If you could revise the United Methodist Book of Resolutions, what would you change?
I'm not wondering so much about specific resolutions, but about structure, format, style, petition entry, etc.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Rants on its current size and weight?
7 comments:
Do away with it. Either enact legislation that changes what we do in the local church or don't. The fact is that the resolutions are often counter pointed by some agency or another during the course of their existence, in the BoR, let alone what each General Board does, and the Jurisdictions, Conferences and local churches.
I am really tired of all the layers of hierarchy these days...the big "B" word I can't remember how to spell (sorry)
There is something very connectional about it that appeals to me. Being Methodist is not just about what we do in the local church, it is about what we do and who we are and what we say as a connection. When I am asked, "What does the Methodist church say about (blank)?" I have a place to go for guidance.
Connected,
Andy B.
I'm with David. The BoR is a waste of a whole lot of trees.
Only a small handful of people care what the "official" position the UMC takes on issues. Resolutions are totally ineffective in a culture that looks down on institutions.
But my guess is we'll continue to see resolutions passed, regardless of how out of touch the church becomes. There are some in the church who think they have done God's work because they helped pass a resolution.
Oh sorry, now I remember what Jesus said, "I was hunger and you passed a resolution supporting food stamps. I was thirsty and you passed a resolution stating that all people are entitled to clean water. I was sick and you passed a resolution calling for reforms to Medicare. I was..." You get the idea.
I'm afraid I agree with the "do away with it" sentiment, for many reasons.
The first and last time I even looked at a BoR I was horrified that Christians could actually think in such ways, such as offering a resolution that a minor child has a "right" to an abortion and to be transported across state lines for such with or without her parents' knowledge or consent.
In some ways, I suppose being aware of what is offered is sort like keeping one's finger on the pulse of the church. Otherwise, if the BoR is nothing more than a book of weird ideas, I would just as soon do without it.
What steps could be taken to reduce the number of frivilous resolutions?
What I see in the BoR is the church as a whole touching local and "fringe" (for lack of better word only) issues. For instance, the BoR has the only UM statements on Mountaintop Removal. As one who lives near mountains, this is importnat to me. I appreciate that the church took the time to affirm the West Virginia Annual Conference's statement. Being connectional means having both a central policy as well as local sensitivity. The BoR goes a long way in achieving that. The onus is on churches, pastors and congregants to read it.
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