North Alabama Conference Leadership Summit March 2, 2019

Thank You

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear were to say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body’, that would not make it any less a part of the body.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many members, yet one body. 

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’, nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’  On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,  and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect;

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member,  that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.

Purpose of Today Worship and pray together Hear about application, timelines and next steps related to the outcome of the Special Called Session of General Conference Panel discussion of some of the questions received in advance by email

Phrases to Remember Deep Breaths Perspective Long View

of the Traditional Plan passed Summary of the Traditional Plan passed at General Conference 2019 The current language around human sexuality was retained; Clergy accountability was increased for violations of The Book of Discipline related to marriage and ordination; It will take some time to receive clarity from the Judicial Council about which parts of the plan are constitutional.

“We continue to teach and believe that all persons are welcomed in the church, all persons are persons of sacred worth and we welcome all to receive the ministry of Jesus. Human sexuality is a topic on which people of faith have differing views.  Despite our differences, we will continue to work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and share God’s love with all people.” Bishop Ken Carter President of the Council of Bishops

Results of General Conference

Petitions 90016, 90017 Wespath Passed with amendment and is constitutional.

Petition 90015 More time for Central Conference implementation. Passed as amended.

Clarifying the Definition of Homosexuality Petition 90032 Clarifying the Definition of Homosexuality The petition is constitutional and passed with no amendments.

The definition now includes people living in a same-sex marriage, domestic partnership or civil union, or a person who publicly self-identifies.

Petitions 90033, 90034, 90035 Episcopal Authority Unconstitutional.

Petition 90036 Episcopal Responsibility Constitutional and passed with no amendments. Bishops are prohibited from consecrating bishops who are self-avowed homosexuals even if they have been elected.

Petition 90036 Episcopal Responsibility Bishops are prohibited from commissioning or ordaining those on the deacon or elder track if BOOM has determined the individual is a self-avowed practicing homosexual.

Petition 90037 Composition of BOOM Passed with amendment. Constitutionality uncertain after amendment. BOOM members must certify to the bishop that they will uphold the Book of Discipline in its entirety. Previously unconstitutional.

Petition 90038 Full Examination of Candidates Ruled unconstitutional.

Petition 90039, 90040 Composition of BOOM Ruled unconstitutional.

Petition 90042 Minimum Penalty Constitutional and passed. The minimum penalty if someone is convicted of conducting ceremonies or same-sex weddings is one-year suspension without pay (first offense), and termination (second offense).

Petition 90043 Qualifications for Ministry Constitutional and passed. DCom / BOOM shall not approve or recommend persons who do not meet the qualifications after full examination and the bishop shall rule any unqualified candidate so recommended out or order.

Petition 90044 Complaint Process Constitutional and passed. Bishops can only dismiss complaint if it has no basis in law and the reason for dismissal is shared with complainant.

Petition 90045 Just Resolution Constitutional except for second sentence and passed. Just resolutions must state all identified harms and how they will be addressed to the complainant.

Petition 90046 Just Resolution Constitutional and passed. Every effort should be made for just resolution to be agreed upon by the complainant.

Petition 90047 Church Appeal Constitutional and passed. Church can appeal based on egregious errors of law.

Petition 90066 Disaffiliation (Taylor) Minority report passed as amended. Constitutionality uncertain.

North Alabama Conference Leadership Summit March 2, 2019