Nehemiah 10:39 For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
1. Conference shall consist of members of the church and visiting members of sister churches of the same faith and order if so desired.
I Tim. 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
I Thess. 5:17, 18. 17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
3. One shall be chosen to preside, who shall be addressed under the appellation of “Brother Moderator,” to whom every speech shall be perfectly directed.
4. The members' names being regularly enrolled shall by the Clerk be distinctly called over.
5. A door shall be open when thought necessary for admission of new members into the church. But none shall be admitted but by unanimous consent, and shall first verbally relate their experience and give an account of the work of God in their hearts; and secondly, of their faith and principles, if the church requires it; and thirdly, the church shall make diligent inquiry respecting their moral conduct. When full satisfaction shall be obtained, the Moderator shall manifest the same by giving the right hand of fellowship and thus receive them in order.
Matt. 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
7. Every motion and second shall come under the consideration of the Conference unless withdrawn by the member who made it.
8. Every query presented shall be three times read. When it is read, the Moderator shall put it to a vote to see if the majority is for or against answering it. The query shall be debated if deemed necessary, but the querist may withdraw it any time providing that no intricate question be asked.
9. If the minority at any time should be grieved at the determination of the majority, they are hereby directed to make the same known immediately to the church; and if satisfaction cannot be obtained, it may be necessary in that case to call for help from sister churches.
10. Section 1. All business of the Conference shall be recorded by the clerk before the conference rises; the same shall be distinctly read and corrected, if need be.
Section 2. Any member neglecting to attend conference, the same shall be disorder.
Section 3. Any member absenting himself or herself from conference without leave, the same is disorder.
Section 4. Any member whispering or laughing in time of public speech, the same is disorder.
Section 5. If two or more shall speak at one time, or any member speak without rising and addressing the Moderator, the same shall be disorder.
Section 6. Any member speaking more than three times on any subject without leave obtained, the same is disorder.
Section 7. Any member, grieved at anything done in conference, and shall hold his or her peace, and shall not let the same be known until conference rises and shall afterward speak of the same, as it manifestly tends to confusion, is hereby deemed disorder.
Section 8. Any member speaking or acting in wrath or anger, or in threatening or disregarding manner, as it shames religion, wounds the cause of Christ, and grieves the true Christian, is hereby deemed disorder.
Section 9. If any moderator shall neglect plainly and calmly to reprove any member transgressing these rules, or behaves in any manner irreverently in the time of conference, the same is disorderly in him, and himself, for the time, liable to be reproved.
Section 10. The woman hath not the right by the law of Christ to usurp authority over the man, and therefore ought not to speak in church, only in case of conscience, or in such particular circumstances that the nature of the case may require it.
Section 11. Amendments to these rules may be made at any time when the conference shall deem necessary.