Whereas, COCU envisions a relationship in which, in order to make visible the "mutual recognition and reconciliation of ordained ministry" among the churches, any ordination performed by any member church will include the participation of representatives from each of the other member churches; and
Whereas, at least two of the nine churches involved in COCU----the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)----officially allow the ordination of homosexuals; and
Whereas, given ¶ 402.2 of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, participation in the ordination of a self-avowed, practicing homosexual would constitute a breach of integrity for a United Methodist; and
Whereas, since COCU's beginning in 1962, those involved have spent considerable time, energy, and money on study and negotiation; and
Whereas, COCU's covenanting proposal calls for the establishment of local, regional, and national "Covenanting Councils" which will "enable the communion of churches in covenant," undoubtedly requiring the expenditure of considerable time, energy, and money in the future; and
Whereas, where clergy and lay people desire it, that which COCU seeks----visible unity of Christians under one Lord----can be achieved through ecumenical worship and work without COCU, without Covenanting Councils, and without "The Church of Christ Uniting" (the name given to the community of churches which COCU envisions); and
Whereas, where clergy and lay do not desire such unity, COCU will not achieve it; and
Whereas, Churches in Covenant Communion: The Church of Christ Uniting, the covenanting proposal produced by COCU, will be submitted to the 1996 General Conference for approval;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the 1996 General Conference not approve COCU's covenanting proposal, Churches in Covenant Communion: The Church of Christ Uniting
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20506-IC-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference