The Committee recommends concurrence as amended as follows:
The doctrinal standards of United Methodism stand in the broad stream of
apostolic Christianity. These standards are distinguishing characteristics of
our unique identity. Whenever persons become members of local United Methodist
congregations, they, along with the congregations of which they become a part,
affirm the Apostles' Creed as a summary of doctrinethese
doctrinal standards.
Whenever persons are ordained within The United Methodist Church, they covenant to "proclaim the faith of the Church and no other..." (Book of Worship, page 675, Ordination of Elders).
The certificate of ordination attests that each ordinand is "set apart for the work of an Elder...so long as this person continues to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and adheres to and teaches the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the Church."
After ordination, the Board of Ordained Ministry is responsible for all processes related to the character, effectiveness and conference relations of ordained members (¶ 733).
Episcopal leaders are given responsibility to "guard, transmit, teach, and
proclaim corporately and individually the apostolic faith as it is expressed
in Scripture and Tradition, and, as they are led and endowed by the Spirit to
interpret that faith evangelically and prophetically." (¶
114.2 512.2). Episcopal leaders have the
responsibility of "general oversight and promotion of the temporal and
spiritual interests of the entire church." (¶50) Such oversight includes
holding the church accountable to our doctrinal standards.
In addition, all general agencies of The United Methodist Church are amenable
to the General Conference (¶ 802). This amenability extends to the
affirmation and defense of the doctrinal standards of the denomination, on
whose behalf the general agencies have been created to serve. Some
elders, episcopal leaders, and members of boards and agencies, having made
these commitments in good conscience at one time, may determine that they are
no longer able to affirm and uphold the doctrinal standards of The United
Methodist Church.
Therefore, be it resolved, that those whose teaching and/or leadership
demonstrably repudiates the doctrine of United Methodism and who persistently
refuse to relinquish their privilege of leadership granted by the people they
have been called to serve must be subject to the provision for removal in
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church:
1. We affirm our doctrinal standards as set forth in the Book of Discipline, and encourage their practice at all levels of church life, and
2. We encourage the Secretary of the General Conference to forward a copy of this resolution to the Council of Bishops and the chairs of the boards of diaconal ministry, laity and ordained ministry in each Annual Conference.
MINORITY REPORT
Doctrinal Integrity in Denominational Leaders
The doctrinal standards of United Methodism stand in the broad stream of apostolic Christianity. These standards are distinguishing characteristics of our identity. We are also characterized by a practical and faithful interpretation of those standards in response to the Spirit's promptings to proclaim the gospel to the present age. To encourage such reflection, we have placed alongside our Doctrinal Standards and General Rules (¶ 67) the normative statement Our Theological Task (¶ 68).
Whenever persons are ordained within The United Methodist Church, they covenant to "proclaim the faith of the Church and no other..." (Book of Worship, page 675, Ordination of Elders). The certificate of ordination attests that each ordinand is "set apart for the work of an Elder...so long as this person continues to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and adheres to and teaches the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the Church." After ordination, the Board of Ordained Ministry is responsible for all processes related to the character, effectiveness, and conference relations of ordained members (¶ 733).
Episcopal leaders are given responsibility to "Guard, transmit, teach, and proclaim corporately and individually the apostolic faith as it is expressed in Scripture and tradition, and as they are led and endowed by the Spirit, to interpret that faith evangelically and prophetically." (¶ 514.2). Episcopal leaders have the responsibility of "general oversight and promotion of the temporal and spiritual interests of the entire church." (¶ 50) Such oversight includes continually holding our doctrinal standards before the church.
In addition, all general agencies of The United Methodist Church are amenable to the General Conference. (¶ 802) This amenability extends to the affirmation and defense of the doctrinal standards of the denomination, on whose behalf the general agencies have been created to serve.
No United Methodist has a perfect understanding of our body of doctrine. We affirm and welcome the fresh witness of the Holy Spirit to lead us deeper into truth. We encourage creative theological thought, humbly acknowledging that all honest thought risks error and that we need a lively conversation as we seek to be faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to one another.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. We affirm our doctrinal standards and Our Theological Task, as set forth in the Book of Discipline, and encourage their observance at all levels of church life, and
2. We encourage the Secretary of the General Conference to forward a copy of this resolution to the Council of Bishops and the chairs of the Boards of Diaconal Ministry, Laity and Ordained Ministry in each Annual Conference.
J. Philip Wogaman
Mark Trotter
Charles W. Brockwell
Richard Gross
Robert E. Stillwell
Peggy I. Sewell
Jack Albright
Robert B. Brandt
Shirley D. Byers
Song Jn Park
Linda D. Wiberg
Dolly Fogle
Billy Still
Charles R. Armstrong
Jo Eva McClellan
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Calendar Item Text: 1988-NonDis-MR1996 United Methodist General Conference