1.2 Resolution to Form an Inter-Methodist Standing Committee Title: Inter-Methodist Relations Submitted by: The Round Table which includes representatives from the Strategy Team, Continuing Dakotas United Methodist Task Force, and Dakotas Global Methodist leadership. Membership also includes: Al Roll, Missional Impact Development, lay person, and Coach Kris Mutzenberger, elder in full connection Action: Create a new standing committee on Inter-Methodist Relations in accordance with Dakotas Rule 6.16.1. To engage in negotiations in mutual and cooperative efforts and ministry and mission between the Global Methodist Church and the Dakotas United Methodists. Relationship to the scriptural imperatives and rationale: We are a people of promise and rest on Gods promises, such as that found in Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope." (Common English Bible, CEB) Implementation: That under the provisions of Dakotas Conference Rule 6.16.1—Mission, Staffing, and Structure. The description of the mission, boards, councils, committees, officers, and staffing configuration of the Annual Conference, as found in Sections 1 through 5 of these Structure and Rules, may be modified by a simple majority vote of the Annual Conference; the Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church establishes a new Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations. Outcome: The Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations be mandated to invite the appropriate judicatory(ies) of the newly organized Global Methodist Church to engage in negotiations towards engaging in mutual and cooperative efforts of ministry and mission. Areas for negotiation may include but not be limited to camping, mission activity, disaster response, and administrative services. Any contracts or formal agreements resulting from the negotiations must be reviewed and properly approved by the Board of Trustees, the Common Table, the Bishop, and a majority of District Superintendents. Resources required and potential financial impact: Expenses relating to the work of the Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations shall be paid from the Transitional Reserve Fund up to $10,000 per year. Expenses in excess of $10,000 shall be approved by the Board of Pensions, Council on Finance and Administration, and Common Table. RESOLUTION: WHEREAS we are a people of promise and rest on God’s promises, such as that found in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope” (CEB); WHEREAS for generations, United Methodists and our predecessors have invested prayer, time, money, and energy in the various ministries and missions of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church; WHEREAS our common heritage and values, combined with our history of working together, make ongoing cooperation possible: WHEREAS we are charged to “do no harm,” we recognize that a lack of goodwill and cooperation would significantly impair the ministries of Methodist denominations in the Dakotas following the disaffiliation of congregations from The United Methodist Church; WHEREAS we are charged to “do good,” we strive to take intentional steps to ensure that separation be gracious, because we recognize we have been given “this treasure in clay pots" (2 Corinthians 4:7, CEB); WHEREAS we strive to “stay in love with God,” we endeavor to discern ways in which,, in spite of separation, we can recognize, respect, and work hand-in-hand with our sisters and brothers within the Body of Christ; 1.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That under the provisions of Dakotas Conference Rule 6.16.1, the Dakotas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church establishes a new Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations.
2.
That the Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations be mandated to invite the appropriate judicatory(ies) of the newly organized Global Methodist Church to engage in negotiations towards engaging in mutual and cooperative efforts of ministry and mission. Areas for negotiation may include but not be limited to camping, mission activity, disaster response, and administrative services. Any contracts or formal agreements resulting from the negotiations must be reviewed and properly approved by the Board of Trustees, the Common Table, the Bishop, and a majority of District Superintendents.
3.
That the Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations consists of four to eight members. The initial membership of the Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations shall be nominated from among the laity and clergy of the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church by the Conference Nominations Committee and elected by the Common Table no later than September 1, 2022. The Conference Standing Rules shall apply to nomination and election of members, except that membership on the Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations shall not count against the limitation found in Conference Rule 6.3. The Executive Director of Ministries shall be an ex officio member with vote.
4.
That in keeping with Conference Rule 3.4.1(l) and as partially fulfilling the mandate of The Book of Discipline ¶642, the Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations shall be considered a standing committee of the Extending Missional Impact Link.
5.
That the Standing Committee on Inter-Methodist Relations shall be dissolved at the conclusion of the 2028 regular session of the Dako-
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