wfn.org | Church Overhauls Ministry

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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 (2913 notes).

Note 2913 by SUSAN PEEK on April 25, 1996 at 13:34 Eastern (2716 characters).

SEARCH: ministry, elders, deacons, United Methodist, General
Conference,

050 {2914}                                          April 25, 1996

General Conference '96

United Methodists
overhaul ministry

     DENVER (UMNS) -- After 30 years' discussion, the United
Methodist General Conference agreed April 24 to reorder the
church's ministry.

     Underlying the proposals adopted by the 1996 General
Conference here was an affirmation of the ministry of all baptized
Christians.

     The adopted plan calls for two separate offices of ordained
ministry: deacon, one who pledges to serve God and the church
through "word and service" to the community; and elder, who serves
through "service, word, sacrament and orders."

     Most local churches in the denomination still will be led by
ordained elders. As with current practice, only elders would be
eligible for the offices of district superintendent and bishop.

     The bulk of the ministry proposal came from a four-year study
and subsequent proposals submitted by the 130-member international
Council of Bishops, which called for the two orders of ordination.

     The bishop's proposal would have retained the tradition of
first ordaining elders as deacons. However, the legislative
committee on ordained and diaconal ministry modified the bishop's
proposal by recommending a one-step process for elders and a
separate process for deacons.  That modification was accepted by
voters.

     The delegates rejected the bishop's proposal for a new
category of "lay ministry steward," those individuals who feel
called to special service.  Members of the legislative committee
argued successfully that the lay steward category would create an
unnecessary hierarchy among laity.

     The General Conference vote marks the end of 30 years of
discussion on the definitions and duties of people who are
ordained in the United Methodist Church. 

     Elders are "members in full connection" of annual (regional)
conferences, are appointed annually by their bishops and itinerate
(move from place to place).  They bear the title, "the Rev., are
the only people authorized to administer the sacraments.  However,
deacons may assist.

     As with the present diaconal ministers, the new deacon will
not itinerate but will be considered clergy.  The new deacons will
seek to connect the local church in ministry to the world in a
variety of ways.

     Diaconal ministers may continue in that category or may
become ordained as deacons.  No new diaconal ministry candidates
may be accepted after Jan. 1, 1997.

                              #  #  #

                                                 --Garlinda Burton
      
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