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Assembly iREPORTER: GENERAL ASSEMBLY COMPLETE Voting Results

Acts-celerater Posts: 758 **7/28/12 12:24 pm**

The following Agenda Items are listed below with the voting results. IMPORTANT NOTE: These include all correct language including the amendments that I didn't have when I posted the General Council results. These are bolded and in italics.

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS

All of the Executive Committee and Youth and World Mission nominations by the General Council were accepted.

PASSED

AFFILIATION WITH CHURCH OF GOD
We recommend:
That we amend pages 137, 138, S49. AFFILIATION WITH CHURCH OF GOD, by substituting the following:

That non-Church of God churches that wish to affiliate with the Church of God be allowed to join as associate churches. They shall be able to retain ownership of their properties. They shall make monthly reports to the state/regional and general offices with the same financial accountability as International General Assembly congregations. The pastor shall submit to a background check and he/she shall secure Church of God ministerial credentials in accordance with the denomination’s polity.

Further, that appropriate forms of organization be processed in a legal business meeting to show acceptance of the faith, government, polity, and practices of the Church of God and willingness to abide by the actions of the International General Assembly as it relates to their status as an associate church. In order to be accepted as an associate church, the group must accept the basic doctrinal commitments, teachings, and practical commitments as stated on pages 21-37 of the 2010 MINUTES. Church of God Book of Discipline, Church Order and Governance.

An associate church can remove its associate status by placing the church properties on a Church of God warranty deed with the approval of the administrative bishop and the state/regional council.
PASSED

STATE EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS DIRECTOR

We recommend: 1) That on page 106, Section S27. STATE EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS DIRECTOR (USA MISSIONS), I. SELECTION, paragraph 1. be amended by striking the word shall, and inserting the word may, so as to read:

The state overseer may submit to the State Council the names of nominees for state Evangelism and Missions director for election prior to the International General Assembly. Ordained bishops (where practical) shall be used to fill the office.

2) That on page 107, Section S27. STATE EVANGELISM AND MISSIONS DIRECTOR (USA MISSIONS), II. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES be deleted.
PASSED

STATE YOUTH AND DISCIPLESHIP DIRECTOR

We recommend:

That we amend page 106, S26. STATE YOUTH AND DISCIPLESHIP DIRECTOR, II. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES, by substituting the following paragraph:

The State Youth and Discipleship director shall work under the supervision of the state overseer and the duties and authorities of the Youth and Discipleship director are to be defined by the state overseer and state council.
Missions Report
PASSED (I think...please help me remeber here)

MOTIONS COMMITTEE

We recommend:

That we amend page 68, S4. INTERNATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL, IV. INTERNATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL MOTIONS COMMITTEE, by adding the following paragraph:

Previous notice shall be required for any motion which greatly alters the organizational structure of the Church of God. When motions are presented to the Motions Committee, the following guidelines will be followed:

1. Each motion will be processed and prioritized by the Motions Committee according to the guidelines of the General Assembly Minutes.
2. The Motions Committee will initially determine if the motion would “greatly alter the organizational structure of the Church of God.”
3. If in the opinion of the moderator the motion would “greatly alter the organizational structure of the Church of God,” the motion will be read to the body by the chairman of the Motions Committee at the direction of the moderator with the notation that it is a motion that will require previous notice before final disposition.
4. The moderator will explain that if the motion passes in the present International General Council, it will be placed on the agenda of the following International General Council in order to fulfill the requirement of previous notice.
5. The item will then be open for full debate on the presently-convening International General Council floor.
6. If the motion does not receive a majority vote, it falls to the floor.
7. If the motion receives a majority vote, it is committed to the International Executive Council with the mandate that it be placed on the agenda for the next International General Council in a manner that fulfills the requirements of previous notice.
PASSED

AGED MINISTERS FUND

We recommend:

That we amend pages 181, 182, S72. AGED MINISTERS’ PENSIONING PLAN, by adding the following paragraph:

Based upon actuarial studies, the Aged Ministers’ Pension Fund, Disabled Ministers’ Pension Fund, and the Ministers Widows’ Fund shall be adjusted by the International Executive Council according to the needs of the funds.
FAILED

CONCLUDED AND DECIDED AGENDA ITEMS

We recommend:

That we amend pages 67, 68, S4. INTERNATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL,
III. INTERNATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL AGENDA, by adding the following:

Furthermore, no agenda item concluded and decided by the International General Council and/or concluded and decided by the International General Assembly is to be included on the published agenda for the next International General Council unless approved by a two-thirds majority of the International Executive Council. This does not apply to items of
previous notice or informational reports.
FAILED

QUALIFICATIONS OF ORDAINED BISHOPS

We recommend:

That we amend pages 149, 150, S56. ORDAINED BISHOP, II. QUALIFICATIONS OF ORDAINED BISHOPS, paragraph 2, by striking the words, “provided he has had at least eight (8) years of active ministry, or when he is thirty (30) years of age.”
REFERRED BACK FOR MORE STUDY

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION
We recommend:
That we amend page 66, S3. INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY, II. PROCEDURES, by adding the following paragraph:

5. The International General Assembly authorizes the International Executive Council to call a constitutional convention to review all aspects of Church of God polity (with the exception of doctrine, mission, vision, core values, and scriptural principles of ministry), and bring back recommendations to the International General Council.
FAILED

STATE OVERSEERS

We recommend:

1) That we amend page 101, S21. STATE OVERSEERS, VI. DUTIES AND AUTHORITIES, by adding the following paragraph:

“21. To model, encourage and provide formal training and prayerful guidance to pastors in the following areas: Preparing and managing an annual local church budget; dealing with local church conflict resolution; and impacting the local community.”

2) That we amend page 101, S21 STATE OVERSEER VI. DUTIES AND
AUTHORITIES, paragraph 20, by adding, Exceptions may be granted by the International Executive Committee in cases where a mission state/regional overseer simultaneously serves as a pastor of a church in another area or as an overseer of another state/ region,” so as to read:

20. Live in the state or province over which he is made overseer. Exceptions may be granted by the International Executive Committee in cases where a mission state/regional overseer simultaneously serves as a pastor of a church in another area or as an overseer of another state/region.
PASSED

VIOLATION OF CONFIDENCES

We recommend:

That we amend page 157, S63. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINISTERS, paragraph 8., by adding, “This provision shall not
preempt any applicable state or other required reporting
laws,” so as to read:

8. No Church of God minister shall be required to violate a confidence, when such has been entrusted to him/her in the performance of
his/her professional duties or in the course of his/her care of souls, except with the express permission of the person who has confided in him/her or in order to prevent a crime. This provision shall not preempt any applicable state or other required reporting laws nor be used to conceal a felonious act towards another individual (51st A., 1966, p. 77).
PASSED

TRIAL BOARD PROCEDURES

We recommend:

That we amend page 164, S65. OFFENDING MINISTERS. I. MINISTERIAL
DISCIPLINE, Trial Procedures and Appeals for Church of God Ministers, by
deleting “defense attorneys” and inserting “legal counsel,” so as to read:

Inasmuch as Church of God hearings and/or trials of its ministers or members are ecclesiastical rather than civil in nature, and concern matters within the Christian brotherhood, to be judged by the guidelines of Holy Scripture rather than civil law, the ministers and members of the Church of God do hereby agree that legal counsel may not attend or participate in those proceedings.
CHURCH PLANTING REPORT
PASSED

WOMEN IN MINISTRY

We recommend:

That on page 122, S40. PASTOR, IV. ASSISTANT PASTOR, paragraph 2, be deleted:

2. The pastor’s wife shall be considered ineligible for appointment as his assistant.

2) WOMEN SERVING ON CONGREGATIONAL TRIAL BOARD

We recommend:

That we amend page 118, S38. MEMBERSHIP, V. PROCEDURE IN
DEALING WITH MEMBER, by striking the word “male,” so as to read:

If a member who is not a minister shall be charged with any offense which makes it necessary to deal with the member, formal charges
in writing shall be given to the member not less than three days (when practical) prior to the time and place of the meeting. The member
shall have a right to be heard and offer corroborating testimony at the meeting. Further, the charges shall be heard and a decision rendered
by the local church and pastor’s council or (if a church does not have a pastor’s council or board of elders) by the male members who are present
at the meeting and in good standing with the church. Disciplinary options include but are not limited to: official reprimand, restitution, censure,
restrictions, and, where necessary, excommunication.

3) WOMEN SERVING ON THE PUBLICATIONS BOARD

We recommend:

That we amend page 94, S20. MINISTRY OF PUBLICATIONS, I. MINISTRY OF PUBLICATIONS BOARD, A. Selection, by striking the word “men” and inserting the word “members,” so as to read:

The Ministry of Publications Board shall consist of seven members appointed biennially by the International Executive Committee.

4) WOMEN SERVING ON THE USA MISSIONS BOARD

We recommend:

That we amend page page 79, S11. MINISTRY OF USA MISSIONS, I. USA
MISSIONS BOARD, A. Selection, by striking the word “men” and inserting the word “members,” so as to read:

The USA Missions Board shall consist of not less than five members who shall be appointed biennially by the International Executive Committee.
PASSED

TENURE OF NATIONAL/TERRITORIAL OVERSEERS

We recommend:

That we amend page 81, S12. MINISTRY OF WORLD MISSIONS, I. WORLD
MISSIONS BOARD, B. Duties and Authorities, paragraph 5 by adding,

“Where practical, the tenure of national/territorial overseers of World Missions areas is for two years with a maximum tenure of twelve consecutive years in office.”
PASSED

PERMANENT RECORDS OF TRIAL BOARD DECISIONS

We recommend:

That we amend page 168, S65. OFFENDING MINISTERS, I. MINISTERIAL
DISCIPLINE, B. Trial Procedures, 7. Notification of Decision, b., by substituting the following paragraph, “The trial
board’s decision will become part of the defendant’s
permanent record at the state office and will also be
filed at International Offices.”
PASSED

RESPONSIBLE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

We Recommend:

That we amend pages 156, 157, S63 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINISTERS, by adding the following:

Christians are exhorted by Scripture to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), to provide things honest in the sight of all persons (Romans 12:17), and to do all things for the edification of others (Romans 15:2). The use of social media by believers should conform to these and other biblical standards.
PASSED

NATONAL DISTRICT OVERSEERS MEETING

We recommend:

That on page 45, COMMISSION ON ORGANIZATION REPORT, DISTRICT, paragraph 5, be deleted.

5. That the general church leadership meet with the district overseers at least every two years for the purpose of discussing the ninistry of the church at the district level.
PASSED

We the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) resolve that , it is not the right of governments to compel churches or church related institutions to participate in or fund activities that are morally reprehensible.
PASSED with an amendment...specific language about where online it was to be published was added....anyone remember it?

That we amend page 72, S5. INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, III. Duties and Authorities, by adding the following as the next paragraph:

That all motions offered to the International Executive Council for consideration to be included on the agenda for the International General Assembly and/or International General Council be published online at the end of each International Executive Council meeting.
PASSED...with much fan fare I might add...lol

That we amend page 163, S64. DISORDERLY MINISTERS, Section V. Additional Rulings-Disorderly Ministers, paragraph 9, by adding the following sentence:

Further, where the offending minister has been found guilty of the sexual abuse of a child, an offense that requires withdrawal of church membership and permanent revocation of ministerial credentials, the guilty party shall be prohibited from attending, participating or having any involvement with any activites of the local church or churches where the vistims in said offense presently attend or have attended.
Put on GA2014 General Assembly Agenda

That we amend page 102, S23. STATE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, paragraph 1, by striking the word "male": So as to read:

1. In each state, territory, or country where needed, the state overseer shall, at a state meeting or called meeting of the ministers of the church, or at a state convention of the membership of the church, appoint a State Board of Trustees of not less than five members.
Put on GA2014 General Assembly Agenda

That we amend page 72, S5. INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, III. Duties and Authorities, by adding the following as the next paragraph:

All Business before the International Executive Council between assemblies concluded and decided be made available to all credentialed ministers through the ministerial reporting website. Any disciplinary actions will bot be included.
Put on GA2014 General Assembly Agenda

That we amend page 162, S64. DISORDERLY MINISTERS, Section IV. Program of Restoration, by adding the following as paragraph E:

Whereas the Church of God is a church that believes in the restoration of the individual; and whereas the Church of God makes such provision for the restoration of credentialed ministers who successfully complete care counseling; and whereas there is a wealth of potential ministers among the Church of God laity; Be it resolved that any lay member with past disqualifying behaviors who successfully completes a restorative care program (Church of God) and is otherwise qualified for credentialed ministry be considered for possible licensing.
PASSED

That we amend page 164, S65. OFFENDING MINISTERS, I. MINISTERIAL DISCIPLINE, Trial Procedures and Appeals for Church of God Ministers by adding the following as a second introductory paragraph:

However, the accused, as well as the person bringing the charge shall be given the option of inviting a duly credentialed Church of God minister to appear with him/her throughout the hearings, trials, or appeals for the purpose of persoanl support only. Further, in matters of alleged secusal, physical, or psychological abuse by the accused, where there may be alleged victims or witnesses to the same, each of those alleged victims or witnesses shall be given the option of inviting a duly credentialed Church of God minister to appear with him/her throughout hearings, trials, or appeals for the purpose of personal support only.
Put on GA2014 General Assembly Agenda

That we amend page 148, S56. ORDAINED BISHOP, I. MEANING AN USAGE OF THE TERM BISHOP, section A, Biblical Understanding of Ordination, by adding the following as paragraph 8:

That a study be done and a theological paper prepared defining the meaning and usage of the title Ordained Bishop; and should it be necessary change the current nomenclature in order to clarify and fulfill the intent of the International General Council with respect to designation of ministerial rank in the Church of God. Further, that said study is brought back to the 2014 International General Assembly and that the results of such study be included in the Minutes of the International General Assembly of the Church of God.

Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3944 **7/28/12 1:41 pm**

THANK YOU SO MUCH Buck.

Your question regarding #20 above I believe was motion #3 from the morning session proposed by Travis. I believe TJs original intent was to ask that any motion making it successfully onto the agenda include the name of the original proposer, as well as how each member of the IEC voted on the motion.

The requirement for the name, and the voting records was stricken during debate by amendment. The same method he used the day before to gut agenda item #18 got turned on him on this motion #3. It happens. This item took 51 minutes of the morning session.

IIRC it was then amended during the afternoon GA session to state that it would not be published on-line except on the ministerial reporting web-site.

I would gladly have given ground on naming the originator, under the logic that once approved by the IEC, it is owned by them. ( A point consistently made by opposition to the motion, and spoken to by the moderator at the beginning of the session.) In agreement with Bro Culpepper and his opening remarks, and using the exact same rationale, the GC ought to know how each member of the IEC voted just as the IEC knows who submitted the thing. I don't care that I as a layman not know. I don't vote for the IEC. But the GC not only has a right to know, the members of the IEC have a duty to state their position. I would even welcome a statement from someone like Bro Chapman if he were to say, "I was and remain personally opposed to the motion. But I realize mine may be a minority view, therefore I voted to send it to the GC for their disposition."

We saw Mike Chapman and Nick Park refuse to say what the count for and against was on agenda item#18 (social media), because of a duty imposed upon them when they became members of the C/18 that those things stay concealed. Though they are opposed to that idea, they kept their covenant. But they each stated their own personal intent to vote against it on the floor.

Those two will be missed.

edit: Buck, I will go back and listen, but I think your #23 above WAS the amendment to your #20 above and has NOT been put off until 2014. Thoughts?

Bro. Bob

Acts-celerater Posts: 758 **7/28/12 2:21 pm**

Thanks for that...I am stil waiting for the recording so that I can check the language. I appreciate the input. I for one wish that the teeth was still in the motion so that members would have to not only publish the results and put thier name on it. It would inform those who vote exactly who we are voting for...I for one do not think that to be unspiritual as some on the floor purported.

Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3944 **7/28/12 2:34 pm**

Comment on #26 above.

Houston, we have a problem...

I can think of other instances of similar problems. What do we mean when we say "excommunicated"? Do we assert this to be a soul on its way to hell? Or is this a brother with whom we refuse to eat that he may be ashamed.

Can an excommunicated member be restored?

Two words hit the air on one motion, "Constitutional Convention".

We don't have a constitution. What did we mean? If we mean the word 'excommunicated' the way the Catholics do who own the word, then we are completely outside Bible teaching.

If we mean to have a body with "Constitutional convention" powers the way it is meant under US Law, then there are few of us reading this or hearing those words who know the full ramifications of the term. For fun, read up on Article V of the US Constitution.

We need to be careful to say what we mean. It is bad enough that we don't insist that we mean what we have said.

It would be amusing if it weren't so sad. We will debate for a half hour over deleting a single word, when we know full well that we have a plurality of Churches and leaders who have no intention and cannot be compelled to abide by entire sections.

Read Isaiah 1 lately?

Acts-dicted Posts: 7821 **7/28/12 2:39 pm**

All motions have to be disclosed on the ministerial reporting site.

Golf Cart Mafia Underboss Posts: 3944 **7/28/12 3:46 pm**

more later