General Conference 2004
RMC Wrap-up Report
Results of RMC General Conference Petitions
GC 36 (Par 30) Membership of an Annual Conference:
See page 272 of 2003 Journal for the text as submitted.
This petition came from several places and was voted on twice,
but both times the recommended change was not sustained.
However,
the following changes were made:
The annual conference shall be composed of clergy and lay members.
The clergy membership shall consist of deacons and
elders in full connection, probationary members, associate
members, and
local
pastors under appointment. as defined by the General Conference, together with a The lay membership
shall consist of a lay member elected by each charge, the diaconal
ministers, the active deaconesses
and home
missioners under episcopal appointment within the bounds of
the annual conference, the conference president of United Methodist
Women,
the conference president of United Methodist Men, the conference
lay leader, district lay leaders, the conference director
of Lay Speaking Ministries, Conference Secretary of Global
Ministries
(if lay), the president or equivalent officer of the conference
young
adult organization...
GC 37 (Par. 33) Clergy
Delegates to General Conference:
See page 272 of 2003 Journal for the text as submitted.
This petition with slight variations came from two other places,
but it was not sustained.
What was approved, however, was referral of this paragraph to GBHEM
for study.
GC 38 (New par. 279) Certified
Lay Minister:
See page 272-3 of 2003 Journal for the text as submitted.
Seven annual conferences submitted this petition. The legislative
committee amended the text as follows, which was then affirmed
by the plenary, creating a new category of "Certified Lay Minister":
Committee Majority Text:
replace the original petition text with the following:
Add a new 271 to the Discipline as follows:
271 Certified Lay Minister. In order to enhance the quality of ministry to
small membership churches, expand team ministry in churches and in deference
to an expression of gifts and evidence of God's grace associated with the
lay ministry of early Methodism, the certified lay minister is to be recognized
and utilized.
1. The certified lay minister shall preach the Word, provide a care ministry
to the congregation, assist in program leadership, and be a witness in the
community for the growth, missional and connectional thrust of The United Methodist
Church as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergy
person.
2. A certified lay speaker or a person with equivalent training as defined
by his/her district or conference may be certified as a lay minister by the
District Committee on Ordained Ministry after he/she has:
a) Been recommended by the pastor of the local church where he/she holds membership
and by vote of the Church Council or Charge Conference.
b) Completed courses relevant to his/her assignment including preaching and
exegesis, the care of the congregation, and other courses as recommended by
the General Board of Discipleship and General Board of Higher Education and
Ministry in consultation with leaders in the annual conference, and other appropriate
Agencies and organizations.
c) Demonstrated appreciation of the history, polity, doctrine, worship and
liturgy of The United Methodist Church through service in his/her local church.
d) Been recommended by the District Superintendent after completion of appropriate
screening.
e) Made application in writing to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry.
f) Appeared before the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for review and
approval.
3. The certified lay minister is to apply in writing for recertification bi-annually
to the District Committee on Ordained Ministry upon:
a) Ministry Review by Church Council or Charge Conference from the congregation
of which he/she is a member.
b) Satisfactory completion of an approved Continuing Education event, and
c) Recommendation of the District Superintendent.
4. The certified lay minister under assignment is to appear bi-annually before
the District Committee on Ordained Ministry for recertification after:
a) Ministry Review by Church Council or Charge Conference where assigned,
b) Satisfactory completion of an approved Continuing Education event, and
c) Recommendation of the District Superintendent.
5. Transfer of Certification by Certified Lay Ministers
A certified lay minister who moves may transfer certification to the new district
upon receipt of a letter from the previous district's Committee on Ordained
Ministry
confirming current certification.
6. The certified lay minister is a lay person and as such is not eligible for
support by equitable compensation funds or pension which are provided for clergy
members. The local congregation is encouraged to provide appropriate compensation.
In addition we petition the General Conference to make the following
changes related to the
new certified lay minister - 271 in the following paragraphs.
246.11. The charge conference shall inquire annually into the gifts, labors,
and usefulness of
the lay speakers and certified lay ministers related to the charge and recommend
to the appropriate district and/or conference committee those persons who have
met the standards set forth for a local church lay speaker and/or for certified
lay speaker and certified lay minister (.266-
269, 271. )
Insert a new subparagraph (g) in 419. and reletter the remaining:
419 The district superintendent shall oversee the total ministry of the clergy
and of the churches in the communities of the district in their missions
of witness and service in the world: (a) ... (b) ... (c) ... (d)...(e) ...
(f) ... (g) by assigning persons such as certified lay ministers to churches
who do not have appointed clergy; (g) (h) ...
420. Spiritual and Pastoral Leadership as follows:
The district superintendent is responsible for giving spiritual leadership
to clergy and laity in the churches in the district. . . . 1. .
. .
2. To counsel with clergy, and with consecrated, and commissioned
and certified personnel, concerning matters affecting their ministry
and personal life.
3. To encourage the building of covenantal community among the clergy,
and among consecrated, and commissioned and certified personnel for
mutual support and discipline; to build systems of mutual support
for their clergy and diaconal families. 4. ...
Insert a new sub paragraph to 421.5 as follows:
421. Supervision
5. To make specific provision for the support and supervision of certified
lay ministers or other laity assigned within the district.
629.6. Conference Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries-a) Every
annual conference is encouraged to create a conference committee
on Lay Speaking Ministries or other equivalent structure to fulfill
the requirements of 266-268 266- 269 268, 271. . .
662.3. The responsibilities of a district committee on Lay Speaking
Ministries are to provide basic training for local church lay speakers
and advanced courses for certified lay speakers as recommended by
the General Board of Discipleship, or as approved by the conference
committee on Lay Speaking Ministries; to decide who will be recognized
as certified lay speakers; to help match lay speakers and certified
lay ministers with service opportunities; and to support and affirm
lay speakers and certified lay ministers as they serve.
Add a new 660.10 and renumber according - district committee on
ordained ministry:
660.10 The committee shall examine all persons who apply in writing
to be certified as lay ministers. When there is evidence that their
gifts, evidence of God's grace and usefulness warrant and that they
are qualified under 271, and on recommendation of their charge conference,
the committee shall recommend their certification or recertification.
Section V General Board of Discipleship 1115.6 Ministry of the Laity
1115.6 Provide support to conference and district directors of Lay
Speaking Ministries and to conference and district committees on
Lay Speaking Ministries. In consultation with the conference directors,
set standards for local church, and certified lay speakers and certified
lay ministers and provide teaching resources for use by annual conference
and district committees.
GC 40 (Par 311) Add
An Order of Associate Members and Local Pastors:
See page 273-4 of 2003 Journal for the text as submitted.
Two annual conferences submitted this proposal. The legislative
committee replaced the original petition with the following, creating
a study of the orders for reporting in 2008.
Whereas the 1996 General
Conference voted into church law and practice two separate orders
of ordination and the denomination has lived
into these new orders of ordained ministry for eight years but
still has questions, concerns, and uncertainty regarding what
each order means theologically and practically;
Whereas the 2000 and
2004 General Conferences have been presented with a large number
of petitions related to certified lay ministers,
local pastors, deacons, and elders, which together reflect continued
ambiguity in the denomination's understanding of lay, licensed,
and ordained ministry;
Therefore be it resolved that the 2004 General
Conference establish a four-year study commission to theologically
discuss and clearly
define the ordering of our shared life together in The United
Methodist Church.
Be it further resolved that the membership of the study commission
shall include representatives of the affected groups.
Be it finally resolved that the General Board of Higher Education
and Ministry, in consultation with the Council of Bishops and
the Board of Discipleship, establish the study commission by January
1, 2005, and report back to the 2008 General Conference the commonality
and distinctiveness of certified lay ministry, consecration,
licensing,
commissioning, and ordination. The study commission will also
propose any necessary legislation to clarify the denomination's ordering
of ministry for the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
GC 41 (Par 341): Local Pastors Right to Vote
See page 274 of the 2003 Journal for the text as submitted. Two other
annual conferences submitted this proposal. As submitted, the legislative
committee recommended non-concurrence, and the plenary agreed.
However, in other actions, the plenary session amended
paragraph 341 as follows.
341. Authority Responsibilities and Duties
of Those Licensed for Pastoral Ministry-1. Probationary members approved annually by the
board of ordained ministry and local pastors approved annually by
the district committee on ordained ministry may be licensed by the
bishop to perform all the duties of a pastor ( 331), including the
sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion as well as the service of
marriage (where state laws allow), 25 burial, confirmation, and membership
reception, while appointed to a particular charge. For the purposes
of these paragraphs the charge will be defined as "people within
or related to the community being served." Persons baptized
are to be received and made members of the same charge conference
to which the local pastor is accountable and reporting. While local
pastors are not eligible for appointment to extension ministries,
probationary members Those licensed for pastoral ministry may be
appointed to extension ministries ministry settings
when approved
by the bishop and the board of ordained ministry.
2. Such authorization ...
7. Student local pastors ( 343.3) may retain their membership in
their home church and charge conference or place it in the church
where they are appointed, but in the discharge of their ministerial
functions they shall be amenable to the district superintendent under
whom they serve. They shall have the right to voice, but not vote
in the annual conference.
7 8. All local pastors ...
In other action the legislative committee recommended and the plenary
concurred to
Substitute
the following for 341.9 9. Local pastors who have completed
the course of study may upon retirement annually request from the
District Committee of Ordained Ministry and the Bishop a license
to continue to serve in the local church where they hold membership
for the purpose of providing sacramental rights of baptism and Holy
Communion, at the request of the appointed pastor.
GC 42 (Par 343) Categories
of Local Pastor (Service on Agencies
with Voice and Vote):
See page 274 of 2003 Journal for text as submitted.
The legislative committee recommended non-concurrence and the plenary
agreed.
GC 43 (Par 347) Commissioned
Local Pastor:
See page 274-5 of 2003 Journal for text as submitted.
One other annual conference submitted this proposal. It was referred
to GBHEM for study.
347 Commissioned Local Pastor - 1. A licensed local pastor
may be elected as a commissioned local pastor by a two-thirds vote
of the clergy session on recommendation
by the board of ordained ministry after they have qualified as follows. They
shall have (1) completed the basic Course of Study; (2) served under episcopal
appointment for at least five years; (3) been recommended in writing to the conference
board of ordained ministry, based on a three-fourths majority vote of the district
committee on ordained ministry; (4) satisfied the board regarding physical, mental,
and emotional health; (5) prepared and preached at least one written sermon on
a biblical passage specified by the board of ordained ministry; and (6) responded
to a written or oral doctrinal examination administered by the board of ordained
ministry. The subject matter shall include, as a minimum, the candidate's personal
experience of God and understanding of the biblical views of God; the candidate's
interpretation of Jesus as Lord and Savior; the candidate's conception of the
Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit's work in the life of the individual and the
church; the candidate's application of the "Wesleyan Quadrilateral" to
the work of ministry; the candidate's understanding of the nature and mission
of the church today; and the candidate's understanding of the organization and
operation of the local church.
2. At a public service, preferably a part of the annual
conference meeting, the commissioned local pastor shall be commissioned
by a
bishop by the laying on of hands, employing the words, "(Name),
I commission you a local pastor in The United Methodist Church to
provide servant leadership to the people of God to whom you are appointed.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." The
bishop may be assisted by other clergy and may include laity designated
by the bishop representing the Church in the laying on of hands.
GC 44 (Par. 347.1) Allow
Local Pastors Who Have Completed the Course of Study To Be Mentors:
See page 275 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
Two other annual conferences submitted this proposal. The legislative
committee amended the petition and the plenary concurred as amended.
Amend 347.1 as follows:
347. Mentors-1. Mentors ...
a) Candidacy mentors are clergy in full connection, or associate
members, or full-time local pastors who have completed
the Course of Study trained to provide counsel and guidance related to the
candidacy process. Candidates ...
b) Clergy mentors are clergy in full connection, associate
members, or full-time local pastors who have completed the Course
of Study trained to provide ongoing oversight and counsel with local pastors
and probationary members pursuing ordained ministry. Local pastors
will be assigned a clergy mentor by the district committee on ordained
ministry in consultation with the district superintendent. Probationary
members will be assigned a clergy mentor in full connection by the
conference board of ordained ministry...
GC 45 (Par. 530.5f--should be 630.5f) Definition of Town and Country
See page 275 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
The legislative committee recommended non-concurrence with this specific
proposal and the plenary agreed.
However in acting on another petition, the legislative committee
amended
630.5f as follows and the plenary concurred:
f) Responsibilities of the subcommittee on town and country ministries
shall include mission development and ministry in town and country
areas with a population of less than 50,000. These shall include
incorporated areas of 10,000 to 50,000; towns, villages and
incorporated areas with 10,000 or fewer; and rural areas with population density
of up to 200 or fewer persons per square mile, and towns, villages,
and incorporated areas of 10,000 or fewer, fulfilling the functions
outlined in 630.5h.
GC 46 (Par. 632) Membership,
Voice and Vote in the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry:
See page 275 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
The legislative committee recommended non-concurrence as submitted,
and the plenary agreed.
However, in acting on another petition, the legislative committee
amended 632 and 605.6 as follows:
Conference Board of Ordained Ministry-1. Each annual conference
at the first session following the General Conference, shall elect
for a term of four years a board of ordained ministry. 75 At least
six ordained elders and deacons in full connection and, when possible,
at least two associate members or local pastors who have completed
the course of study shall be included as members of the board with
voice but no vote. Each annual conference ...
605.6. The annual conference ... Only the ordained clergy in full
connection and the lay members of the board of ordained ministry
may vote ( 602.1a). Others ...
In other action on this paragraph, the legislative committee recommended
and the plenary agreed:
Amend 632.1 as follows:
Conference Board of Ordained Ministry-1.
Each annual conference at the first session following the General
Conference.... Each annual
conference shall elect at least one-fifth laypersons, which may
include diaconal ministers, and may at its discretion elect further
lay members,
up to one-third of the membership of the board. All laypersons
shall be professing members of local churches in the annual conference. The board membership shall include....
Amend 632.2p as follows:
p) To work with and support the ordering of local pastors Fellowship
of Local Pastors (see 345) and Associate Members, including receiving
reports, offering financial support, and coordinating their continuing
formation.
GC 47 (Par. 660) Membership
on the District Committee on Ordained Ministry:
See page 275-6 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
Two other conferences submitted this same proposal. The legislative
committee recommended non-concurrence as submitted, and the plenary
agreed.
However, in acting on other petitions, the legislative committee
amended 660 as follows:
Amend 660.1 as follows:
660. There shall be a district committee on ordained ministry.
1. The district committee ...
At least three professing members of local churches ...
Amend 660.8 as follows:
8. The committee shall recommend ... All persons shall have been
current professing members of The United Methodist Church for at
least two years...
GR 49 (Resolution) Rural Issues
See page 276 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
Kansas East and Kansas West also submitted this petition, which was
adopted.
Other resolutions dealing with Rural Life and Rural Issues were adopted
(see this page).
GR 50 Rural Life Celebration During 2008 General Conference
See page 276 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
The resolution was adopted.
GR 51 Training in Cooperative Ministries
See page 277 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
South Indiana Annual Conference also submitted this petition. It
was not adopted.
GR 52 Definition of Town and Country
See page 277 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
Amend by changing 10,000 to 50,000. Adopted.
GR 53 United Methodist Global AIDS Fund
See page 277-8 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
Kansas East and Kansas West also proposed this Resolution. It was
approved with funding changes:
In the first "Therefore," change funding amounts:
Methodists will raise $4 million $3 million through apportionments
and match this with an additional $4 million $5 million through Advance
gifts; GCFA changed this to $8 million through Advance gifts.
GR 54 Renewal Program for Families Living in Covenant (Bishop's
Initiative on Children and Poverty)
See page 278 of the 2003 Journal to see the text as submitted.
This resolution was not adopted.
However, this
resolution was adopted.
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