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P 1-5 (current) and “Preamble” through 4 (proposed) The “Preamble” to the design is similar in structure and content to affirmations of faith used in other Christian denominations. Disciples do not use any creed, doctrine or belief as a test of fellowship other than the good confession. Hence, these theological statements are not a creed. Great care during the 1950’s and 1960’s to create this statement which eloquently captures the essence of theological perspectives most Disciples affirm. Only one word was changed: the covenant of love becomes God’s covenant of love. P 2-5 (current) and 1-4 (proposed) further explore our basic understandings of the church. The primary semantic changes describe a church deeply committed to living in covenant with God and each other. P 2 (proposed) makes small but significant semantic changes.. The integrity, self-government, authority, rights and responsibilities of each part of the church remain intact, but the proposed changes add emphasis to grounding these in God’s will and mission. Note that the final statement of the paragraph does not change: “The [CCDOC] confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and constantly seeks in all its actions to be obedient to his authority”. P 4 and 5 (current) and 3 and 4 (proposed) basically say the same thing, but the proposed wording shifts the focus from implementing the design and it’s role in our life to implementing the structures of our ministries as tools for providing Christ’s witness in the world. Further, the order of various parts of the church has been changed to reflect the structure of the proposed design. Look at the subtle change between the current, and the proposed. Notice that both have unity and diversity, but the proposed changes “assure unity in Christ while respecting diversity”. This shift notes the difference from our commitment to the Design in order to assure unity and diversity to grounding our unity in Christ. The original implies this grounding, the proposed states it clearly. P 7 (proposed) adds general ministries to the membership clause so that one “top level” authorization is all that is necessary. P 8 (current) shows up in each section. The proposed version deletes the repetition. P 81 (current) and P 8 (proposed) both establish the place of congregations in the CCDOC. P 8 (proposed) uses “church” and covenantal language to differentiate the unique role of the congregation in the life of the church. The term “manifestation” is replaced with “expression” throughout the new document. At the time of the Design’s creation the intent was to describe a church – one church – that had various structures through which true church was experienced. Though “manifestation” is theologically correct, it is not a term used in common language anymore. After long debate and word study, the word “expression” was chosen. This maintains the understanding that there is one church but various structures through which true church is experienced. The term “ministries” is used for congregational, regional and general expressions of the church rather than “geographic unit” or “administrative unit”. At various places through the proposed design, language has been
changed to reflect more current organizational language used with
non-profits. Since the 1993 Not-for-profit act, constitutional governance
is being replaced with board governance. “Enabling documents” refers
to whatever legal documents are needed to structure and govern a
non-profit organization. The reference to “voluntary” in P 85 (current) has been dropped as it is implied in the same statement. At the time the Design was being written, overt protection of the rights and responsibilities of congregations was critical for it’s adoption. In the same paragraph, the clause that states “such as race and culture” is a description of barriers within the human family. The ongoing emphasis should remain on barriers within the human family rather than including “such as” statements. The CCDOC has church wide imperatives which address the barriers of race and culture. Further in this same paragraph, the new P 12 adds “to engage in evangelism” as a specific responsibility of congregational ministries, and reference to the establishment of new congregations was added. One of the most significant changes in the design is to lower the threshold of voting representatives from congregations from 500 to 100. This means that smaller membership congregations will have the ability to send more voting representatives than in the past. Though large membership congregations will also benefit, the change has a greater effect on small congregations. Even if a congregation of 1200 was able to send 13 voting representatives rather than 3, it is seldom likely that 13 voting representatives would attend! On the other hand, if 1200 congregations of 150 would each be able to send 3 instead of 2,there would be an increase of 1200 voting representatives much more likely to attend. P 15 (proposed) also cleans up the awkward grammar of P 87(2). P 17 (proposed) simplifies the statement opening P 88 (current). The meaning has not been changed, just the grammar. At the end of the paragraph, “through the office of GMP” has been added to clarify how a congregation would register matters of grievance with the Administrative Committee. P 18 (proposed) reflects ministry language rather than organizational language P 19 (proposed) adds scriptural background to our ministry in regions. Alexander Campbell’s CHRISTIAN SYSTEM also uses Acts 1:8 to explain that the church is more than a congregation. P 20 (propsed) adds “teaching” to the purpose of the region P 62 (current) has been moved to “Shape and Boundaries” in the proposed version P 64 (current) has been deleted as it was addressed in P7 (proposed) P 24 (proposed) adds “standing and credentialing of minister” which is an important role which was implied in the current design. “Relocation” is no longer used in our work with congregations and ministers. “Search and Call” has been used for almost a decade. P 26 (proposed) enhances the covenantal link between regions and the general church. The OGMP should have updated copies of all regional and general governing documents. P 27 (proposed) simply clarifies the language in P 69 (current) P 29 (proposed) simply adds clarity to the entities involved with a change of regional boundaries. The experience of merging AR, LA and MS into the Great River Region brings this insight to bear on the change. P 73 (current) is being dropped as 40 years of living with the Design has proved that it does NOT need to be replaced with a constitution and bylaws. Indeed, non-profit governance has moved away from constitutional governance. What we have is working and the SCRSR and GB do not anticipate the need to replace this Design with a more prescriptive governance document. P 30 (proposed)simplifies organizational language with no change in meaning or intent. P 31 (proposed) adds encouragement for regions to use current executive search processes. P 32 (proposed) simplifies the language of P 76 P 33 (proposed) states one person from each region for the general board, hence the language describing additional members based on population in P 77 (current) is no longer needed. P 36 (proposed) adds clarity to the process of filing grievance and appeal to the Administrative Committee. P 9 (current) and preceding title are not necessary. P 4 (proposed) authorizes a general organization. P 38 a. (proposed) reflects the lowered threshold of congregational voting representatives as discussed in P 14 (proposed). “Holding” is an editorial error left in after a change to “with”, not “holding with”. P 38 b. (proposed) lowers the threshold of regional voting representatives at the General Assembly from 3,000 to 1,000 and simplifies the direction to include diversity with gender and age in the representatives. P 38 c. (proposed) reflects the changes made through outt the Design to replace “ordained and licensed” with “persons holding standing in the Order of Ministry”. (see P 84 ff in the Ministry section) P 40 (proposed) adds “ecumenically related” to those who may have voice at the General Assembly. The rationale is that “historically related” may be interpreted in several ways. This addition broadens rather than restricts those who Might participate with us. P 45 (proposed) clarifies how items of business get to the General Assembly. P 46 (propsed) changes quorum to those present and voting at each business session. The General Assembly delegates need to take responsibility for the business before the Assembly rather than referring them to the General Board to finish. With a streamlined board and administrative committee, with the increased responsibility on the general board and administrative committee to oversee covenantal relationships across the church, dealing with referred Assembly items is actually detrimental to the life of the church. P 48 and 49 (proposed) uses the term “non-salaried officers” for officers who are elected, and “salaried officers” for staff who hold corporate office. The current version refers to them as “officers of the General Assembly” and “general officers”, the former being elected and the latter being staff. Officers are officers. Some are salaried and some are elected. The proposed language makes that distinction. P 39 and P 41 (current) are included in P 49 (proposed) P 50, 51, 52, 53 (proposed) are one of the most significant updates to the Design. Given changes in the non-profit corporate climate and the need for clarity in organizational accountability, and given corporate decisions made in recent years by parts of the church (all separately incorporated), it is imperative that our enabling document grant specific roles and responsibilities to the General Minister and President. It is also helpful to the whole church to understand the role and responsibilities of the GMP. These changes MAY have implications on various regional or general ministries, and if so, the Design has priority. That means that if the design says that the GMP is to offer advice and counsel to boards, commissions, etc, then regions and general ministries need to understand and welcome that advice and counsel. If their documents do not recognize that role and responsibility, their documents need to be changed to reflect it. The specificity given seeks to be open-ended and future oriented rather than reactive and constrictive. P 53e (proposed) adds direction in the event of a vacancy, which was not previously stipulated. Otherwise, the changes are grammatical. P 54 h. (proposed) drops P 21 h. (current) as it is included in P 21 I (current), the same as P 54 h. (proposed) P 56 a.(proposed) states a new intentional perspective of membership
on the board: persons representing congregational concerns. P 23 (d) (current) is deleted in the proposed changes. The Administrative Committee is in effect the executive body of the General Board. The proposed changes are clear that membership on the General Board determines if a person is eligible for AC, not the other way around. P 23 (f) (current) calls for 4 ecumenical members of the P 56 f. (proposed) includes secretary, treasurer and parliamentarian in the listing of members ex officio without vote since they are named in the listing of salaried and non-salaried officers of the Assembly Terms of office have not changed, but the timeframe of taking office has changed. When General Assemblies were in October each year, a January 1 start date made sense. Over the last 20 years, the move toward summer assemblies changes the need to move the start date to run from general board to general board. Cycling new members with board meetings maintains a consistent group should business need to be cared for between meetings. P 58 (proposed) restricts the cancellation of a board meeting. The full board would have to have to vote to cancel as opposed to the Administrative Committee deciding to cancel the meeting. This clarifies issues of accountability. P 59 (proposed) is new. With the added responsibility given to the Administrative Committee and General Board, yet smaller groups to do that work, it is important to give the board authority to delegate work. P 59 clarifies the roles and responsibilities of these additional committees. P 60 (proposed) spells out a new makeup for the Administrative Committee and simplifies the listing of those with or without vote. It adds two members of the Council of General Ministries and two representatives of the College of Regional Ministers, both groups serving ex officio without vote. P 61 (proposed) changes the terms of AC members and the beginning / ending times of the terms. A major change (listed earlier) is that AC members come from the General Board, and can only serve on AC while on the GB. Board positions are not extended for those on AC. The intent is to have the AC serve as an executive body of the GB. P 62 (proposed) adds a responsibility: to serve as the board of directors for the Office of GMP and to handle grievances filed against the GMP. When the design was created, there was a separate board for the OGMP. It has served in this capacity for several years. P 27 (current) authorized the Executive Committee of the AC (now stated as the officers of the General Assembly) to act on behalf of the AC. This is no longer true. P 62 (proposed) gives the power to cancel a meeting, but not for the officers to act on behalf of the AC. Further, a vote to cancel a meeting has to be unanimous rather than majority vote. With fewer people serving, yet enhanced responsibilities, the proposed changes include authorization for the AC to call on additional members of the GB to support their work on sub-committees or task forces. P 65 (proposed) names corporate responsibilities of the Administrative Committee, not addressed in the current design. P 31 (current) is not necessary as a paragraph in the AC section of the design. It is already stated in P 13 (proposed) P 33 (current) is no longer necessary as the terms of service were described in P 61.(proposed). P 67 (proposed) increases the quorum for AC from ½ to 2/3. P 68 (proposed) adds the General Assembly’s priority that general ministries are created to strengthen congregational life for the church’s mission. P 69 (proposed) is new, and gives a formal “place” in the corporate life of the church for National Convocation, National Hispanic and Bilingual Fellowship and the North American Pacific Asian Disciples, without having to change structures. (Several efforts have been made over the years to accomplish this through restructuring organizations within the church.) P 70 (proposed) adds the expectation that all general ministry enabling documents need to be on file in the OGMP. P 71 (proposed) adds the expectation that general ministries will use executive search processes established by the General Board. P 58 (current) is integrated in P 71 (proposed) P 76 (proposed) drops the previous access to the General Board granted to related organizations. In reality, anyone or any group can attend a General Board meeting and may, upon invitation of the Moderatorr, have privilege of the floor. P 79 (proposed) describes a streamlined General Nominating Committee, 10 instead of 20. Nominations will not be accepted from the floor of the General Assembly due to the difficult work of filling leadership positions that reflect the full diversity of the church (see P 56, proposed) P 54 (current) was broken into two P 81 and P 82 (proposed) P 55 and 56 (current) were combined into P 83 (proposed). P 83 (proposed) directs the General Nominating Committee to include in all terms of office and status in its reports. P 85 (proposed) uses the term baptism rather than membership. When the design was written, membership was dependent on baptism, P 90 (current) assumed baptism. The proposed version grounds ministry in the body of Christ, not membership in a congregation. P 86 (proposed) authorizes the CCDOC to have an order of ministry, and refers to the policies and criteria of the order of ministry (not “ministries” as stated… that’s a typo P 92 – 96 (current) are deleted as these issues are addressed in
the policies and criteria of the order of ministry. The Design was
created prior to the development of General Assembly approved guidelines.
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