Decision Number 644
SUBJECT TO FINAL EDITING
Constitutionality of Annual Conference Rule Limiting Tenure of Conference Council on Ministries Clergy Staff but not of Lay Staff.
Digest
A Conference Council on Ministries structure which establishes unlimited tenure for lay staff employees and sets a limited tenure for clergy staff employees is allowed under Par. 815(c).
Statement of Facts
The North Carolina Annual Conference has asked for a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council concerning the following question: "Can an Annual Conference in organizing its Conference Council on Ministries enact legislation establishing a limited tenure for clergy employed as Conference Council on Ministries staff and an unlimited tenure for laypersons employed as Conference Council on Ministries staff?"
Jurisdiction
The Judicial Council has jurisdiction under Par. 2615 of the 1988 Discipline.
Analysis and Rationale
The matter before us is not a constitutional one. Par. 815(c) allows the North Carolina Annual Conference to structure the Conference Council as it did.
Decision
A Conference Council on Ministries structure which establishes unlimited tenure for lay staff employees and sets a limited tenure for clergy staff employees is allowed under Par. 815(c).