When a minister is accused of conduct unbecoming a minister, and shall admit to guilt, or shall confess to guilt prior to being brought before a Board of Discipline, the District Advisory Board may assess any of the disciplines provided for in paragraph 606.5. (540.4, 540.12)
Section: Judicial Administration
607
Following a decision by a Board of Discipline, the accused, the District Advisory Board, or those who sign the charges shall be entitled to appeal the decision to the Regional Court of Appeals. The appeal shall be begun within 30 days after such decision, and the court shall review the entire record of the case and all steps that have been taken therein. If the court discovers any substantial error prejudicial to the right of any person, it shall correct such error by ordering a new hearing to be conducted in a manner capable of giving relief to that person affected adversely by previous proceedings or decision.
608
When the decision of a Board of Discipline is adverse to the accused minister and the decision provides for suspension from the ministry or cancellation of credential, the minister shall thereupon immediately suspend all ministerial activity; and refusal to do so will result in the forfeiture of the right to appeal.
608.1
When the decision of a Board of Discipline provides for suspension or cancellation of credential and the accused minister desires to appeal, he or she shall file with the secretary of the court to which the appeal is made, at the time the notice of appeal is filed, his or her written credential as a minister, and his or her right of appeal shall be conditioned upon compliance with this provision. When such credential is so filed, it shall be safely kept by the said secretary until the conclusion of the case, and thereupon the same shall either be forwarded to the general secretary or returned to the minister as the court may direct.
608.2
Appeals to the General Court of Appeals may be made by the accused or the Board of Discipline from decisions of a Regional Court of Appeals. Such appeals shall be by the same rules and procedures as other appeals to the General Court of Appeals.
609
The General Court of Appeals shall adopt uniform Rules of Procedure governing all proceedings before boards of discipline and courts of appeal. After such rules are adopted and published, they shall be the final authority in all judicial proceedings. Printed Rules of Procedure shall be supplied by the general secretary. Changes or amendments to such rules may be adopted by the General Court of Appeals at any time, and when these are adopted and published, they shall be effective and authoritative in all cases. Any steps that are thereafter taken in any proceeding shall be in accordance with such change or amendment. (606.1)
610
Each organized district shall have a District Court of Appeals composed of two laypersons and three assigned ordained ministers, including the district superintendent, elected by the district assembly according to paragraph 205.22. This court shall hear appeals of church members concerning any action of local boards of discipline. Notice of appeal must be given in writing within 30 days after such action or after appellant has knowledge thereof. Such notice shall be delivered to the District Court of Appeals or a member thereof, and a copy of such notice shall be delivered to the pastor of the local church and to the secretary of the church board concerned. (205.22)
610.1
The District Court of Appeals shall have jurisdiction to hear and decide all appeals of laypersons or churches from the action of a Board of Discipline appointed to discipline a layperson.
611
The General Assembly shall elect five assigned ordained ministers to serve as members of the General Court of Appeals during each ensuing quadrennium, or until their successors are elected and qualified. This court shall have jurisdiction as follows:
611.1
To hear and determine all appeals from the action or decision of any District Board of Discipline or Regional Court of Appeals. When such appeals are so determined by said court, such determination shall be authoritative and final. (305.7)