Resolution Number: 2003-A135
Title: Encourage All Members to Develop a Personal Spiritual Discipline
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That in recognition of the church's tradition of calling us to work, pray, and give for the spread of God's kingdom, all members of The Episcopal Church be encouraged to develop a personal spiritual discipline that includes, at a minimum, the holy habits of tithing, daily personal prayer and study, Sabbath time, and weekly corporate worship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Bishops and Deputies of the 74th General Convention be given an opportunity to sign the following declaration:

As Christian stewards and leaders of The Episcopal Church, we affirm that we are tithing, or have adopted a plan to work toward tithing as a minimum standard for our giving; and that, if we are not already doing so, we are committed to give priority to corporate worship, personal daily prayer and study, and Sabbath time in our own lives; and we invite all members of The Episcopal Church to join us in these holy habits; and be it further

Resolved, That we commit ourselves to present this declaration to our diocesan conventions for adoption and signature, and in turn to the vestries and people of our parishes, missions, and university centers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary publish a list of the General Convention signatories in the Journal of the 74th General Convention and provide the same to Episcopal Life for publication of the statement and the list of signatories.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), p. 588f

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Stewardship and Development

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Stewardship and Development presented its Report #1 on Resolution A135 (Holy Habits) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A135)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That in recognition of the church's tradition of calling us to work, pray, and give for the spread of God's kingdom, all members of The Episcopal Church be encouraged to develop a personal spiritual discipline that includes, at a minimum, the holy habits of tithing, daily personal prayer and study, Sabbath time, and regular corporate worship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Bishops and Deputies of the 74th General Convention be given an opportunity to sign the following declaration:

As Christian stewards and leaders of The Episcopal Church, we affirm that we are tithing, or have adopted a plan to work toward tithing; and that, if we are not already doing so, we are committed to give priority to corporate worship, personal daily prayer and study, and Sabbath time in our own lives; and we invite all members of the Episcopal Church to join us in these holy habits; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary publish a list of these signatories in the Journal of the 74th General Convention and provide the same to Episcopal Life for publication of the statement and the list of signatories.

Committee Amendment :

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That in recognition of the church's tradition of calling us to work, pray, and give for the spread of God's kingdom, all members of The Episcopal Church be encouraged to develop a personal spiritual discipline that includes, at a minimum, the holy habits of tithing, daily personal prayer and study, Sabbath time, and regular corporate worship; and be it further

Resolved, That the Bishops and Deputies of the 74th General Convention be given an opportunity to sign the following declaration:

As Christian stewards and leaders of The Episcopal Church, we affirm that we are tithing, or have adopted a plan to work toward tithing as a minimum standard for our giving; and that, if we are not already doing so, we are committed to give priority to corporate worship, personal daily prayer and study, and Sabbath time in our own lives; and we invite all members of the Episcopal Church to join us in these holy habits; and be it further

Resolved, That we commit ourselves to present this declaration to our diocesan conventions for adoption and signature, and in turn to the vestries and people of our parishes, missions, and university centers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary publish a list of these the General Convention signatories in the Journal of the 74th General Convention and provide the same to Episcopal Life for publication of the statement and the list of signatories.

Bishop Hampton moved to amend the amended resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete the word, "minimum" before "standard for our giving".

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the proposed amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Albany moved to amend the amended resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete "regular" and insert "weekly" before "corporate worship" in the first resolve clause.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on Resolution A135 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #55)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Stewardship and Development presented its Report #1 on HB Message #55 on Resolution A135 (Holy Habits) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #189)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, August 7.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development, Reports to the 74th General Convention, 2003, pp. 268-274.
Abstract:   The 74th General Convention encourages all members of the Church to develop a personal spiritual discipline which includes tithing, prayer and study, Sabbath time, and corporate worship.
Notes:  

The resolution called for publication in the Journal of the names of bishops and deputies who signed in affirmation of resolution A135 on holy habits, including tithing. The bishop's signatures are found in Appendix E on pages 147-148 of the Journal of General Convention 2003. The deputies' signatures are found in Appendix C on pages 618-625 of the Journal of General Convention 2003.