BOA ACTION: Motion to reject the resolution.
GCRCC Status: forwarded for April 2011 BOA action
Introduced by: Mark Adams, North Central Conference
Written by: Mark Adams
Related to Paragraph(s) #: 8100
Whereas:
The Lord’s Supper is the chief sacramental observance of the Free Methodist Church and;
The call of the church is to bring the “whole gospel to the whole person in the whole world,” and;
John Wesley viewed Communion as a “converting sacrament” open to all who, “feel the need of God’s grace, without previous preparation except a desire to receive what God will give, and no fitness is required at the time of communicating except our awareness of sinfulness and helplessness (Journal, July 1740), and;
St/ Paul’s admonition against “eating and drinking judgment” on oneself (1Cor.11.28,29) is placed in the context of judgment for excluding Christians from full participation in the community life, yet;
The opening directive for communion in the Discipline (8100) emphasizes the judgment of a pastor to exclude individuals from communion if they do not appear to have a “required fitness” at the time of communicating.
Therefore, be it resolved:
General Directions for communion (8100) be amended to eliminate the first paragraph, which reads:
“Let all our ordained pastors exercise due care to see that no person known to be living an immoral life or to be guilty of any disreputable practice be admitted to the Lord’s table among us until satisfactory evidence of repentance and amendment of life has been given.”
Allowing the second paragraph to suffice as introduction to the Lord’s Supper, which reads:
“All persons properly included in the general invitation may be allowed to partake in the Lord’s Supper among us.”
Does the resolution have a direct relationship to the vision and mission of the Free Methodist Church?
Yes.
How will the proposed change help us accomplish our vision and mission?
By being more true to Biblical and Wesleyan heritage, and reducing hints of legalism while maintaining the high view of the Eucharist, worship barriers will be lowered without sacrificing biblical and theological principles in our practice.
The Resolutions Committee rates this resolution as:
(B) Recommended – worthy of review
Comments:
The North Central Conference understanding of ABC was A meriting review on the floor of the conference, B meriting review by the appropriate subcommittee of the BOA. NCC recommended B level resolutions have this in mind.
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