Section V. Autonomous Methodist Churches, Affiliated Autonomous Methodist Churches, Affiliated United Churches, Covenanting Churches, Concordat Churches
647. Autonomous Methodist Churches--1. A self-governing Methodist church in whose establishment The United Methodist Church or one of its constituent members (The Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church) has assisted, but which has not entered into the Act of Covenanting with The United Methodist Church shall be known as an Autonomous Methodist Church.
2. When the requirements of such a Methodist church for its ministry are comparable to those of The United Methodist Church, clergy may be transferred between its properly constituted ministerial bodies and the annual and provisional annual conferences of The United Methodist Church, with the approval and consent of the appointive authorities involved.
3. A program of visitation may be mutually arranged by the Council of Bishops in cooperation with the equivalent leadership of the autonomous Methodist church, and/or united church.
4. If desired by the autonomous Methodist church, the Council of Bishops, in consultation with the General Board of Global Ministries, shall work out plans of cooperation with that church. The General Board of Global Ministries shall serve as the agent of The United Methodist Church for a continuing dialogue looking to the establishment of mission priorities with special reference to matters of personnel and finance.
5. An autonomous Methodist Church or other Church of the Wesleyan tradition may enter into the Act of Covenanting with The United Methodist Church under the provisions of 650.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 647
1996 United Methodist General Conference