Petition Text: 21441-DI-230-D

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Renumber ¶ 230 as ¶ 228.2b and amend as follows:

2.b) While primary responsibility and initiative rests with each individual professing member faithfully to perform the vows of the baptismal covenant membership which have been solemnly assumed, if the professed member should be neglectful of that responsibility, these procedures shall be followed:

(1). If a professed member residing in the community...the membership secretary shall report that professed member's name to the Administrative Council or the Council on Ministries, which shall do all in its power to reenlist the professed member in the active fellowship of the Church. It shall visit the professed member and make clear that, while the professed member's name...and that, since the professed member is not attending the church where enrolled, the professed member is requested to do one of four things: (a) renew the vows and become a regular worshiper return to living in the community of the baptismal covenant in the church where the professed member's name is recorded, (b) request transfer to another United Methodist church where the professed member will be a regular worshiper return to living in the community of the baptismal covenant, (c) arrange transfer to a particular church of another denomination, or (d) request withdrawal. If the professed member does not comply with any of the available alternatives over a period of three years, the professed member's name may be removed. (See § (4).)

(2). If a professed member whose address is known...encourage a transfer of the professed membership shall be followed each year until that professed member joins another church or requests in writing that the name be removed from the roll of professing members membership roll; provided, however, that if after three years the council has not been able to relate that professed member to the church at the new place of residence, the name may be removed from the roll of professing members by the procedure of § (4) below.

(3). If the address of a professed member is no longer known...If the professed member can be located, the directives of either § (1) or § (2) above shall be followed, but if after three years of such efforts the address is still unknown, the professed member's name may be removed from the roll of professing members membership roll by the procedure of § 4 below.

(4). If the directives of §§ (1), (2), or (3) above have been followed for the specified number of years without success, the professed member's name may be removed from the roll of professing members membership roll by vote of the Charge Conference...provided that the professed members's name shall have been entered...and if the action is on the basis of § (3), there shall be added: "Reason: address unknown." The membership of the person shall thereby be terminated, and However the record thereof shall be retained;4 provided that upon request the member may be restored to membership by recommendation of the pastor; in order that upon reaffirmation of the baptismal covenant the person may be restored as a professing member. and provided further, that sShould a transfer of professing membership be requested, the pastor may, after consultation with the person, restore the person's membership for this purpose and issue the certificate of transfer.

(5). Recognizing that the Church has a continuing moral and spiritual obligation to nurture all persons, even those whose names have been removed from the roll of professing members membership roll, it is recommended....

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PETS Creator: John Brawn

Petition Text: 21441-DI-230-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference