✦ Methodist Church Nigeria — D-Line Diocese
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Circuits & SectionsD-Line Diocese

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What is a Circuit?

The Foundation of Methodist Organisation

Circuits are the building blocks of our Diocese — each one a family of local churches united in mission, pastoral care, and Christian service.

✦ Definition — Methodist Church Nigeria Constitution

A Circuit in Methodist Church Nigeria is made up of at least three Local Churches with not less than 500 adult members, under the pastoral care of one or more Ministers. In accordance with the tradition of Methodism, a Circuit is a district authoritative unit within a Diocese in which usually several local churches, conveniently situated for the purpose, are grouped together for pastoral oversight, mutual support, and Christian service.

Circuits & Sections in the Diocese
01
Circuit
D/Line Circuit
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, D/Line Cathedral
📍 No. 1 Methodist Lane, Opposite Mbonu Street, D-Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
02
Circuit
Asarama Circuit
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, Asarama
📍 By Methodist Junction, Asarama.
03
Circuit
Rumukalagbor Circuit
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, The Redeemed Chapel, Rumukalagbor
📍 35 Miniwachara Rd, By Hilltop, Rumukalagbor, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
04
Circuit
Woji Circuit
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, Gate of Heaven, Woji
📍 No. 6 Post Office Road, By Y.K.C Junction, Woji, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
05
Circuit
Elimgbu Circuit
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, Overcomers Chapel, Elimgbu
📍 Road 7, Court Estate, Elimgbu, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
06
Section
Obio Section
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, Triumphant Chapel, Rumunduru
📍 Plot 13, Methodist Road, By Pipeline, Rumuduru Farm Road, Rumunduru, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
07
Section
Agip Section
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, Restoration Chapel, Agip/Mgboshimini
📍 32 Lucky Street off Easy Avenue/Road 24, Agip Federal Housing Estate, Mgboshimini, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
08
Section
Ikwerre Section
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, Elele
📍 Opp. Adventist High School, Farm Estate, Off Ahoada Rd, Elele, Rivers State.
09
Section
Etche Section
Headquarter Church
Methodist Church Nigeria, Egbu-Etche
📍 Umuorji Rd, Egbu-Etche, Rivers State.
"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." — Ephesians 4:11–12 (KJV)
Governance

Circuit Official Meetings & Administration

Each Circuit is governed through two official meetings — the Circuit Quarterly Meeting and the Circuit Council — each with defined composition, functions, and responsibilities.

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Circuit Quarterly Meeting

The Quarterly Meeting is the chief administrative body of the Circuit. It is charged with the oversight of Local Churches in both spiritual and material concerns. Its jurisdiction is limited to the Circuit to which it belongs.

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Composition & Membership

  • The Presbyter as Chairperson
  • Ministers appointed to the Circuit
  • Supernumerary Ministers connected to the Circuit in Minutes of Conference
  • Lay Missionaries who are members of any Local Church in the Circuit
  • A Secretary elected by the Quarterly Meeting
  • Any woman worker appointed to the Circuit
  • Agents and other Church workers in pastoral charge of any Local Church
  • Lay Presidents of the Archdiocese and Diocese covering their Local Churches
  • The Circuit Stewards
  • President and Secretary of the Youth Council
  • Local Church Stewards of each Local Church in the Circuit
  • Relief Fund Stewards of each Local Church
  • Treasurers of each Local Church
  • Church Property Steward of each Local Church
  • Class Leaders and duly appointed Assistant Leaders in the Circuit
  • Leaders of Junior Local Church classes in the Circuit
  • Fully accredited Lay Preachers who are members of any Local Church
  • Not more than five Sunday School Superintendents nominated annually
  • Circuit Treasurer
  • Circuit Legal Adviser
  • Circuit Technical Adviser
  • All members of Conference and Synod in Local Churches within the Circuit
  • Circuit President of Men's and Women's Fellowship
  • Circuit Lay Co-ordinator of Evangelism
  • President and Secretary of Council of Knights in the Circuit
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Functions & Responsibilities

  1. Exercise general oversight of the spiritual and administrative affairs of the Circuit
  2. Make proper provision for Ministers and other Church Workers appointed by Conference
  3. Approve the Annual Circuit Budget; receive and scrutinize quarterly statements of income and expenditure
  4. Receive returns of membership and reports on youth organisations, Sunday Schools, Women's and Men's Fellowship
  5. Consider the state of the work of God in the Circuit and opportunities for effective evangelism
  6. Appoint such Committees, Secretaries, and other officers as directed or found necessary
  7. Appoint one or two Circuit Stewards on nomination of the Presbyter or any member
  8. Review annually the condition of all Church property and make recommendations to the Diocesan Law and Property Committee
  9. Ensure directives from the Diocesan Synod are observed, assessments are paid, and returns are furnished in good time
  10. Receive a report at least once a year from the Lay Preachers' Meeting; approve all fully accredited Lay Preachers
  11. Receive and vote upon the nomination of candidates for the Ministry
  12. Appoint auditors as directed and receive their reports
  13. Elect representatives to the Diocesan Synod
  14. Discharge the functions of a Church Council for Local Churches not sufficiently mature for their own Council
  15. Make recommendations to the Diocesan Synod on the closing of Stations and the opening of new ones
  16. Submit a 5-year development or rolling plan to Conference through the Diocese and Archdiocese
  17. Furnish the Diocesan Office with Minutes of its meeting within thirty (30) days after the meeting
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Circuit Council

The Circuit Council is the second official meeting of the Circuit. Its duties are similar to the Quarterly Meeting, but it serves as the executive arm — acting between Quarterly Meetings and ensuring smooth implementation of directives.

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Composition & Membership

  • Presbyter — Chairperson
  • All Ministers within the Circuit
  • Circuit Stewards
  • Secretary, Quarterly Meetings
  • Circuit Treasurer
  • Circuit Legal Adviser
  • Circuit Technical Adviser
  • Circuit Co-ordinator of Evangelism
  • Senior Local Church Steward of each Local Church
  • Local Church Property Steward of each Local Church
  • Lay Presidents of the Archdiocese and Diocese covering their Local Churches
  • President, Circuit Men's Fellowship
  • President, Circuit Women's Fellowship
  • President, Circuit Youth Fellowship
  • Members of Conference resident in the Circuit
  • Secretary, Church Council and Treasurer of each Local Church
  • The President and Secretary of the Council of Knights in the Circuit
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Functions & Duties

  1. Ensure smooth administration of all decisions and directives from the Diocesan Synods
  2. Receive, approve reports, and make recommendations for the Quarterly Meeting
  3. Supervise and receive reports on the administration of the funds of the Circuit
  4. Act in between meetings of Quarterly Meetings and, in matters of urgency, take action on behalf of the Quarterly Meeting — provided such actions are reported to the Quarterly Meeting at its next sitting
  5. Perform all other functions and take all necessary decisions as may be referred to it by the Quarterly Meeting
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Tenure of Office

Circuit Stewards (one of whom is known as the Senior Circuit Steward) and the Circuit Treasurer hold office for a period of three (3) years, and are eligible for re-election for a second term of another three years only.

Office

Circuit Steward

  • Receive contributions from Local Church Stewards for support of the Ministry and general Circuit expenditure
  • Prepare the Annual Circuit Budget in consultation with the Presbyter and Circuit Treasurer
  • Present the Annual Circuit Budget to the 1st Quarterly Meeting in the year
  • Keep accounts of Circuit funds; produce them to properly constituted authorities as required; present an annual report to the first Quarterly Meeting of the new year
  • Discharge all other due claims on Circuit funds
  • Attend to the financial affairs of the Circuit
  • Assist the Presbyter in the performance of his duties
Office

Circuit Treasurer

  • Assist the Circuit Steward in the performance of his duties
  • Perform all other duties as may be assigned by the Circuit Quarterly Meeting
  • Act for the Circuit Stewards whenever they are not available
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Standing Committees

The Quarterly Meeting appoints members of the following Committees for a period of three (3) years, renewable for another period of three years only.

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Circuit Lay Preachers, Outreach and Evangelism Committee

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Circuit Law and Property Committee

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Circuit Finance and Strategic Planning Committee

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Circuit Women's Work Committee

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Circuit Children and Youth Work Committee

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Circuit Men's Work Committee