wfn.org | Re: United Methodist Daily News note 420

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org (United Methodist News list)]

Reply-to: owner-umethnews@ecunet.org (United Methodist News list)
"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (426
notes).

Note 424 by UMNS on Oct. 31, 1997 at 16:04 Eastern (3687 characters).

TITLE:	United Methodist Member Rules Revert

Contact:  Joretta Purdue  	612(10-71B){424}
		Washington, D.C.  (202) 546-8722  	Oct. 31, 1997

EDITORS NOTE: This story and # 614 {426} today give greater detail on two of
the Judicial Council decisions. The summary report of all decisions is found
in UMNS #599 {411}, dated Oct. 27, 1997.

Decision causes United Methodist Church to revert
to 'preparatory' and 'full' membership categories

	SAN ANTONIO, Texas (UMNS) -- As United Methodist churches and other bodies
that deal with membership matters await publication of a recent Judicial
Council decision, questions abound.
	Of particular concern is the question of which regulations from the
Discipline -- the denomination's book of rules -- apply.
	The decision reached at the council's three-day meeting here in October
stated, "The legislation adopted in accordance with the Baptismal Study
Committee report relating to 'baptized membership' and 'professing membership'
... [in the 1996 Discipline] is declared unconstitutional."
	It went on to say that because the 1996 legislation, which constituted
amendments to the existing membership provisions of the 1992 Discipline "are
unconstitutional and invalid," the 1992 Discipline passages "relating to
membership categories as 'preparatory membership' and 'full membership' remain
as the governing law of the United Methodist Church."
	The council directed that the church's membership rolls be kept in accordance
with the 1992 Discipline. It also ruled that baptism and "membership practices
and polity" shall be continued as specified in the 1992 Discipline.
	The Judicial Council found that the legislation adopted in 1996 in regard to
voting rights "is vague and uncertain so as to render it void and of no
effect."
	Voting rights was just one concern raised by the Minnesota Annual (regional)
Conference in 18 questions it asked regarding the membership legislation
passed in 1996.
	The council answered that question and, at greater length, one that queried
whether the 1996 legislation making all baptized individuals -- including
infants -- members of the United Methodist Church violated the church's
constitution.
	To the latter question, the council answered yes. The council then said, "All
legislation based on the definitions of 'baptized members' and 'professing
members' as set forth in the 1996 Discipline is unconstitutional."
	In acknowledging that the 1996 legislation provided that only "professing
members" were to be included in membership statistics, the council went on to
say, "no change, which abolishes the vow requirement, can be legislated
without amending the constitution."
	With these two questions answered, the council declared the other 16
questions moot.
	In a written opinion concurring with the council’s decision, the Rev. Susan
T. Henry-Crowe noted, "When the 1996 [General] Conference passed By Water and
the Spirit: A United Methodist Understanding of Baptism, a well-studied and
strong theological rationale of the nature of baptism and membership was
articulated." 
	Henry-Crowe said the 1972 General Conference shifted the historic
understanding of membership as being in the universal and global church to an
understanding that is more congregational. 
	She also said the document provides United Methodism with an understanding
and practice closer to its historical roots.
	"The meaning of membership is then not only a sacramental issue but also has
implications for our polity and matters of governance," she wrote. She urged
remembering that the strength of United Methodism is based on connectional
principles.
	The Rev. C. Rex Bevins also signed the concurring opinion.
	#  #  #

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