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Methodist Church

THE METHODIST CHURCH IN INDIA

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THE METHODIST CHURCH AND ITS MEMBERS

The Methodist Church is founded by John Wesley (1703 – 1793) when he underwent a life changing experience learning that the Just shall Live by Faith i.e., born again through faith in Christ Jesus.

He went on horseback announcing the gospel to the lost souls everywhere and built them up methodically in spiritual life and social holiness. He is called as the Father of Second Reformation because through him the protestant mission movement arose and spread across the world.

The Motto of the Methodist Church is :

Holy Life and Gospel Ministry.

The Methodist Church seeks in every member a practical Holy life beginning with the experience of Salvation in Christ. Through sanctification and empowerment of the Holy Spirit they witness to Christ by sharing the Gospel of Christ in word and deed.

The Methodist Church exists to fulfill its everyday purpose of:

  1. The Great Confession – Inviting everyone to the truth and leading them to a life committed to Christ Jesus.

  2. The Great Command – To share and practice the true love of Jesus in a worshipping fellowship.

  3. The Great Commission – Spending for and being spent in the work of gospel, as a healing agent of Christ to the society.

The duty of a Methodist Member in simple terms is :

  1. To worship God every Sunday and surrender as living sacrifice.

  2. To bring tithes and gifts to the Lord to be accountable for the earthly resources.

  3. To actively involve in small groups and edify each other and spend their gifts and abilities in outreach ministries building God’s Kingdom on earth.

The undertaking of a Methodist Member

Every Methodist member submits to Christ in obedience to gospel, maintains the faith as confessed in Apostle’s creed and undertakes according to the Methodist Church discipline.

Way to receive a peaceful life

If you want to live a new, clean and peaceful life, you need God’s true presence. His God’s presence will save you from the punishment of sins and the dangers brought by sin, curse and evil spirits. How to be saved?

  1. Believe in your heart that

  • God loves man unconditionally and offers him life after death
  • Man is a sinner who deserves punishment for his sins
  • Because Jesus loves us, he came down to earth as a man, took the punishment of our sins upon him and paid its full penalty on the Cross shedding his blood and died. He came back to life from death and lives today. He calls us to him.

2. Ask Jesus

  • To give forgiveness for sins as you repent and feel sorry for them.
  • To come into your life and take the control of your life

  1. Promise to Jesus

  • that you will be his child forever and take Baptism because he has promised to be with you forever, till eternity.

God’s words and promises given in the Holy Bible :

Behold I stand at the door and knock; If anyone hears my words and open the door, I will come into him and dine with him and he with me (deeper fellowship)

If you remain in me I will remain in you…without me you can do nothing

I will give you the peace that the world cannot give

The thief has come to steal, kill and destroy but I have come that they (my sheep) may have life, life in fullness.

God so loved the world that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

I am the way, truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.

I will not leave you as orphans, I will give you rest.

Come to me Those who carrying heavey laden, I will give you rest.

I know the plans I have for you…

METHODIST MEMBERSHIP

(Simplified from the Book of Discipline of the Methodist Church in India)

The Methodist Church in India is a part of the Universal body of Christ, and a registered Church with it Central and Regional Bodies located across India. Goa District of the Methodist Church comes under the administration of the Bangalore Regional Conference. The Methodist Church management and membership functions according to the constitution and bylaws laid in the Book of Discipline of the MCI.

Who is a Methodist member ?

Anyone who renounces sin and desires to follow Christ and be loyal to the policies and doctrines of the Methodist Church in India are given membership in the Methodist Church by the procedures of Holy Baptism, Confirmation and Reception. Fresh seekers of membership and those who are transferred from other Evangelical Churches can apply for Methodist Membership and initiate the procedures of membership.

To whom the full membership is given in a local Methodist Church? (Paras 213-222)

  • Those who seek membership in a Methodist Church should have attended its worship services for minimum 6 months, as preparatory member and follow the procedures or by producing valid certificates of Baptism, Confirmation and/or Membership Transfer Certificates.
  • Children, when complete 12 years, will be received into full membership through Baptism, Confirmation and Reception. Children Baptized early will follow Confirmation and Reception.
  • A member who is not in active relationship or contributing to the Church for 6 months will become an inactive member. Restoration to active membership will be done through the procedures given in the Book of Discipline.

Note : Inform the Church while taking a break/ moving out from Church activities or while seeking renewal of membership, in order to update the Church records and the annual Statistical reports. It helps in issuing the Official Certificates hassle free, when required. Check the Book of Discipline for other rules of membership, transfer, withdrawal, termination etc.

What are categories of Membership in Methodist Church? (Paras 213-222)

  1. Preparatory Member – Children till completing 12 years and adults attend worship for 6 months.
  2. Full Member – See the rules in previous section
  3. Affiliate Member – Seeking membership in the local Church (after 6 months of stay), applied through the Committee of the home Church elsewhere. (Eligible for office bearer-ship only in Pastorate only).
  4. Non-resident Member – A member who has moved out to another place where Methodist Church is not there, so wants to retain the membership in the local Church. Not eligible for office bearer-ship.
  5. Inactive Member – see detail in previous section.

The 3 responsibilities a full member vows to the Methodist Church! (Paras 208-211)

  • Regular participation in the Corporate Worship especially on Sundays.
  • Participate in its life through small group activities.
  • Contribute monthly tithe and time to support the ministry and management of the Church.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN INDIA

The Aims and Objectives of the Methodist Church in India are:

  • to understand the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ,
  • to bear witness to this love to all people and to make them His disciples,
  • Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit, the Church exists for
    •            the proclamation of the love of God,
    •            the maintenance of worship,
    •            the edification of believers and the redemption of the world.

In furtherance of this aim, it shall engage in :

  • evangelical,
  • educational,
  • medical,
  • social,
  • literary,
  • agricultural,
  • socio-economic,
  • vocational,
  • technical,
  • industrial and
  • such other activities which are in harmony with its doctrines and Articles of Religion…”

(MCI Discipline – Para 2).

THE OFFICIAL CREEDS OF THE METHODIST CHURCH IN INDIA

186. Art. I. the Apostle’s Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead; I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

187. Art. II. The Nicene Creed.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, and only begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended, into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the lord, and Giver of life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the Prophets. And i believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

THE ARTICLES OF RELIGION

(As found in the Methodist Book of Discipline – including the article numbers)

151. Art. I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.

There is but one living and true God, everlasting without body or parts, of infinite wisdom and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power and eternity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

152. Art. II. Of the Word, or Son of God, Who was made very Man.

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, ver God and very Man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for the actual sins of men.

153. Art. III. Of the Resurrection of Christ.

Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man’s nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he returns to judge all men at the last day.

154. Art. IV. Of the Holy Ghost.

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, if of one substance, majesty and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

155. Art. V. Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.

The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be though requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

The names of the canonical books are:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantical or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the Greater, Twelve Prophets the Less.

All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.

156. Art. VI. Of the Old Testament.

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and Man. wherefore they are not to be head who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law give from God by Moses as touching ceremonies and rites doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

157. Art. VII. Of Original or Birth Sin.

Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.

158. Art. VIII. Of Free Will.

The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.

159. Art. IX. Of the justification of man.

We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.

160. Art. X. Of Good Works.

Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God’s judgments; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

161. Art. XI. Of works of supererogation.

Voluntary works – besides, over and above God’s commandments – which they call works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogance and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake then of bounden duty is required; whereas Christ saith plainly: when ye have done all that is commanded of you, say, We are unprofitable servants.

162. Art. XII. Of sin after justification.

Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here; or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

163. Art. XIII. of the church.

The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

164. Art. XIV. of purgatory.

The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshipping, and adoration, as well as images as of relies, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God.

165. Art. XV. of speaking in the Congregation in such a Tongue as the People Understand.

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive Church, to have public prayer in the Church, or to administer the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.

166. Art. XVI. of the sacraments.

Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men’s profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God’s good will toward us, by which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him.

There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.

Those five commonly called sacraments, that is to say, confirmation, penance, orders, matrimony, and extreme unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel; being such as have partly grown out of the corrupt following of the apostles, and partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not the like nature of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, because they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith, I Cor. 11.29.

167. Art. XVII of baptism.

Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The baptism of young children to be retained in the Church.

168. Art. XVIII of the Lord’s Supper.

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ’s death; insomuch that, to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.

Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the Supper of our Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a sacrament and hath given occasion to many superstitions.

The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. And the means whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is faith.

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was not by Christ’s ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.

169. Art. XIX. of both kinds.

The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people; for both the parts of the Lord’s Supper, by Christ’s ordinance and commandment, ought to be administered to all Christians alike.

170. Art. XX. of the one oblation of Christ, finished upon the Cross.

The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual, and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in which it is commonly said that have remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and dangerous deceit.

171. Art. XXI of the Marriage of ministers.

The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God’s law either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve best to godliness.

172. Art. XXI of the rites and Ceremonies of Churches.

It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for they have been always different, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men’s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word. Whosoever, through his private judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the rites and ceremonies of the Church to which he belongs, which are not repugnant to the Word of God, and are ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to do the like, as one that offendeth against the common order of the church, and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.

Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things may be done to edification.

173. Art. XIII of the duty of Christians to the Civil Authority.

It is the duty of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers, to observe and obey the laws and commands of the governing or supreme authority of the country of which they are citizens or in which they reside and to use all laudable means to encourage and enjoin obedience to the powers that be.

174. Art. XXIV. of Christian Men’s Goods.

The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as some do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

175. Art. XXV. Of a Christian Man’s Oath.

As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden for Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James his apostle, so we judge that the Christian religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the prophet’s teaching, in justice, judgment and truth.

176. Art. XXVI Of Sanctification.

Sanctification is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Ghost, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood of atonement cleanseth from all sin; whereby we are not only delivered from the guilt of sin, but are washed from its pollution, saved from its power, and are enabled, through grace, to love God with all our hearts and to walk in his holy commandments blameless.

THE THEOLOGY TASK OF THE METHODIST CHURCH

Methodist Church needs to be sound in doctrine in theology in the current national and international context, various forces such as sectarian movements, secular Philosophies, breakdown of traditions, expansion of knowledge and technology, the manipulation of religion for political purposes, indiscriminate attempts at indigenization and widespread illiteracy are growing and posing problem to the Church.

To meet this challenge and nurture deeper knowledge of the fundamental beliefs of the Christian faith, training the children, youth and adults, and equiping them for leadership is needed.

Hence, the Methodist Church in India, needs to be faithful to the historic Christian faith, as expressed in Scripture, creeds of the early Church, tradition, and distinctive Methodist beliefs.

The Methodist Church in India needs to give expression to the faith in the Indian context, and respond to the new tasks and challenges as well as pass its ‘rich inheritance’ to the coming generations.

So the Church needs to explore the following areas and make a concerted effort to provide sound understanding and guidance in regard to:

  1. The meaning of ‘theology’ and its relation to our contemporary socio-political-religious-cultural situation.

  2. Issues such as concern for the poor, communalism, class/caste struggles, population explosion and peace with justice.

  3. The meaning of confessions of faith, including the basic creeds (Apostles’ and Nicene).

  4. The function of the Articles of Religion and General Rules as found in the Discipline in relation to the Indian context.

  5. The relation of scripture, tradition, reason and experience in the discernment, understanding and articulation of our faith in the context of emerging new theologies and ideologies.

  6. The nature, ministry, mission and service of the Church and the place of the MCI in relation to other denominations and traditions in India, to the World Methodist Council, and to the World Council of Churches.

  7. The role of the MCI in relation to religious pluralism and dialogue with persons of other faiths.

  8. The place and use of indigenous forms in liturgy, music and architecture, and the development of new forms.

  9. The criteria for sound teachings against the background sectarian movements and literature.

  10. The production, publication and dissemination of suitable literature and other media which will simply and clearly set forth the basic tenets of our faith and theological understanding in relation to the aforesaid areas of concern, in English and Regional languages.

COMMITMENT TO GLOBAL MISSION

The Methodist Church in India understands the term “Person-in-Mission” or “Missionary” as the one engaged in the mission of the Church, both in full-time service or on a short-term voluntary basis. A missionary is one who has heard the call of Jesus Christ and committed to share his/her witness of faith and love in Christ in any part of the world and thereby to demonstrate the universal and inclusive nature of the Church. This witness involves the proclamation of the Gospel, the performance of service which fulfils the call and the development of true human community in Christ.

Accordingly, the Methodist Church in India affirms :

  • its mission within the territorial boundaries of India and

  • that as a part of “the Body of Christ in and for the world”, it is also committed to a global mission.

The Methodist Church in India affirms its historic and constitutional affiliation with the United Methodist Church and expresses mutuality in mission expressed in specific and concrete terms. It desires to strengthen the flow and movement of personnels from either Church to the other for leadership, enrichment and fellowship in the Gospel.

With a spirit of mutuality in mission, the Methodist Church in India desires to initiate dialogue with other churches/ societies, in the country as well as in other continents to enrich the witness of Christian faith and service according to our Lord’s commandment, by receiving and sending missionaries.

Methodist Church in India seeks Indian perspective and India missional priorities and believes that a mutual understanding of Christian mission will grow as the Spirit of God continues to act. It seeks to be faithful to the Lord trusting that He who has begun a good work will perfect it.

THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE

The Book of Discipline is the book of rules and regulations of the Methodist Church. It was built upon the foundation laid by John Wesley and successively amended by the Methodist Church members and leaders with spiritual and structural insights and guidelines to meet current needs. It is the document inspired by the Holy Spirit giving importance not just to the organization or the structure but God’s gifts given to his Church to order its faith and practice of becoming the Body of Christ.

THE HISTORY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH

The Methodist Church is a church of Christ in which “the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered.” this church is a great Protestant body originated from the Church of England.

JOHN WESLEY

Its founder was Reverend John Wesley, the son of a Pastor and his mother, Susanna Wesley, through whose influence his character and com mitment shaped. Nurtured in this devout home and educated at Oxford University, he strictly observed the rules of religion and the ordinances of the church. However, turning point in his life came when at a prayer meeting in Aldersgate Street, London, on May 24, 1738. He learned what Paul in the Bible had discovered, that it is not by rules and laws, nor by our own efforts at self-perfection, but by faith in God’s mercy as it comes to us in Christ, that man may experience Salvation.

Wesley began to proclaim the gospel thus found for himself to others, first to his companions who sought his counsel, including his brother Charles, then in widening circles that took him throughout the British Isles.

His message emphasised the Gospel of God’s grace, offered to all men and equal to every human need. He called men to holiness, and to love and service of fellow men. Methodism meant “Christianity in earnest.” Wesley did not plan to found a new Church.

He started with the passion of preaching the gospel to the needy people unreached by the Church and then to take care of those who started following Christ. When the Church of England obstructed him, he went to his father’s tomb and declared “The world is my parish.” Step by step his Methodism became a great transforming movement in the life of England. He organized the people in groups, classes and societies.

He appointed leaders and sent the willing men to carry the gospel to the masses, on the streets, in the open fields, and in private homes. Those were not ordained ministers but lay preachers, or “local preachers,” as they were called. He supervised their work and once a year called them together for a conference, after which the Annual Conference sessions are designed today. The three notable activities of his ministry were Evangelism, Organization and administration – of ongoing ministries and the third was education and print media. He made the best use of press and circulated inexpensive books, pamphlets, and periodicals.

THE SPREAD AND GROWTH OF METHODISM

The Spread of Methodism :

From England Methodism spread to Ireland and then to America.

  • In 1766 Philip Embury, a lay preacher from Ireland, began to preach in the city of New York. And Robert Strawbridge and began the work in Mary land.

  • In 1769 Wesley sent Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmore to America, and two years later Francis Asbury, who became the great leader of American Methodism.

Those itinerant preachers adapted to the American life of migrants and ministered at the scattered homes, organized societies, established “preaching places,” and formed “circuits.” When the American Revolution came to an end, there were some fifteen thousand members and eighty preachers.

Since America divided from England as a result of the Revolution, there was a need for Ordained Pastors to serve the Sacraments. When the Bishop of England denied to ordain his preachers, Wesley himself ordained Dr. Thomas Coke as the Superintendent to preside over the flock of Christ in America and directed him to ordain the other superintendent Francis Asbury.

Dr. Coke gathered Christmas Conference at Baltimore, December 24, 1784, with sixty preachers, and formed the the first Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

Wesley had sent a simplified form of the English Book of Common Prayer, with the Articles of Religion which became the source book of our Book of Discipline. A collection of General Rules, the Ritual, forms of worship, and the rules governing the life and work of the church which Wesley offered to the Churches during the rise of issues were added to it.

Two division and reunion in Methodist Church

In 1828 a group of leaders insisting more on lay representation, separated and became the Methodist Protestant Church. In 1844 another division happened over the issues of addressing slavery, and the powers of the General Conference versus the episcopacy.

After years of negotiation a Plan of Union was agreed upon which united and brought together all the three divisions – The Methodist Episcopal Church, The Methodist Episcopal Church – South, and The Methodist Protestant Church to form The Methodist Church on May 10, 1939.

Till today the Methodist Church believes that the only infallible proof of a true Church of Christ is its ability

  • to seek and to save the lost,

  • to disseminate the Pentecostal spirit and life,

  • to spread scriptural holiness, and

  • to transform all peoples and nations through the gospel of Christ.

    The sole object of the rules, regulations, and usage of The Methodist Church is to aid the church in fulfilling its divine commission.

    The Methodist Church rejoices in the fact that it is a part of the one Church of our Lord and shares in a common task. Its spirit is expressed in Wesley’s words; “I desire to have a league, offensive and defensive, with every soldier of Christ. We have not only one faith, one hope, one Lord, but are directly engaged in one warfare.”*

THE STORY OF METHODIST CHURCH IN INDIA

The Methodist Episcopal Church in India began in the year 1856 through William Butler who came from America.

He went to Bareily and worked at Oudh and Rohilkhand as his field. The first War of Independence disrupted his mission work at Bareily for some years, so he went to Luknow in 1858 and worked. The Evangelical works and educational works grew rapidly soon to be organized as the India Mission Conference 1864 and as The Methodist Episcopal Church in 1870.

1870 marked a new era in the history of Methodism in India when William Taylor was invited by James M. Thoburn to hold special revival meetings. Through those meetings, revival expanded the mission to Kanpur, Bombay, Poona, Calcutta, Secunderabad, Madras, Bangalore, Nagpur and other cities making Methodism in India a national Mission.

In 1873 all the churches established by William Taylor were organized into the “Bombay-Bengal Mission.” The mission never ceased to grow then.

In 1876 when the South India Annual Conference was organized, in 1888 the Bengal Annual Conference, and in 1893 North-West India Annual Conferences. were also made making Methodist Episcopal Church a great national Church throughout all Southern and South-Eastern Asia, speaking twelve languages, from Manila to Quetta and from Lahore to Madras. Members increased from 1,835 to 1,11,654 marking is phenominal in the annals of missionary history.

In 1904 the work of Burma was organized as a Mission Conference.

In 1921 two Annual Conferences, namely Lucknow and Gujarat, in 1922 the Indus River Annual Conference, in 1925 the Hyderabad Annual Conference and South India Conference, in 1956 Agra, Delhi, Moradabad Annual Conferences, and in 1960 North India Annual Conferences were organized.

Thus in 95 years from 1865 to 1960, the one Conference in India had grown into 13, covering the whole of Southern Asia.

Expansion to other countries from India

The work of the Methodist Episcopal Church had also spread far beyond the bounds of India.

  • Under the leadership of James M. Thoburn, Burma was entered in 1979, where John E. Robinson became the pioneer missionary,

  • in 1885 the work in Malaysia began by the establishment of a mission at Singapore, the pioneer here being William F. Oldham.

  • In 1899, when the Philippines came into the possession of the United States of America, farsighted James M. Thoburn promptly entered Manila along with Homer C. Stuntz who later became Bishops of the Church.

The year 1870 is remarkable in our history for another reason that brought the first missionaries of the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Two young ladies Isabella Thoburn came and started their work of education among India’s girls and women; and Clara Swain the first lady missionary doctor began the medical work among the women. In 1859 Mrs. Lois S. Parker, who with her husband Edwin W. Parker had come to India in 1859 and joined Mrs. William Butler.

The Methodist Church in India had endeavored vigorously with a wide scope ranging from Evangelistic, educational, medical, literary and industrial lines and the field had not been limited to any particular class of people, which led to a mass movement leading to baptism of 600,000 people during the twenty years from 1904 to 1924.

The enlargement of the boundaries of the Methodist Church owes to its fortunate leadership granted to India – the zeal and foresight of the founder, William Butler, followed by the daring faith and statesmanship of James M. Thoburn, the energy and practical wisdom of E. W Parker, the evangelistic fervour of Francis Wesley Warne, and the devotion, vision, and versatility of scores of others etc, who in the various parts of India gave themselves with unremitting toil to the task of the Church.

THE LIST OF METHODIST BISHOPS IN INDIA

  • In 1888 James M. Thoburn became the first Missionary Bishop for the Methodist Episcopal Church in India. Other Bishops elected for India were,
  • In the year 1900 Edwin W Parker and Frank W. Warne
  • in 1904 William F. Oldham and John E. Robinson
  • In 1912 John W Robinson and William P. Eveland
  • in 1920 Frederick B. Fisher and H. Lester Smith
  • In 1924 Brenton T. Badley
  • in 1930 Jaswant Rao Chitambar, as first national Bishop and
  • in the close of the year 1935, J. Waskom Pickett.
  • In 1941 Shot Kumar Mondol of the Bengal Annual Conference and Clement Daniel Rockey of the North India Conference
  • In 1945 John A. Subhan of the Indus River Conference, a Muslim convert
  • After India’s Independence and Republic formation,
  • in 1956 Mangal Singh from Delhi Conference and Gabriel Sundaram from the Hyderabad Conference. Their consecration happened during the Centenary celebration of Methodism in India at the completion of 100 years of service and beginning the second century, at the Lucknow Christian College from October 31 to November 3, 1956 attended by 3000 people.
  • After the partition of the country in 1947 and the declaration of Pakistan as an Islamic Republic, Bishop C.D. Rockey was made the Bishop for the Indus River Conference and Karachi Provisional Annual Conferences in Pakistan.

First Indian Bishops

  • In 1964 Bishops Alfred J. Shaw and P.C.B. Balaram.
  • In 1968 three Bishops namely Joseph R. Lance, Ram Dutt Joshi and Eric A. Mitchell
  • In 1972 M. Elia Peter
  • In 1979 Shantu Kumar Parmar

 

MISSION TO OTHER COUNTRIES FROM INDIA

The Board of Missions of the Methodist Church in Southern Asia made missionary enterprise sending missionaries from India to other countries as well.

In 1938 Rev. and Mrs. I. B. Kristmukti from Gujarat were commissioned as missionaries to work among Indian Gujarat community settled in Southern Rhodesia,

in 1956 Rev. and Mrs. Terence Joseph were appointed missionaries to the Bhabua field in Nepal and Sarawak in Borneo.

In 1963, Rev. D. L. Jordan to Fiji Islands to work among the Indians.

Andaman Islands and Goa

The Central Conference in 1960-61 took over the ministry of Andaman Islands separating it from the Burma Annual Conference and the work was attached to different conferences in India finally reaching the hands of South India.

Mission work in Goa commenced on 1st January 1968 while Bishop A. J. Shaw was chairman of the Board of Missions of the Methodist Church in Southern Asia which was later trasferred to South India.

In the Central Conference of 1976, the status of an Affiliated Autonomous Methodist Church in India with the United Methodist Church, U.S.A. under its authority was proposed.

The General Conference of the United Methodist Church held at Indianapolis in 1980 granted the necessary Enabling Act authorising the Central Conference of the Methodist Church in Southern Asia to reorganize and become the Methodist Church in India and in the 30th Regular Session of the Central Conference held on 7th January 1981 at Women’s Christian College, Madras, the Methodist Church in India was organized and inaugurated. Accordingly, the Methodist Church in India will be a self-governing church with the cooperation of the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. The historic Services were held in Emmanuel Methodist Church, Madras and the first General Conference of the new Church was constituted and was in session, 7th-15th January 1981 with Bishop James M. Ault, representing the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church in India.

The establishment of the Methodist Church in India 7th January 1981 as an “autonomous affiliated” church in relation to the United Methodist Church USA. ushered in a new era for Indian Methodism.

These were the banners that were set up at the first General Conference at Madras: “Looking Back with Praise.” “Looking Ahead with Faith”.

THE METHODIST SOCIETY OF JOHN WESLEY.

In the year 1739, once eight or ten persons who were convicted of sin came to John Wesley in London. Wesley taught them how to rid from sin and flee from the wrath to come to Christ. Since more and more people started coming to him, he appointed Thursday evenings to have similar meetings and nurtured them. This was the rise of his Methodist Society that spreaded everywhere.

Such a society is no other than “a company of men having the form and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that they may help each other to work out their salvation.”

He classified their prospect of internal growing and helped them discern how much they are indeed working out their own salvation. To enable it he divided each meeting or SOCEITY into smaller companies, called CLASSES. In each Class, only twelve persons were allowed, one of them would be the leader. The leader’s duty is :

      1. To see each person in his class once a week at least in order:

    • To inquire how his soul prosper;
    • To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort as occasion may require;
    • To receive what he is willing to give toward the relief of the preachers, church, and poor.2.

     2. To meet the ministers and the stewards of the society once a week, in order;

  • To inform the minister of any that are sick or of any that walk disorderly and will not be reproved;
  • To pay the stewards what he has received of his class in the week preceding.

The only one condition required to join the society was – “a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins.” Everyone joined was expected to evidence their desire of salvation. Therefore, he wanted the leaders to observe their fruits of :

Set I : Doing no harm by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practised, such as:

  • The taking of the name of God in vain.
  • The profaning of the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein or by buying or selling.
  • Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity.
  • The buying or selling of men, women, and children with an intention to enslave them.
  • Fighting, quarrelling, brawling, brother going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using of many words in buying or selling
  • The buying or selling goods that have not paid the duty.
  • The giving or selling of things on usury – that is, unlawful interest.
  • Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil of magistrates or ministers.
  • Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us.
  • Doing what we know is not for the glory of God, as:
  • The putting on of gold and costly apparel.
  • The taking of such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus.
  • The singing of those songs, or reading those books, which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
  • Softness and needless self-indulgence.
  • Laying up treasure upon earth.
  • Borrowing without a probability of paying; or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them.

It is expected of all who continue in these in these societies that they shall continue to evidence their desire of salvation

Set II : Doing good – by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men :

  • To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison.
  • To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that “we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it.”
  • By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying one of another; helping each other in business; and so much the more because the world will love its own and them only.
  • By all possible diligence and frugality, that the gospel be not blamed.
  • By running with patience the race that is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely, for the Lord’s sake.
  • It is expected of all who desire to continue in these societies that they shall continue to evidence their desire of salvation.

Set III : Attending upon all the ordinances of God. Such are :

  • The public worship of God.
  • The ministry of the Word, either read or expounded.
  • The Supper of the Lord.
  • Family and private prayer.
  • Searching the Scriptures.
  • Fasting on abstinence.

These were the General Rules given to the member of his Societies. God wants his children to observe them as written in His Word which is sufficient for faith and practice. His Holy Spirit will write all of them in the truly awakened hearts.

So, if any one in the Society does not observe them, and habitually breaks any of them, it should be known to the leaders who watch over their soul. They will admonish the error of his ways. They will bear with him for a season. But, if then he does not repent, he will not have place anymore in the Society.

 

THE MINISTRY OF THE METHODIST CHURCH

The Methodist Church believes in Priesthood of all Believers as Scripture teaches that Church is a “royal priesthood of all believers”. All its members have direct access to God, and share in the commision and authority of the whole Church. Within the ministry, the Church recognizes rich diversity of gifts both to men and women, in the exercise of which it shall seek to provide diverse types of ministries.

The Ordained Ministry is made up of persons within the Church who are called of God and set apart by the Church for a specialized ministry of Word, Sacraments and Order. This ministry shall consist of deacons and elders.

The ministry of ordained Deacons and Elder ministers is constituted by the approval of the Regional Conference and the laying on of hands of a bishop.

  • A Deacon minister has authority to conduct divine worship, to preach the Word, to administer the Sacrament of Baptism, to solemnize marriages and to assist the elder minister in administering the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
  • Whereas the Elder minister has authority to conduct divine worship, to preach the Word, to solemnize marriages and to administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper and such other ordinances of the Church.
  • Unordained licensed Lay Preachers are lay members of the Church licensed for service in the pastorate rendered on the advice and under the direction of the Pastor-in-charge.
  • Deaconess Ministry : The women within the Church who are called of God and set apart by the Church for a specialized ministry of service in the life of the Church are called Deaconesses. Deaconesses are constituted by the approval of the Regional Conference on the recommendation of the Regional Deaconesses Conference. They shall be commissioned at the Regional Conference by the bishop.

 

THE BYE-LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS

THE PASTORATE

What is Methodist Church Pastorate?

A Methodist Church/Pastorate is a community of true believers under the Lordship of Christ.

It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by persons divinely called, and the Sacraments are duly administered according to Christ’s ordinance, and the religious rites according to the Discipline of the Methodist Church in India are performed. Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit the Church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world.

A Methodist Church/Pastorate is a connectional society of believers. It is connected to all other Methodist Churches in India with the members who have professed their faith in Christ, have been baptised, assumed the vows of membership in the Methodist Church in India, and subject to its Discipline, hear the word of God, receive the Sacraments and carry forward the work which Christ has committed to His Church. They are also an inherent part of the Church Universal composed of all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and declare as one Holy Church as confessed in the Apostles’ Creed.

A Methodist Church/Pastorate endeavours to enlist member in the activities for spiritual growth and in the service and ministry of the Church. The pastor, by his regular visitation, care and spiritual oversight, provides necessary activities to the members for spiritual growth through individual and family worship, and to aid the members to keep their vows to uphold the church by attendance, prayers, gifts and service. The members of the pastorate has a moral and spiritual obligation to nurture its non-participating and indifferent members and to lead them into full and active church relationship.

How a Methodist Pastoral Charge is made?

A Pastoral Charge of the Methodist Church consists of one or more pastorates organized by the discipline of the Methodist Church in India. A pastor-in-charge is appointed and its boundary is determined by the Regional Conference. Since each Pastoral Charge is a connectional unit with other Church units, the District Superintendent has the authority to organize it as prescribed in the Discipline, in consultation with the bishop, when at least thirty full members are available for its membership roll. If the conditions for Pastoral Charge are not fulfilled, the Bishop will take action to dissolve the Pastoral Charge and merge the membership into the neighbouring Pastoral Charge. It s records should be deposited with the pastor of the merged charge through the District Superintendent.

THE GENERAL CONFERENCE

The General Conference is the supreme governing and legislative body of The Methodist Church in India. It shall have full governing and legislative powers over all matters pertaining to and connected with the Church.

The General Conference shall be presided over by the active bishops of the Church in rotation, as determined by the Council of Bishops.

The ex-officio members are the General Secretary, Central Treasurer, General Conference Lay Leader, All India Presidents of Methodist Youth Fellowship and WSCS, a member of All India WSCS, the ministerial and lay delegates elected and sent by the Regional Conferences, one elected Deaconess and one Non-Deconess elected from Regional WSCS.

Ex-officio members without right to vote are : All the active and retired bishops of the Methodist Church in India. But Presiding Bishop may cast the deciding vote in the event of a tie, Assistant General Secretary, Assistant Central Treasurer, Chief Auditor, Statistician, Secretary of the Trust Association, Executive Secretaries of all Councils of the General Conference and the Treasurer of the All-India Provident Fund.

Administrative Structure :

The General Conference has an Executive Council with members elected by the General Conference for a quadrennium. This Council shall acts on behalf of the General Conference during the interim of its sessions. The members are : Bishops in active service who will preside in rotation, the General Secretary of the General Conference as the executive secretary, the assistant General/executive secretary, The Central Treasurer, and the chief auditor.

A Trust Association of the Methodist Church in India is registered under an appropriate Act to hold all properties, movable and immovable, in trust for the Methodist Church in India. Its members are appointed by the the General Conference or its Executive Council.

Duties and Powers of the General Conference :

The General Conference define terms and conditions, privileges and duties of church membership. Determine and define qualifications, powers, duties and privileges of the Ministerial members of the Regional Conference, Full-time local preachers ordained and Unordained licensed lay preachers. Fixes and defines the powers, duties and privileges of the General, Regional, District and Pastorate Conferences and to define their character and composition.

It appoints Councils, Boards, Committees, Commissions and other bodies to carry out its different programmes, and to determine their character, compositions, functions, powers, duties, duties, privileges and responsibilities. These Councils, Boards, Committees, Commissions and bodies shall be responsible to the Executive Council of the General Conference in between it’s quadrennial sessions. It determines the number and boundaries of the Regional Conferences and to effect such changes as may become necessary.

It provides a judicial system and a method of judicial procedure for the Methodist Church in India. It appoints and constitutes legislative, administrative and judicial bodies, councils and commissions as may be necessary for the smooth working of the General Conference and effective ministry of the Methodist Church in India.

It has the final authority in all policy matters concerning financial administration of Church funds raised in India and elsewhere towards the total programme of the Methodist Church in India. It formulates and adopt a plan for the support of ministers and bishops and such other church workers under appointment of the Church. It elects and appoints bishops in such manner and number as determined by it.

It shall fix their qualifications, powers, duties, responsibilities, privileges, limitations, terms of service, provident fund and/or any other emoluments or expenses which go with their office and shall assign their areas. It approves and amends the Constitutions of the Boards, Councils, All-India Institutions and such other bodies of the Church on the recommendations of the Regional Conferences or their respective Boards or Governing Bodies. It holds authority to negotiate for Conciliar or other forms of Union with other Churches in Indi. It publishes the Discipline of the Methodist Church in India containing the Constitution, Rules and Regulations, Bye-Laws, General Rules and Articles of Religion etc and it publishes an official organ of the Methodist Church in India, and to speak for the Church.

The General Conference cannot revoke, alter, or change the Articles of Religion, or establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to the present existing and established standards of doctrine. The General Conference shall not change or alter any part or rule of the Church Government or do away with the episcopacy or the plan of the itinerant general superintendency. It cannot do away with the privileges of the ministers or preachers, of trial by a committee and of an appeal; neither shall it do away with the privileges of the members, of trial before the church, or by a committee, and of an appeal. It cannot revoke or change the General Rules of the Methodist Church.

Frequency Of Meetings

The General Conference shall meet once in four years (quadrennial session) in the last year of the quadrennium. Council of Bishops with the concurrence of the Executive Council will decide it. The Quadrennium will begin from the 1st of January in the succeeding the year after the adjournment of the General Conference. The General Conference may also meet in an Adjourned Session if required so authorised by the Council of Bishops with the concurrence of the Executive Council. Even a Special Session shall be called for a specific purpose following the related rules and business thus transacted shall be ratified by the next regular session of the General Conference.

BOUNDARIES

The Methodist Church in India shall primarily function within the territorial limits of India. The regions within the area to be covered by each Regional Conference, shall be determined by the General Conference from time to time.

The Council of Bishops is composed of all the active and retired bishops of the Methodist Church in India and of the former Methodist Church in Southern Asia. The retired bishops do not have the right to vote. The Executive Committee of the Council of Bishops is composed of the active bishops.

The bishops are transferred by the General Conference on the recommendations of the Legislative Committee on the Ministry from one area to another for episcopal supervision. A bishop, immediately upon his election, shall not be assigned to the episcopal area to which he belonged at the time of his election, for the first quadrennium. He shall not serve the same episcopal area for more than two quadrennium unless the Legislative Committee on the Ministry of the General Conference wishes.

AMENDMENTS

Petitions for amendment to the Constitution can originate either at the General Conference, Regional Conference, Pastorate Conference, Pastorate Committee or from an individual member of the Church.

An amendment will be effective only when it is passed by ⅔ majority of the General Conference members and ratified by ⅔ aggregate affirmative vote of members. When the amendment has been approved, the General Secretary will immediately announce it in the official organ of the Church and it will be incorporated in the Discipline of the Methodist Church in India.

THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE

The Regional Conference shall be presided over by the resident and presiding bishop of the area.

The Regional Conference is composed of Category-A members with the right to vote such as, Minister Elders, effective and retired, Minister Deacons, effective and retired, Deaconesses, effective and retired, Lay representatives elected and sent from each Pastorate Conference, Conference Lay Leader, President of the Regional Women’s Society of Christian Service, President of the Regional Methodist Youth Fellowship and the Secretary of the Regional Conference.

It also has Category-B members without right to vote such as Local Elder ministers and Local Deacon ministers active and retired, Unordained full-time Licensed Lay Preachers under appointment of the bishop and Lay missionaries of the Board of Global Ministries resident in the region.

The Regional Conference is the body with right to vote on all constitutional amendments of the Methodist Church in India, elect ministerial and lay representatives to the General Conference, ordain the ministers, as well as examine them and appoint them.

Officers of the Regional Conference are : Presiding Officer, who shall be the bishop assigned to the area, the Conference Secretary Conference Treasurer, and Statistician, who all shall be elected by the first regular session of the Regional Conference after the General Conference for a quadrennium.

The Regional Executive Board organized for the the Regional Conference, to have administrative and supervisory control over the individual units of Church within its jurisdiction through their Governing Bodies or Managing Committees. The bishop of the area shall preside over the Regional Executive Board and its members are elected by the Regional Conference at its regular session for a quadrennium.

Officers of the Regional Executive Board are Presiding Officer, who shall be the bishop assigned to the Regional Conference. Vice-President and Executive Secretary who are elected by the Regional Executive Board after the first regular session of the Regional Conference after the General Conference and Treasurer who is the Treasurer of the Regional Conference.

 

THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE

The District Conferences are organized by the Regional Conference within its jurisdiction.

Officers of the District Conference are the District Superintendent appointed by the bishop as the President, Secretary-cum-treasurer and the District Lay Leader, who are elected by the first District Conference after the Regular Session of the General Conference.

THE PASTORATE CONFERENCE

In each Pastoral Charge a Pastorate Conference is organized to govern the body of the Pastoral Charge. It shall be presided over by the district superintendent or by an elder in full connection authorised by him other than the pastor-in-charge. If the district superintendent be the pastor of a Pastoral Charge he will authorize, another elder to preside in his place. If the district superintendent is not in a position to authorize the bishop shall have the authority to do so.

And the Pastorate Conference has a Pastorate Committee in each Pastoral Charge as the executive body of the Pastoral Charge. Its members are elected by the Pastorate Conference following the procedure in the Book of Discipline. The Pastorate Committee will be presided over by its pastor or its associate pastor, or the one assigned by the Bishop.

Officers of the Pastorate Conference are the District Superintendent as the Presiding Officer Secretary and Treasurer who are elected by the Pastorate Conference from among the members of the Pastoral Charge for a conference year.

Officers of the Pastorate Committee are Pastor of the Church as the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer who are also the Secretary and treasurer of the Pastorate Committee.

Vacancies

If any vacancy arises in any of the elected posts in General, Regional, District or Pastorate Conference. either by resignation, death or removal for any reason as determined by the executive body, interim arrangement shall be made by the executive body of the respective conference and the person so appointed to fill in that vacancy shall hold office until the conclusion of the following Conference.

THE JUDICIARY AND CONCILIATION

SYSTEM OF THE JUDICIARY

The General Conference has a system of conciliation and judiciary which provides guarantee for all members of the Church, ministerial and lay, opportunity for conciliation, right to trial, and of appeal to the Judicial Council.

Judicial Council

A Judicial Council is organized for the Methodist Church in India. This Council will independently function within the framework of the Methodist Church in India. The General Conference shall determine the number and qualifications of its members, their terms of office, the method of election and the filling up of vacancies. The members of the Judicial Council of the Methodist Church in India shall not be the members of the General Conference or any council, commission or board of the General Conference.

Regional Court 

A Regional Court is organized for each Regional Conference. The membes are appointed by the Judicial Council for the respective Regional Conferences and the General Conference will determine the number, qualifications and term of the members. Members of the Regional Court shall be ineligible to serve on any standing committee or board of the Regional Conference.

Powers and Duties of the Judicial Council. The Judicial Council will have appellate and original jurisdiction in all judicial matters of the Church. Its decision shall be final and binding.

The General Conference or Executive Council or Council of Bishops may seek advice from the Judicial Council about the constitutionality of any legislative act. To hear and determine any appeals if they come up by following the procedures.

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of the Council of Bishops, or one-tenth of the members of the General Conference, and to determine the constitutionality of any action of the Regional Conference, District Conference or Pastorate Conference upon the appeal of one-tenth of the members of the same. It will hear the appeals arising from decisions of the Regional Courts as hereinafter provided.

It will make a declaratory decision in the case of a situation where the law of the Church is silent on an issue or where there is any contradiction or ambiguity or where there is more than one meaning of a paragraph or a section of the Discipline of the Church. Decision of the Judicial Council taken on such issues referred to it shall be final and binding and it shall become the law of the Church which will be incorporated in the Discipline.

It can hear an appeal from a full member of the Methodist Church in India provided the appeal has been forwarded by the Pastorate Conference of the Church of which he is a full member through the Regional Court.

 

SYSTEM OF CONCILIATION

Before going to the levels of Regional Court and then to the Judicial Council, Methodist Church provides a system of Conciliation to bring down the conflict raised among the members. A Committee on Conciliation, Peace and Discipline at the District Conference and Pastorate Conference levels are organized with powers set forth by the General Conference.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Suspension, Termination and Dismissal : Any member – Minister, deaconess, or lay person of the Methodist Church in India who is guilty of:

  • Violating the vows and conditions of membership.
  • Wilfully causing dissensions in the church.
  • Involving the church, its officers or organization in litigation
  • Illegal occupation of church property.
  • Direct or indirect embezzlement of funds through neglect of duty.
  • Illegal sale/lease of church property.
  • Misappropriation of funds.

Shall be liable for any one or more of the following: Suspension/ Termination /Dismissal /Debarring from holding any office in any church organization /Legal action as decided by the competent authority specified in the Book of Discipline.