205. 1. A pastoral charge shall consist of one or more churches which are organized under, and subject to, the Discipline of The United Methodist Church, with a charge conference, and to which an ordained or licensed minister is or may be duly appointed or appointable as pastor in charge or co-pastor. Where co-pastors are appointed, the bishop may designate for administrative purposes one as pastor in charge.1
2. A pastoral charge of two or more Churches may be designated a circuit or a cooperative parish.
3. A pastoral charge may be designated by the bishop and cabinet as a "teaching parish" when either a local Church with a pastor or a cooperative parish with a director is available to serve as a counseling elder for a probationary, local, or student pastor appointed or assigned to the teaching parish. A teaching parish shall have a demonstrable commitment to a cooperative/team ministry style and the training of pastors.
1See Judicial Council Decisions 113, 319.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 205
1996 United Methodist General Conference