Conservatives see the movement as the future of their church, but liberals are downplaying it as insignificant. Christ alone is the way to salvation. The first plank of the platform comes in reaction to a step taken in February by a council that runs the church between General Assemblies, the annual national meetings of church delegates. The council said it was proper for a denominational meeting to sponsor a talk by the Rev. Dirk Ficca that suggested salvation occurs apart from faith in Jesus Christ. The third plank came in response to the result in March of nationwide voting within the church that allowed local congregations to conduct ritual blessings for same-sex couples if they aren't called marriages.
Proponents say the Bible plank supports the other two.
The lay committee wants legislation to bind denominational officials and programs to the three points. He thinks local congregations must take the initiative to remedy that. The denomination, with 3.6 million members, has suffered steady losses the past 35 years. Copyright 2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved.