Whereas, The United Methodist Church recognizes two forms of representational ministry within the body of Christ: ordained clergy and diaconal ministers (1992 Discipline, ¶¶ 12, 108-110); and
Whereas, the Discipline provides for representation of both laity and ordained clergy to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church (1992 Discipline, ¶¶ 12, 602, and 614); and
Whereas, diaconal ministers, as well as ordained clergy and laity, may be called and have the gifts to serve as delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the 1996 General Conference provide structures that encourage proportional representation of diaconal ministers as delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 20871-CO-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference