309. Rights of Diaconal Ministers--1. The diaconal minister shall have the rights of voice and vote in the annual conference where Church membership is held; shall be eligible to serve as a lay person on boards, commissions, or committees of the annual conference and hold office on the same; shall be eligible for election as a lay delegate to the General or jurisdictional conference. The diaconal minister shall attend the sessions of the annual conference. Any diaconal minister unable to attend shall report by letter to the bishop setting forth the reason for the absence.2
2. The bishop, representatives of the cabinet and conference board of diaconal ministry shall provide an opportunity to meet annually with the diaconal ministers of the conference. The bishop shall convene the meeting which is to be planned by the Cabinet and the board of diaconal ministry. The purpose of this meeting is to gain understanding of one another's role and function in ministry.
2See Judicial Council Decisions 391, 464.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
1992 Book of Discipline: ¶ 309
1996 United Methodist General Conference