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Send Expression of Concern to UMC Bishops

Directory of Addresses and Emails for UMC Bishops

Submit petitions for accountability to Annual Conference and General Conference


Instructions for Petitions to the General Conference, 2004


Sample Petitions Recommended by TheMethodistChurch.com (not affiliated with the United Methodist Church)
  1. Resolution to Reinstate in the 2004 Discipline, the Purpose, Priorities, and Mission Statement of The United Methodist Church found in Preceding Disciplines
  2. Resolution Affirming Commitment to Historic Doctrines of Faith
  3. Bishops Exercise Doctrinal Oversight
  4. Agency Staff Uphold Doctrinal and Ethical Standards

 
Sample Petitions Recommended by Good News

 

Doctrinal Integrity
(click on agenda item to see petition and/or download in .pdf)

  1. Bishops expected to exercise doctrinal oversight.
  2. Require all faculty in the theology department of UM seminaries to affirm United Methodist doctrine, as defined by the doctrinal standards, and require all tenured and tenure-track faculty at UM schools to affirm classical Christian theology.
  3. Revise membership in the University Senate to increase accountability.
  4. Ask the University Senate to review all affiliated institutions to ensure that their programs are consistent with the mission and doctrine of the UMC.
  5. Change the formula for the Ministerial Education Fund from 75/25 to 60/40.
  6. Ensure that Course of Study classes are taught consistently with UM doctrinal and ethical standards.
  7. Require all program staff at General boards and agencies to uphold UMC doctrine.
  8. Monitor proposed service of reaffirmation of ordination vows for vows that hold clergy accountable for doctrinal integrity.
  9. Monitor proposals on the theology of holy communion.
  10. Create discussion around baptism, monitor supporting legislation.

Accountability and Due Process
(click on agenda item to see petition and/or download in .pdf)

  1. Require bishops to obey and enforce the Discipline.
  2. Require bishops to exercise oversight of the annual conference in accordance with the Discipline.
  3. Change method of electing Jurisdictional Committee on Investigation.
  4. Change method of comprising Jurisdictional Jury Pool.
  5. Change who deals with complaints against bishops.
  6. Add timelines to the judicial process for complaints against bishops.
  7. Require resolution during the complaint process for complaints against bishops.
  8. Add timelines to the judicial process for complaints against clergy.
  9. Require resolution during the complaint process for complaints against clergy.
  10. Change nominations process to increase percentage of General agency directors elected by Jurisdictional Conference from the Jurisdictional pool.
  11. Resolution of concern directed at the Western Jurisdiction and Pacific North West Annual Conference
  12. Require Annual Conference to follow complete process when discontinuing a church.
  13. Clarify right of clergy to choose advocate from any annual conference or jurisdiction.
  14. Elect the counsel for the Church by annual conference clergy session instead of being appointed by the bishop.
  15. Allow for examination and cross-examination of witnesses by counsel for the church so as to assist the committee on investigation.
  16. Require clergy to answer questions in settings of official inquiry.
  • Additional Petitions at the Good News site!

     Recommended Actions by Institute for Religion & Democracy, United Methodist Action

Sample Petition Recommended by Institute for Relgion & Democracy, United Methodist Action

RENEW Sample Petitions for General Conference 2004

Women’s Division and UMW – Integrated, Accountable, Adaptable 
(click on agenda item to see petition and/or download in .pdf)

  1. Clarify the Purpose of the Women’s Division by relating it directly to the purpose of The United Methodist Church – to make disciples for Jesus Christ (¶120).
  2. Require the Women’s Division to be subject to the Discipline, including application of open meeting rules (¶721).
  3. Make Women’s Division accountable to the whole church, including making their financial dealings subject to the General Council on Finance and Administration.
  4. Make changes in how Women’s Division directors are elected, ensuring they are elected by the whole church (2 related petitions on this link).1st Petition 2nd Petition
  5. Make United Methodist Women optional, not required, in the local church. Allow for the existence of other “approved” women’s ministries in addition to UMW.
  6. Make local units of United Methodist Women primarily accountable to local church, like all other program ministries of the local church.
  7. Add language prohibiting Women’s Division staff from lobbying General Conference with Women’s Division funding.
  8. Apply prohibition of pro-gay advocacy to UMW and the Women’s Division.

Network to Inform Laity - Join us in our Mission

Network to other concerned laity and/or laity and clergy led UMC groups:

Faithful Christian Laity of the United Methodist Church (Pacific Northwest Annual Conference)
MSFUME (Mississippi Fellowship of United Methodist Evangelicals)
NIC (Northern Illinois Conference) VOICE

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