Photo by Kathleen Barry, illustration by Cindy Caldwell; United Methodist Communications
Gun Violence Candles
The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church calls us to work for a world free from mass killings.
A UMC.org Feature
When we hear the tragic news of a shooting, United Methodists mourn with the victims and families of those wounded or killed. We turn to God in prayer, longing for a day when violence will cease.
In addition, many people consider what actions we could take to prevent something similar from happening in the future. So, what can we do?
What is the Book of Resolutions?
The volume containing the text of all resolutions or pronouncements on issues approved by the General Conference and currently valid. The Book of Resolutions contains not only the resolutions and policy statements passed by the most recent General Conference, but also all such statements still considered to represent the position of The United Methodist Church. The text of any resolution is considered the official position of the denomination on that subject.
— Definition from the Glossary at UMC.org
The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church contains our official positions on many issues, including gun violence. Resolution 3426 in the 2012 Book of Resolutions, calls upon The United Methodist Church—which means you, me, and every member of our denomination—to do eleven things. (Read the resolution in its entirety here.)
1. Convene workshops
The Book of Resolutions calls us to bring together “clergy and mental health care professionals … to discuss ways by which The United Methodist Church should respond to this growing tragedy.” In order to be part of the solution, we need to research and understand the specific problems in our community. We need to work together to find creative solutions to stem the tide of violence.
2. & 3. Educate the community
We are called upon to teach “gun safety, violence prevention, adult responsibility around gun violence prevention, and the public health impact of gun violence.” We are to equip parents, members, and all in our community with steps they can take to make their homes safe, to lock and store their guns, and to deal with the dangers they may encounter.
We are also called to “identify community-based, state, and national organizations working on the issue of gun violence and seek their assistance to design education and prevention workshops around the issue of gun violence and its effect on children and youth.” In addition to creating helpful resources, this work facilitates cooperation among key players in the conversation.
4. 5. & 6. Advocate for regulation
Next, we are called to “develop advocacy groups within local congregations to advocate for the eventual reduction of the availability of guns in society.” While we may disagree about what those laws might be, we can agree to work to remove guns from the hands of those who have them illegally, and those who would use them to harm others.
The resolution further calls us to support federal legislation in the U.S. and to call upon other governments throughout the world to regulate the sale and possession of guns and ammunition.
7. and 8. Discourage promotion of gun usage
Sometimes gun usage is glorified in print media, movies, television, video games, and elsewhere. We are to call upon “the entertainment industry, to refrain from promoting gun usage to children” and to “discourage the graphic depiction and glorification of violence” in all media.
9. Assist victims
The Book of Resolutions then calls United Methodists to “call upon the federal and state governments to provide significant assistance to victims of gun violence and their families.” In addition to our thoughts and prayers, we want to provide physical, lasting relief to people who are grieving.
10. Name the sin and point to hope
Annual conferences of The United Methodist Church are to “make visible public witness to the sin of gun violence and to the hope of community healing.” As Christians, we are people of the resurrection. We know that systems, no matter how lost they appear, can be redeemed when we are willing to repent of our sin and submit to the healing power of Jesus Christ.
11. Provide weapon-free zones
The final statement in the resolution on gun violence states, “reflecting the traditional role of The United Methodist Church that has been one of safety and sanctuary, every United Methodist Church is officially declared a weapon-free zone.”
Our prayers should lead us to action.
We read in 2 Thessalonians 1:11, “We are constantly praying for you for this: that our God will make you worthy of his calling and accomplish every good desire and faithful work by his power” (CEB). We too pray for God to give us the wisdom and strength needed to fulfill the desires he has put within us for a world that is free from the violence of mass killings.
As United Methodists, this means getting involved in issues of gun violence and working to prevent these events.
“Acts of senseless violence should not be an acceptable occurrence in any community.” #UMC Book of Resolutions TWEET THIS
PURPOSE OF THE BOOK OF RESOLUTIONS
The Book of Resolutions, 2012...collects in one volume all current and official social policies and other resolutions adopted by the General Conference of The United Methodist Church. These resolutions are:
- Official policy statements for guiding all the work and ministry of The United Methodist Church on approximately 200 subjects;
- Educational resources for The United Methodist Church on important issues affecting the lives of people and all God's creation;
- Guides and models for helping United Methodist members and groups relate a lively biblical faith to action in daily life;
- Resource materials for persons preparing public statements about United Methodist concerns on current social issues…
You may find that your denomination's policies give you more “food for thought.” Maybe you will agree with the denomination's position. On the other hand, you may disagree…
Furthermore, you may look to some of the statements in this book for spiritual guidance as you make an important decision in your life about work, home, family life, or use of money and other resources.
— from "User's Guide" provided inThe Book of Resolutions, 2012, p. 25
Joe Iovino works for UMC.org at United Methodist Communications. This story originally appeared October 2, 2015 following the shooting at Umpqua Community College in Oregon. The latest update was on September 27, 2016.