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'Shalom' Resolution Approved by Delegates
KEYSTONE, CO (June 23, 2005) - A resolution on the "Christian Responsibility
to Pursue Shalom in a Violent and War-Torn World" was approved today by
delegates to the 120th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Covenant Church
(ECC) following lengthy debate.
Adam Rohler, co-pastor of Bethesda Covenant Church in New York City,
introduced the resolution on behalf of the Young Pietists, who crafted
the document. The Young Pietists are a gathering of Covenanters who seek
to combine their individual faith with social action.
The resolution states in part, "We acknowledge that sometimes war can be
justified, and that there is such a thing as a war that can be deemed
just. However, when it comes to being followers of the bringer of peace,
Jesus Christ (Luke 1:79), we as the Evangelical Covenant Church, affirm
that war and violence are not God's desire and that life in the midst of
war is not the way God intended it to be - rather it is a corruption of
shalom." The document defines shalom as including the ideas of "peace"
and "wholeness, harmony, and the flourishing of all God's creation."
A number of delegates expressed strong support for the spirit of the
document, but questioned the meaning of some language in the documents,
believing the wording to be vague in places and open to
misinterpretation. "This is too important that we have to take our
time," said one delegate. A motion was then introduced to refer the
document to the Commission on Christian Action for refinement, sparking
the majority of the discussion.
Others disagreed, believing the resolution to be timely and the wording
sufficiently clear to express the intent of the church body. One
delegate, Adria Pearson, pastor of Mission Covenant Church in Orange,
Massachusetts, spoke against the referral motion saying, "I believe the
language is clear enough. The complexity of language reflects the
complexity of the issues."
The motion to refer was defeated by a majority voice vote with the
resolution then approved by a majority voice vote. Following the final
vote, delegates expressed joy that the differences in opinion were
expressed with a generous spirit.
Delegates also approved the 2006 Covenant Coordinated Budget of $13.5
million, of which $9.175 million will be sought from local Covenant
churches. The difference will come from other sources, including
individual donations. The budget reflects a projected 2.3 percent
increase in giving from churches, said Dean Lundgren, vice president of
finance and Covenant treasurer. That amounts to $1.16 per attendee per
week, he noted.
The Department of World Mission receives the largest allocation under
the new budget - $5,009,700 - followed by the Department of Church
Growth and Evangelism at $3,286,000. Other allocations include:
- Christian Formation: $883,100
- Ordered Ministry: $574,700
- Communications: $583,900
- North Park University and Theological Seminary: $1,118,100.
- General administration: $2,044,500.
In other business:
- Delegates celebrated with their votes and a standing ovation the
ordination, commissioning, and licensure of new ministers (see separate
story listing names).
- Delegates also approved transfer, resignation and removal of
ordination for the following individuals: transfer – G. Carl Main to the
Church of the Nazarene; resignation – Steven A. Hickey and Robert M.
Susman; removal – Linda L. Belleville, David Bruce, and Jerod D. Theckston.
- Ruth Hill, executive minister of Women Ministries of the ECC,
reported that Triennial XI held last year in Portland, Oregon, included
a number of first-time events that will be repeated and built upon: the
meeting was held in a hotel; participants were able to register and pay
online, with 41 percent taking advantage of the opportunity; a full
praise band led worship, 11 women leaders from around the world were
brought to the conference; and an evening concert featuring Bob
Stromberg and Sara Groves was presented.
- Marti Burger, director of youth and family ministries, reported that
between 7,000 to 9,000 high school students are expected to attend CHIC
2006 – No Ordinary Day. CHIC will once again be held at the University
of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee, from July 16-21. The event will
include the opportunity for students to enter film and music
competitions for the first time.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
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