A Statement from the Alaska Conference Delegation to the 2019 General Conference Special Called Session
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
(I Corinthians 13:12-13, NRSV)
As we approach the Special Called General Conference in February 2019, the delegation from Alaska United Methodist Conference has been working hard to review, discuss, and evaluate the material from the Commission on the Way Forward. The delegation comes from different geographical places across the conference, as well as different places theologically. At times, our discussion has been difficult, as we experience in a smaller degree the tension that is in the broader church. In all things, though, we agree that we must move forward in love.
The majority of the delegation are in support of the One Church Plan.
This plan addresses the exclusionary language in the Discipline by either removing it or making it historical in nature. Additionally, it leaves the decision of who may be ordained to individual Boards of Ordained Ministries, the decision of who to marry in the hands of individual clergy, and whether same-sex marriages can take place in a church to the local congregation.
As United Methodists, we are invited to reflect theologically through use of Scripture, Tradition, Reason and Experience. Because of this, we are likely to come up with different answers to the same question because of differences in our contexts and experience. The One Church Plan acknowledges those differences and allows for freedom in our conclusions. It allows for our mission as United Methodists to ‘making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,’ regardless of our ministry setting.
Alaska United Methodist Conference is diverse in our geography, our populations, and in our theology. Diversity in our understanding of a changing theological landscape should not be surprising, and perhaps should be expected. In the interest of empowering all voices, we would appreciate hearing from you.
And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Delegates:
- Carlo Rapanut, Clergy
- Jo Anne Hayden, Lay
- Lonnie Brooks, Lay
- Jim Doepken, Clergy
- Bennie Grace Nabua, Clergy
- Linda Haynes, Lay
- Jim LaBau, Lay
- Fran Lynch, Lay
- Kelly Marciales, Lay
- Lisa Talbott, Clergy
- Daniel Wilcox, Clergy