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Recognised and Regarded

For many years the British Methodist Church has welcomed those who are ordained and in good standing with other Churches to work formally on its behalf. However for the next 2 years, it has been decided that the British Methodist Church will not be accepting any new applications.

 

Before making an application, please ensure you have read and considered all the information below. Unfortunately, the British Methodist Conference is unable to recognise and regard ministers of other conferences and churches who are no longer in the active work in their home church, however it may be possible for another form of transfer to be considered. Please see the pages on 'Ministers wishing to be received into Full Connexion'.

Recognised and Regarded as a presbyter or deacon  admitted into Full Connexion with the British Conference. [S.O. 732]

These ministers are treated exactly the same as a presbyter or deacon ordained by and in good standing and active relationship with the Conference [i.e. in Methodist terminology "in Full Connexion with the Conference"]:

  • they share in the same privileges and responsibilities [n.b. the former will normally include receiving a stipend, manse and pension contributions from the Methodist Church]
  • they are as available for and subject to the same discipline of stationing
    [n.b. all Methodist presbyters and deacons in Full Connexion in the active work are stationed by the Conference to serve in a particular appointment in a Circuit or other body within the control of the Methodist Church, unless given permission either to serve another Church (denomination) or institution, or to study or be without appointment. Personal needs, vocational development and the needs of the Methodist Church both locally and connexionally are taken into account in stationing a particular person in a particular appointment. Appointments are made on the understanding that they are likely to be for a fixed number of years (normally five in the first instance, but with the possibility of extension), but are reviewed and renewed annually
  • they are accountable for their specific conduct and their general vocation through Methodist structures to the British Conference in the first instance, and through the Conference to the authorities of their own Church
  • they may fulfil any and all of the duties of a presbyter or deacon of the British Conference anywhere within the jurisdiction of that Conference (but subject to its discipline): in the case of a presbyter this may include exercising charge within a Circuit or as Superintendent of a Circuit or in some other role
  • they (like all those in Full Connexion) must be prepared to baptise infants in appropriate circumstances.

To all intents and purposes, therefore, those who are Recognised and Regarded as presbyters or deacons admitted into Full Connexion are fully seconded by their own Churches to serve the Conference of the British Methodist Church for a period of time.

At the end of that time they may either return to the jurisdiction of their own Church, or seek to transfer to the jurisdiction of the Methodist Church in Great Britain and be received into Full Connexion. It is also possible for them to apply to extend their status as a Recognised and Regarded minister for a further period of time.

Please note any ordained member of another Church or other autonomous Methodist Conference who applies to transfer to the jurisdiction of the Conference of the British Methodist Church will normally be recognised and regarded by the British Conference for a time at first in order to allow for a period in which both the Methodist Church and the person concerned may review their experience of each other.

Presbyters of the Irish Conference of the Methodist Church are automatically recognised and regarded by the British Conference as admitted into Full Connexion with it whether they are stationed by the British Conference or not, and their names and detailed are recorded in the Minutes of the British Conference accordingly. No further paperwork is required of them.

Presbyters and deacons of other autonomous Methodist conferences and other Churches (denominations) may be recognised and regarded by the British Conference as admitted into Full Connexion only if stationed by the British Conference. The Conference cannot recognise and regard them if suitable appointments have not been found for them, and the Conference cannot station them if a recommendation has not been made that they are judged suitable to be recognised and regarded.