Resolution Number: 1997-D030
Title: Challenge Congregations to Establish Direct Ministries to the Poor
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 72nd General Convention proclaim the responsibility of the Church for ministries to and with the poor including development of faith-based ministries such as meal-sharing, food distribution, clothing provision, vocational placement, shelter, housing assistance, education, and child care; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention challenge every Congregation within the Episcopal Church to establish at least one direct, person-to-person ministry to and with the poor and that this ministry include the explicit sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention ask that both the Executive Council and the House of Bishops set a goal that every Congregation have a direct ministry to and with the poor by the year 2000; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention request that the National Jubilee Ministries Center Network help organize and sustain faith-based ministries by disseminating to Congregations, resources on establishing ministries that make faith in Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, the basis for selfless service to and with the poor who are members of our communities.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), pp. 788-789.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. James B. Simons
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(D030)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 72nd General Convention proclaim the responsibility of the Church for ministries to and with the poor including development of faith-based ministries such as meal-sharing, food distribution, clothing provision, vocational placement, shelter, housing assistance, education, and child care; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention challenge every congregation within the Episcopal Church to establish at least one direct, person-to-person ministry to and with the poor and that this ministry include the explicit sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention ask that both the Executive Council and the House of Bishops set a goal that every congregation have a direct ministry to and with the poor by the year 2000; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention request that the National Jubilee Ministries Center Network help organize and sustain faith-based ministries by disseminating to congregations, resources on establishing that make faith in Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, the basis for selfless service to and with the poor who are members of our communities.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In the last Resolved clause, line 3, after "establishing" insert "ministries".

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #246)

House of Deputies

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #47 on HB Message #246 on Resolution D030a (Assisting the Poor Through Faith-Based Ministry), moved the resolution, and recommended concurrence.

Debate followed on Resolution D030a.

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on concurrance with Resolution D030a.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #326)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 25.

Abstract:   The 72nd General Convention affirms the Church's responsibility to the poor and challenges congregations to establish direct ministries to the poor.