Discontinuation of Office.--The various secretaries of the annual conference(s) in the area to which a bishop is assigned shall cause a quadrennial vote of retention to be taken at the annual conference session at the close of each quadrennium to determine if the bishop has the support and affirmation of 60% of the members of the annual conference(s) in the area unless the presiding bishop is leaving office under the provisions of ¶ 509.1, .2, .3, or .4. The secretaries of the conferences shall inform in writing the secretary of the Council of Bishops as to the results of such vote. Should the bishop fail to receive the 60% vote of affirmation and support by the cumulative members of the area, the Council of Bishops shall furnish a certificate of discontinuation which shall entitle the former bishop to membership as a traveling elder in the annual conference (or its successor) in which membership was last held. Notification of this action shall be given by the secretary of the Council of Bishops to the chairperson and secretary of the jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21527-MN-509-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference