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Out of obedience to God's Great Commission, to produce disciple making churches that will lead our world to Christ.
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Resolutions and Presidential Rulings |
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1. 1976 Yearbook p. 42 Legislation Committee Report Item 3 We as the Primitive Methodist denomination, declare ourselves opposed to the ecumenical movement and to any doctrines whereby salvation by grace alone in Jesus Christ is not proclaimed. We understand by the term 'ecumenical movement' the current trend among many religious groups to merge into one body or one church, regardless of basic doctrinal differences or heritage, and very often at the compromise of spiritual and Biblical convictions. We also recognize that involvement in this compromise on the community level extends itself in very subtle and innocent-appearing gestures of cooperation. 2. 1976 Yearbook p. 43 Executive Session Report Item 3 While we believe that God, in His sovereignty, could give the gifts of the Holy Spirit to anyone at any time, we see the present day sign-gift emphasis of the charismatic movement to be both divisive and unbiblical and not in harmony with Primitive Methodist theology or tradition. 3. Social Concerns Resolutions Sacredness of Life Abortion: We affirm the Scriptures to indicate that human personality begins at conception (Exodus 21:22-25, Jeremiah 1:4-5, Luke 1:41,44). We believe, therefore, that every human fetus is a true human being. We thus stand in opposition to the practice of abortion which denies the dignity, development, and destiny of human personality. Euthanasia: We believe human life, regardless of age, or mental and physical capacity, is sacred and has worth. We stand opposed to the philosophy of euthanasia where purposeful action is taken to end a human life for reasons such as population control. We call upon clinicians engaged in the healing profession to desist from implementing philosophies and practices which devalue human life, and to reaffirm their oaths for the protection and promotion of human well-being. Pornography: We affirm the Scriptures to indicate that the portrayal of erotic behavior intended to cause sexual excitement is immoral and socially destructive (Matthew 5:28, Romans 13:13-14, I John 2:15-17; Philippians 4:8). We disclaim any idea that pornography is not a crime; rather it is a crime whose victims constitute a critical census of men, women, and children. We denounce the efforts of those who seek to establish a Playboy/Playgirl philosophy as socially legitimate. We call upon our elected officials to enforce all existing obscenity laws and urge all concerned citizens to exert their voice and vote in effecting a cure for this destructive social disease. Gambling: We affirm the Scriptures to indicate that gambling is a perversion of the Lord's concept of stewardship and inconsistent with a Christian lifestyle (Matthew 6:19-21, Luke 12:33,34, I Timothy 6:9-10, I Thessalonians 4:11). As Christians we are called to stand in opposition to any principle or practice which degrades rather than enhances the finer elements of our personhood and our society. This, gambling does, by opening the floodgate to immorality through its peripheral union with crime, prostitution, drugs, and alcohol. We therefore stand in opposition to any idea that gambling is a wholesome, productive, and beneficial element within our society. Thermo-nuclear Arms Limitations: While we maintain that peaceful negotiations is the most moral and desirable form of securing peace, we oppose the current nuclear freeze movement as a potential danger to national security, and we oppose any reduction in our total military forces, whether unilateral or multilateral if this reduction would force the United States into a position of military inferiority. This is based upon the Scriptures which describe the civil governments duty to resist evil and protect its citizens, such as Romans 13:1-7, I Peter 2:13-17 and Luke 14:30-31. 4. 1983 How Money Is To Be Raised in the Local Church We urge our churches to discourage, where ever possible, commercialism, as the means of supporting their church. For the Lord encourages us not to make the house of God a house of merchandise. Matthew 21:12; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-47; John 2:13-17, the Lord deemed this important enough to emphasize it in all of the gospels. We also urge our churches to teach tithing as encouraged in the Old and New Testaments. Malachi 3:8-10; Hebrews 7:5; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 8:9-15; II Corinthians 9:6-8. For the Word of God teaches us to bring our tithes and offerings unto Him. We believe the words "As God has prospered us" to be another way of encouraging us to bring our tithes and offering unto the Lord. We do not believe this goal can be accomplished by mandate, but only out of love and the goodness of God. We believe that every person should be willing to follow the request of our Lord as outlined in his word. The Lord tells us in Leviticus 27:30, "All of the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's and is holy unto the Lord." 5. 1984 Ministerial Ethics Although ethics cannot be legislated, we recommend this injunction to Primitive Methodist ministers and their wives: that, once having severed their relationship with a local church, that they refrain from interfering or advising in local church affairs either in person, by telephoning or through the mail. Such interference only causes division and discord for the new pastor. 6. Presidential Ruling 1984 p. 41 Concerning the question "Who has the final authority with the pulpit, the Pastor or the Station Steward?" The president ruled that the Pastor, as president of the Quarterly Conference, and as Pastor who is responsible for the pulpit has the final authority. 7. Presidential Ruling 1989 Yearbook p. 21 A question of privilege sought clarification whether churches pastored by retired ministers are still in care of the District. The president ruled that once a church or circuit makes a contract with a Conference minister, they are no longer in the care of the District. 8. Resolution: Infant Dedication Without Water: 1989 Yearbook p. 26a. Although a Primitive Methodist pastor is required to be willing to baptize an infant of a believer, if a parent or guardian requests a dedication without water, a pastor is permitted to participate, provided the local Quarterly Conference agrees with the practice. 9. The Pastoral Relations Committee Many misunderstandings have arisen as to the purpose, duty and amount of authority the Pastoral Relations Committee has. The main purpose of this committee, which is elected annually, is to act as a liaison between pastor and congregation. This committee, elected at the annual election of Church officers shall be composed of 3 to 5 persons, one of whom shall be the Station Steward. The Pastoral Relations Committee (often known as the P. R. Committee) must always act in conjunction with the Station Steward. It is not a complaint committee. (Complaints should be handled in accordance with Scripture - Matthew 18.) Duties: (1) To work out any misunderstanding which might arise during the year. This means it should be active throughout the year as a support to the pastor, offering encouragement and discussing matters of mutual concern to pastor and congregation. (2) Prior to the Annual Congregational meeting the committee will meet with the Pastor to discuss the work of the Church under his ministry. The committee should not wait until the week before the Annual Congregational meeting to meet with the Pastor. At the Annual meeting a discussion will be held, with input from the P. R. Committee, in regard to the work of the Church under the pastor's leadership as well as salary, fringe benefits and all matters relating to the new pastoral year with the present pastor. Should any differences remain, the P. R. Committee must bring these back to the congregation as soon as possible so that they can be worked out. (3) Should the pastor decide not to return, and until another Congregational meeting is held, the P. R. Committee can be instructed to (a) contact one or several choices (b) offer or negotiate salaries and fringe benefits with the following limitations: 603A "The Pastoral Relations Committee cannot make any commitments with an ordained Elder other than that authorized by the Congregational Meeting." (c) Contact any available Elder. Authority: This committee has only the authority granted by the Annual Congregational Meeting. It cannot make commitments on its own. It can offer suggestions but does not have the final authority to decide about the pastor or the salary. The Committee acts only as the one to carry out the wishes and decisions of the Congregation. The Pastoral Relations Committee is a good addition to our Church government. Many problems can be averted and many misunderstandings straightened out. Working as the arm of the Congregational Meeting they can cultivate and generate a good feeling and cooperative spirit between pastor and Congregation. 602A "This committee will serve in a counseling capacity to the Pastor to discuss the mutual concerns of the ministry of the total church during their term of office." 10. Presidential Ruling - Setting of Salary In response to the request for a Conference ruling on the Election of Pastor, "Specifically, Which is done first - the setting of salary or the invitation of the Pastor?", it was ruled, "Pastor first; then salary second." (Discipline 602B1)( |
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