Decision Number 82

Decision

It is evident that the members of the Philippines Annual Conference were endeavoring to adopt some workable definition of the term "full-time ministry" which could be applied under the conditions existing in that country. In other words, they were trying to bind the Committee on Conference Relations to some fixed standards. It is evident that any such standards would have to be rather flexible, and that each case as it comes up before the Committee would have to be considered in connection with the particular facts applicable thereto.

Accordingly, as so interpreted, it is evident that the ruling of the Bishop was generally speaking correct in saying that any such rule is unnecessary. However, it was not in order to order the foregoing action to be expunged from the records, but simply to say that the same should be rescinded.

With the foregoing qualification, therefore, the ruling of the Bishop in this case is hereby affirmed.