The Committee recommends concurrence as amended as follows:
Amended to #22929-mn-318-d
Title change "Meaning of Commissioning"
Changes in plain type approved by committee
Add a new ¶ 318: 316
Ordination.--Ordination as a deacon to Word and service
Commissioning.---Commissioning is the act of the church which
acknowledges God's call according to the talents, gifts, and abilities the
person has received; the individual's response to that call; the equipping of
the person for specialized ministry; the examination by the church to determine
if the gifts meet the needs of the community and world; the validation of that
call by the faith community through the laying on of hands; the invocation of
the Holy Spirit for empowerment of the person's ministry on behalf of and with
the church community; the commitment of the person to seek avenues of growth to
equip others for ministry; and to be accountable to the covenant community. The
service for commissioning and the service for ordination of deacons and
elders may be incorporated into one service symbolizing the total ministry of
Jesus Christ. After fulfilling all the candidacy requirements and upon the
recommendation of the conference Board of Ordained Ministry, the clergy session
composed of ordained elders and deacons in full connection, shall vote on the
ordination commissioning of the candidates. The bishop
and secretary of the Annual Conference shall provide credentials to the
deacon commissioned minister upon
ordination commissioning.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Calendar Item Text: 557-3181996 United Methodist General Conference