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Resolution Number: 1991-A059
Title: Reaffirm Definition of and Commitment to Evangelism
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church reaffirm the definition of evangelism adopted by the General Convention in 1973: "Evangelism is the presentation of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit in such ways that persons may be led to believe in him as Savior and follow him as Lord within the fellowship of his Church"; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention wholeheartedly call the Church to continuing commitment to this Decade of Evangelism, during which we reclaim and affirm our baptismal call to evangelism and endeavor, with other Christian denominations, to reach all people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ using the following plan of apostolic action:

  1. to educate all Episcopalians that every member of the Church is called by God by virtue of Holy Baptism to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ, sharing his or her faith;
  2. to call each congregation to be a center for the extension of the Gospel;
  3. to incorporate evangelism into the official and ongoing structure of every diocese and congregation;
  4. to express the Good News in loving acts of service and justice as well as in words;
  5. to pray for God's grace and empowerment in this mission; and
  6. to reach out beyond the individual congregations to invite new members to share in the Good News.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 399.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Evangelism
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Evangelism

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A059)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 70th General Convention wholeheartedly call the Church to continuing commitment to this Decade of Evangelism, during which we reclaim and affirm our baptismal call to evangelism and endeavor, with other Christian denominations, to reach unchurched persons with the Gospel of Jesus Christ using the following plan of apostolic action:

  1. to educate all Episcopalians that every member of the Church is called by God by virtue of Holy Baptism to proclaim the Good News of God in Christ, sharing his or her faith;
  2. to call each congregation to be a center for the extension of the Gospel;
  3. to incorporate evangelism into the official and ongoing structure of every diocese and congregation;
  4. to express the Good News in loving acts of service and justice as well as in words; and
  5. to pray for God's grace and empowerment in this mission.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Insert a new first Resolved:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 70th General Convention reaffirm the definition of evangelism adopted by the General Convention in 1973: "Evangelism is the presentation of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit in such ways that persons may be led to believe in him as Savior and follow him as Lord within the fellowship of this Church;" and be it further

(Then continue with the original text of the resolution.)

Deputy Brown of Arkansas moved an amendment to A059.

Proposed Amendment:

At the end of paragraph 4, delete the word "and."

At the end of paragraph 5, delete the period and add"; and".

Add the following:

6. To reach out beyond the individual congregations to invite new members to share in the Good News.

Motion carried

Brown Amendment adopted

Deputy Edwards of Maryland moved an amendment to A059.

Proposed Amendment:

[In the original second Resolved] following the words "denominations, to reach" add the words "all people" and delete the words "unchurched persons."

Motion carried

Edwards Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on A059 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #187)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Evangelism presented its Report #30 on House of Deputies Message #187 on Resolution A059a (Decade of Evangelism) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #396)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 20.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Evangelism, Reports to the 70th General Convention, 1991, pp. 101-128.
Abstract:   The 70th General Convention reaffirms the definition of evangelism adopted by the 1973 General Convention and calls the Church to continue their commitment to this Decade of Evangelism.