The 27th General Conference of the
Evangelical Methodist Church
Arlington, Texas
16. CALL TO ORDER. The conference reconvened at 2:00 p.m., opening with the song, “I Stand Amazed.” Dr. Williamson called the session to order. Dr. Daniel Pacifico opened with prayer.
21. POINT OF SPECIAL PRIVILEGE. Dr. Williamson introduced Mrs. Teresa Grove, who serves as a secretary of the general headquarters in Indianapolis.
22. GENERAL CONFERENCE LAY LEADER. Mr. Ken Penny, General Conference Lay Leader, gave his report. Following the report, Rev. David Troupe led in prayer for the ministry of the Lay Leader.
17. EVANGELICAL METHODIST MEN. The Chair called for the report of the Evangelical Methodist Men, Mr. Alan Toles, President. Rev. Debra Miller prayed on behalf of Evangelical Methodist Men.
18. EMM CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. Proposed changes to the EMM Constitution and Bylaws where presented. It was moved and seconded to adopt the changes to the Constitution and By-laws. Approved.
19. PRAYER DEPARTMENT. Mrs. Loretta Williamson gave the report of the Prayer Department.
20. RESOLUTION. A Resolution on the International Day of Prayer was presented. It was moved and seconded that the conference adopt the resolution. It was moved and seconded to amend the resolution to add the phrase “on the 15th of each month.” The amendment was approved. The motion was approved as amended. Rev. Harold Thompson offered prayer for the Prayer Department.
21. BOARD OF EVANGELISM. The Chair called for the report of the Board of Evangelism, Mr. John Pedersen, Chairman. Rev. Robert Gober led in prayer for the Board of Evangelism.
22. RECESS. The Chair called for a brief recess.
23. BOARD OF WORLD MISSIONS. Rev. Kenneth Swearingen, chairman of the Board of World Missions, gave the report of the BWM. Recommended changes to the Missions Manual (found on page 109, in the Report Booklet).
a) Recommendation #1. Moved for adoption. Approved.
b) Recommendation #2. Moved for adoption. Approved.
c) Recommendation #3. Moved for adoption. Approved.
d) Recommendation #4. Moved for adoption. Approved.
24. AD HOC COMMITTEE.
Rev. Swearingen moved the creation of an ad hoc committee to authorize
a strategy for ethnic ministries in the
25. CLARIFICATION. It was brought to the attention of the conference that Recommendation #1 (found on page 109, in the Report Booklet), contained two paragraphs to be deleted, but that only one was read to the conference. Although already contained in the approved Recommendation #1, the second paragraph was read and it was moved, seconded and approved to delete the paragraph from Board of World Missions Manual, page 11, 51 B3.
26. BOARD OF DISCIPLINE REVISION. The chair called for the report of the Board of Discipline Revision, Rev. Leroy VanVerth, chairman.
27. ¶ 17 & ¶ 18. It was moved and seconded to add ¶17 & ¶18 in the historical section, to include significant historical events, names and dates of the General Superintendents of the General Conference and the Mexican Evangelistic Mission. Approved.
28. ¶ 81. (NOTE: Amendments to the Constitution requires a three-fourths vote and ratification of two-thirds of the local churches, ¶ 111.) It was moved and seconded to replace the word “entire” with the word “international.” Approved by voice vote.
¶81. There shall be a General Conference for the [international] church with powers, duties, and privileges as are set forth in the Discipline. The General Conference shall constitute the law making body of our church and shall operate under and in harmony with the Constitution.
29. ¶ 82. It was moved and seconded to change “District Conferences” to “Annual Conferences” in ¶ 82, and subsequently editing the Discipline.
a) Call for the Question. Following a time of debate, a Call for the Question was moved and seconded. The vote was 63 yea, to end debate and vote on the Question, and 41 nay. Needing a two-thirds majority to end debate, the motion failed and debate continued.
b) Call for the Question. Following further debate, a Call for the Question was moved and seconded. The motion was approved and debate ended.
c) Question. The motion was voted on. Following the vote there was a question on the accuracy of the count. A second vote was taken: 112 yea, and 54 nay (67.4%). With a three-fourths majority needed for passage, the motion failed.
30. ADJOURNMENT. The session was closed with prayer by Rev. Coulston.