Whereas, Jesus prayed for the church "that they may all be one" (John 17:21); 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 Council of Bishops stated in May, 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, 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 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopt the covenanting proposal of the Consultation on Church Union, Churches in Covenant Communion: The Church of Christ Uniting, and
(1) approve this text as the definitive agreement for joining with other participating churches in covenant communion, including the acts sufficient to enable it,
(2) declare 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, and
(3) 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 (Churches in Covenant Communion: The Church of Christ Uniting, p. v).
Be it further resolved, that the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church entrust to the Council of Bishops, in cooperation with the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, the guidance of The United Methodist Church and its various agencies 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.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20082-IC-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference