To Give Commissioned Ministers the Franchise and To Study Equal Lay and Clergy Representation on Boards and Other Bodies

WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers are laity and not clergy;

therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod Bylaw changes be prepared for consideration at the next Synod convention by a task force appointed for the purpose of making commissioned ministers eligible to represent the congregations which hold their membership as lay delegates to circuit forums, district conventions, and Synod conventions, in such instances where the congregations and/or circuits in question deem the individual commissioned minister capable of representing the congregation and/or circuit fully in its interests due to their congregational involvement apart from their official commissioned church work; and be it further

Resolved, That the same task force study and make proposals at the next Synod convention concerning bringing the balance of all Synod and district boards and other bodies to 50 percent laity and 50 percent clergy.