On October 11, during their 2016 Annual Council, the General Conference Executive Committee voted to approve a document titled “Unity in Mission: Procedures in Church Reconciliation.” After a lengthy discussion from the floor, the document was accepted by a vote of 169 to 122.

The three-page document establishes procedures for dealing with an administrative body that fails to follow “biblical principles as expressed in the Fundamental Beliefs, voted actions, or working policies of the Church.” The passing of the document is controversial, not only because of its content but also because policies already exist that establish procedures for dealing with administrative bodies that are suspected of “being in apostasy, or that . . . refuses to operate in harmony with denominational policies and constitutional requirements, and is in rebellion.” Many in opposition to the new policy also argue that the language used in the document seems to elevate policy to the same level of importance as the church’s fundamentally held beliefs.

In an effort to keep you informed, links are provided below for existing policies, the newly voted document, responses by church entities and supplemental material Iowa-Missouri Conference leadership has determined relevant to the topic.

Update – Apr. 9, 2017: The Iowa-Missouri Conference Executive Committee approved a response to the “Unity in Mission” document. The response has been added to the links below.

Existing GC Working Policy

Document Approved Oct. 11, 2016

Earlier Versions

Responses to Voted Document

Supplemental Material Relevant to Topic