Petition to the General Conference, 2004,
The United Methodist Church

In accordance with the instructions for preparation of petitions,
the following is submitted for action by the General Conference, 2004.

PAGE NUMBER: Page 1 of 3

SUGGESTED TITLE/SUBJECT MATTER: Resolution on Support of Families

PETITION CONCERNS: New Resolution (Please note: This resolution has some similarities to a resolution submitted by the GBOD. The MFSA resolution is substantially different, however, and should be printed as a separate resolution. Thanks)

FINANACIAL IMPLICATIONS: None

Petition Text:

WHEREAS, according to the Social Principles of The United Methodist Church, “We believe the family to be the basic human community through which persons are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility, respect, and fidelity”; and

WHEREAS, families are configured in a wide variety of ways; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that support from a faith community can help every family, no matter what its configuration, to more effectively provide safety, nurture growth, and sustain healthy relationships; and

WHEREAS, many families throughout our world today suffer because of poverty, inadequate health care, violence in the home, violence in their communities, lack of knowledge for developing healthy relationships, and inadequate resources for times of transition or crisis; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that loving, responsible relationships, including marriage, between adult members of a family have a positive impact on all members of a family; and

WHEREAS, we believe that United Methodist general agencies, annual conferences, and congregations can join together to strengthen and support marriages and families;

Therefore, be it resolved that the 2004 General Conference of The United Methodist Church support efforts to nurture marriages and families of all configurations.

  1. We call upon pastors to take seriously the importance of premarital counseling for those seeking marriage.
  2. We call upon congregations to offer classes and programs related to parenting, relationships, faith formation in the family, communication skills, conflict management, marriage preparation, marriage enrichment, and coping with crisis.
  3. We call upon pastors and congregations to offer support and resources for nontraditional families, including single parent households, blended family households, families with foster and/or adopted children, multi-racial and/or multi-cultural families, and same-gender parent families.
  4. We call upon annual conferences to assist congregations through the development, identification, and promotion of programs and resources for family ministries.
  5. We call upon the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry to offer resources for clergy in marriage preparation and marriage enrichment and in developing healthy relationships within their own families.
  6. We call upon seminaries to train clergy in marriage preparation, marriage counseling, and marriage enrichment.
  7. We call upon the General Board of Church and Society to study state and federal legislation (both proposed and already in effect) related to strengthening marriages and families and to make recommendations to Boards of Church and Society (or other appropriate bodies) in annual conferences regarding the possible impact of such legislation.
  8. We call upon The United Methodist Publishing House to continue publication of materials in support of marriage, parenting, and family life.
  9. We call upon the general Board of Discipleship to continue to develop, identify, and promote resources and materials for marriage and family ministries, including but not limited to the yearly development of resources for Christian Home Month and for families with members of more than one faith tradition.

DATE: November 24, 2003

SUBMITTED BY: Kathryn J. Johnson, on behalf of

PETITIONER IDENTIFICATION: Methodist Federation for Social Action

TELEPHONE: 202-546-8806
FAX: 202-546-6811
E-MAIL: kj@mfsaweb.org

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