The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A174)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon I.1.2(n) is hereby amended by the addition of the following:

(6) A Standing Commission on Ministry consisting of 24 members (6 Bishops, 6 Priests or Deacons and 12 Lay Persons). It shall be the duty of the Commission to recommend policies and strategies as to matters affecting the Lay and Ordained Ministry to the General Convention:

1. As to Ministry of Lay Persons in the Church:
   1. To recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for development and utilization of the ministries of Lay Persons in the worship and under the discipline of this Church.
   2. To recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the development and enhancement of the ministry of all Lay Persons in and to the world.
   3. To recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the development and enhancement of the ministry of Lay Persons exercising their vocations in the life of this Church.
2. As to Theological Education:
   1. To study the needs and trends of theological education for this Church and to make recommendations thereon to the General Convention, the House of Bishops, the Executive Council and the several Seminaries.
   2. To provide counsel and advice to the several Seminaries and other institutions of this Church as to the recruiting and training of persons for Holy Orders reflecting the diversity of this Church and its constituencies.
   3. To advise the General Convention, the Executive Council and the several Seminaries as to policies that will promote cooperation between the Church and the Seminaries and as between and among the Seminaries and other like institutions of this Church.
   4. To compile and present to each regular meeting of the General Convention and annually to the Executive Council and each of the several Seminaries and other like institutions of this Church a complete statistical report of the educational and financial data, including a statement of mission and goals and the progress in fulfilling them, for each of such Seminaries and institutions.
   5. To recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the continuing education of the Clergy and for theological education of Lay Persons.
   6. To recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention, the Executive Council, the House of Bishops and the several Seminaries and educational institutions of this Church for financial support of theological education.
   7. To provide liaison with the General Board of Examining Chaplains.
3. As to identifying persons for Ordained Ministry:
   1. To study the needs and requirements of the Church for the ordination of persons as Priests and Deacons including the application and implementation of the Canons relating thereto, and make recommendations thereon to the General Convention.
   2. To propose policies, strategies and methods of identifying and recruiting persons for the ordained ministry reflecting the diversity of this Church and its constituencies.
   3. To provide counsel and advice to those charged with assisting Diocesan Bishops, Commissions on Ministry, the General Board of Examining Chaplains and others charged with the responsibilities of identifying, recruiting, authenticating, training and ordaining persons for Holy Orders.
4. As to deployment of the Clergy of this Church:
   1. To study the needs and trends concerning the deployment and utilization of the Clergy for the ministry and mission of this Church and to make recommendations thereon to the General Convention, the House of Bishops and the Executive Council.
   2. To maintain a confidential and independent Church Deployment Office, and upon consultation with the Chair of the Executive Council appoint the staff and personnel, which Office and staff operate under the authority and direction of the Commission, but in cooperation with the Executive Council Staff.
   3. To provide oversight of the operations of the Church Deployment Office and render a report on these operations to the Executive Council at least annually.
   4. To compile and present to each regular meeting of the General Convention and annually to the Executive Council and the House of Bishops a report on the work of the Church Deployment Office.

This Resolution shall be effective as from the date of adoption.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon I.1.2(n) is hereby amended by the addition of the following:

(6) A Standing Commission on Ministry Development consisting of twenty-four members. Nine members shall be appointed on the nomination of the nine Provincial Presidents, one nomination from each Province. The remaining fifteen shall include three bishops, four priests and/or deacons, provided that at least two shall be deacons, and eight lay persons.

It shall be the duty of the Commission:

(a) to recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the development, affirmation and exercise of the ministry of all the baptized;

(b)to encourage and facilitate networks of individuals, institutions and agencies engaged in education, training, deployment and formation for ministry by all four orders;

(c) to study the needs and trends of theological education for all four orders with this Church, including issues of recruitment, training, deployment, evaluation and continuing education; to make recommendation to the several seminaries, the Executive Council and the General Convention; and to aid the General Board of Examining Chaplains in the exercise of its function. Deputy Robbins of Southern Ohio moved a substitute.

Debate followed on the Robbins substitute.

A vote was taken on the Robbins substitute for Resolution A174.

Motion defeated

Resolution rejected

Debate followed on Resolution A174.

Deputy Royce of the Virgin Islands moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

At the end of the resolution, add "This resolution shall be effective as from the date of adoption."

Motion carried

Royce Amendment adopted

Deputy Wittlinger of Michigan moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

At the end of the substitute, add "(d) To discharge such other duties as shall from time to time be assigned by the General Convention."

Motion carried

Wittlinger Amendment adopted

Deputy Moulden of East Tennessee moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the substitute, Sec. 6, line 4, delete "at least".

Motion carried

Moulden Amendment adopted

Deputy Van Culin of Hawaii moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the substitute, Sec. 6, line 1, delete "twenty-four" and add "twenty-five".

In Sec. 6, lines 3-4, delete "fifteen. . . eight lay persons." Add: "sixteen shall include three bishops, three priests and/or two deacons, and eight lay persons."

Motion defeated

Van Culin Amendment defeated

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the substitute as amended for Resolution A174.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #227)