CHAPTER I
LOCAL PREACHERS
¶ 213. The quarterly
conference shall take cognizance of all the local preachers in the district,
and shall inquire into the gifts, labors, and usefulness of each preacher
by name.
¶ 214. A licensed
local preacher shall be eligible to the office of deacon after he has preached
four years from the time he received a regular license, and has obtained
a recommendation from the quarterly conference, after proper examination
as to his Christian character, his usefulness as a preacher, and after
he has passed a satisfactory examination in the prescribed course of study.
¶ 215. A local
deacon shall be eligible to the office of elder after he has preached four
years from the time he was ordained a deacon, and has obtained a recommendation
from the quarterly conference of which he is a member, certifying his qualifications
in doctrine, discipline, talents and usefulness, and has passed a satisfactory
examination in the prescribed course of study.
¶ 216. Every
local elder, deacon or preacher shall be amenable to the quarterly conference
where he belongs for his Christian character and the faithful performance
of his ministerial office. He shall have his name recorded on the journal
of said conference, and also enrolled on a class paper, and shall meet
in class; and in neglect of the above duties, or neglect to pass a satisfactory
examination in the prescribed course of study, the quarterly conference,
if they judge it proper, may deprive him of his ministerial office; provided,
no ordained local preacher shall be deprived of his ministerial functions
without due form of trial and conviction.
¶ 217. Let the
appointments be so arranged as to give the local preachers regular and
systematic employment on the Sabbath.
¶ 218. When
a local preacher or evangelist is employed as a supply, his membership
shall be on the charge where he labors. He shall take a regular church
letter whenever he may be so employed outside of the district where his
membership may be.
¶ 219. The examination
of local preachers may be conducted orally.
¶ 219 1/2.
Among our unordained preachers only those in charge of circuits by the
appointment of a stationing committee may solemnize marriage. This rule
shall apply only in those states whose laws permit unordained preachers
to perform such ceremony. He shall also have the right to administer the
ordinance of baptism.
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