Petition Text: 22717-IC-NonDis-O

Understanding Petition Numbers

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Consistent with ¶ 1906.17, .18, and .19, the General Commission on Communication (UMCom) should establish a steering committee to study the new "Fast Forum" communication technology and the administrative theories that underlie it to actively consider establishing a four-year research project with the Forum Foundation, which has volunteered its resources and expertise. (Note: There is no cost to this study proposal nor use of significant UMCom staff time.)

The purpose is to actively consider recommending the establishment of a "United Methodist Councilor's Network" composed of one or more volunteer discussion groups of 8 to 10 persons from each local church interested in acting as "official advisors," approximately quarterly, but not more than monthly, to general conference boards and agencies and to UMCom on issues faced by the Church or our society. All reports generated from the process are advisory only and will be properly disclaimed as representing the views and opinions of those persons participating and not necessarily the official views of the Church or its agencies and boards. The information generated using local church computer "communicators," however, will be 100% valid for the people participating and just as valid as letters, telephone calls, and direct testimony given at big meetings or other open forums convened to get feedback from church members, but it is much more convenient for people not to have to travel to remote locations to participate.

When there are no pressing issues for consideration, materials on the United Methodist Social Principles and Book of Resolutions should be prepared for study and reflection by the network, including guidance for United Methodist youth from their parents in a curriculum process of "psycho-social moratoria" (Erik Erickson), "...which is so important (to the teenager), it is equal to the importance of a small child for maternal care" (The Eclipse of Citizenship, Dr. Robert Pranger, University of Washington, 1968).

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Petition Text: 22717-IC-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference