The first versions of these documents were released in December, with people encouraged to submit proposed revisions by Jan. 6.
The Theology document includes revised language to describe fundamental Christian doctrine, including the Trinity, incarnation, and grace. It refers explicitly to Jesus’ bodily resurrection. It now lists an expectation that people would “observe the Sabbath as a day of worship and rest,” instead of “observe Sunday as a day of worship and rest,” as the earlier version stated (perhaps a change because Sunday is a busy day of work for many pastors).
A “Rules of Discipline” section has been added to the Polity document.
And the polity document lays out the framework for national leadership for the new denomination. A national synod would be the highest council in the new denomination, and a “synod executive committee” would be created, with from six to nine members. That committee could, among other things, create and dissolve presbyteries; adopt an annual budget for the denomination; and hire staff. The synod would, “where appropriate and necessary,” provide pension and health insurance coverage for the new denomination.
The full text of the revised documents can be read and downloaded here:
