Petition Text: 21397-DI-1201-D

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Amend ¶ 1201:

Purpose.----1. There shall be a General Board of Discipleship, the purpose of which is found within the expression of the total mission of the Church outlined in the objectives of mission. Its primary purpose...

2. The board shall use it resources to enhance the meaning of membership, as defined in ¶¶ 211-215, which emphasizes the importance of the identification of church membership with discipleship to Jesus Christ. The board shall work with persons and through structures, such as districts and Annual Conferences, to lead and assist local churches in becoming communities of growing Christians, celebrating and communicating the redeeming and reconciling love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ to persons of every age, racial and ethnic background, and social condition, and to advocate and encourage the development of new congregations. The board shall seek to enable congregations to carry out their primary task and shall provide resources which support growth in Christian discipleship. In doing its work, the board shall listen to the needs and requests of the Church, conduct research, design and produce resources, offer training, and deliver resources. All of this is to support congregations in their primary task of reaching out and receiving all who will respond, encouraging people in their relationship with God and inviting them to commitment to God's love made known in Jesus Christ, providing opportunities for them to be nurtured and formed in the Christian faith, and supporting them to live lovingly and justly in the power of the Holy Spirit as faithful disciples. The board, through all activities, shall lead and assist congregations in becoming inclusive communities of growing Christians, celebrating and communicating to persons of every age, racial and ethnic background, and social condition the redeeming and reconciling love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ.

3. [Delete.]

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Petition Text: 21397-DI-1201-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference