Agencies and General Agencies.--1. Connectionalism is an important part of our identity as United Methodists. It provides us with wonderful opportunities to carry out our mission in unity and strength. We experience this connection in many ways, including our systems of episcopacy, itineracy, property, and mutual cooperation and support. Our connectional system must carry out three essential tasks as we move into the next century. First, we must embrace God's mission for the church as making disciples for Jesus Christ. Second, we must organize our whole Church more effectively to enable local congregations, the primary arena for mission, more faithfully and fruitfully to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Third, we must redesign all components in the connection to carry out their appropriate responsibilities in ways that enable the whole United Methodist Church to be faithful in its mission. General agencies, in particular, are important to our common vision, mission, and ministry. They provide essential services and ministries beyond the scope of individual local congregations and annual conferences. The nature and scope of these services and ministries, however, must become highly focused, flexible, and capable of rapid response.
a) The term "agency,"...
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 22765-GJ-801-D
1996 United Methodist General Conference