The 60th General Council in Columbus, Ohio, is fast approaching. During this meeting, delegates will prayerfully deliberate and thoughtfully vote on a number of resolutions. Those resolutions can be viewed at GeneralCouncil.org/Business/Resolutions. In this issue of Called to Serve, I’d like to answer frequently asked questions I receive about General Council resolutions.

Resolutions are written in a formal style that is some-times difficult to follow. What’s the best way to interpret these resolutions?
The best way is to begin with the end in mind.

More on that in a moment. For now, however, let’s consider the three parts of a resolution.

First, number, title, page, and line numbers. These elements enable eligible voters to interact with discussion about the resolution. General Council meets every two years to do meaningful business, but each time we meet, the first resolution always begin with “1,” the second with “2,” and so on. The title identifies the topic of the resolution and is especially helpful for ease of future research.

Pages and lines are numbered for ease of reference. For example, if a person proposes an amendment to a resolution, they can refer to the page and line number where they want to make a change. The same is true if a person has a question or a “point of information.” Line numbers always start with “1” on each page.

Second, preamble. This part contains statements beginning with the word, Whereas. Whereas statements inform the reader of the why behind the what. A well-written preamble helps the reader understand what facts and reasons caused the authors of a resolution to bring it forward for deliberation.

Third, the resolution proper. If the preamble explains the why, the resolution proper details the what. This is the part that effects change, and it always begins with the word Resolved. A resolution may have multiple Resolved statements. It may amend the constitution and/or bylaws. Or it may propose a longstanding leader as an honorary general presbyter. There can be other types of resolutions, too.

When a resolution amends the constitution and/or bylaws, it uses the phrase, “which reads” to introduce the current wording in those documents. Then it uses the phrase, “Be amended to read,” to introduce the amended wording. Strikethroughs show the words that will be deleted. Underlines show the words that will be added.

As I mentioned above, the key to interpreting a resolution is to begin with the end in mind. The third part, the Resolved statements, is the end. Ask yourself, What change or action does this resolution propose? Once you know that, you’re in a better position to evaluate whether that change or action is desirable. 

Why do credentialed ministers receive two packets of resolutions? The first packet, titled Resolutions , comes out before General Council. The second packet, titled Additional Resolutions, comes out when General Council has started. How does the second packet differ from the first?
On Page 3, you will see a letter from me. It is your official notice, required by the constitution and bylaws, of the first packet of resolutions. These are ready for you to download, print and take with you to General Council. They have been processed by the Resolutions Committee.

God cares about the business of the Church and will guide and prompt you as you participate.

Some of these resolutions have been sponsored by the General Presbytery. It meets every year, so resolutions it approved in 2022 come to the General Council for consideration this year. Other resolutions have been sponsored by individuals, district councils, or groups of districts. Their creators have not sought General Presbytery sponsorship.

The General Presbytery meets the day before General Council business sessions begin. A booklet titled Additional Resolutions is published after that meeting.

There are several reasons why this second packet contains new or revised resolutions. The General Presbytery may revise a resolution in the first packet. It may be asked to co-sponsor a resolution by the Executive Presbytery, a district (or group of districts), or an individual. The constitution and bylaws requires the General Presbytery to nominate candidates for certain national leadership positions. These nominations appear in the Additional Resolutions as well.

What is the most common mistake readers make with resolutions?
There are two.

The most common is when ministers glance over resolutions, mistakenly believe they know what it is about, then phone friends or take to social media to share their incorrect opinions. Ministers should read through a resolution several times before jumping to conclusions or sharing inaccurate interpretations of it with colleagues. And if needed, seek guidance from a mentor.

The second is to not read the resolutions until after a General Council business session begins. It’s best to read them before council begins, to pray over them, to discuss them with a colleague, to scribble notes in the margins, and only then come to the business session prepared to engage the topic of the resolution.

How can ministers or church delegates prepare for their first General Council business session?
First, kudos to everyone who attends! Showing up is the biggest part. Print off your resolutions or download them to your device. Read and discuss them in advance. Find a mentor whom you can sit near to ask questions and learn from.

If first-timers want to learn more about the parliamentary procedures that govern General Council business sessions, parliamentarian Sarah Merkle writes informative posts about those procedures at her website: Civility.co/Blog.

Make every item a matter of prayer, in advance and in the moment. God cares about the business of the Church and will guide and prompt you as you participate.

How can people who are unable to attend still be part of the process?
General Council business sessions will be livestreamed. Both packets of resolutions will be posted to GeneralCouncil.org/Business/Resolutions. And the Office of Public Relations will share the results of business sessions as soon as they happen, whether it’s an election or a resolution or a report.

So watch and stay up to date! Most importantly, pray that God would use the General Council of the Assemblies of God to advance the kingdom of God throughout the world!

This interview appeared in the summer 2023 issue of Called to Serve, the official Assemblies of God ministers letter. It is republished here by permission.