wfn.org | Approves New Church Structure

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2900 notes).

Note 2900 by SUSAN PEEK on April 23, 1996 at 19:58 Eastern (3429 characters).

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038 {2902}                                          April 23, 1996

General Conference '96

Conference approves study
of simpler church structure

     DENVER (UMNS) -- A framework around which a major study of
domestic and international structures of the United Methodist
Church will be fashioned was approved April 23.

     By a vote of 720 to 230, the delegates approved formation of
a "Connectional Process Team (CPT) of 31 people to conduct the
study and bring their recommendations to the 2000 General
Conference in Cleveland, Ohio.  The action decided one of the
major issues on the agenda for the 998 delegates from around the
world meeting April 16-26 at the Colorado Convention Center.

     The report was developed during the past four years by the
church's General Council on Ministries (GCOM).  What has been
formally known as the Connectional Issues Study was done in
collaboration with the Council of Bishops, denominational
agencies, local churches and annual conferences inside and outside
the U.S.

     The Rev. Gordon C. Goodgame, Lake Junaluska, N.C.,
introducing the report, said it is time for the 9.7-million-member
denomination to plan for a "relevant transition" toward the future
"while holding fast to the core of religious values."

     "This is one small step for the United Methodist Church,
putting into place a process that will lead us into the 21st
Century," said the Rev. Charlie O. Dundas, a delegate from
Rosemount, Minn.
     
     Supporters of the proposal said it will lead to greater
flexibility in organization and ministry for local churches and
annual conferences, while at the same time reducing the size and
cost of general church agencies.  Legislation is pending during
the session in Denver that will confirm a reduction in the number
of directors of the 13 agencies from about 950 to 630 during the
l997-2000 "transitional" quadrennium.

     The report emphasizes an "interactive, connectional" design. 
According to the report's glossary, an "interactive" organization
is one in which United Methodists respond to the "working of the
Holy Spirit, intentionally working through a connectional polity
based upon mutual responsiveness and accountability."  The
"connectional" design comes from the traditional Methodist
practice in which each congregation is linked with others through
the Council of Bishops, a series of conferences, and other
structures.

     One of the tasks of the CPT will be to "facilitate an
interactive organizational process" to "clarify the mission of the
general church" and "define and recommend the most faithful
structure to enable the ministries" of the denomination at all
levels.

     Staffing for the CPT will be provided by GCOM.  Funding will
come from the General Council on Finance and Administration.  The
Council of Bishops will nominate most of the CPT members who then
will be elected by the General Conference at this session.

     A minority report that backers said would provide greater
flexibility for local churches, and a slimmer national structure,
was defeated 567 to 374.

     At present the United Methodist Church has 13
national/international agencies.  The present structure of the
church has been in place since l972.

                               # # #

Calendar #764                                --Robert Lear
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