Student ministers and probationers sent as supplies shall receive from the Circuit to which they are sent their travelling and removal expenses. See S.O. 712 and 756. (3) Any application for a grant from the Methodist Church Fund toward the cost of a removal shall be made by the Circuit Meeting and recommended by the district Policy Committee. See S.O. 361(3)(iv). (4) In the case of removals between the mainland of Great Britain on the one hand and the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Isles of Scilly on the other hand that part of the cost which is incurred on the mainland shall be borne by the Circuit to which the minister or probationer is removing, the remainder being met by the Methodist Church Fund.
529 Appointments. When a Circuit desires an additional appointment, or the withdrawal, of an itinerant minister or probationer, application shall be made through the district Policy Committee in accordance with Standing Order 438 (1). As to the district committee see S.O. 438 (1), (2).
530 Appointment. The Circuit Meeting shall annually appoint as circuit stewards two or more persons who are members in the Circuit or supernumeraries stationed there.
531 Responsibilities. (1) The circuit stewards are responsible, with the Superintendent and the ministers and probationers appointed to the Circuit, for the spiritual and material well-being of the Circuit, and for upholding and acting upon the decisions of the Circuit Meeting. (2) They also have the particular rights and duties set out in Standing Orders 532 to 534, 540, 552 and 610 and elsewhere. S.O. 552 concerns the circuit stewards' ex-officio membership of all official meetings and committees of the Circuit. S.O. 540 concerns the consultations to be held by circuit stewards in connection with ministerial invitations, as to which see also the guidance in Book VI, Part 2, Section 1. S.O. 610 concerns membership of the Church Council. See also S.O. 527 (circuit Benevolence Fund), 752 (3) (part- time appointments), 753 (ministerial accommodation and furniture), 792 (diaconal accommodation and furniture), 954(viii) (circuit property reports), 965 (2), (3), (4) (manse visitation reports). The senior circuit steward of each Circuit involved is to receive a copy of the final list of changes to the stations (S.O. 734(3)). (3) In discharging those responsibilities and duties it is desirable that the circuit stewards shall: (i) be sensitive to the needs of the ministers and probationers and their families; (ii) meet with the ministers and probationers at least twice each year, before the Circuit Meeting; (iii) keep themselves informed of the activities of each Local Church in the Circuit; and (iv) be aware of district and connexional policies as they affect the Circuit and its Local Churches. As to (iv) one of the circuit stewards is to be appointed to membership of each local Church Council (S.O. 610 (1)(xii)). As to circuit leadership see S.O. 515 (2).
532 Circuit Fund. (1) The circuit stewards are the treasurers of the circuit fund and shall: (i) receive from the treasurer of each Local Church in the Circuit the contributions for the support of the ministry, the general expenditure of the Circuit and the circuit contribution to the Methodist Church Fund assessed by the Circuit Meeting; (ii) provide the sums required for payment of the stipends of the ministers, probationers, deaconesses and deacons and authorise the collection by the connexional Team of those sums by direct debit in accordance with Standing Order 751(3); (iii) pay to the ministers, probationers, deaconesses and deacons any other allowances due to them and all sums required to defray their expenses in accordance with Standing Order 751(2); (iv) discharge all other claims upon the circuit fund in accordance with the budget agreed by the Circuit Meeting, including budgeted payments for ecumenical work. See S.O. 012A for the duties of treasurers generally. As to the Methodist Church Fund see S.O. 361. See also S.O. 365 (reimbursements and special payments), 751(4), 791 (7) (payment of ministerial and diaconal allowances during illness). (2) The circuit stewards shall, by the seventh day of each quarter, pay to the district treasurers of the Methodist Church Fund and the District Expenses Fund the amounts which have been allocated to the Circuit by the Synod for those funds respectively. As to the District Expenses Fund see S.O. 432 (2). As to the collection of the Methodist Church Fund contributions by the district treasurer see S.O. 432 (3) and as to payment by the church treasurer S.O. 635 (2). (3) The circuit account shall be closed annually on the 31st August and an annual report shall be made to the Circuit Meeting. The accounts shall clearly indicate the financial position of the fund at 31st August each year, including all investments, and loans due to and from the fund. As well as other capital funds the balance sheet or statement of funds shall show the state of the circuit Advance and Manse Proceeds of Sale Funds (if any).
533 Manses. The circuit stewards shall be responsible for the interior decoration and furnishing of the manses and diaconal accommodation. For minimum furnishing requirements see S.O. 753 (3) and 792 (1).
534 Invitations. The circuit stewards are responsible for bringing to the invitation committee and/or the Circuit Meeting, as appropriate, proposals for invitations to ministers to serve or for ministers, deaconesses or deacons to continue serving in the Circuit, and for conveying such invitations to the ministers, deaconesses or deacons concerned. See also Section 54 below and the guidance as to procedure in Book VI, Part 2.
540 Consultations. (1) In Circuits where an appointment has to be made which falls in one of the categories specified in clause (2) below the circuit stewards shall, in the course of considering names of ministers who might be invited to the appointment, confer with the Chairman of the District, who shall consult the appropriate member of the connexional Team. See also S.O. 463 (4), (5). (2) The categories referred to in clause (1) above are: (i) an appointment which carries chaplaincy in higher or further education; (ii) an appointment to the pastoral oversight of a church using premises that have received capital grants from government sources for youth and community work and where a covenant to do such work has been entered into, or where a full-time worker with children or young people is employed; [. . .] (iii) [. . .] an appointment [. . .] to a team ministry recognised as such by the connexional Team [. . .]. (3) [. . .] (4) In duly constituted ecumenical areas and in Circuits where an appointment has to be made in an approved local ecumenical partnership, the circuit stewards shall, in the course of considering names of ministers who might be invited to the appointment, confer with the sponsoring body, or if none exists, with the appropriate authorities of the other communions involved. See also S.O. 547. (5) In Circuits where an appointment has to be made to the pastoral oversight of a city centre church or project on the official list kept under Standing Order 352(1) the circuit stewards shall in the course of considering names of ministers who might be invited to the appointment, confer with the district City Centre Committee, if constituted, or if not with the district Policy Committee, and in any event with the connexional Team member responsible for the maintenance of that list. See S.O. 442 (6) Whenever a question arises as to the extension or expiration of the period of invitation of a minister in a local appointment the circuit stewards shall confer with the Chairman of the District. See also S.O. 545 and 438(1B) (7) All written reports concerning ministers sent in reply to enquiries from stewards of other Circuits shall be signed by all the circuit stewards. (8) When a minister visits a Circuit at the invitation of the circuit stewards in connection with a vacancy or potential vacancy, whether before, during, or after any formal negotiations, the Circuit shall defray all expenses reasonably incurred.
541 The Committee. (1) Except where a City Centre Committee acts as the invitation committee for the Circuit the Circuit Meeting shall for any year in which any decision as to an invitation will arise appoint an Invitation Committee. In city centre churches the City Centre Committee is the invitation committee (S.O. 442 (3)), unless S.O. 442 (4) or (5) applies. (2) In any Circuit of which the title as set out in the stations includes the words London Mission' the Chairman of the District and the member of the connexional Team who is a member of the Circuit Meeting under Standing Order 510(1)(x) shall be members of the committee. (3) Subject to Standing Order 503(2) and to clause (2) above the members of the committee shall all be members in the Circuit or elsewhere in the Connexion or in another Methodist Church or be within category (i) or (ii) of Standing Order 503(1). S.O. 503(2) concerns ecumenical areas. (4) The committee shall meet to receive the circuit stewards' proposals before the Circuit Meeting at which invitations are to be considered. For guidance to circuit stewards, ministers and Chairmen see Book VI, Part 2. (5) All invitations given or recommendations made by the committee are provisional in character and must be submitted to the Circuit Meeting for its consideration and decision, except that, in the case of initial invitations only, the Circuit Meeting may delegate the decision to the Invitation Committee. Any invitation issued by the committee by virtue of such a delegation shall be reported to the next Circuit Meeting. (6) Only the recommendations and decisions of the committee shall be recorded. (7) Where power to issue initial invitations has not been delegated to the Invitation Committee, a special Circuit Meeting shall be called to consider any such invitation. The Invitation Committee, if power has been delegated to it, or if not the Circuit Meeting, shall meet on such a date or dates as may be required to ensure that any initial invitations to the Circuit are issued by the date specified in Standing Order 542(2).
542 Timetable. (1) No negotiations or arrangements concerning an invitation to fill any vacancy or potential vacancy shall be entered upon or made before 9am on the third Saturday in November nine and a half months before the vacancy is due to be filled. (2) No initial invitation shall be issued or accepted later than 15 days before the date fixed for the spring meeting of the Stationing Committee in the calendar year to which it relates, after which appointments shall be dealt with by the Stationing Committee.
543 Initial Period. Subject to Standing Order 547(2) the initial invitation to a minister shall be for a period of five years, no annual invitation being necessary during that period. S.O. 547(2) relates to ecumenical areas.
544 Curtailment. (1) If for any reason on the part of either a minister or a Circuit it appears desirable that the current period of invitation (whether the initial period or an extension under Standing Order 545 or 546) be curtailed the matter shall be referred to the Chairman of the District, who shall submit the case to a district committee which he or she shall appoint consisting of three ministers and three lay persons, including the district lay representative to the Stationing Committee. The Chairman of the District shall report the judgment of the committee to the minister concerned, the Circuit Meeting and the Stationing Committee. (2) A committee convened under this Standing Order may in addition refer the case to a district Consultative Committee under Standing Order 040. S.O. 040 concerns failure by a minister to fulfil the obligations of his or her appointment.
545 Extensions. (1) Subject to Standing Orders 547(2) and 548(1) no minister shall be appointed to the same Circuit for more than five successive years except upon the invitation of the Circuit Meeting, given in accordance with clause (2) or (3) of this Standing Order or with Standing Order 546 and by the votes of not less than 60% of the members present and voting or, if for a twelfth or later year, by the majority and in accordance with the procedure prescribed by Standing Order 546. (2) (a) Subject to Standing Order 547, at the first Circuit Meeting in the fifth year of a minister's service in the Circuit the invitation may be extended by one, two or three years. Any such extension may, if the minister and Circuit agree, be understood as final, but otherwise shall be open to further extension under clause (3) below. S.O. 547 relates to ecumenical areas. (b) Any Circuit Meeting to consider extending an invitation in accordance with sub-clause (a) above shall be held on or before the 20th September. (3) If a minister's initial invitation has been extended under clause (2) above or this clause and is open to further extension, then at the first Circuit Meeting in the last year of the current period of invitation the invitation may be extended by a further one, two or three years, provided that in no case shall an invitation under this clause extend beyond the eleventh year of a minister's service in the Circuit. Any such extension shall be understood as being final unless the minister and the Circuit agree to leave the point open. (4) Whenever the question is under consideration of the extension or expiration of the period of invitation of a minister in a local appointment the circuit stewards shall, not later than the 1st June, and before the Invitation Committee decides upon its recommendation to the Circuit Meeting, submit their proposals or provisional proposals to the district Policy Committee. See also S.O.s 540(6) and 438(1B).
546 Twelfth and Later Years. (1) If an invitation for a twelfth or later year is to be considered the circuit stewards shall so inform the Chairman by the 1st February of the year next but one before that to which the invitation would relate and supply all relevant information, which the Chairman shall place before the district Policy Committee at its next meeting for its advice. That advice shall be given to the circuit stewards and placed by them before the Invitation Committee and Circuit Meeting. (2) Invitations for a twelfth or later year shall be annual and shall be given at the first Circuit Meeting in the year preceding the year to which the invitation relates. (3) Any vote for such an invitation shall be taken by ballot and shall require a majority of 75% of those present and voting. The number of votes for and against and the total number of those present shall be recorded. Appointments for a twelfth or subsequent year also require a specific resolution by the Conference (S.O. 736).
547 Ecumenical Partnerships. (1) Whenever a question arises as to the curtailment, extension or expiration of the period of invitation of a minister participating in an approved local ecumenical partnership the circuit stewards shall confer with the sponsoring body, or, if none exists, with the appropriate authorities of the other communions involved in the partnership. See also S.O. 540 (4). (2) In a Circuit which is a duly constituted ecumenical area the provisions of Standing Orders 543 and 545 shall, where the constitution of the area allows, apply with the amendments set out in clause (3) below, so as to provide for an initial invitation of seven years, with a possible extension or extensions of up to four years in all before annual invitations are required, as in other cases, in accordance with Standing Order 546. As to ecumenical areas see also S.O. 510(8). (3) The amendments referred to in clause (2)(a) above are as follows: (i) in Standing Orders 543 and 545 (1) for five' substitute seven'; (ii) for Standing Order 545 (2)(a) substitute (2)(a) At the first Circuit Meeting in the seventh year of a minister's service in the Circuit the invitation may be extended by one, two, three or four years. Any such extension by four years shall be understood as being final unless the minister and the Circuit agree to leave the point open. Any other such extension may, if the minister and Circuit so agree, be understood as final, but otherwise shall be open to further extension under clause (3) below.'
548 Exceptions from Invitation. (1) This Section applies only to appointments of ministers, and accordingly a student minister or probationer shall not be offered or accept an invitation to serve in a Circuit for any part of his or her probation, but shall for that period be entirely at the disposal of the Stationing Committee. An invitation to a probationer to remain in the same Circuit after reception into full connexion shall be treated as an initial invitation except that there shall be no power of delegation under Standing Order 541 (5), and except that for the purposes of Standing Order 543 the period shall run from the date of appointment to the Circuit as a probationer. (2) No invitation shall be offered or accepted in respect of a priority appointment designated as such by the Stationing Policy Sub- committee, such appointments being entirely at the disposal of the Stationing Committee. (3) Persons applying to be received into full connexion under Standing Order 725, 728, or 788 shall not be offered or accept an invitation to serve in a Circuit for their first appointment, which shall be at the disposal of the Stationing Committee, but for all other purposes of this Section they shall be treated, if received into full connexion, as if they had received an initial invitation for five years to the Circuit of their first appointment.
549 Authority of Conference. Subject to Standing Order 545 (1) nothing in this Section shall derogate from the ultimate authority of the Conference over appointments annually. See cl. 20 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part I).
550 Obligatory Appointments. The Circuit Meeting shall appoint circuit stewards and, where Standing Order 553 applies, a circuit Pastoral Committee, together with any other officers or committees who may for the time being be required by Standing Orders, each with the responsibilities and powers prescribed by the Deed of Union or Standing Orders. As to circuit stewards see S.O. 530. See S.O. 410(1)(v) as to circuit representatives to Synod, S.O. 505(1) as to the connexional funds treasurer and S.O. 541 as to the Invitation Committee.
551 Discretionary Appointments. (1) The Circuit Meeting may appoint such other officers and committees, and with such responsibilities, as in its judgment are required for the furtherance of the work of the Circuit and for the effective communication with the District and the Conference in areas of special concern such as world mission and social responsibility. See editor's note (2) at p. iv above if it is desired to continue officers and committees as in 1992. (2) The meeting may delegate to any of its committees any of its powers, except appointments under Standing Order 550 and the approval of persons for admission as local preachers. (3) The above powers of delegation are subject, in the case of the meeting's functions as managing trustees, to the provisions of the Model Trusts and Standing Order 911. (4) The persons eligible for appointment under this clause are those who are members in the Circuit or elsewhere in the Connexion or in another Methodist church or are within category (i), (ii) or (iii) of Standing Order 503(1).
552 Ex-Officio Membership. All ministers, probationers, deaconesses, deacons and persons authorised to serve the Church as ministers or deacons under Standing Order 766 or 766A appointed to or having pastoral charge in the Circuit and the circuit stewards shall, ex officio, be members of and entitled to attend all official meetings (however described) connected with the Circuit, except that deaconesses, deacons and circuit stewards shall not be members of the Local Preachers' Meeting unless they are local preachers.
553 Pastoral Committee. In ecumenical areas and other Circuits containing local ecumenical partnerships (except where every local ecumenical partnership project in the Circuit has a local Pastoral Committee constituted under Standing Order 644(1) or (2)), the Circuit Meeting shall appoint a circuit Pastoral Committee consisting entirely of members of the Methodist Church and comprising (subject to Standing Order 028(7)) the ministers, probationers and deaconesses or deacons appointed to the Circuit, a circuit steward (if any) and not less than six class leaders or pastoral visitors who are members in that or a neighbouring Circuit. For the functions of this committee see S.O. 644(11)(iii). S.O. 028(7) prescribes the constitution of a circuit Pastoral Committee specially convened to act as a court of discipline
560 Local Preachers' Meeting. (1) The Local Preachers' Meeting shall, subject to Standing Order 027(10)(b), consist of the ministers, probationers, student ministers and persons authorised to serve the Church as ministers under Standing Order 766 or as deacons under Standing Order 766A who are members of the Circuit Meeting, any deaconesses and deacons who are local preachers and members of the Circuit Meeting, all local preachers who are members in the Circuit or are employed by the Circuit as lay workers under Standing Order 570 and any persons who are for the time being authorised to serve as local preachers in the Circuit under Standing Order 567(9). Cl. 40 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1) provides that Local Preachers' Meetings shall be constituted in such manner, of such persons and with and subject to such powers duties and provisions as the Conference may provide. For the ministers, probationers, deaconesses, etc., who are members of the Circuit Meeting see S.O. 510 (1) (i)-(iii). S.O. 027 (10)(b) provides for changes in the constitution of the meeting in certain circumstances, when acting as a court of discipline. (2) Persons on trial who are members in the Circuit are expected to attend but they are not entitled to vote. This clause takes effect with any modifications made under Standing Order 565(2), where it applies. Such persons should normally remain during reports on services, discussions of such reports, and interviews, in order to benefit from the training opportunities afforded, but not when the meeting is considering or reaching any decision affecting the continuation or change of status of any local preacher or person on note or on trial, or any similar decision. (3) The meeting shall be held at least once in every quarter. (4) In this Section, unless the context otherwise requires, the word preacher' without qualification means a person who is a voting member of the relevant Local Preachers' Meeting.
561 Functions. The meeting shall: (i) consider the state of the work of God in the Circuit so far as the role of local preachers and worship are concerned, and in particular communicate to the Superintendent its views on issues of policy affecting the plan of preaching appointments and to the Circuit Meeting its views on circuit policy relating to worship; (ii) consider the character of the local preachers, their fidelity to doctrine and their fitness for the work of the Circuit; (iii) perform the functions prescribed by Standing Orders 563 to 567; (iv) initiate and oversee a programme of continuing local preacher development so that the local preachers may be the better equipped for their work; (v) deal with the business set out in the agenda in Part 10. As to (ii) see S.O. 569. For the jurisdiction of the meeting over lay workers see S.O. 570 (4).
562 Secretary. (1) The meeting shall appoint one of its members as its secretary, who shall send to the connexional Team: (i) whenever anyone receives a note to assist in the conduct of services, that person's name and address, so that he or she may receive the initial study material; (ii) whenever persons are received on trial their names and addresses, so that they may each receive further information; (iii) whenever a person on trial is ready to be considered for admission the names and addresses of the interviewer and the person on trial, so that they may receive copies of Circuit Interviews for On Trials; (iv) whenever persons have been admitted as local preachers their names and addresses, so that they may each receive the President's letter and Bible book-plate; (v) whenever local preachers complete 40, 50, 60 or 70 years their names, so that they may each receive a certificate; (vi) whenever persons have been appointed as tutors or supervisors their names and addresses, so that they may each receive the appropriate literature; (vii) each year a copy of the circuit plan and/or directory for the first quarter of the connexional year. (2) The secretary of the meeting is also responsible for: (i) informing those received on note or on trial of the facilities provided to help them in their studies by way of local tutorial help and supervision; (ii) making arrangements for quarterly reports on services conducted by local preachers on trial, in accordance with Standing Order 565 (6); (iii) ensuring that candidates who intend to take the next connexional written examination send their examination entrance forms to the Team at least six weeks before the examination; (iv) ensuring, together with the local branch secretary of the Local Preachers Mutual Aid Association, that pastoral care is provided, as appropriate, for all persons on note or on trial and all local preachers.
563 Candidates. Those who wish to train to become local preachers must be and remain members. They must in the first place be recommended to the Local Preachers' Meeting by the Church Council of the Local Church in which they are members, or by a minister, probationer or local preacher present in the meeting. They should, before the meeting, have shared in an interview with the Superintendent.
564 Persons on Note. (1) Candidates approved by the meeting shall receive from the Superintendent a written note authorising them to assist a preacher in the conduct of services within the Circuit. (2) Subject to clause (2A) below, where persons on note are temporarily resident in another Circuit, their note may be implemented and their initial training undertaken there by mutual arrangement between the two Circuits. (2A) When persons on note are students at Cliff College their note shall during college terms be implemented in and near the college and their training undertaken there by mutual arrangement between their home Circuit and the college staff. As to Cliff College see S.O. 341. (3) The introductory study Units shall be sent to those on note by the connexional Team. These Units shall be completed satisfactorily by those on note before proceeding to on trial status. (4) The written note shall be valid for three months and if it is deemed advisable may be renewed for a further such period or periods. (5) Every person on note shall have a supervisor, who must be a preacher, appointed to give oversight. The supervisor, or another preacher, should be in charge of every service in which the person on note takes part and the supervisor should continue to give oversight during the period on trial. (6) Reports shall be submitted to the Local Preachers' Meeting by the supervisor and any other preacher or preachers who have been present at any service in which the person on note has taken part. (7) Before persons on note are passed to on trial' status by the Local Preachers' Meeting they shall conduct a full service on their own in the presence of two preachers, one of whom may be the supervisor. The preachers shall present a report on the service and sermon, on the form provided by the Team, to the meeting. If that report and the report of the local tutor are satisfactory persons on note shall then be advanced by the meeting to the next stage of training, during which they are said to be on trial'.
565 Persons on Trial. (1) Before persons on trial are finally admitted as local preachers they shall have not less than one nor (subject to clause (3) below) more than five years on trial. The normal period shall be two to three years. This is desirable both for adequate training and to give sufficient opportunities for the judging of their suitability. (1A) The Local Preachers Meeting shall decide each quarter whether each of the persons on trial shall be continued in that status. (2) Subject to clause (2A) below, where persons on trial are temporarily resident in another Circuit their training may be supervised in that Circuit by mutual arrangements between the two Circuits. The arrangements shall specify which Local Preachers' Meeting they are expected to attend. (2A) When persons on trial are students at Cliff College their training shall during college terms be supervised there by mutual arrangement between their home Circuit and the college staff. They shall continue to attend their own Local Preachers Meeting when possible. (3) Applications to extend the period on trial beyond five years must be made through the district Local Preachers' secretary to the district Local Preachers' Committee if appointed, or if it is not appointed then to a meeting of the district officers and associate officers for ministries affairs [. . .], together with the Chairman and the secretary of the Synod. Such applications should be granted only in very exceptional circumstances. The Superintendent and the person on trial have the right to be present and to speak to the case. For the district officers see S.O. 403. (4) A person on trial who removes to a new Circuit shall be received as on trial in that Circuit and the Superintendent of the former Circuit shall report progress in the training course and other relevant information. As to the training course see S.O. 566 (below). (5) Every Local Preachers' Meeting shall appoint a local tutor, who shall oversee the studies of those on note and on trial in the Circuit and, by arrangement, those on note and on trial in any adjoining Circuits. Such appointments shall be notified to the connexional Team. Every help possible shall be afforded to those on trial in their studies and training and they shall be asked to make a firm commitment to training and study when they come on trial. (6) For at least the first six months of the period on trial services and sermons should be prepared in consultation with the supervisor, who should be present at each service and give a report to the Local Preachers' Meeting. Thereafter, and until the final trial service, persons on trial shall each quarter conduct a service in the presence of at least one preacher, and a brief report of this service shall be presented to the next Local Preachers' Meeting. For the final trial service see S.O. 567 (3)(i). (7) All reports on services conducted by persons on trial shall be discussed with the person on trial concerned before being presented to the Local Preachers' Meeting.
566 Training Course. (1) Persons on trial shall successfully complete the local preachers' training course prescribed by the Methodist Council. The council may delegate some or all of its responsibilities under this Standing Order to a committee or member of the connexional Team. (2) The course consists of continuous assessment material and [. . .] written examinations [. . .]. These examinations shall be held three times a year. Candidates who have physical difficulty in writing an examination answer paper may apply to the council, through their Superintendent, for permission either to type or dictate their answers, or to extend the time allowed for the examination to allow for short rest periods. (3) The Circuit is responsible for reimbursing local tutors and those on trial, from circuit funds, for the cost of basic study material (units and tapes) and examination fees. (4) When sitting an examination a person on trial shall also submit such written assignments and tutor's report as are required by the council. (5) Persons on trial may take the [. . .] examinations [. . .] (but not the continuous assessment material) orally if prior approval has been obtained from the council. Oral examinations shall be conducted in private by an examiner appointed by the council from outside the Circuit. Before this method of examination can be used a reasoned statement for its use by a person on trial shall be submitted by the Local Preachers' Meeting and approved by the council. The reasoned statement must include detailed evidence of the undesirability of the person on trial being examined by a written examination through inability or difficulty (by reason of age, physical condition or disability) in transferring thoughts to paper under examination conditions. (6) The assessment and examination results of persons on trial shall be reported to the Local Preachers' Meeting. (7) (a) It is general policy that the interests of local preaching are best served if all those who wish to become local preachers follow the prescribed course. However, in very exceptional circumstances, if another training course has been undertaken and successfully completed, permission may be granted by the council at its discretion in accordance with (b) to (d) below. (b) If the completed course was comparable with or superior to the prescribed course exemption from any further initial training under this Standing Order may be granted by the council. (c) If the completed course did not come within (b) above, but substantially covered the biblical and theological parts of the prescribed course, permission to follow an alternative prescribed course may be granted. In such cases the following conditions must be met: (i) the candidate must be on trial before making an application under this Standing Order; (ii) the candidate must first demonstrate competence in biblical and theological areas by passing two written examinations, set by the council, in the biblical and theological areas covered by the prescribed course; and (iii) the candidate must successfully complete the alternative prescribed course, specified by the council, and at the end pass written examinations. (d) For any application under either (b) or (c) above the following conditions must first be met: (i) full details of the completed training course must be supplied; (ii) the training course must have been completed not more than five years before the date of application, and evidence of success must be supplied; (iii) a detailed reasoned statement, approved by the Local Preachers Meeting, must be submitted stating why the candidate should not follow the prescribed course. (8) If there is an interval of more than five years between completion of the prescribed course and coming on trial, a refresher course agreed with the council must be completed during the on trial period.
567 Admission Procedure. (1) Before persons on trial are recommended for admission as local preachers they must successfully complete two circuit interviews. These are to be held when persons on trial have successfully completed Part I of the local preachers' training course and when after successfully completing Part 2 it is considered by the Local Preachers' Meeting that they should be considered for admission as local preachers. These interviews are conducted either by the Superintendent or (at his or her request) by other preachers at the Local Preachers' Meeting. The local tutor and/or supervisor would be appropriate people to conduct the interviews. For each interview a copy of Circuit Interviews for Those on Trial, which sets out full details, shall be supplied by the connexional Team to the person on trial and the Superintendent. (2) For the purposes of the first interview persons on trial: (i) shall, during the quarter preceding the interview, conduct a full service in the presence of two preachers and a church steward who is not a local preacher, who shall together prepare a report for the meeting, written on the form provided by the Team; (ii) shall have the opportunity to share the story of their Christian experience; their call to preach; and any insights, challenges or difficulties experienced during the period on trial to date. (3) For the purposes of the second interview the person on trial: (i) shall, during the quarter preceding the interview, conduct a full service in the presence of two preachers (one of whom must be a minister) and a church steward who is not a local preacher, who shall together prepare a report for the meeting, written on the form provided by the Team; (ii) shall have the opportunity to speak of his or her growth in knowledge and understanding of the faith, and maturing of Christian experience; (iii) must satisfy the meeting that he or she is faithful to the fundamental doctrines of the Christian Faith and to Methodist doctrinal standards; (iv) must assure the meeting that he or she will accept and observe the duties of a local preacher as described in Standing Order 568(1)-(4), which shall, for this purpose, be read at the meeting. (4) If, after this second interview, the meeting is satisfied that the person on trial should be admitted as a local preacher it shall so recommend to the Circuit Meeting which, if it agrees, shall approve the person on trial for admission as a local preacher. (5) (a) Local Preachers' Meetings can recommend to the Circuit Meeting that it approve the admission as local preachers of lay preachers and readers of other churches (including officers of the Salvation Army) who have become members of the Methodist Church, provided the training procedures they have undergone are comparable with or superior to our own. The decision is for the Local Preachers' Meeting but the advice of the Team on the training procedures of other churches is always available. Before recommending admission the Local Preachers' Meeting must satisfy itself on the following points: (i) that the candidate was in good standing with the former church; (ii) that its training procedure was successfully completed, as to which, if possible, written evidence shall be required; (iii) that satisfactory information has been obtained on the circumstances in which the candidate may have ceased to be a preacher in the other church; (iv) that the candidate is conversant with and accepts the doctrines and practices peculiar to the Methodist Church; (v) that the candidate is known to other members of the meeting who can support the application to become a local preacher. (b) Pending a decision of the Circuit Meeting candidates may at the discretion of the Local Preachers' Meeting be granted on trial' status, but they shall be subject to the requirements of this clause in place of those of Standing Orders 564(7), 565 and 566 and clauses (1) to (4) above. (c) In every case there shall be a conversation at the Local Preachers' Meeting conducted by the Superintendent or a preacher appointed by him or her to satisfy the meeting on the above points. In particular the candidate shall have read A Catechism for the use of the People called Methodists and this document should form the basis of the conversation. As to lay preachers and readers who do not become members of the Methodist Church see clause (9) below. (6) After being approved (under either clause (4) or (5) above) the person on trial shall be admitted as a local preacher at a public religious service to be arranged by the Circuit Meeting. At that service a letter and Bible signed by the President of the Conference shall be presented to each local preacher so admitted. (7) Local preachers, before or soon after being recognised and commissioned, shall be encouraged to proceed to an induction course arranged by the Team. Details of these courses are contained in the Annual Letter to local preachers. (8) The names of local preachers who are members in the Circuit shall appear in the circuit plan with their respective years of seniority. The year of seniority shall be that of admission except that: (i) if a local preacher admitted as such under clause (5) above seeks an earlier year of seniority the Local Preachers' Meeting may, in the light of any evidence produced, recommend to the Circuit Meeting (which shall have the decision) a year of seniority which takes such account as the Local Preachers' Meeting deems reasonable of any period or periods served as a lay preacher or reader in good standing in another church or churches; and (ii) if local preachers resign or are deprived of their status and are later reinstated the intervening period shall add no seniority and their year shall be adjusted accordingly. (9) Where there is a partnership scheme approved by the Conference or (if so empowered) by the Synod any lay preacher or reader of another church participating in the scheme who has not become a member of the Methodist Church may apply to be authorised to serve as a local preacher in accordance with this clause, and in that event the following provisions shall apply: (i) the application shall be considered by the Local Preachers' Meeting; (ii) the training procedures undergone by the applicant must have been comparable with or superior to our own; (iii) the meeting must be assured that the applicant will not preach anything at variance with our doctrines; (iv) if satisfied as to (ii) and (iii) above the meeting may recommend to the Circuit Meeting the acceptance of the application and the Circuit Meeting, if it approves, shall authorise the applicant to serve as a local preacher in the Circuit, subject to and in accordance with this clause; (v) persons so authorised are members of the Local Preachers' Meeting and shall be subject to the duties of a local preacher as set out in Standing Order 568 (1) (4), and their names shall appear in the circuit plan immediately after those of the local preachers; (vi) Section 02, so far as it relates to local preachers, shall apply to such persons, but so as to affect only their status under this clause in relation to the Methodist Church; (vii) Standing Order 568 (5) shall not apply to such persons and their authorisation in a Circuit shall cease if they remove, or cease to have authority to preach in their own church, or if their church or the Methodist Church ceases to participate in the partnership scheme, but without prejudice to further applications under this clause. As to lay preachers and readers of other churches who become members of the Methodist Church see clause (5) above.
568 Duties and Rights. (1) Preachers are called of God, to be worthy in character, to lead God's people in worship and to preach the gospel. This places duties on, and gives rights to, local preachers. (2) As to worship, it is the duty of local preachers: (i) to lead worship and preach with knowledge, conviction and competence; (ii) to preach nothing at variance with our doctrines (the term our doctrines' refers to those truths of salvation which are set forth in the Methodist doctrinal standards); (iii) to be available for an appropriate number of appointments each quarter, having regard to the situation of the local preacher and of the Circuit (local preachers must inform the Superintendent of any occasions on which they cannot be available for appointments on the forthcoming circuit plan); (iv) to fulfil all appointments given on the circuit plan (a local preacher unable to fulfil an appointment must arrange for a suitable substitute, informing the Superintendent and a church steward of the Local Church concerned). For the doctrinal standards see cl 4 of the Deed of Union (Book II, Part 1). For the circuit plan see S.O. 521. (3) As to fellowship and training, it is the duty of local preachers: (i) to attend the Local Preachers' Meeting on each occasion (if unable to attend for good reason local preachers must tender an apology for absence to the secretary); (ii) to continue to develop and study by appropriate means, including refresher courses and participation in any appraisal/assessment scheme approved by the Local Preachers Meeting and, in the case of local preachers admitted as such in and after the year beginning on 1st September 1995, in a programme of continuing local preacher development. (iii) to attend a class, housegroup, or similar fellowship group. (4) As to membership of the Local Church, it is the duty of local preachers: (i) regularly to attend public worship (as appointments permit) and receive the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (normally worship should be in a Methodist church or an approved local ecumenical partnership); (ii) to attend the Worship Consultation, if constituted. (5) It is the right of local preachers: (i) to retain local preacher status while they remain members of the Methodist Church (this right continues if they are no longer able to lead worship and preach by reason of age or infirmity, but is subject to Standing Orders 027 and 027A); (ii) upon removal from one Circuit to another, upon production of a copy of the current circuit plan from their former Circuit, to be received in the new Circuit as local preachers (the position in which their names are to appear on the circuit plan shall be determined by the Local Preachers' Meeting in the Circuit which receives them). S.O. 027 and 027A concern disciplinary proceedings. As to transfers generally see S.O. 813. (6) If concern is expressed either in the meeting or in writing to the Superintendent as to the conduct of worship or failure in duties of a local preacher, the Local Preachers Meeting may appoint a pastoral group consisting of the Superintendent and not more than three other members of the Meeting. One or more shall, when appropriate, meet with the local preacher concerned. If the local preacher agrees to such a meeting and takes part in it no charge shall be entertained in respect of the matters discussed at the meeting, or in respect of anything said or done during the meeting itself. 569 Reinstatement. (1) - (9) [Revoked] Clauses (1) to (9) of this Standing Order formerly contained provisions as to disciplinary proceedings relating to local preachers, which are now to be found in S.O. 027, 027A.
(10) (a) Unless Standing Order 787A applies, a former local preacher who is a member may be reinstated as a local preacher with the approval of the Circuit Meeting of the Circuit in which he or she is a member on the recommendation of the Local Preachers Meeting. (b) Before recommending reinstatement the Local Preachers Meeting shall: (i) carefully consider the circumstances in which the applicant ceased to be a local preacher and in all cases where an applicant ceased to be a local preacher as a result of a decision of a connexional committee or the Conference under Section 02, the Secretary of the Conference shall be consulted before the applicant is reinstated; (ii) make such enquiries as it thinks fit; (iii) if the applicant was formerly a local preacher in another Circuit, obtain information, if possible in writing, from the current Superintendent of that Circuit; (iv) conduct such examination of the applicant as it thinks fit; (v) require such refresher study as it deems necessary. (c) Pending a decision of the Circuit Meeting applicants may at the discretion of the Local Preachers Meeting be granted on trial status, but they shall be subject to the requirements of this clause in place of those of Standing Order 564(7), 565, 566 and 567 (1)-(4). (d) Persons formerly on note or on trial who are members may be reinstated to their former status by the Local Preachers Meeting after enquiry and examination similar to that in sub-clause (b) (i)-(iv) above. S.O. 787A concerns the reinstatement as local preachers of former ministers.
570 Lay Workers. (1) Pastoral care and preaching are committed to lay members in all Local Churches and Circuits by appointment as class leaders or local preachers or to other existing local or circuit office. If it is desired to employ a lay person in pastoral or evangelistic work, or in administrative work relating to furthering and coordinating the mission of the Church, in a Circuit or in one or more Local Churches, whether full time or part time, and the work is to be paid, or for some other reason cannot appropriately be done solely under such existing offices, then such employment must be by the Circuit Meeting, the worker must be a member of the Church or comply with the requirements of clause (2) below and the requirements of this Standing Order and of Standing Order 575 must be met. (2) If the person proposed is not a member of the Church, then he or she (i) must be a practising member in good standing of another Christian church (and the Circuit Meeting must be satisfied of that fact by appropriate evidence), and (ii) must have given undertakings that during the currency of the appointment he or she will not do or say anything contrary to the doctrinal standards of the Methodist Church and will abide by its discipline; and the Circuit Meeting shall include the evidence of compliance with this clause in the scheme submitted for approval under Standing Order 575. (3) Connexional support for appointments made under this Standing Order is not excluded but is subject to conditions approved by the connexional Team. (4) Any person appointed under this Standing Order who is a local preacher shall as such be subject to the jurisdiction of the Local Preachers' Meeting. The name of any such person who is not a local preacher shall appear on the circuit plan, but not among the names of the preachers. See S.O. 561 (ii), 569. (5) All appointments made under this Standing Order shall be, in the first instance, for no longer than five years. If the appointment is to continue beyond that time the scheme shall be resubmitted for the approval of the district Policy Committee. (6) Any person appointed under this Standing Order shall act under the direction and pastoral care of the Superintendent.
571 Full-time Youth Workers etc. If a circuit appointment of a full-time youth worker, youth and community worker or worker with children is desired, then such employment must be by the Circuit Meeting and the requirements of Standing Order 575 must be met.
572 Community Workers. If a circuit appointment of a community worker is desired, then such employment must be by the Circuit Meeting and the requirements of Standing Order 575 must be met.
573 Employment of Other Persons. If it is proposed to employ a lay person for any circuit purpose otherwise than under Standing Order 570, 571 or 572 then such employment must be by the Circuit Meeting, which shall, where Standing Order 438A applies, comply with its provisions and obtain the prior approval of the district Lay Employment Sub-committee under that Standing Order.
574 Chairman's Rights. When an appointment is to be made under Standing Order 570, 571, 572, 573, 670, 671 or 672 the Chairman of the District shall be notified of the meeting of the selection committee, interview panel or other body responsible for selection, and shall have the right, personally or by a representative, to attend as a member.
575 Schemes of Appointment. (1) This Standing Order applies to appointments under Standing Order 570, 571 or 572. (2) In this Standing Order the sub-committee' means the district Lay Employment Sub-committee [. . .]. (3) Subject to clause (9) below the Circuit Meeting shall in every case prepare a scheme, substantially in a form prescribed by the connexional Team and supplied by the sub- committee, defining the task, naming the person proposed, stating that person's qualifications for appointment and specifying all material terms of the proposed engagement, including those dealing with the matters referred to in clause (4) below. (4) Before such a scheme is adopted it shall be submitted for scrutiny to the sub-committee which shall, before recommending its adoption, be satisfied that: (i) the task has been properly and realistically defined; (ii) the person proposed is suitable to serve in the required capacity and possesses the necessary knowledge and skills for the task; (iii) where necessary a contract of employment has been prepared; (iv) in all cases an adequate job description has been agreed and the conditions of service specified; (v) the person's place in, and relationship with, local church and circuit structures have been properly defined and comply with Standing Orders; (vi) should any living accommodation be provided, such accommodation will be occupied only on the standard conditions of occupancy published under Standing Order 438A(3)(iii) or on other terms specifically approved in writing by the connexional Team member authorised so to approve; (vii) adequate provision for appropriate training and support for the worker has been included in the scheme; (viii) adequate financial arrangements have been made for the support of the worker; (ix) in appointments under Standing Order 570 the period of service has been fixed and arrangements for a review of the scheme specified, and no obligation will rest on any part of the Methodist Church to provide employment for the person concerned beyond the fixed period; (x) the oversight of the appointment has been devolved to a competent and responsible management committee appointed by the Circuit Meeting and required to meet with sufficient frequency to fulfil its purpose. (5) Where there is to be a contract of employment it shall incorporate the terms and conditions published under clause (3)(ii) and (if applicable) (iiA) of Standing Order 438A without any modification, unless approved in writing by the Team member authorised so to approve. (6) If the sub-committee thinks it desirable to do so, it shall refer the scheme back to its promoters for further consideration. (7) In all cases the sub-committee shall make its recommendation to the district Policy Committee, which may authorise the implementation of the scheme. The decision of the committee shall be reported to the Synod and the [. . .] connexional Team. (8) In circumstances that are judged by the Chairman of the District to be exceptional he or she may authorise a scheme to be implemented if its adoption is recommended by the sub-committee. The decision of the Chairman shall be reported to the district Policy Committee, the Synod and the [. . .] connexional Team. (9) Where it is more appropriate to do so the scheme may be submitted for approval in principle to the sub-committee before a name is proposed for appointment. Where this is done, the details of the person proposed for appointment shall later be submitted to the sub-committee which shall report to the district Policy Committee or, where clause (8) applies, to the Chairman of the District, and the Policy Committee or Chairman, as the case may be, must have approved those details before the scheme is implemented. (10) The provisions of this Standing Order are additional to and not in place of those of Standing Order 438A, which must be complied with in every case to which it applies.