Whenever persons are ordained within The United Methodist Church, they covenant to "proclaim the faith of the Church and no other..." (Book of Worship, page 675, Ordination of Elders).
The certificate of ordination attests that each ordinand is "set apart for the work of an Elder...so long as this person continues to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and adheres to and teaches the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrines of the Church."
Episcopal leaders are given responsibility to "guard, transmit, teach, and proclaim corporately and individually the apostolic faith...." (¶ 114.2).
In addition, all general agencies of The United Methodist Church are amenable to the General Conference (¶ 802). This amenability extends to the affirmation and defense of the doctrinal standards of the denomination, on whose behalf the general agencies have been created to serve. Some elders, episcopal leaders, and members of boards and agencies, having made these commitments in good conscience at one time, may determine that they are no longer able to affirm and uphold the doctrinal standards of The United Methodist Church.
Therefore, be it resolved, that those whose teaching and/or leadership demonstrably repudiates the doctrine of United Methodism and who persistently refuse to relinquish their privilege of leadership granted by the people they have been called to serve must be subject to the provision for removal in The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22211-DI-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference