Jan Nelson

Jan Nelson is the Lay Leader of the Oregon-Idaho Conference. She was a delegate to the 2016 and 2019 General Conferences and 2016 Western Jurisdictional Conference. Jan is on the Ministry Leadership Team, Jurisdictional and Conference Committees on Episcopacy, and the Holy Land Task Force. She is also Chapter president of the Oregon-Idaho Methodist Federation for Social Action. She lives in Salem, Oregon.

Blog Posts

What I heard at Table Talks 2.0 - 4/25/2019

Helping lead Table Talks helped Jan Nelson learn how church members are viewing the UMC's challenges.

Observations from St. Louis - 3/6/2019

Your Oregon-Idaho delegates were deeply disappointed in the outcome, a step toward punitive legalism and away from inclusion of all God’s people. As your lay delegate, I’d like to share some observations

Never discuss politics or religion! - 4/3/2018

Most of us long to have deep conversation with people who are important to us, but we are afraid.

So now it’s up to you - 8/22/2017

Annual Conference Generated ideas and commitment. Now is the time to follow up.

A closer look at the UMC Constitution - 6/7/2017

Looking at constitutional amendments and how the Oregon-Idaho delegation views them.

The Opportunities of Winter - 1/11/2017

"Church service" might a gathering, or an action.

Uncertain times call for seeking justice - 11/28/2016

How to local churches and laity respond?

How can we doubt? - 3/15/2016

How does the OR-ID team respond to a world-wide church?

I wonder what Jesus would think of this? - 5/2/2012

I heard someone last night talking about the mission of the church “to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” His observation was that our measurements of this equate “disciple” with anyone attending church. Are we really going to emphasize “butts in the pews”, or do we truly care about developing followers of Jesus who live in accordance with his teaching?

The Challange of Being International - 4/26/2012

But my English-speaking brain that has been to lots of meetings in the US filled in a few gaps that she left. Not so for many of the international delegates.

Walking with the World at General Conference - 3/25/2012

Lay Delegate Jan Nelson, who will be attending her third General Conference session, is on a journey to create a church that is truly global and inclusive--and she's learned some valuable insights along the way.