Section: The District Superintendent

The initial term of office for a district superintendent who is elected at a district assembly begins 30 days after the adjournment of the district assembly. It runs for two full assembly years ending thirty days after the adjournment of the assembly that marks the second anniversary of the election. At the time of said assembly, the superintendent may be reelected or a successor elected or appointed and qualified. The initial term of office for a district superintendent who is appointed by the general superintendent in jurisdiction begins at the time of the appointment, includes the remainder of the church year in which the superintendent was appointed, and extends through the two following church years. The term of office ends 30 days after the adjournment of the assembly that marks the end of the second full assembly year of service. At said assembly the superintendent may be elected for another term, or a successor will be elected or appointed and qualified. No elder employed by the district office shall be eligible to be elected or appointed to the office of district superintendent on the district where they are serving without the approval of the District Advisory Board and the general superintendent in jurisdiction (in harmony with paragraph 115). (205.11–205.13)

If for any cause a vacancy shall occur in the interim of sessions of the district assembly, the general superintendents, jointly and severally, may fill the vacancy upon consultation with the District Advisory Committee (DAC). Consultation shall include an invitation for the committee, as a whole, to submit names for consideration in addition to those names brought forward by the general superintendent in jurisdiction. (239, 307.7)

The office of a Phase 1 or Phase 2 district superintendent may be declared vacant with cause upon the recommendation of the general superintendent having jurisdiction. The office of district superintendent in a Phase 3 district may be declared vacant upon a two-thirds vote of the District Advisory Committee. (239, 321)

In the event of temporary incapacitation of an incumbent district superintendent, the general superintendent having jurisdiction, in consultation with the District Advisory Board, may appoint a qualified elder to serve as interim district superintendent. The question of incapacitation shall be determined by the general superintendent in jurisdiction and the District Advisory Board. (307.8)

Upon the resignation or termination of the district superintendent, the staff members of the district office, the chief executive officer or any subsidiary and/or affiliated corporations of the district, paid and unpaid, such as assistant superintendent and office secretary, shall submit their resignations effective concurrently with the final date of the district superintendency. However, one or more of the staff members may remain with the written approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction and the District Advisory Board, but not longer than the date of the new superintendent’s assumption of duties. (245.3)

After consultation with the District Advisory Board and the approval of the general superintendent in jurisdiction, the newly elected or appointed district superintendent may have the privilege of recommending the employment of staff members previously employed. (245.3)

The role of the district superintendent is to provide oversight and spiritual leadership for the pastors and congregations of the district by:

• modeling a life of prayer and devotion to the Scriptures
• promoting biblical pastoral theology and practices among district clergy
• promoting Wesleyan-holiness theology and practices throughout the district
• casting vision for evangelism and planting churches in the district
• resourcing district congregations toward organizational health.

The duties of a district superintendent are:

To organize, recognize, and superintend local churches within the bounds of his or her assembly district, subject to the approval of the general superintendent having jurisdiction. (100, 538.15)

To be available to the local churches in his or her assembly district as needed and, as necessary, meet with the church board to consult with reference to spiritual, financial, and pastoral matters, giving such helpful advice and assistance as the superintendent may deem proper.