Digital Archives

The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2006-A098
Title: Promote Vitality of Mission and Ministry in Small Congregations
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention direct the Office of Congregational Development to compile available resources which promote vitality of mission and ministry in small congregations and communicate, disseminate, and provide access to the larger Church in a variety of possible formats; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Offices of Congregational Development and Communication to develop and implement innovative ways of collecting and telling stories of vitality in mission and ministry occurring in small congregations in such ways that those stories offer opportunity, encouragement, challenge, and hope to other congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That in celebrating the vitality of small congregations within the Church, the 75th General Convention acknowledge with thanksgiving the life and ministry of the Rt. Rev. William Davidson who helped lay the cornerstone and shape the building of support for small congregation and rural ministry within The Episcopal Church and that we dedicate ourselves to the continuation of that work.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Columbus, 2006 (New York: General Convention, 2007), p. 437.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission for Small Congregations
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Church in Small Communities

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Church in Small Communities presented its Report #1 on Resolution A098 (Small Church Growth and Strategy Handbook) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A098)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention direct the Office of Congregational Development to distribute to all Diocesan Bishops the resource A Handbook for Small Church Growth and Strategy, including all future revisions; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Offices of Congregational Development and Communication to develop ways of telling stories of vitality in small churches to assist in their development and use of the Handbook.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention direct the Office of Congregational Developmentto distribute to all Diocesan Bishops the resource A Handbook for Small Church Growth and Strategy, including all future revisions; to compile available resources which promote vitality of mission and ministry in small congregations and communicate, disseminate, and provide access to the larger Church in a variety of possible formats; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the Offices of Congregational Development and Communication to develop ways of telling stories of vitality in small churches to assist in their development and use of the Handbook.and implement innovative ways of collecting and telling stories of vitality in mission and ministry occurring in small congregations in such ways that those stories offer opportunity, encouragement, challenge, and hope to other congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That in celebrating the vitality of small congregations within the Church, the 75th General Convention acknowledge with thanksgiving the life and ministry of the Rt. Rev. William Davidson who helped lay the cornerstone and shape the building of support for small congregation and rural ministry within The Episcopal Church and that we dedicate ourselves to the continuation of that work.

The Bishop of Milwaukee moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Replace the word “congregations”with the word “communities” in the resolution.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

A vote was taken on Resolution A098 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #35)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on the Church in Small Communities presented its Report #1 on HB Message #35 on Resolution A098 (Small Church Growth and Strategy Handbook) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #51)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 15.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission for Small Congregations, Reports to the 75th General Convention, 2006, pp. 275-278.
Abstract:   The 75th General Convention promotes the vitality of mission and ministry in small congregations.