New Wineskins releases proposed constitution for review by delegates
The Layman Online, June 15, 2005
The New Wineskins made public Wednesday a proposed 48-page “draft constitution” for their movement and, if possible, for the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Delegates to the convocation will consider changes and a final vote on the proposed constitution this week.
The document, which would be a fraction of the size of the current Book of Order of the denomination, includes a prologue, 11 chapters and six appendices.
Chapters One and Two are two previously published documents – “The Essential Tenets of Our Reformed Faith” and “A Declaration of Ethical Imperatives.”
The other chapters are:
- Chapter Three – Visioning and Governing Principles
- Chapter Four – The Local Congregation
- Chapter Five – The Ministry Network
- Chapter Six – The Support Network
- Chapter Seven – The National Network
- Chapter Eight – The Global Mission Network
- Chapter Nine – Leadership Development
- Chapter Ten – The Exercise of Godly Discipline
- Chapter Eleven – The Constitutional Amendment Process.
The appendices include the Ministry Network Covenant, the Covenant for Equipping and Fellowship Groups, the Lausanne Covenant and manuals on discipline, leadership and worship that are being developed.