Decision Number 1515

Decision

The portion of Petition 20956 (Calendar Item 283) adopted by the postponed 2020 General Conference states that jurisdictional or regional conferences (as well as central conferences) may make changes and adaptations of the General Book of Discipline is without constitutional authority. Such changes would require amending the Constitution in accordance with the process set forth in ¶¶59-61. If the Constitutional amendments the General Conference adopted creating regional conferences and vesting in them the authority to adapt the General Book of Discipline, are ratified, the addition of the word “regional” in ¶101 would have the necessary authority. The rest of the amendments in Petition 20956 are severable and can remain in place whether or not the Constitution is amended.

Molly Hlekani Mwayera was absent. Erin Hawkins, first lay alternate, participated in this decision. 

Øyvind Helliesen participated via Zoom.