Release #031 {2895} April 22, 1996
DENVER (UMNS) -- Delegates returned to work April 22 after a Sunday of worship, rest and excursions throughout the Rocky Mountain region. By the end of the day they had given the church a new core statement on baptism and endorsed major programs intended to strengthen the church's work with four major racial and ethnic minorities.
Native American drums welcomed the delegates to their desks in the Colorado Convention Center. A computerized graphic of work yet to be done was a portent of some long days and nights ahead for the 998 delegates before final adjournment on April 26.
The document defining the role of baptism in the 9.7-million-member church has been seven years in development under the leadership of the Rev. Mark Trotter, San Diego. The study upholds the legitimacy of infant baptism, discourages rebaptism and explains the relationship between baptism as an infant and confirmation, usually coming during early 'teen years.
Trotter characterized the statement as "a phenomenon of United Methodists recovering the fullness and wholeness of their tradition." It is, the San Diego pastor continued, "one of the clearest affirmations" of who United Methodists are.
The statement brings together both the sacramental and evangelical traditions of church history, Trotter told reporters, and acknowledges God's gift of grace that everyone receives in the sacrament of baptism. He said the document also provides for an individual's response by professing his or her commitment through the ceremonies of confirmation and remembering one's baptism as significant along the faith journey.
The unanimous approval of the baptism statement also created two new categories of church members -- "baptized" and "professing." Only "professing" members, now known as "full" members, will be counted for statistical and financial purposes.
Turning to other business, delegates approved overwhelmingly a plan for using vibrant, growing black congregations as a mentor for struggling churches. Bishop Woodie W. White, Indianapolis, said the plan has been four years in the making. A proposed $1.7 million funding package for l997-2000 was referred to the church's chief budget agency for recommendation later in the sessions here.
Plans for strengthening Native American and Asian American churches also received enthusiastic support. Included is the publishing of resources in a variety of Asian American languages in addition to Korean.
-- Bob Lear
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