Petition Text: 22009-MN-38-C

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Whereas the proposal for ordering the ministry of The United Methodist Church includes provision for Deacons in Full Connection to be members of the Annual Conference with specified rights and privileges of clergy; and

Whereas this new definition of Deacons in Full Connection includes the right to be elected as clergy delegates to General Conference; and

Whereas The United Methodist Constitution in Section VII, Article IV, (¶ 38) prohibits the implementation of provision;

Therefore, the following constitutional amendment is proposed:

Article IV.--The ordained ministerial delegates to the General Conference and Jurisdictional or Central Conferences shall be elected by and from the ordained ministerial members in full connection with the Annual Conferences or Provisional Annual Conferences provided that such delegates shall have been traveling preachers in The United Methodist Church  for at least four years next preceding their election and are in full connection with the Annual Conference or Provisional Annual Conference electing them when elected and at the time of holding the General and Jurisdictional or Central Conferences.

Further, the Annual Conferences and Provisional Annual Conferences will vote on this proposed constitutional amendment at their next regular session following the close of the 1996 General Conference. If approved, the amendment and the portion of the Ministry Study document affected by it shall become effective the date the Council of Bishops announce the required majority vote (¶ 62).

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Petition Text: 22009-MN-38-C
1996 United Methodist General Conference