418. Discontinuance from Probationary Membership--Probationary members may request discontinuance of this relationship or may be discontinued by the annual conference, upon recommendation of the board of ordained ministry. Prior to any final recommendation of discontinuance without consent, a probationary member will be advised of the right to a hearing before the executive committee of the conference board of ordained ministry. A report of the hearing will be made to the full board. When this relationship is discontinued, they shall no longer be permitted to exercise ministerial functions and shall surrender their credentials to the district superintendent for deposit with the secretary of the conference, and their membership transferred by the district superintendent to the local church which they designate after consultation with the pastor. The board of ordained ministry shall file with the resident bishop and the secretary of the conference a permanent record of the circumstances relating to discontinuance as a probationary member as required in 733.3d. If after discontinuance, probationary members are classified and approved as local pastors in accordance with the provision of 408 and under the conditions outlined in 409, they may be permitted to retain their credentials of ordination and shall receive credit in the course of study for their theological work as the Division of Ordained Ministry shall determine.14
14See Judicial Council Decision 522.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 418
1996 United Methodist General Conference