Petition Text: 22525-IC-NonDis-O$

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Whereas, most United Methodists would affirm the unity of God's whole church and pray that we might all be one;

We recommend that the General Conference refer the plan outlined in Churches in Covenant Communion: The Church of Christ Uniting for further study for the following reasons:

1. The language is tenuous and confusing relative to the term "covenanting." While it speaks of a covenant relationship rather than union, the plan states that this relationship will be "visible and organic," which clearly implies structural or constitutional change.

2. The uniting of denominations that are deeply divided in matters of theology is absurd.

3. The United Church of Christ's official position on the ordination and appointment of gay and lesbian ministers is in direct conflict with our Book of Discipline.

4. True ecumenism aims at unity in the true Christian faith. This proposal is the first step toward an institutional unity in which the faith of biblical and classical Christianity is compromised.

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Petition Text: 22525-IC-NonDis-O$
1996 United Methodist General Conference