Section: The Filing, Suspension, Resignation, or Revocation of a Ministerial Credential

Reinstatement of a Filed Credential. When an elder or deacon in good standing has filed his or her credential, such credential may, at any subsequent time when the elder or deacon is in good standing, be returned to the elder or deacon upon order of the district assembly where it was filed, provided that the return of his or her credential shall have been recommended by the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board. Between district assemblies, a District Advisory Board may vote to approve the return of a minister’s filed credential.

Reinstatement of a Resigned or Revoked Credential. An elder or deacon who, while a minister in good standing, resigned his or her order of ministry or whose credential was revoked upon uniting with another church, denomination, or ministry, may have his or her credential returned by the district assembly upon submitting the Ordination/Recognition Questionnaire, reaffirming the vows of ministry, being examined and favorably recommended by the District Ministerial Credentials Board or District Board of Ministry, and upon prior approval of the district superintendent and the general superintendent in jurisdiction. (539.2)

The certificate of ordination of a deceased minister whose credential was filed and who was in good standing at the time of death, may be conveyed to the minister’s family upon written request to the general secretary and approval by the district superintendent of the district where such filing is recorded.

Separation/Divorce. Within 48 hours of the filing of a request for divorce or legal termination/separation of a marriage of a minister or within 48 hours of the physical separation of the minister and his or her spouse for the purpose of discontinuing the physical cohabitation, the minister shall (a) contact the district superintendent, notifying the superintendent of the action taken; (b) agree to meet with the district superintendent and a member of the District Advisory Board at a mutually agreeable time and place, or if no mutually agreeable time and place can be arranged, at a time and place designated by the district superintendent; and, (c) explain (at the meeting designated in item “b”) the circumstances of the action taken, explain the marital conflict, and explain the biblical basis for justification as to why the member of the clergy should be permitted to continue to serve as a member of the clergy in good standing. If a member of the clergy fails to comply with the subsections above, such noncompliance shall be cause for discipline. All ministers whether active, inactive, or retired, assigned or unassigned, are subject to these provisions, and must show due regard for the united advice of the district superintendent and the District Advisory Board. No active or assigned minister may continue in any member of the clergy role without the affirmative vote of the District Advisory Board.