Report of the Study Committee: Millennium [2009]

EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2008, this committee proposed an article on the Kingdom of God, which passed Conference at First Reading. It then proposed that Conference delete our Article 27 on the Millennium; that proposal failed. Ultimately, Conference replaced this committee with another study committee on the Kingdom of God. In 2012, the work of that committee resulted in Conference adopting a modified Article 27 “The Kingdom of God” as a replacement for the existing article “The Millennium.”

            On September 16, 2008, the study committee along with our advisor met with Randall A. Grossman and Calvin T. Reed for an informal and highly instructive discussion concerning the work of our committee. Our brief communiqué to Annual Conference, sent via email in February to all Pastors and Delegates, was a partial result of this meeting. Therefore, we move the following:

Whereas, the Millennium Study Committee feels that it has finished its work assigned to it by Annual Conference by proposing eschatological liberty as expressed in the amending and reforming of certain articles of our faith, and

Whereas, the Annual Conference has adopted a new article on the Kingdom of God at first reading, and

Whereas, there are other aspects of our articles that may warrant re-examination in light of a fresh examination of the Kingdom of God, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Chairman of Annual Conference appoint a committee of seminary-trained men to study these issues and report to the next Annual Conference, and be it further

Resolved, that the article on the Kingdom of God not be considered for second reading until the committee brings its report.

Millennium Study Committee: Jacob J. Susek, Jr., Chairman; Kevin W. Kirkpatrick, Secretary; John C. Studenroth, Albert J. Dommel, Bob Kaatz. Carl C. Cassel, theological advisor