Decision Number 90
SUBJECT TO FINAL EDITING
Ruling of Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam, at Newark Annual Conference, June 1, 1952, In- terpreting the Effect of Section 4, Paragraph 806, of the Discipline of 1948
Digest
The provisions of Section 4, Paragraph 806, of the 1948 Discipline are mandatory.
Statement of Facts
Request for Ruling
During the session of the Newark Annual Conference held at Jersey City, New Jersey, May 28-June 1, 1952, the Reverend William McLean Twiddy, Chairman of the Commission on Ministerial Support of the Newark Annual Conference of The Methodist Church, requested on behalf of the Commission that the Bishop rule upon the following question:
Are the provisions of Section 4, Paragraph 806, of the 1948 Discipline mandatory?
Paragraph 806, Section 4, follows:
The Conference Commission on World Service and Finance shall estimate the total amount necessary to maintain the schedule of minimum support for the Pastors thereof as adopted by the Conference which total amount shall be apportioned as an item of ministerial support to the Districts or pastoral charges as the Annual Conference may determine.
RULING
They are.
Jurisdiction
The Judicial Council has jurisdiction to pass upon the above quoted ruling of Bishop Oxnam. (Sub. 3, Paragraph 43 of the 1952 Discipline, same being Sub. 3, Art. II, Division Four of the Constitution of The Methodist Church.)
Analysis and Rationale
Subdivision 1 of Paragraph 806 makes it mandatory for every Annual Conference to "adopt a schedule of minimum support for its Pastors, including full-time accepted Supply Pastors."
Implementing this mandatory provision, Sub. 4 of Paragraph 806 makes it mandatory that the Conference Commission on World Service and Finance estimate the total amount necessary to maintain such schedule, and that such estimated amount "shall be apportioned as an item of ministerial support to the Districts or pastoral charges as the Annual Conference may determine."
Decision
Bishop Oxnam's decision being strictly in accord with the plain provisions of the law relating to the Minimum Salary Plan, as set out in Paragraph 806 of the Discipline of 1948, same as hereby in all things affirmed.