District Meetings: A Preview of the 2014 Resolutions Process and Straw Poll
Where two or more are gathered together – whether in homes, church or district meetings – there are bound to be two or more viewpoints being discussed. Delegates at the Pre-Conference meetings across Texas recently discussed the 10 resolutions, respectfully within the guidelines of Holy Conferencing.
“Attendance was very strong at all nine of our recent pre-conference meetings,” reports Rev. B.T. Williamson, Assistant to the Bishop, “and the delegates’ straw poll votes ran pretty consistent from one resolution to the next, providing an aggregate snapshot of the position taken by the delegates at this point in time.”
These meetings modeled a new Resolution Process that was approved at last year’s conference that involved three steps: 1) a preliminary review with input welcomed from all districts, 2) a district meeting process featuring presenters for and against each resolution, followed by delegate discussions, and a non-binding vote, and 3) the presentation, discussion and official vote at annual conference, following the principles of Holy Conferencing.
Abstention votes were cast but not a substantial percentage of the overall vote. Adds B.T., “An average of eight people participated in the discussion time following each presentation.”The Annual Conference session will be the next context to follow this model of Christians, conferring together for the sake of respectful listening and contemplation.
RESULTS OF STRAW POLL AT PRE-CONFERENCE MEETINGS
1. RESOLUTION REGARDING USE OF LANGUAGE
1.A - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION GENERAL CONFERENCE TO REMOVE THE CONDEMNATORY LANGUAGE ON HOMOSEXUALITY FROM THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
For – 288 Against –510 Abstain - 38
1.B - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO REMOVE DISCRIMINATORY LANGUAGE ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY FROM THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
For – 285 Against –513 Abstain - 38
2. RESOLUTION REGARDING STANDARDS AND CONDUCT FOR ORDAINED CLERGY
2.A - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO UPDATE THE MORAL STANDARDS OF CLERGY IN THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
For – 273 Against –513 Abstain - 44
2.B - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITON THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO UPDATE THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE TO END DISCRIMINATION IN CHARGEABLE OFFENSES OF CLERGY
For –254 Against - 525 Abstain - 43
2.C - A RESOLUTION CALLING THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HOMOSEXUAL CLERGY IN THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
For – 266 Against –528 Abstain - 42
3. RESOLUTION REGARDING USE OF CHURCH FUNDS
3.A - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO END DISCRIMINATION AND CONFUSION CONCERNING FUNDING OF UNITIED METHODIST ORGANIZATIONS
For –260 Against –510 Abstain - 48
3.B - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION GENERAL CONFERENCE TO END DISCRIMINATION AND CONFUSION CONCERNING FUNDING OF UNITED METHODIST ORGANIZATIONS
For –262 Against –510 Abstain - 47
4. RESOLUTION REGARDING MARRIAGE AND MARRIAGE CEREMONIES
4.A - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION GENERAL CONFERENCE TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTIVE LANGUAGE ON MARRIAGE FROM THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
For –242 Against –539 Abstain - 37
4.B - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO CHANGE THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE TO OFFER THE BLESSINGS OF MARRIAGE TO HOMOSEXUAL COUPLES
For –237 Against –546 Abstain - 40
4.C - A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO PETITION THE GENERAL CONFERENCE TO UPDATE THE EQUAL RIGHTS IN THE BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
For –274 Against –506 Abstain - 43