Petition Text: 20915-MN-NonDis-O

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Whereas, the 1988 and 1992 General Conferences enacted legislation (¶ 435.3) enabling the whole church to participate in the ordination of elders (to wit, "the bishop shall be assisted by other elders and may include laity designated by the bishop representing the Church community...in the laying on of hands,") thus affirming the ministry of all Christians and dignifying the ministry of the laity; and

Whereas, said legislation clearly relegates to each presiding bishop sole prerogative to allow or disallow participation by representatives of the church community in the ordination of elders; and

Whereas, only the Judicial Council may declare a paragraph of the Discipline null and void; and

Whereas, the Council of Bishops has passed a "covenant for action" (reference United Methodist News Service press release dated May 11, 1993) which effectively discourages its members from choosing to include or not to include laity in the laying on of hands during the ordination of elders;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the 1996 General Conference reaffirm the will of its two predecessor General Conferences with respect to ¶ 435.3; and

Be it further resolved, that the 1996 General Conference direct the Council of Bishops to rescind its May, 1993 "consensus" which runs contrary to ¶ 435.3 of the Discipline

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Petition Text: 20915-MN-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference