Lay Equalization Delegate Report on Annual Conference

Saint Cloud, MN

05/30/06 – 06/02/06

Annual Conference is a Methodist Tradition that celebrates connection. As all the churches in the conference meet, we celebrate ministries, we worship together, and we meet to plan the work of the church. In looking at the agenda it is amazing to contemplate the ministries of the Minnesota Conference.

I attended as a lay equalization delegate, which means that I was asked by the conference to attend to equalize in some way the difference between clergy attending and lay persons. The conference paid for my participation, except for lodging, as I chose alternative lodging as opposed to staying on the campus of Saint Cloud State.

For the first time, I was able to attend every function from opening worship to the ending prayer. I will say that for me personally, of the three annual conferences that I have attended, this was the most meaningful, spiritual, and best.

The conference started at 7p.m. with worship in the Ritche Auditorium at St. Cloud State University. The theme was blossoming ministries, and it also celebrated a renewal of our baptism vows. Our bishop Sally Dyke spoke using nature metaphors of how strong roots bring out strong ministries on how they branch out. Using the metaphor of the Aspen tree, with an interconnected root system, she indicated how the trees may last a relatively short time, the root system has been there since time immemorial. As the church, or connectional system of roots brings us all together in ministry and in unity with Christ.

The conference over the next two and a half days provided reports on various ministries such as camping and missions as well as financial and budgetary concerns. We commissioned local pastors and other ministers, and wrestled with more controversial issues. Of particular concern is the continuing loss of membership of the United Methodist Church in the Minnesota Conference. I could not find the exact data, but the membership has decreased approximately two thousand, bringing the total membership in Minnesota to approximately 85,000. When we consider in the mid eighties the membership of the Minnesota Conference was in the 120 thousands, we have some work to do in making disciples of Jesus Christ. We have to look at finding radical new ways to bring in members into our denomination, and the focus we are told should be on the unchurched. We are still the third largest denomination in Minnesota, but membership has been declining steadily. We also recognized the ministries of eight Minnesota Churches that have closed.

On a more celebratory note, we commemorated 50 years of full clergy rights for women as well as the 150^th anniversary of the Methodist Church in Minnesota. Worship on Wednesday evening was a look at our history as well as a celebration of our retirees.  The love offering collected at Annual conference as well totaled approximately 77,000.00. We also celebrated the fact that the Minnesota Conference is one of the most generous in giving to disaster and other relief.

On Thursday June 1^st we convened in Holy Conferencing to discuss seven petitions relating to removing language from the Discipline that prevented equal access to service, membership, or ministry in the United Methodist Church. These petitions would be presented to General Conference to be adopted as changes to our Discipline. It would require a vote by the General Conference to adopt changes to the Discipline. Specifically considered were these petitions that:

a)     Prevented exclusion from membership based on sexual preference or gender identity.

b)    Allow all persons to be eligible for worship without regard to “gender, gender identity, marital status, sexual orientation, and ability...”

c)     Expand the definition of  marriage to a shared fidelity between “two adult persons.”

d)    Encourage civil authorities to enact laws to ensure full economic rights from persons in civil unions and marriages without regard to the gender of the partners

e)     Add language rejected earlier by the General Conference to state that “Christians of good faith differ on what Christian teaching reveals regarding homosexuality.”

f)      As a church we support the equal rights of all persons.

g)     Removing the statement from the discipline that the practice of  homosexuality is incompatible with Christian Teaching.

h)     Allow clergy to celebrate homosexual unions

i)       Removing the prohibition of sending funds or receiving funds from any group “advocating” homosexuality

j)       Removing the restrictions against the ordination of clergy based on sexual preference.

The discussion started with two viewpoints given by two clergy on opposite sides of the issue. We then proceeded to discuss each petition for a total of one hour. Voting took place the next day.

Needless to say, this is a deeply divisive issue within the church. (My viewpoints) Arguments against the petition were mainly Biblical in origin, and fear that we slide down a slippery slope towards too much inclusion. Personally upsetting to me was one person who stated that “THEY can be in the pews and worship, but we don’t want THEM up there.” Another person arguing against the petition stated that there were different “degrees of homosexuality” and included pedophile among them, which is completely inaccurate. Much was said on the fact that the belief was that this was learned behavior that could be “unlearned.” Most evidence presented was anecdotal. The argument that God told us to be fruitful and multiply was brought up, which would also bring into question any marriage that has not produced children, such as mine.

Those arguing for the petition mainly spoke of gifts, equal access, and the hurt caused by rejection. It was stated that only seven things in the bible seem to address homosexuality, yet there are approximately 2000 verses dealing with money. There is an interpretation of the verses in the Bible that seem to deal with homosexuality as more referring to abusive relationships. Those affected by the prohibitions spoke again and again of the pain of feeling they need to remain hidden, and of the pain caused by a church they felt held them in lower regard for being who God created them.

For me, what it came down to is how we view scripture. We always pick and choose, choosing to be hard-line where it best suits us and ignore those things that are inconvenient. I tried to think of what Christ would do, and how accepting Christ was of all. I also thought how easy it is to rant and rave against a supposed “sin” when the “sin” is not one we are “guilty” of. I voted in support of these motions. If nothing else, it keeps the conversation alive in the church, and all though they will probably not survive General Conference and become part of the Discipline, they will again challenge us on determining who is included and who is not.

The easy thing to do would be to table the discussion and agree to disagree, keeping the current language in the Discipline. The decision, made either way, would alienate portions on both sides of the question. There is no easy answer.

Lastly, I found the ordination service to be healing to me, and especially joyful. If ever you get a chance to attend these (as they are open I believe) I would suggest you do. The joy and thanksgiving over new beginnings lifted my spirits and gave me faith that the work of the church will go on.

Respectfully submitted:

Stephen Berg

Lay Equalization Delegate