As the Brethren in Christ U.S family, we value making decisions together. This year, delegates representing our collective family of congregations gathered in Sharonville, Ohio, July 12-15 to form our General Assembly.
This 2024 General Assembly together made the following decisions:
Recommendation 1
The 2024 General Assembly adopted the General Conference Board’s decision to approve the General Assembly 2022 minutes.
Recommendation 2
The proposed Amendment to Article V: The Holy Spirit and the Church in the Articles of Faith and Doctrine was adopted. The changes are marked below in bold and strikeouts:
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers according to His sovereign will and purposes. Scripture identifies a variety of gifts, given for the building up of the church and for ministry in the world. Followers of Jesus are gifted, empowered, and called by the Holy Spirit to serve at all levels of church life, and tThe Holy Spirit guides the church in setting apart persons, both women and men, for leadership. The church is responsible to discern and encourage the use of the gifts of the Spirit in its life and ministry.
Clean Reading Copy
The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to all believers according to His sovereign will and purposes. Scripture identifies a variety of gifts, given for the building up of the church and for ministry in the world. Followers of Jesus are gifted, empowered, and called by the Holy Spirit to serve at all levels of church life, and the Holy Spirit guides the church in setting apart persons, both women and men, for leadership. The church is responsible to discern and encourage the use of the gifts of the Spirit in its life and ministry.
Amendments to the Articles of Faith and Doctrine require approval at two consecutive General Assemblies; this amendment was first adopted by the 2022 General Assembly and again by the 2024 General Assembly.
Recommendation 3
The proposed Amendment to Article II: God and Creation in the Articles of Faith and Doctrine was adopted. The changes are marked below in bold and strikeouts:
God gave human sexuality a good place in creation. Being either male or female is integral to who we are and in a complementary way provides for the full expression of our humanity. God has given standards for expression of our sexuality that are necessary for proper relationships among people. Human sexuality is affirmed within the chaste single life or a lifelong marriage between a man and a woman.
Clean Reading Copy
God gave human sexuality a good place in creation. Being either male or female is integral to who we are and provides for the full expression of our humanity. God has given standards for expression of our sexuality that are necessary for proper relationships among people. Human sexuality is affirmed within the chaste single life or a lifelong marriage between a man and a woman.
Amendments to the Articles of Faith and Doctrine require approval at two consecutive General Assemblies; this amendment was first adopted by the 2022 General Assembly and again by the 2024 General Assembly.
Recommendation 4
The proposed new Article 7.8: Closure or Disassociation of Congregations in the Bylaws of BIC U.S. was adopted. The new article reads:
7.8 Closure or Dissociation of Congregations
In the event that a congregation is closing or dissociating from the BIC U.S., the following provisions shall apply:
7.8.1 The lead pastor, governing board, and congregation shall follow a process for closure and/or dissociation outlined by Leadership Council.
7.8.2 The final determination of closure or dissociation shall be made by General Conference Board after receiving the recommendation of Leadership Council.
7.8.3 The property assets of the congregation shall be available to be utilized as indicated in Article 11.
Recommendation 5
An amendment to Article 11.3.1.3 in the Bylaws of BIC U.S. was adopted. The changes are marked below in bold and strikeouts:
11.3.1.3 In the event that the work of any a congregation has been terminated closed or dissociated from the BIC U.S. the property assets of such congregation shall be at the disposal of the Board of Directors of the Regional Conference within which the congregation was located. The assets shall be to invest in available to be utilized work consistent with the purpose of the BIC U.S. as stated in Article 1.2. The determination whether a congregation has terminated or dissociated shall be made by General Conference Board after receiving the recommendation of Leadership Council. If the Regional Conference BOD resolves proposes to invest utilize such assets in to benefit a project or organization that is not a ministry of the BIC U.S., such action is subject to the approval of the General Conference Board must approve such action.
Clean Reading Copy
11.3.1.3 In the event that a congregation has closed or dissociated from the BIC U.S. the property assets of such congregation shall be at the disposal of the Board of Directors of the Regional Conference within which the congregation was located. The assets shall be available to be utilized consistent with the purpose of the BIC U.S. as stated in Article 1.2. If the Regional Conference BOD proposes to utilize such assets to benefit a project or organization that is not a ministry of the BIC U.S., such action is subject to the approval of the General Conference Board.
Recommendation 6
The appointment of General Conference Board Members was adopted, including two new members: Georgia Myers, member at large, and Ray Chung, member at large.
Recommendation 7
Board members of the Brethren in Christ Foundation were adopted, including one new member, Twila Glenn.
For more background on the recommendations presented to the General Assembly floor, read Part 2: Recommendations of General Conference Board, starting page 51, in the 2024 Agenda.
The official General Assembly 2024 Minutes will soon be made available and posted on the event page.