GA06055

Theological Task Force report clears most hurdles

Ecclesiology Committee to return to work Sunday afternoon

by Jerry L. VanMarter

BIRMINGHAM, June 17 — The Assembly Committee on Ecclesiology nearly completed work on its recommendations regarding the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity of the Church (TTF) report Saturday night.

The committee expects to conclude its work Sunday afternoon. It reconvenes at 1:30 p.m.

The first four TTF recommendations were approved unanimously.

By far the most contentious recommendation of the task force was its proposed authoritative interpretation of the Constitution that would maintain constitutional standards for ordination, but give ordaining bodies more discretion in determining if any individual candidate's departure from a standard is a departure from essentials, thereby disqualifying the individual for ordination to church office.

By a vote of 40-22, the committee rejected an attempt to strike the proposal, and by a later vote of 43-16 turned down a substitute that would have significantly changed it. Dissenters have already announced there will be a minority report.

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