BOA ACTION: Motion to amend the final sentence of the resolution as follows: replace “party” with “property, assets and the care and transfer of members.” By common consent this will be to replace only the first paragraph of ¶6420 and retain the remaining portions of that Book of Discipline paragraph.
GCRCC Status: forwarded for April 2011 BOA action
Introduced by: Mark Adams, North Central Conference
Written by: Mark Adams
Related to Paragraph(s) #: 6420
Whereas:
The Free Methodist Church envisions a healthy, biblical community of holy people multiplying disciples, leaders, groups and churches (6000);
While some Free Methodist congregations exist as unhealthy, sometimes spiritually harmful communities;
And the Discipline provides for the closure of churches which have declined below a minimum of ten supporting adult members or is deemed by a conference administrative committee to be incapable of adequately supporting the society (6420);
But the Discipline makes no provision for closure of churches which may be able to financially support a society buy through specific action or long term inaction has failed to see conversions, develop disciples, or grow groups and may in fact bear witness to the community of a Free Methodist church that contradicts the Free Methodist vision:
Therefore, be it resolved:
The 6420 be amended to read:
In the event that membership of a society declines below a minimum of ten supporting adult members, or is deemed by the conference board of administration to be incapable of adequately supporting the society or fulfilling the vision of the Free Methodist Church, the conference administrative committee may at its discretion disband the society and/or assume responsibility for the party.
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?
This will allow judicatories to make critical decisions about church health and provide, potentially, a motivation to focus on health rather than finances or minimal numbers involved in a congregation. Churches not engaged in any meaningful way to fulfill the vision of the FMC will not continue to perpetuate a lack of health.
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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