BOA ACTION: Motion to strike the first two paragraphs of the resolution and adopt the resolution with the following amendment to the language of expanded ¶7110.I , replacing “persons” with “those.”
GCRCC Status: forwarded for April 2011 BOA action
Introduced by: Mark Adams, North Central Conference
Written by: Mark Adams
Related to Paragraph(s) #: 6330 D, 7110 I
Whereas:
The membership care committee or groups so designated provided counsel or care for those members whose conduct may be cause for concern;
And make recommendations to local boards of administrating regarding those so counseled;
But no clear provision is made for counsel or care for members of the church or community who may have been harmed by errant members;
Though Scripture placed an emphasis on healing the brokenhearted and binding wounds (Ps.147.3) and the protective nature of the love of Christ and the church (1Cor.13.7):
Therefore, be it resolved:
That membership care committees, along with the duties described in 6330.D, counsel with and provide support for members who have been harmed by abuse, neglect or injury of others.
And that guidelines for church order responding to brokenness in one caught sinning be broadened to include healing and support for the one harmed by sinful actions against them, thus:
7110.I be expanded to read:
When a person is caught in sin,it is our responsibility to restore them gently and with all humility, aware that we also can be tempted (Galatians 6:1-3), and that we seek to counsel and guide toward healing persons who have been harmed by the sin of another (1 Peter 5:10, Luke 10:33).
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?
In an era of heightened awareness of abuse and neglect, particularly by church leaders, it is critical to ensure that the FMC does not appear to be more concerned with the restoration of those who have done harm than those so harmed by sinful actions.
The Resolutions Committee rates this resolution as:
(A) Support – recommend adoption
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.
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