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BOA ACTION: Motion to reject the resolution.
GCRCC Status: forwarded for April 2011 BOA action
Introduced by: Gregory Coates (Wabash Conference)
Written by: Brian Bither and Rev. Gregory Coates
Related to Paragraph(s) #: #101, Introduction, Purpose and Character of the Free Methodist Church (Historical Heritage and Perspective), and/or Historical heritage and perspective on the Free Methodist Church, pages 2-5
Whereas:
WHEREAS the Book of Discipline affirms the work of God “in all ages” and yet does not formally recognize any theological developments between the closing of the New Testament canon and the work of Wycliffe in the fourteenth century as a part of its heritage,
WHEREAS the Book of Discipline acknowledges that the Catholic-Anglican tradition has influenced the Free Methodist Church on its understanding of the essentials of the faith and it utilizes the Apostles’ Creed in its rituals for “the Service of the Baptism of Adults” and “the Consecration of Deacons,”
WHEREAS the Apostles’ Creed emerged from the theological work of the ecumenical councils,
WHEREAS the Free Methodist “Articles of Religion” never contradict the Apostles’ Creed but often utilize its vocabulary and structure,
WHEREAS the ecumenical movement – whose view of the church and desire for Christian unity resonates with the Free Methodist understanding of God’s church and its purpose – seeks to establish the creeds of the ancient church as a point of common ground for ecumenical discussion,
Therefore, be it resolved:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Study Commission on Doctrine consider including a statement in the Book of Discipline which formally recognizes the influence of the four ecumenical councils of Nicea, Constantinople, Ephesus and Chalcedon on its heritage and explicitly announces its agreement with the Apostles’ Creed.
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 resolution will help us to bridge denominational gaps and work for the vision and mission of the Free Methodist Church through ecumenical dialog and cooperation.
The Resolutions Committee rates this resolution as:
(B) Recommended – worthy of review
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Thank you for this submission. As a former missionary to Ukraine, I can see a statement like this as potentially helpful in establishing our relationship to the church throughout history. (I’ve had an Orthodox sister, here in the States, tell me that Protestants only accept the first two councils!?)