(References in this article are to the Daily Christian Advocate, Volume I, Handbook for Delegates. I think you will see my argument even if you do not have a copy.)
For the 2008 General Conference, there have been some changes offered.
Beware.
The presiding bishop will probably move the passing of these plans and rules to expedite the business of the General Conference. There are two changes that really require considerable discussion. There will be resistance to that discussion because the suggestions below will halt the incursion of episcopal power into the legislative process by the “Bishop Wanna-Be" Party.
At line 945, p. 62, a motion for parliamentarians has been added. It reads:
(c) Parliamentarians. Each legislative committee shall be assigned a parliamentarian by the Secretary of the General Conference. Retired Bishops nominated by the Council of Bishops shall be included in the pool of parliamentarians. It shall be the responsibility of the business manager of the General Conference to develop a pool of other people not currently delegates to serve as parliamentarians. It is preferred that these persons be members of The United Methodist Church and have training in parliamentary procedure. The retired bishops shall be given priority in being assigned to legislative committees. At the invitation of the presiding officer, the parliamentarian advises on matters of parliamentary procedure.
Let me suggest the following:
(c) Parliamentarians. Each legislative committee shall be assigned a parliamentarian by the Secretary of the General Conference. It shall be the responsibility of the business manager of the General Conference to develop a pool of other people not currently delegates to serve as parliamentarians. It is preferred that these persons be members of The United Methodist Church and have training in parliamentary procedure. At the invitation of the presiding officer, the parliamentarian advises on matters of parliamentary procedure.
Notice I plucked out references to retired bishops in the role.
Bishops are valuable resources to the church. But they are part of the “administrative branch.” This role belongs to the “legislative branch” of our denomination.
The proposal for retired bishops to be parliamentarians recognizes a talent good bishops have. But it presents a conflict of interest not unlike asking Al Gore or George H. W. Bush to be parliamentarian in the House of Representatives. Let them use their gifts elsewhere as both Gore and Bush Sr. have done.
Parliamentarians are valuable to a legislative group and the idea has merit, as long as they are fair and knowledgeable.
I urge deletion of the sentences that permit and recommend use of retired bishops for this role.
The second item needing attention is Rule 31 (line 1558, p. 85) that reads:
(2) When a committee presents a report, it shall also list the numbers of all petitions relating to the report on which the committee voted non-concurrence so that all related matters may be considered together. (See Rules 33.3, 34, 36.) Whenever possible, a legislative committee shall recommend for adoption only one calendar item for each paragraph or sub-paragraph in the Book of Discipline. All other related petitions shall be combined for rejection or referral.
This is intended to facilitate the work of the legislative committee. But what it does is permits the parliamentarian (!) or committee presider to accept the one petition on a subject that is allowed to be first presented and sold to the committee and then dump everything else on the subject into non-concurrence. This trick has been used in the past to prevent alternatives to the “party line” from being considered.
Keep old (2), the italicized part, and do not add the sentences in dark print.
These are things that jumped out at me as I read the handbook, pp.26-91. I’m a duffer at this stuff compared to the “Bishop Wanna-Be” folks. But they make mistakes too so don’t let them sway you away from fair procedures and reasonable decisions.
There are other organization issues and rules which should be brought up and discussed. I hope delegates will add my concerns to the rest.
WELCOME!
Associates in Advocacy now has two sites on the internet. Our primary help site is at http://www.aiateam.org/. There AIA seeks to offer aid to troubled pastors, mainly those who face complaints and whose careers are on the line.
Help is also available to their advocates, their caregivers, Cabinets, and others trying to work in that context.
This site will be a blog. On it we will address issues and events that come up.
We have a point of view about ministry, personnel work, and authority. We intend to take the following very seriously:
THE GOLDEN RULE
THE GENERAL RULES
GOING ONTO PERFECTION
Some of our denomination's personnel practices have real merit. Some are deeply flawed. To tell the difference, we go to these criteria to help us know the difference.
We also have a vision of what constitutes healthy leadership and authority. We believe it is in line with Scripture, up-to-date managerial practice, and law.
To our great sadness, some pastors who become part of the hierarchy of the church, particularly the Cabinet, have a vision based on their being in control as "kings of the hill," not accountable to anyone and not responsible to follow the Discipline or our faith and practice. They do not see that THE GOLDEN RULE applies to what they do.
If you are reading this, the chances are you are not that way. We hope what we say and do exemplify our own best vision and will help you fulfill yours. But we cannot just leave arrogance, incompetence, and ignorance to flourish. All of us have the responsibility to minimize those in our system.
We join you in fulfilling our individual vow of expecting to be perfect in love in this life and applying that vow to our corporate life in the United Methodist Church.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If you have any questions or suggestions, direct them to Rev. Jerry Eckert. His e-mail address is aj_eckert@hotmail.com. His phone number is 941 743 0518. His address is 20487 Albury Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33952.
Thank you.
(9/26/07)
Help is also available to their advocates, their caregivers, Cabinets, and others trying to work in that context.
This site will be a blog. On it we will address issues and events that come up.
We have a point of view about ministry, personnel work, and authority. We intend to take the following very seriously:
THE GOLDEN RULE
THE GENERAL RULES
GOING ONTO PERFECTION
Some of our denomination's personnel practices have real merit. Some are deeply flawed. To tell the difference, we go to these criteria to help us know the difference.
We also have a vision of what constitutes healthy leadership and authority. We believe it is in line with Scripture, up-to-date managerial practice, and law.
To our great sadness, some pastors who become part of the hierarchy of the church, particularly the Cabinet, have a vision based on their being in control as "kings of the hill," not accountable to anyone and not responsible to follow the Discipline or our faith and practice. They do not see that THE GOLDEN RULE applies to what they do.
If you are reading this, the chances are you are not that way. We hope what we say and do exemplify our own best vision and will help you fulfill yours. But we cannot just leave arrogance, incompetence, and ignorance to flourish. All of us have the responsibility to minimize those in our system.
We join you in fulfilling our individual vow of expecting to be perfect in love in this life and applying that vow to our corporate life in the United Methodist Church.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If you have any questions or suggestions, direct them to Rev. Jerry Eckert
Thank you.
(9/26/07)
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