The 1992 General Conference approved Calendar Item 992, page 356 of the Daily Christian Advocate which called the church "...to respond to a rapidly expanding number of older persons throughout the world." This action asked local churches, annual conferences, general agencies, and episcopal leaders to be involved in specific ways in response to this significant need for ministry. The 1992 General Conference did not , however, assign the implementation of this calendar item to an agency. Consequently, the General Council on Ministries, through its role as reflected in ¶ 1006.11(a), referred this assignment to the General Board of Discipleship. GCOM also based this decision on the fact that the primary responsibility for older adult ministries within the church was referred to the General Board of Discipleship through the Committee on Older Adult Ministries established by the 1992 General Conference. As provided by this action, GCOM named one Council member and a staff person to the Committee on Older Adult Ministries.
Information concerning the work of the General Board of Discipleship in response to this assignment can be obtained directly from this board.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21716-GJ-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference