Annual Conference Update

By Jeff Webb
Day Four: Nice Hand

Well, today was my last day at the 2009 West Virginia Annual Conference. I actually woke up at 4:20AM today and crawled out of bed at 5. For some reason, I have been sleeping terribly at Conference, perhaps because of the lack of air circulation in my dorm room, even though I do have a huge fan blowing in from the open window.

I went jogging around the track again this morning, though, in all honesty, it was quite pitiful compared to my previous work-outs. No need to go into details.

I went to breakfast again, and had a lovely conversation with WVWC's Grandma. The fake eggs Aladdin served weren't very lovely, though.

Ms. Harriet Olsen led the morning Bible study again, focusing on the character of God. She told the congregation "it's your turn" to take God into the world.

Bishop Lyght elaborated on this, saying, "This is the acceptable time. You are in mission. Go, therefore."

Business got started at 10AM. Bishop Lyght began the session by saying, "As we do our business, we will remain kind to one another, we will love one another, and we will be respectful to one another."

Perhaps the biggest issue of the day was the voting for the constitutional amendments. Amendment #1 drew the most discussion.

If accepted, the amendment would clarify that the United Methodist Church is in ministry to all persons.

Some people read this as indirectly including homosexuals in the church, though, funny enough, the word "homosexuality" was never uttered, and "gay" was only mentioned once.

It was all like one big elephant in the room.

One gay man stood up during debate on the amendments and said that he is a gay man, that his church knows this and they show God's love to him.

This man said, "I would hate to see anyone not accepted into membership for something other than the love of Jesus."

Reverend Monty Brown added that the United Methodist Church has always been, and should always be, open to all people. The Discipline already proclaims that "all persons shall be eligible to attend...worship services, participate in its program, receive the sacraments, and upon baptism be admitted as baptized members."

Of course, another person countered that the Church needs to guard against permissiveness. Such permissiveness, according to this person, might bring about divisiveness in our church membership.

The final vote was 281 for the amendment, and 411 against. These totals will be added to totals from other Annual Conferences to reach the final vote tally and to decide whether the amendment is adopted.

On another note, Conference Director of Communications Laura Allen presented the campaign to "Rethink Church," asking, "Will we tell our story anew, through our actions?"

Allen said the Church should "speak the language of love."

After going over topics of finance, Bishop Lyght said, "A basic stream is flowing, a stream of spirituality. When the stream of spirituality is flowing, congregations don't sit around talking about money issues. They talk about ministry and mission."

It was announced that David Jasper, who has served in the cabinet for eight years, will be returning to the local church. He will be serving at Morris Memorial in Kanawha City.

Ellis Conley will replace Jasper as superintendent of the Mon Valley District.

Bishop Lyght said that there wasn't a clergy member in the room who hadn't secretly imagined being a superintendent one day. The Bishop added, "Superintending is the toughest job in the United Methodist Church. It's the frontline. It's frustrating, but with joy comes frustration, and with frustration comes joy."

I departed Buckhannon after the 3PM worship service, which ended with Bishop Lyght lifting up a prayer for those embarking on and considering ministry.

I left Jenkins Hall for what should be my last time ever staying in the place, but who really knows? As I said, it somehow just keeps pulling me back in. I would not be surprised if Camden collapses before the beginning of next school year and I get transferred back to the third floor of Jenkins, which, you know, might not be that bad. I've grown quite accustomed to the insanity of the place.

Next year's Annual Conference, in June 2010, will be June 10th-13th. The guest speaker will be Bishop Gregory Palmer.

So, in closing, I leave with this thought:

God abides. The Dude abides.

Shalom.