Memorandum Number 1098

Request for Declaratory Decision from the 2008 General Conference with Respect to the Meaning, Application, and Effect of ¶ 602 of the 2004 Book of Discipline as it Relates to the New ¶ 320.6 Adopted by the 2008 General Conference.

On Thursday afternoon, May 1, 2008, the General Conference, by a vote of more than twenty percent of the delegates present and voting, requested a declaratory decision as follows:

I rise to request a declaratory decision with respect to the meaning, application, and effect of ¶ 602 of the 2004 Book of Discipline as it relates to the new ¶ 320.6 Consent Calendar A04, Item # 866: clarify the status of retired local pastors, p. 2237 DCA. [Petition 80004 – MH - ¶ 320, p 1426 ADCA]

Since the Judicial Council does not have sufficient time to research and deliver an opinion in response to this request before the adjournment of the 2008 General Conference, this matter is deferred to the fall 2008 docket of the Judicial Council.

Shamwange P. Kyungu and Dennis L. Blackwell were absent.