Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiCommission on Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry
April 21, 2026 Minutes
Recurring Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82980114529?pwd=9rQaiCAsKFBUvTkla2AsGgNuPe0b71.1
Roll Call: Bishop Scott Jones, Luther Oconer, Walter Warriner, Jason Vickers, Anna Vargas, Kenneth Collins, David Watson, Gabi Kopas, Bulus Audu Daniel, Kathy Rohrs GMC Rep: Teresa Marcus
David opened the meeting with prayer. Jason moved the adoption of the February and March meetings, and Luther seconded. All approved.
The meeting focused on discussion of petition development and submission.
Articles of Faith
David shared that he and others have started looking through the feedback from the Jotform. As a reminder, this work requires a simple majority in 2026, but would require a super majority for edits in the future. There are three main areas that need attention: Feedback on sacraments; Misunderstandings about goodness of humanity; discussion Lausanne Covenant language in regards to scripture.
Section on humanity: Matt O’Reilly is working on the edits that will be helpful.
Section about scripture: Bishop Jones shared feedback about the language around this; it will be a continued conversation. David asked the commission members for feedback about the statement on scripture. Jason shared thoughts around who is responsible for the interpretation of scripture, and the commission wrestled with the line “in all it abirms”. Bishop Jones suggested an edit to “teaches.” Jason recommended some specific guidelines for clarity around who determines what we abirm; in the article on the Holy Spirit, adding “The Holy Spirit guides the church in the interpretation of Scripture” as a mechanism to guide this process.
Bishop Jones made a motion to substitute the word “teaches” for “abirms”. 8 approved, 1 opposed. It passed.
Jason shared a couple additional areas of feedback: statement about Spirit and ability of believers to perform signs and wonders –this is something to look at. There were also a lot of people calling for explanations for why some things were removed. Should there be a statement regarding each article that was eliminated? Bishop Jones obered his availability to share about our rationale and do PR throughout the summer.
General Rules
Bishop Jones shared a motion for removal of General Rules from Restrictive Rule in order to move them to the Social Social Witness section. All in favor in legislation to remove General Rules and move them – 8 yes.
Ken presented a draft of Revised General Rules that he drafted with Suzanne Nicholson. Luther made a motion to approve them, and Jason seconded. All in favor 8, none opposed.
The petition draft will include both items.
Ordination Task Force
Kathy shared an update from the Ordination Task Force that has been meeting. They will continue to meet after General Conference 2026 in order to solve some of the issues around ordination and sacramental authority. Walt raised a question about considering the needs of local churches, and Kathy abirmed that they are working on this. In the interim, they have proposed legislation to give a timeline for deacons to begin and complete education towards elder in order to retain sacramental status.
• Motion to abirm the work: Kathy, Luther seconded, all in favor; no opposed Baptismal Vows and Membership Vows incorporating scriptural holiness
In March, our commission looked and language and “Are you growing in holiness and pursuing entire sanctification.” At the same time, the bishops suggested iteration:” Do you commit yourself to growing in sanctifying grace and pursuing Christian Perfection?”
• Kathy moved the adoption of the vows, Luther seconded.
• Luther obered amendment “Do you commit yourself to growing in holiness and pursuing perfect love”; Kathy seconded.
o David amended the amendment to “growing in holiness and pursuing Christian Perfection”; Walter seconded. Approved – yes
o Main amendment – “growing in holiness and pursuing Christian Perfection” • Change of language motion: all approved.
• Kathy will submit legislation
Name change to Doctrine & Ethics?
David made a motion to change the name to Doctrine, Discipleship, and Ethics. The motion was approved. David will give Kathy rationale, and and Kathy will submit.
The meeting concluded at 11:02 p.m.
Calendar Schedule for 2026 9:30 EST/EDT
Tuesday, May 19 (EDT)
Tuesday, June 23 (EDT)
Thursday, July 23 (EDT)
Tuesday, August 18 (EDT)
Thursday, September 24 (EDT) Thursday, October 15 (EDT)
Thursday, November 19 (EST begins)ze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.