2015 Network Conference Resolutions

70th OHIO NETWORK CONFERENCE
NON-BINDING RESOLUTION
VOTE OF AFFIRMATION ON OHIO AG HIGHER EDUCATION
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WHEREAS, The Ohio Ministry Network seeks to increase the number of incoming ministers for
future ministry, increase the talent pool of new ministers and leaders, become an
incubator for high growth start-up churches, businesses and non-profits, and
WHEREAS, There is the growing recognition that we the Ohio Ministry Network need people
committed to the mission of Jesus in every segment and structure of Ohio
society, and
WHEREAS, We realize that education lets us shape the imagination, values and even
entrepreneurship of each generation, instilling faith in Christ to create positive
and cultural impacts and movements, and
WHEREAS, Education is a major kingdom vehicle for providing access into new areas of the
social strata and helps us impact the social structure such as churches, local
businesses, local schools, democracy, and families, and
WHEREAS, We have noted that some of our largest, most dynamic networks in the
Assemblies of God have fully accredited schools and because of their relationship
to the school, a constant influx of passionate students and a culture of youth and
learning, and
WHEREAS, We believe that by engaging the education model, the Ohio Ministry Network
would not only give the most faithful members of its church communities the
potential for heightened opportunities locally, it would also strengthen local Ohio
churches by giving students an option in the state, and
WHEREAS, The Network Presbytery voted to approve a feasibility study with Education
Management Systems to ascertain the types of interest, programming, and desires
of the Ohio constituency regarding an additional higher education option for
Assemblies of God people in Ohio, and
WHEREAS, That feasibility study found there was an overwhelming desire and support for
such an endeavor by pastors, boards and local church leaders; therefore,
WE AFFIRM, That the Ohio Ministry Network should continue to work toward finding a
potential Assemblies of God partner school in such an endeavor, and
WE AFFIRM, That the Ohio Ministry Network should continue to work toward launching a
university campus (in any format or venue) that will provide affordable, quality
education to Ohio student populations, and
WE AFFIRM, That we, as pastors and leaders in the Ohio Ministry Network, will join together in
this partnership by playing our part in terms of investing capital, encouraging
students, and sustaining a new partnership over the next decades should the Lord
tarry.
Respectfully Submitted: The Resolutions Committee on behalf of Network Presbytery
sponsorship.
Amended: Yes ____
Passed:
Yes ____
No ____
No ____
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70th OHIO NETWORK CONFERENCE
RESOLUTION NO. 1
A MINIMUM OF THREE VOTES ON NOMINATING BALLOTS (BYLAWS)
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WHEREAS, It is important that business during Network Conference be expedited in the most
efficient manner possible, and
WHEREAS, The process of a nominating ballot serves to survey a whole field of likely
candidates and to ascertain the preferences of the Network, and
WHEREAS, In virtually every election only those receiving multiple votes on the nominating
ballot have proceeded to be considered in further balloting, and
WHEREAS, In a body the size of the pool of ordained Ohio ministers, candidates
demonstrating viability for election tend to receive a minimum of three or more
votes on the nominating ballot, and
WHEREAS, It is pragmatic and clarifying, on both paper and in electronic voting, to list only
those with the support of a minimum of at least three votes on the nominating
ballot; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, For elections when no nominees are selected in advance, only persons receiving a
minimum of three votes on the nominating ballot shall be considered nominees;
be it further,
RESOLVED, That the Ohio Ministry Network Bylaws Article II. NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND
APPOINTMENTS, Section 1. Nominating Ballot, be amended as follows:
PRESENT TEXT
PROPOSED TEXT
BYLAWS
ARTICLE II. NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND
APPOINTMENTS
BYLAWS
ARTICLE II. NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS AND
APPOINTMENTS
Section 1. Nominating Ballot
Section 1. Nominating Ballot
When a person receives a required majority
for election on a nominating ballot, the
nominee shall be declared elected without
further balloting at both the Network and
Area Conferences.
The results of this
nominating ballot, which becomes an
elective ballot, shall be announced, giving
the number of votes cast for each nominee.
For elections at Network and Area
Conferences, a nominating ballot is
achieved when at least one eligible
nominee receives three or more votes, with
all persons receiving a minimum of three
votes being considered nominees. When a
person receives a required majority for
election on a nominating ballot, the
nominee shall be declared elected without
further balloting at both the Network and
Area Conferences.
The results of this
nominating ballot, which becomes an
elective ballot, shall be announced, giving
the number of votes cast for each nominee.
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Respectfully Submitted: The Resolutions Committee on behalf of Network Presbytery
sponsorship.
Amended: Yes ____
Passed:
Yes ____
Date:
No ____
No ____
__________
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70th OHIO NETWORK CONFERENCE
RESOLUTION NO. 2
QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS (BYLAWS)
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WHEREAS, The Executive Officers, regional nonresident executive presbyters and area
officers serve as leadership for the Ohio Ministry Network, and
WHEREAS, The Ohio Ministry Network regularly relies upon contributions from local
assemblies above and beyond ministers’ tithes to support network ministries,
Heartland Conference Retreat Center and church multiplication, and
WHEREAS, The recommended contribution outlined in the Bylaws Article V, Section 2,
Paragraph C states: “It is also recommended that each local church make a
monthly 2% contribution of its general fund income to support network ministries
(1%) and Heartland Conference Retreat Center (1%),” and
WHEREAS, Many local assemblies have qualifications for membership including a financial
giving standard and yet there is an expectation that those who serve in leadership
give above and beyond the normal standard for a member, and
WHEREAS, The officers of the Ohio Ministry Network serve, in a manner similar to that of a
local church deacon or board member, as members of the Ohio Ministry Network
Board of Directors, and
WHEREAS, The Ohio Ministry Network sees ordination, ability, and maturity as aspects of
qualification for serving as an officer, and
WHEREAS, Most pastors of local assemblies provide leadership and oversight in the financial
management and giving of the churches in which they serve, and
WHEREAS, We should consider an additional financial qualification for those deemed fit to
serve as leadership with the above and beyond expectation outlined in The Ohio
Ministry Network Bylaws Article V, Section 2, Paragraph C; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That The Ohio Ministry Network Bylaws Article I. QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS,
be amended as follows:
PRESENT TEXT
PROPOSED TEXT
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I. QUALIFICATIONS OF OFFICERS
The executive officers, regional nonresident
executive presbyters, and area officers shall
be ordained ministers of ability and mature
experience, whose lives and ministry are
above reproach and who have been
members of the Ohio Ministry Network for
at least two years (at least one year for
assistant area presbyters). The network
secretary and network finance director shall
be specifically qualified to fulfill the
responsibilities assigned them in Bylaws,
The executive officers, regional nonresident
executive presbyters, and area officers shall
be ordained ministers of ability and mature
experience, whose lives and ministry are
above reproach and who have been
members of the Ohio Ministry Network for
at least two years (at least one year for
assistant area presbyters). The network
secretary and network finance director shall
be specifically qualified to fulfill the
responsibilities assigned them in Bylaws,
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Article III. Sections 4 and 5 respectively.
Individuals eligible for area office shall
minister or reside within the area.
Nominees for the office of each region’s
nonresident network executive presbyter
shall minister or reside within that region.
Article III. Sections 4 and 5 respectively. For
ministers who serve in a local assembly, the
assembly in which a minister serves shall
have supported the Ohio Ministry Network
according to the Bylaws Article V, Section
2, Paragraph C for at least two years prior
to the minister becoming eligible to serve
as
an
executive
officer,
regional
nonresident executive presbyter or area
officer and at least one year for assistant
area presbyters. Individuals eligible for area
office shall minister or reside within the
area. Nominees for the office of each
region’s nonresident network executive
presbyter shall minister or reside within
that region.
Respectfully Submitted: The Resolutions Committee on behalf of Rev. Joshua Martino.
Amended: Yes ____
Passed:
Yes ____
Date:
No ____
No ____
__________
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70th OHIO NETWORK CONFERENCE
RESOLUTION NO. 3
SPONSORSHIP OF CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR 2015 GENERAL PRESBYTERY
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WHEREAS, Continuing competency of professionals is elemental to protecting the public and
earning its sacred trust, and
WHEREAS, Continuing education is mandated to renew licensure in many professions
including for those who are chaplains, medical practitioners, teachers, financial
planners, counselors, interpreters, and educators, and
WHEREAS, Some church denominations require continuing education for their pastors,
denominational leaders, missionaries, elders, deacons, and even members, and
WHEREAS, The establishment of appropriate standards for and delivery of continuing
ministerial education is essential for completing the mission of the Assemblies of
God to reach the world, especially with regard to the continuity of care related
to our core values of reaching the lost, worshipping God, discipling believers and
demonstrating compassion to the world, and
WHEREAS, Although the formation of Parent Affiliated Churches (PACs) and the fast-tracking
methods for individual credentials are critical because they help us remain
flexible, we nonetheless must maintain our unique Pentecostal distinctive at the
credential level in the midst of epic cultural change, and
WHEREAS, Continuing education could allow us to be nimble and creative in our approach
with the timing of courses, and
WHEREAS, The model of using Continuing Education Units (CEUs) could help us enhance
learning outcomes because of its frequency and timing, and
WHEREAS, The current motivational structure provides little rationale for progress and
strata between license and ordination for new ministers, and
WHEREAS, The AG Philosophy of Education, which was adopted by the 1974 General
Presbytery in Session, underscores that this AG education is not only an education
in theology, but also includes a provision for an “awareness of the world through
a proper emphasis in such areas as the arts, humanities, and sciences,
recognizing that such an awareness will equip for Christian witness,” and
WHEREAS, It was demonstrated by the 2005-2006 AG Commission, a Task Force on Enhanced
Education for Ministry to Study General Council Schools, that the current
credentialing education model unfortunately tends toward an minimalistic design
to expedite entrance to ministry, and
WHEREAS, The proliferation of district events, regional AG Universities, and Schools of
Ministry, already provide sufficient infrastructure in place for the establishment
of continuing education, and
WHEREAS, Our ministers should receive course recognition for those seminars, retreats, and
courses that many are already attending; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Assemblies of God establish a CEU standard (Continuing Education Unit)
and require all newly credentialed active ministers that are licensed and ordained
to successfully complete a CEU biennially (every other year) starting in 2017;
and, be it further
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RESOLVED, That a CEU be defined as six contact hours (instructional session, study-travel,
workshop, or seminar) under qualified supervision of a district representative, a
sponsored AG institution or its sponsoring agent; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That one CEU be sponsored by an agent or agency working with the district in
which a minister is affiliated, such as a district endorsed seminar, district leader,
class taught by a regionally accredited school, a School of Ministry course, or
otherwise endorsed by the district leadership; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That one CEU be required every other year for licensed and ordained ministers
until six years following ordination; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the endorsed courses for credentials (from any AG endorsed vocational
ministry training institution) that qualifies, has dual credit as both educational
requirements for credentials and CEU’s counting toward the biennial CEU
requirements; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the General Council Assemblies of God Bylaws Article VII, Section 15, A. be
changed from Continuing education encouraged to Continuing education required;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That Article VII, Section 15, A. be amended as follows; and, be it further
PRESENT TEXT
PROPOSED TEXT
BYLAWS
ARTICLE VII. MINISTRY
BYLAWS
ARTICLE VII. MINISTRY
Section 15: Integrity in Educational
Credentials
Section 15: Integrity in Educational
Credentials & Continuing
Education
a. Continuing
education encouraged. Our
ministers and churches are
encouraged to seek continuing
education, discipleship,
spiritual formation, and
training opportunities of all
kinds, of all degrees of
difficulty, of their own
initiative or in cooperation
with the district council and
the General Council, but with
great care always taken to
properly understand and
honestly describe all such
training, certifications,
degrees, and titles.
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a. Continuing
education required. Starting
in 2017, new licensed and
ordained ministers are
required to take one AG
Continuing Education Unit
(CEU) biennially. These CEU’s
can include the dual credit for
completed courses toward the
ordination credential (from
any AG endorsed vocational
ministry training institution)
plus a minimum of three
additional courses following
ordination. Three additional
AG CEUs must be completed
in the 6 years following
ordination. These 3 or more
additional courses may
include discipleship, spiritual
formation, and training
opportunities of all kinds, of
all degrees of difficulty, as
long as they are endorsed by
their district Presbytery. A
CEU is defined as, six total
contact hours (instructional
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session, study-travel,
workshop, or seminar).
Coursework for credentials
from any AG endorsed
vocational ministry training
institution shall also be
recognized as a CEU.
b. Using adequately accredited
institutions. Because of the
many questionable institutions
offering unaccredited or
deficient training and
education, and since the
General Council, our General
Council schools, and our
regional Assemblies of God
universities are committed to
achieving and maintaining the
highest standards of
accreditation in education, we
strongly encourage our
ministers to meet their
continuing education needs
either through endorsed
Assemblies of God institutions
or through other reputable
institutions having
accreditation status at least
equivalent to that held by our
own regionally and nationally
accredited schools, and to
consult the district council or
General Council offices if they
have questions in these
matters.
b. Using adequately accredited
institutions. Because of the
many questionable institutions
offering unaccredited or
deficient training and
education, and since the
General Council, our General
Council schools, and our
regional Assemblies of God
universities are committed to
achieving and maintaining the
highest standards of
accreditation in education, we
strongly encourage our
ministers to meet their
continuing education needs
either through endorsed
Assemblies of God institutions
or through other reputable
institutions having
accreditation status at least
equivalent to that held by our
own regionally and nationally
accredited schools, and to
consult the district council or
General Council offices if they
have questions in these
matters.
RESOLVED, That the instrument of proof of attendance be a question on the credential
renewal forms for only licensed and ordained ministers that asks for the date and
instructor of the one course completed.
Respectfully Submitted: The Resolutions Committee on behalf of Network Presbytery
sponsorship.
Amended: Yes ____
Passed:
Yes ____
Date:
No ____
No ____
__________
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70th OHIO NETWORK CONFERENCE
RESOLUTION NO. 4
APPRECIATION TO HOST FACILITY AND
NETWORK SUPERINTENDENT
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WHEREAS, We have been enriched and enabled through the ministry of the Spirit and the
Word through guest speakers Douglas E. Clay and Missionary Dick Brogden at this
70th annual Network Conference, and
WHEREAS, Lead Pastor Gary Gray and the pastoral team and staff of Youngstown Highway
Tabernacle AG have served us with generosity, kindness and efficiency, and
WHEREAS, The Lord has favored the Ohio Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God with the
spiritual, strategic, and empowering leadership of Superintendent John R.
Wootton, and
WHEREAS, Superintendent Wootton regularly demonstrates grace, moving through the
relentless demands of life like Jesus; leading both by action and example,
empowering and encouraging innovation, embodying and practicing servantleadership, and is an esteemed pastor for the Network’s ministers and source of
wisdom for its churches; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 70th Network Conference commissions the network secretary to express
appreciation in writing to the pastoral team and staff of the Youngstown Highway
Tabernacle AG; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the 70th Network Conference, convey appreciation and honor to our
superintendent, the Rev. John R. Wootton and his wife and ministry partner,
Brigette Wootton, for their faithful and productive leadership of the Ohio Ministry
Network.
Respectfully Submitted: The Resolutions and Standing Resolutions Committee
Amended: Yes ____
Passed:
Yes ____
Date:
No ____
No ____
__________
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