Questions & Answers Concerning L.A. Unity Proposal

Updated: 9-1-05

1. What exactly are you asking us to sign up for?
     A:  We are simply calling for those churches that are unified on the statement of beliefs, practices, and brotherhood to begin the process of rebuilding a stronger and more unified brotherhood.

2. That's it?
     A:  That's it.

3. Do you have a proposal for a kingdom leadership group?
     A:  No, we do not.

4. Then what about your comments concerning a kingdom leadership group?
     A:  Our desire was to communicate that some form of a brotherhood leadership group should be assembled that identifies and assists in meeting needs that are presently not being met.

5.  Does this proposal include a particular kind of leadership model?
     A:  No, it does not. 

6. Who could make proposals? 
     A:  Any representative from a participating church could submit a proposal to the steering committee.

7. Is this new steering committee going to be another kingdom leadership group?
     A:  No, this is only an interim group, supported by their local congregations, appointed by the representatives to identify needs.

8. Anything beyond that?
     A:  After identifying and categorizing needs, various committees could be formed and representatives could be asked by the steering committee to assist in evaluating specific areas of need and consider various proposals to solve the needs.  The proposal would then be brought to the representatives of the churches for their final approval.

9. How will the people on the steering committee be selected?
     A:  We propose that the steering committee be chosen by those churches that have stated that they are unified in beliefs and practices by notifying us by September 5th. 
  
10.  How many votes will each church get to have?
     A:  One
  
11.  When and where will the first meeting take place?
      A:  Thursday evening, September 8th, 9:45pm, Seattle Conference,
  
12.  What will be the first order of business at our meeting in Seattle?
     A:  To notify everyone present of the churches that has chosen to join together in this endeavor.
  
13.  What is the next order of business? 
     A:  We then would suggest spending the next period of time on our knees in prayer calling upon God to give us true humility, unity, revival, and wisdom.  We will have a brief explanation as to the function of the steering committee and a vote on the size of that committee.
  
14.  What will be the procedure for selecting the steering committee?
     (1)  Brief explanation of the function of the steering committee
     (2)  Decision on the size of the steering committee
     (3)  Names for nominees for the steering committee could be made by any representative.
     (4)  Nominees would be asked if they agree to have their names put up for     nomination to serve on the steering committee
     (5)  The names of all nominees would then be put before the representatives
     (6)  Each representative would then write down the names of their choice.  (The number of names written would be equal to the size of the steering committee)
     (7)  The names written by the greatest number will serve on the committee.
     (8)  If a church cannot send a representative to Seattle, they are permitted to select a proxy to vote in their place.

15.  What if our church's leadership is opposed to any amount of brotherhood leadership?
     A:  Then it would certainly not be best for your church to join.
 
16.  Why are you asking for a quick decision?
     A:  We realize that for some this may seem fast, and if this is too fast for your leadership to decide, they should feel free to take as much time as they need.  But here were the considerations for setting the time frame:
     (1) The decision was basically in regards to beliefs and practices that were familiar to most church leaders.  Most churches usually know where they stood on the majority of them.
     (2) The Seattle Conference offered a cost effective window of opportunity for many churches to be represented and meet and have significant discussions.  This opportunity would not recur again until 12 months later at the 2006 Conference.
     (3) The door will never be closed for a church to later join.
     (4) A church could withdraw their association at anytime for any reason.
 
17.  How will those churches be treated that choose not to sign up? 
     A:  We realize that there may be many different reasons why some churches may not sign up.  They are still our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we need to continue to respect, love, and cherish one another in the Lord.
 
18.  What if our church is already involved in supporting world missions in a cooperative
effort with other churches? 
     A:  That is fantastic.  Again, this initiative is to set up a network to facilitate and
assist churches who need and ask for assistance and is in no way intended to replace what is already working for a local congregation.

19.  Would our church ever be coerced to give up leaders, people, or money to other churches or mission efforts?
     A:  No.  These coercive practices are not respectful, loving, and considerate and must not ever be tolerated.  Great respect and love must be freely given between congregations that both give and receive training and input.

20.   Will churches ever be required to give a specific amount to mission's support?
     A:  No, we do not believe that any amount should ever be given under compulsion (2 Corinthians 9:7)

21.  Does our commitment of the older women training the younger women mean that the women must be paid staff?
     A:  No.  Although that may be preferred and encouraged, the commitment is not one of compensation, but believing that women have a God-given ministry with other women--one of training, counseling, and studying with other women. 

22.   Does "remembering the poor" mean that our church must give to a particular charity such as HOPE Worldwide?
     A:  Not necessarily.  That is a decision of the local church leadership

23. What does commitment of resources to our young people mean?
     A:  Our teens and college students need spiritual leadership and inspiration.  The commitment is that the congregation is committed to providing future resources to help meet their local young people's needs of spiritual growth and outreach.

24. Is this proposal aligned with the proposed, "'calling-out of the remnant of disciples' from dying ICOC churches" that was mentioned in a recent article, entitled, "The Portland Story"?
     A: Absolutely not. When we had begun discussions with other church leaders about this initiative, we were not even aware of this article. Our call is not to the LA church or to any other congregation for unity and revival; rather, it is a call to Christ and to having the same love and commitment to him and his body, the church, that we had when we were first united with Christ. (Revelation 2:4, 5). And it is to humbly and respectfully work together as a brotherhood.

25. Can we have a time for further questions to be answered at the Conference?
     A: Definitely. We are in the process of working out a time for that discussion to take place.