2007 World Conference Legislation

The First Presidency asked the COPC to consider a substitute for their resolution, reducing last-minute translation demands on staff except where the matter is deemed urgent by the First Presidency. The substitution rescinds other resolutions that affect legislation initiation and consideration. The COPC supported the substitute that appears below. The substitute also has the support of the World Church Leadership Council.

G-3 INITIATION AND CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION (substitution, 2/5/2007)
(motion carried)

Whereas, The World Conference is the highest legislative body in the Community of Christ (Bylaws of the Community of Christ, Article IV, Section 2); and

Whereas, The Community of Christ is an international church that recognizes the worth of all persons; and

Whereas, It is essential to the principle of common consent that all delegates to the World Conference be able to understand legislation that is to be considered by the conference; and

Whereas, World Conference materials are currently published in English, French, and Spanish as well as translated and printed in many other languages; and

Whereas, There must be sufficient lead time for the available human resources to translate materials for World Conference in order for them to be adequately considered by delegates who do not speak English; and

Whereas, The World Conference has for many years been making strides in attempting to transform itself into a truly international body that honors the participation of all delegates in the legislated processes of the conference; and

Whereas, The time required for translating the materials for World Conference taxes the human resources available to accomplish this task under the current requirement that proposed legislation from the field be submitted sixty (60) days in advance of World Conference; and

Whereas, The initiation of World Conference legislation by the councils, quorums, orders, mass meetings, and caucuses during conference makes it nearly impossible for proper translation of materials to take place in a timely fashion; and

Whereas, WCR 1214 and 1218 which govern the initiation and consideration of legislation for World Conference use language no longer consistent with the field organization of the church; and

Whereas, WCR 1214 refers only to the Delegate Caucus without mentioning the language caucuses as well as the Children and Youth Caucus (WCR 1254) which have been authorized to initiate legislation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That proposed legislation shall come before the World Conference only upon the approval of a mission center conference or from quorums, councils, the Presiding Bishopric, or orders of the World Church or committees of the World Conference; and be it further

RESOLVED, That in order for legislation to come before the World Conference, such legislation must be submitted to the First Presidency no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the opening day of each World Conference.

RESOLVED, That during World Conferences, provision shall be made for meetings of quorums, councils, the Presiding Bishopric, and orders of the World Church and of caucuses authorized by the First Presidency for fellowship, spiritual growth, educational pursuits and to consider presubmitted legislation and other matters to be brought before the World Conference; and be it further

RESOLVED, That with the approval of the First Presidency legislation from councils, quorums, the Presiding Bishopric, and orders of the World Church and of authorized caucuses may be submitted during the World Conference if such legislation is of an urgent nature or is required because of actions taken during the current World Conference; and be it further

RESOLVED, That World Conference Resolutions 1214, 1218, and 1254 be rescinded.