wfn.org | Newsline: Resolution Urging Forbearance is adopted by Church of the Brethren

["COBNews Newsline" <cobnews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service -- July 21, 2008
Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford, News Director
800-323-8039 ext. 260 -- cobnews@brethren.org

>RESOLUTION URGING FORBEARANCE IS ADOPTED BY
>CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

(July 21, 2008) Elgin, IL -- A "Resolution Urging Forbearance" has been
adopted by the Church of the Brethren, during meetings of the
denomination's Annual Conference in Richmond, Va., on July 15.

The resolution was brought jointly by the Church of the Brethren
General Board, the Association of Brethren Caregivers, and On Earth
Peace, and was adopted with one amendment. It reviews Brethren
traditions regarding forbearance amid differences, reviews related
scripture, and resolves to commit to practices of forbearance.

The text of the short resolution begins, "We find ourselves in a world
where people are driven apart by deep differences. These divisions seep
into the church, pitting us against one another in action and language.
Yet God has entrusted us with a ministry of reconciliation."

Citing 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 and Matthew 5:17, and giving a brief
review of scriptural references to forbearance--Ephesians 4:2 and 6:9,
Colossians 3:13, and 2 Corinthians 12:6--the paper also quotes from
previous statements of the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference.

The resolution received a lot of discussion in the delegate body.
Concerns came particularly from districts recently involved in conflict,
with questions about whether the paper changes polity and would bypass
district decisions. Others said it could be abused, and might keep
Brethren from holding one another accountable.

Association of Brethren Caregivers executive director Kathy Reid
responded, "It does not change polity. This is a call to remember our
heritage as brothers and sisters in Christ and hold each other in love."

The amendment that passed was brought by a delegate from her
congregation's peace education committee. First it added the words,
"We respect those who do not agree and continue in fellowship with
them." Then it added another clause to an existing sentence: "We preach
and teach peace without separating ourselves from those who choose
military service or otherwise question the official position of the
denomination."

The resolution was adopted on a show of hands, although with
significant opposition.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to
continuing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its
faith in community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and
Pietist faith traditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches.  It
celebrates its 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts more than 125,000
members across the United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and
sister churches in Nigeria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and
India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org

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