The Committee recommends concurrence with the petition as amended:
Whereas, the Scriptures call us to one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6); and
Whereas, Jesus prayed for the church "that they may all be one" (John 17:20); and
Whereas, despite the brokenness of the Church, the Holy Spirit works among us to break down the dividing walls between Christians; and
Whereas, the diversity of gifts among Christians is for building up and strengthening the Body of Christ; and
Whereas, The United Methodist Church has pursued and supported the unity of the Church through prayer, study, and leadership in the ecumenical movement; and
Whereas, The United Methodist Church has been a member of the Consultation on Church Union (COCU) from its beginnings, giving leadership to the work of the nine churches in the U.S.A. as they have sought to make visible the unity of the Body of Christ; and
Whereas, The COCU Consensus: In Quest of a Church of Christ Uniting was given overwhelming support by the 1988 General Conference, as an expression of the Apostolic Faith, and "a sufficient theological basis for the covenanting acts to be proposed by the Consultation..." (1992 Book of Resolutions, p. 206); and
Whereas, the COCU covenanting proposal, Churches in Covenant Communion, has been developed by the representatives of the nine member churches of the Consultation and studied by The United Methodist Church over the past eight years; and
Whereas, The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops stated in May
1992 1992, "we celebrate God's call to the concept of covenant
relationships expressed in Churches in Covenant Communion...[and] long
for the day when the covenant may be realized among us, and acknowledge with
joy our eagerness to enter into covenant" (1992 Book of Resolutions, p.
217); and
Whereas, the United Methodist Council of Bishops, on May 5, 1995, unanimously adopted a resolution in support of Churches in Covenant Communion; and
Whereas, this covenanting proposal offers to open doors to greater unity in theology, worship, sacraments, ministry, and mission among Christians in the U.S.A.;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the following changes be made in The Book of Discipline on the issue of the covenanting proposal:
1. Article 5, Div. 1 of the Constitution, after the word "Union" insert the words and covenantal relationships...
2. ¶ 2402 in the heading after the word "Churches" add and covenantal relationships.
3. ¶ 2402.1 in the heading, after the word "Union" add and the Church of Christ Uniting.
4. Add a new ¶ 2402.1b: The United Methodist Church is in covenantal relationship with other churches in the Church of Christ Uniting. Present ¶ 2402.1b becomes ¶ 2402.1c.
5. ¶ 918.2 after "Church Union" add and the Church of Christ Uniting.
Be it further resolved, that the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopt the covenanting proposal of the Consultation on Church Union and approve the text Churches in Covenant Communion: The Church of Christ Uniting as the basis for agreement to join with other participating churches in covenant communion, including the acts sufficient to enable it;
Be it further resolved, that The United Methodist Church declares its willingness to enter into a relationship of covenant communion with the member churches of the Consultation on Church Union and other churches which similarly approve this agreement and The COCU Consensus which is its theological basis, sealed by the proposed inaugural liturgies;
Be it further resolved, that The United Methodist Church will begin to identify for itself such steps and procedures as may be necessary to prepare for the reconciliation of ordained ministries and for entering into covenant communion as set forth in this document. And that The United Methodist Church shall maintain its own standards for ministerial training and the ordination of ministers which shall also apply to our reception or transfer of ministers of other denominations, including any prohibitions set by General Conference
Be it further resolved, that the Council of Bishops shall oversee The United Methodist Church's participation in the Church of Christ Uniting and shall develop and present to future General Conference such changes in The Book of Discipline as may become necessary as we live into this covenant.
Be it further resolved, that the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church entrusts to the Council of Bishops, in cooperation with the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, the guidance of The United Methodist Church at national, regional, and local levels into the covenanting acts and relationships described in Churches in Covenant Communion, including the steps and procedures necessary to prepare for the recognition and reconciliation of ordained ministries.
Be it further resolved, that the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church send greetings of grace and peace in Christ to the other member churches of the Consultation, offering prayers that we may all be one so that the world might believe.
MINORITY REPORT
Whereas , there are lingering questions around issues of theology and polity among Episcopalians and Presbyterians and these are not yet resolved;
Whereas, our new commitment to Pan Methodist union (AME, AMEZ, CME and UMC), proposed to be acted upon in the year 2000 requires priority emphasis in our ecumenical efforts;
Whereas, the creation of further ecumenical institutions and programmatic relationships will not significantly affect Christian unity among lay Christians at the local level;
Therefore, we receive the Proposal for the Adoption of Church in Covenant Communion and urge its continued study. We commit ourselves to further participation in the Consultation on Church Union (COCU) and ask:
-That the viability of COCU at the regional and local church level be tested by organizing worship services, studies and ministries among participating communions.
-From these experiences annual conferences shall evaluate and report their insights and recommendations to the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
-From this information any changes or recommendations shall be brought with the new proposal to the 2000 General Conference.
Riley Case
William K. Quick
Guy C. Ames, III
Jeff D. Ruff
James H. Rush
Ruth Brown
David L. Brazelton
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Calendar Item Text: 780-NonDis-MR1996 United Methodist General Conference