Memorandum Number 449

Digest

In June, 1978, the Judicial Council received an inquiry from the Secretary of the Austrian Provisional Annual Conference concerning whether membership in an Annual Conference by an ordained minister serving as a missionary of the Board of Global Ministries continues automatically beyond the date of termination of his missionary status as fixed by the Board of Global Ministries.

Apparently the Austrian Provisional Annual Conference voted that the minister in question could not be retired in their conference under Par. 434.4 of The Discipline, as he requested. The rationale for the vote was that the paragraph does not normally apply in the Central Conference of Southern and Central Europe. The conference did accord the minister Honorable Location under Par. 435.

The Council has received conflicting information as to whether a ruling was actually called for and made by the presiding bishop so we cannot now determine if we have jurisdiction.

In the light of the desire of the Judicial Council to be helpful in this situation, this case will be held for later consideration based on information to be secured from the Austrian Provisional Annual Conference and the Board of Global Ministries.

April 27, 1979