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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2012-A024
Title: Recognize Communications as Essential Ministry
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognizes that communications is an essential ministry of the Church that enables and empowers evangelism, congregational development, the building of community, and mission at the churchwide, diocesan and congregational levels; that there should be a trained communicator in each diocese and ongoing communication training for all congregations; that there should be sensitivity to multi-lingual and multi-cultural requirements that may exist; and that communications should be adequately funded to meet the needs of mission and ministry as defined by the diocese; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention recognizes that the ministry of communication allows us effectively to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, the first of the Five Marks of Mission.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), p. 257.

Legislative History

Author: Standing Commission on Communication and Information Technology
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Communications

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Communications presented its Report #2 on Resolution A024 (Recognize Communications as Ministry) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution

(A024)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognizes that communications is an essential ministry of the Church that enables and empowers evangelism, congregational development, the building of community, and mission at the Churchwide, diocesan and congregational levels; that there should be a trained communications person in each diocese and ongoing training in communications for all congregations; that there should be sensitivity to multi-lingual and multi-cultural requirements that may exist; and that communications should be adequately funded to meet the needs of mission and ministry as defined by the diocese.

Committee Amendment

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognizes that communications is an essential ministry of the Church that enables and empowers evangelism, congregational development, the building of community, and mission at the Cchurchwide, diocesan and congregational levels; that there should be a trained communications person communicator in each diocese and ongoing communication training in communications for all congregations; that there should be sensitivity to multi-lingual and multi-cultural requirements that may exist; and that communications should be adequately funded to meet the needs of mission and ministry as defined by the diocese.; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention recognizes that the ministry of communication allows us effectively to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom, the first of the Five Marks of Mission.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #24)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Communications presented its Report #1 on HD Message #24 on Resolution A024 (Recognize Communications as Ministry) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 209)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 11.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Communication and Information Technology, Reports to the 77th General Convention, 2012, pp. 108-111.
Abstract:   The 77th General Convention recognizes that communication is an essential Church ministry and that each diocese should have a trained communicator with adequate funding.