Judicial Council Decisions

Decisions: 1001-1099

1001. IN RE: Review of Bishop's Decision of Law in the New York Annual Conference Concerning Whether an Elder's Request for Trial Can be Denied Where the Bishop Determines that a Complaint Will be Handled Administratively.

1002. IN RE: Request from the 2004 General Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶102 of the Discipline to Calendar Item 1514, as Adopted, with Respect to the Doctrinal Standards of The United Methodist Church.

1003. IN RE: Request from the 2004 General Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Legality and Constitutionality of Petition 40325, as Adopted, Dealing with the General Board of Pensions and Health Benefits

1004. Request from the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Legality under the 2000 Discipline of a Resolution Expressing Appreciation of the Girl Scouts of the USA.

1005. Request from the Alaska Missionary Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Constitutionality of 2004 General Conference Calendar Item 1017, as Adopted, with Respect to the Lay Membership of Annual Conference.

1006. Reconsideration of Decision 993.

1007. Request from the Northern Illinois Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 715 and 2532.6 of the 2000 Discipline with Respect to Disabled-Accessibility in Local Church and District Office Facilities.

1008. Request from the 2004 General Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Legality and Constitutionality of Petition 40325 (Calendar Item 1031), as Adopted, Dealing with the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits.

1009. Request from the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 31 and 605.6 of the 2000 Discipline with Respect to the Phrase “Conference Relations of Clergy” and the Authority of an Annual Conference Clergy Session to Create Programs, Study Teams and Task Forces on Matters Pertaining to the Maintenance, Enhancement, and Support of the Conference Relations of Clergy.

1010. Request from the California-Pacific Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Constitutionality, Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶ 359.3c(2) of the 2000 Discipline Concerning Administrative Location.

1011. Request from the California-Pacific Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶ 633 of the 2000 Discipline Concerning the Responsibilities of the Administrative Review Committee.

1012. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the California-Pacific Annual Conference Concerning Legality of Incapacity Leave of a Clergy Member.

1013. Request from the California-Pacific Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 612 and 623 of the 2000 Discipline Concerning Minimum Base Compensation and Base Compensation Supplements for Clergy Support.

1014. Request from Kansas East Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶¶ 246.12 and 333 of the 2000 Discipline to a Requirement that Full-Time Clergy Contribute to the Cost of Health Insurance.

1015. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference Concerning Structure Modification for the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference.

1016. Appeal of Rev. Ngoy Daniel Mulunda Nyanga Concerning Actions of the West Congo Annual Conference and the Central Congo Central Conference.

1017. Petition for Reconsideration of Decision 997.

1018. Petition for Reconsideration of Memorandum 1001.

1019. Request from the Tennessee Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 705.5(e), 705.6(a) and 706.1 of the 2004 Discipline with Respect to the Allocation by the Secretary of the General Conference of Additional (At-Large) Members of the General Program Boards and General Agencies.

1020. Review of Bishop's Decision of Law in the California-Nevada Annual Conference Related to the Adoption by the Annual Conference of a Definition for "Status" and the Refusal to Adopt a Definition for "Practicing" with Respect to the Enforceability of ¶ 304.3 of the 2004 Discipline in the Annual Conference.

1021. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Related to the Adoption of a Petition Entitled “Affirming Our Unity Amongst Diversity Of Opinion.”

1022. Revised Structure of the Louisiana Annual Conference as Required by Decision 983.

1023. Continuation of Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference Concerning Structure Modification for the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference as Required by Decision 1015.

1024. Request from the Minnesota Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶ 606.9(b) of the 2004 Discipline with Respect to the Maintenance by Annual Conference Officers of a Supervisory File Not Accessible or Reviewable by the Individual in Whose Name the File is Kept.

1025. Request from the Northern Illinois Annual Conference for Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 715 and 2532.6 of the 2004 Discipline with Respect to Disabled-Accessibility in Local Church and District Office Facilities.

1026. Request from the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶¶ 326.1 and 354.1 of the 2004 Discipline with Respect to a Leave of Absence of a Newly Commissioned Person Preparing for Ordination as a Deacon.

1027. Appeal by the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church from the Decision of the Northeast Jurisdiction Committee on Appeals in the Matter of Rev. Irene Elizabeth Stroud.

1028. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the California-Nevada Annual Conference Related to the Adoption by the Annual Conference of a Resolution Concerning Reporting on Ways a Congregation had Made Plans to Welcome and Include LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgendered) Persons in Leadership Roles in the Church Specifically at Odds with ¶304.3 of the 2004 Discipline.

1029. Request from the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application, and Effect of the 2004 Discipline to its Revised Plan of Structure.

1030. Request from the Western Michigan Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶ 612.19 of the 2004 Discipline with Respect to the Addition of Domestic Partner Benefits to the Conference Health Benefits Plan.

1031. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Virginia Annual Conference Related to the Disciplinary Purview of the Conference Relations Committee of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and the Fair Process Rights of a Pastor.

1032. Review of Bishop's Decisions of law in the Virginia Annual Conference Related to the Authority of a Pastor under ¶¶ 214 and 225 of the 2004 Discipline to Exercise Judgment in Determining Who May Be Received into Membership in the Local Church.

1033. Request from the California-Pacific Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Constitutionality, Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶¶ 324.14 of the 2004 Discipline with Respect to the Withdrawal of a Recommendation for Probationary Membership by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry in Response to the Lack of an Appointment for a Candidate.

1034. Request from the Dakotas Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application and Effect of Amendment VII to the Constitution with Respect to the Voting Rights of Members of the Annual Conferences.

1035. Appeal of Bishop’s Ruling in the West Michigan Annual Conference with Respect to an Amendment of the West Michigan Conference Parsonage Standards.

1036. Appeal of Bishop’s Decision in the West Michigan Annual Conference with Respect to a Motion to Release Funds Held in Escrow by the United Methodist Foundation.

1037. Request from the California-Pacific Annual Conference for a Declaratory Decision on the Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶ 417 of the 1992 Discipline with Respect to the Discontinuance of a Probationary Member Who Has Continued On Probation Beyond Eight Regular Sessions of the Annual Conference.

1038. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference Related to Whether Elders and Licensed Local Pastors May Be Permitted to Waive Compensation under an Annual Conference’s Clergy Minimum Compensation Plan.

1039. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Mississippi Annual Conference Related to Removal of Trees from Property of a Local Church.

1040. Petitions for Reconsideration of Decision 1031.

1040. IN RE: Review of Decision of Bishop D. Max Whitfield of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference Regarding the Legality of the Annual Conference’s Vote on Constitutional Amendments

1041. IN RE: Review of Decision of Law by Bishop Warner H. Brown, Jr., of the California- Nevada Annual Conference as to Whether or Not ¶ 1506.7 Permits the Annual Conference to Adopt a Past Service Annuity Rate that Remains the Same from One Year to the Next

1041. Petitions for Reconsideration of Decision 1032.

1042. Review of a Bishop's Decision of Law in the Detroit Annual Conference Concerning the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶ 716 of the 2004 Book of Discipline Related to Socially Responsible Investments.

1043. Review of Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy of the Minnesota Annual Conference.

1044. Review of Bishop’s Decisions of Law in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Concerning the Constitutionality of the Annual Conference’s Adoption of a “Resolution to Prohibit Discrimination in Receiving Members into United Methodist Congregations.”

1045. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Concerning Whether the Annual Conference is Authorized to Invite Pastors to Relinquish Authority Granted by Ordination and the Ability of a Pastor to Relinquish Authority Granted by Ordination.

1046. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference Concerning Suspension under ¶ 2704.2c of the 2004 Book of Discipline, and Fair Process, Confidentiality and Supervisory Response under ¶362 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1047. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Minnesota Annual Conference Concerning Whether the Annual Conference Can Belong to the Minnesota Religious Coalition Reproductive Choice.

1048. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference on the Meaning, Application and Effect of Provisions of the 2004 Book of Discipline Addressing “Just Resolution in Judicial Proceedings” (¶¶ 2701, 2706.5 (c)(3),& 2708.3.

1049. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the North Georgia Annual Conference Concerning Whether Local Pastors Under Appointment Are Eligible to Vote on Clergy Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conferences.

1050. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the Minnesota Annual Conference Concerning the Constitutionality, Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶ 423.4 of the 2004 Book of Discipline with Respect to the Ability of a Respondent to Review Relevant Documents in that Individual’s Supervisory Record.

1051. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the General Commission on the General Conference as to the Application of Article III of the Constitution and ¶ 502 of the 2004 Book of Discipline with Respect to the Admission of the Cote d’Ivoire Annual Conference into The United Methodist Church and the Calculation of Representation for the Several Annual Conferences at the 2008 General Conference.

1052. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the Kansas East Annual Conference on the Meaning, Application and Effect of Article IV of the Constitution and ¶¶ 124 and 214 of the 2004 Book of Discipline to the Action of the Annual Conference in Adopting a Petition Prohibiting the Denial of Membership Solely Based on a Person Being a Self-Avowed, Practicing Homosexual.

1053. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Central Texas Annual Conference Concerning the Rights of an Elder Under ¶¶ 362.1 and 623 of the 2004 Book of Discipline

1054. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Iowa Annual Conference Concerning Whether a Report of the Task Force on Connectional Funding Violates ¶¶ 247.14, 611.1, 612, 613, 614 and 621 of 2004 Book of Discipline.

1055. Bishop’s Decision of Law in the North Carolina Annual Conference Concerning the Withdrawal of an Elder

1056. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Philippine Central Conference Concerning the Authority of a Bishop When Serving as a Member of the Board of a University Distinct from the Central Conference.

1057. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the General Commission on Religion and Race Concerning the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶ 811.2 of the 2000 Book of Discipline to the Actions of the General Council on Finance and Administration in Recommending a Merger of the National United Methodist Native American Center and the Native American Comprehensive Plan for Purposes of Funding during the 2005-2008 Quadrennium.

1058. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Concerning the Constitutionality of the Plan of Organization for the Annual Conference.

1059. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the Minnesota Annual Conference Concerning the Meaning of the Term “Urban Center” in ¶ 2548.7 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1060. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Detroit Annual Conference Concerning the Power of a Bishop to Insist that a Full Time Pastor Live in a Parsonage.

1061. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Concerning the Authority of a District Superintendent to Require a Pastor to Take a Leave of Absence.

1062. Request for Declaratory Decision by the College of Bishops of the Philippine Central Conference as to the Meaning and Application of ¶ 602.1 in relation to ¶ 572 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1063. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the New York Annual Conference Concerning Actions of the Clergy Session with Respect to a Clergyperson on Administrative Location under ¶ 362.4 (11) of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1064. Review of the Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference Concerning Suspension under ¶ 2704.2(c) of the 2004 Book of Discipline, and Fair Process, Confidentiality and Supervisory Response under ¶ 362 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1065. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Coordinating Council of the Philippine Central Conference Concerning the Authority of a Bishop When Serving as a Member of the Board of a University Distinct from the Central Conference.

1066. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Concerning the Constitutionality of the Plan of Organization for the Annual Conference.

1067. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the Minnesota Annual Conference Concerning the Meaning of the Term “Urban Center” in ¶ 2548.7 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1068. Review of Bishops’ Decision of Law in the Detroit Annual Conference Concerning the Power of a Bishop to Insist that a Full Time Pastor Live in a Parsonage.

1069. Review of the Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Concerning the Authority of a District Superintendent to Require a Pastor to Take a Leave of Absence.

1070. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the General Commission on Religion and Race Concerning the Actions of the General Council on Finance and Administration in Recommending a Merger of the National United Methodist Native American Center and the Native American Comprehensive Plan for Purpose of Funding during the 2005-2008 Quadrennium.

1071. Reconsideration of Decision 1051.

1072. Petition for Reconsideration of Decision 1055.

1073. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Concerning the Constitutionality of the Plan of Organization for the Annual Conference.

1074. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Concerning Whether an Elder in Good Standing Who Has Undergone a Gender Change is Eligible for Appointment in The United Methodist Church. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference Concerning How a Clergy Name Change that is Based upon a Change of Gender Identity is to be Reported and Acted upon by the Clergy Session of an Annual Conference.

1075. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the Minnesota Annual Conference on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 161C, 161D, 161G, 304.3, 341.6, 612.9 and 806.19 of the 2004 Book of Discipline with respect to the Provision of Domestic Partner Health Coverage for Lay Employees.

1076. Request for a Declaratory Decision by the West Michigan Annual Conference on the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 319.2 and 663.6 of the 2004 Book of Discipline with request to the Vote Required for Continuance of a Local Pastor’s Licensing.

1077. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference Concerning Whether Procedures Used by the Annual Conference with Respect to Complaints Comply with ¶¶ 20, 327.6, and 362 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1078. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Iowa Annual Conference Concerning the Meaning, Application and effect of ¶ 613.3(c) of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1079. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the South Carolina Annual Conference Concerning the Legality of the Standing Rule of the Conference for the Election of the Conference Secretary under ¶ 603.7 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1080. Request for Declaratory Decision from the Northern Illinois Annual Conference with respect to the Consistency of a Resolution entitled “Affirming All Families” with ¶¶ 4 and 138 of the 2004 Book of Discipline. IN RE: Request for Declaratory Decision from the Northern Illinois Annual Conference with respect to the Consistency of a Resolution entitled “Conference Affirming Article IV of the Constitution of The United Methodist Church” with ¶¶ 4 and 138 of the 2004 Book of Discipline. IN RE: Request for Declaratory Decision from the Northern Illinois Annual Conference with respect to the Consistency of a Resolution entitled “Affirming Inclusiveness of the Church Concerning Membership and Participation in Accord with the Constitution of The United Methodist Church” with ¶¶ 4 and 138 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1081. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Western North Caroline Annual Conference Concerning The Application of ¶ 612.19 of the 2004 Book of Discipline to the 2007 Conference Budget.

1082. Request for Declaratory Decision from the Memphis Annual Conference with respect to the Meaning, Application and Effect of the 2004 Book of Discipline to a Conference Policy Entitled “Identifying and Strengthening Effective Clergy Leadership.”

1083. Request for Declaratory Decision from the Memphis Annual Conference with respect to Whether Candidates for Election as Delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference Can Be Compelled to Disclose Their Views on Issues.

1084. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference Concerning the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶612.19 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.

1085. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the New England Annual Conference Concerning the Legality of the Conference Policy on Parsonages Shared Between Local Church Clergy and Conference Staff.

1086. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference Concerning the Confidentiality of Supervisory Files.

1087. Request for Declaratory Decision from the Committee on Nominations of the 2004 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference with respect to the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶27.5, 705 and 706 of the 2004 Book of Discipline to the Actions of the Secretary of General Conference in the Allocation of Membership of the General Boards and Agencies of The United Methodist Church.

1088. Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the California-Nevada Annual Conference Concerning Involuntary Leave of Absence, Administrative and Judicial Process, and Voluntary or Involuntary Retirement.

1089. Request for Declaratory Decision from the Committee on Nominations of the 2004 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference with respect to the Meaning, Application and Effect of ¶¶ 27.5, 705, 706 and 805 of the 2004 Book of Discipline to the Actions of the Secretary of General Conference Regarding Central Conference Representation and Proportional Jurisdictional Representation, the Concordat Agreement between The United Methodist Church and the Methodist Church of Puerto Rico, and in the Allocation of Membership of the General Boards and Agencies of The United Methodist Church.

1090. Request from the 2008 General Conference for a Declaratory Decision as to the Constitutionality of Various Petitions Requesting Mandatory Membership Requirements for Selected Groups.

1091. Continuation of Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference Concerning the Application of ¶ 612.19 of the 2004 Book of Discipline to the 2007 Conference Budget as Required by Decision 1081.

1092. Continuation of Review of Bishop’s Decision of Law in the California-Nevada Annual Conference Concerning Involuntary Leave of Absence, Administrative and Judicial Process, and Voluntary or Involuntary Retirement as Required by Decision 1088.

1093. Request for Declaratory Decision from the Tennessee Annual Conference with respect to the Meaning and Application of ¶ 642.3(o)of the 2004 Book of Discipline Specifically with Regard to the Role of the Commission on Religion and Race as an Investigatory Body following the Filing of a Complaint against a Clergyperson or Layperson.

1094. Appeal of Wesley Kendall

1095. Request for Declaratory Decision from the South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops on the Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶ 705.1(b) of the 2004 Book of Discipline to Article IV, Item B, Section 1 of the Rules of the South Central Jurisdictional Conference Prohibiting a Member of the Jurisdictional Pool from also Serving as a Member of the Jurisdiction’s Committee on Nominations.

1096. Request from the 2008 General Conference for a Declaratory Decision as to the Constitutionality of Various Petitions Related to Provisions of the Discipline Regarding the Judicial Council.

1097. Request for Declaratory Decision from the 2008 General Conference with Respect to the Meaning, Application, and Effect of Legislative Calendar Item 742 Regarding the Creation of a US Regional Conference.

1098. Request for Declaratory Decision from the 2008 General Conference with Respect to the Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶ 602 of the 2004 Book of Discipline as it Relates to the New ¶ 320.6 Adopted by the 2008 General Conference.

1099. Review of a Decision of Law by Bishop John R. Schol of the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference to Amend the Nominations to the Board of Ordained Ministry

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