Resolutions Process Overview

The General Synod resolution process is the primary avenue for individual UCC members and various bodies in the Church to present an issue to the denomination. While the finer points of the process have changed over the years, it remains the most important and direct access church members and groups have to raise issues for awareness and create change, to best live into God’s kin-dom as we believe it to be.

Resolutions are drafted by UCC members who work collaboratively with the General Synod staff appointed to the resolution process to create a cohesive drafts that conforms to the General Synod Standing Rules (which define the resolution process). Resolutions are also looked at by the Resolution Review Team, an appointed body that addresses content as it relates to polity, grammar, structure, and other edits to confirm to the General Synod Standing Rules. When finalized, each resolution needs a “submitting body,” which is typically a Conference, though may also be a group of delegates or churches, an Association, a body named in the UCC Bylaws, or the UCC Board. This group adopts the resolution as written and officially submits it to General Synod.

After submission the Committee on Disposition meets to determine how General Synod should address each resolution. Most resolutions are referred to a Committee that meets at Synod, though they can also go directly to a plenary session at Synod, the Synod consent agenda, directly to implementing bodies, to the UCC Board, or be rejected if submitted after the deadlines or if the resolution is inconsistent or conflicts directly with the United Church of Christ Constitution or Bylaws.

General Synod Committees typically address one resolution each and meet over the course of several hours to hear a background presentation (“Educational Intensive”) on the topic of their resolution, build community amongst themselves, hear from various groups with perspectives on the resolution (including a proponent, usually one of the authors of the resolution), and then edit the resolution as they see fit. At the end of their time a committee must send the resolution to a plenary session of General Synod with a recommendation to either adopt, defeat, send to the UCC Board, or take no action on the resolution as submitted or amended. A committee that wishes to drastically alter a resolution may instead submit a substitute resolution to plenary.

During plenary sessions each resolution is addressed in turn with a short speech by the chair of the committee it was assigned to, followed by debate amongst Synod delegates on its merits and content. Delegates may also amend the resolution during plenary debate. A final vote of Synod determines what action is taken on each resolution. If there is significant dissent after a vote a minority resolution may be submitted and voted on.

 Regardless of the outcome of Synod’s vote, many resolutions also have an Implementation Conversation, which is not a lobbying time but rather an opportunity for anyone with a passion in the topic addressed by a resolution to discuss how to best live into the world desired by the resolution. This can mean sharing stories, discussing best practices, and networking with others interested in the issue.

We hope this overview of the resolution process is helpful! For more detailed information please read the General Synod Standing Rules, which offers a complete outline of the entire process.