WHEREAS, the 2000 General Conference directed the General Board of Discipleship in collaboration with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, and the Council of Bishops, to develop a comprehensive interpretive document on the theology and practice of Holy Communion in United Methodism and report their findings and recommendations to the 2004 General Conference; and

WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church needs an authoritative contemporary statement of its understanding of Holy Communion, both for strengthening its interpretation and practice of the Lord's Supper in its churches and for clarity in its ecumenical conversations with other denominations; and

WHEREAS, in developing its report the Holy Communion Study Committee took intentional steps to heed our United Methodist heritage and history, remain sensitive to the ecumenical church, and hear the voices of United Methodists in the United States as well as in central conferences in the Philippines, Africa, and Europe;

Therefore, be it resolved that the 2004 General Conference approve This Holy Mystery: A United Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion as an official interpretive statement of theology and practice in The United Methodist Church; and

Be it further resolved that This Holy Mystery be used by the Council of Bishops, Church School Publications of The United Methodist Publishing House, The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, and the General Board of Discipleship as a guide for teaching and formation of both clergy and laity in relation to Holy Communion; and

Be it further resolved that This Holy Mystery be used by The General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns and the Council of Bishops in interpreting United Methodist understandings and practices in ecumenical dialogue; and

Be it further resolved that the 2004 General Conference commend to the church the principles, background, and practices in This Holy Mystery for the interpretation and use of the services of Word and Table in our hymnals and The United Methodist Book of Worship; and

Be it further resolved that This Holy Mystery be published in The Book of Resolutions, and that the General Board of Discipleship offer it in study editions with a leader's guide.

Signed Kenneth Carder
President, General Board of Discipleship

Signed Karen Greenwaldt
General Secretary, General Board of Discipleship

This Holy Mystery was adopted by The General Conference of The United Methodist Church, Thursday, May 6, 2004.

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