Conference approves post-GC2019 fallout legislation

As the Oregon-Idaho Conference and the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church continue to proclaim they are a “home for all” post-General Conference 2019, there were a few legislative items passed during the annual conference session in Eugene that are reactions and calls for action from churches and leadership in the local Conference.

Approved on the Consent agenda was Action Request no. 4, which calls for structural change in the United Methodist Church.

Be It Resolved That the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference notify the Council of Bishops that the stipulations of the Traditional Plan are not acceptable for our Conference. Be It Further Resolved That the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference call on the 2020 General Conference to adopt a structural realignment of the United Methodist Church that creates an expression of Wesleyan Methodism that allows for both traditionalist and progressive understandings of LGBTQ Clergy and same-gender weddings to co-exist within the Church in a new way. Be It Further Resolved That the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference call on the General Conference Secretary to release all structural realignment petitions created by General Church or Annual Conference teams one month prior to the petition submission date for 2020 General Conference for public study and feedback, incorporating potential changes before final submission.

Also approved by the body was Action Request no. 11, calling for the Western Jurisdictional College of Bishops to convene a special conference to:

1. Prayerfully consider how we can most faithfully continue to be a home for all God’s people, gathered around a table of reconciliation and transformation in the light of the Commission’s recommendations and 2. To consider and develop a process for creative separation from The United Methodist Church, while defining ourselves clearly, in order to be able to continue to function as one church in our JurisdictionAction Request no. 6 is a directive for the complaint process and use of reserve funds in investigating complaints:
The Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference shall continue to faithfully respond to complaints in accordance with the Discipline. In the case of multiple complaints being received in a short timeframe, we offer the bishop the following guidelines that reflect the priorities and values of our Annual Conference members:  Complaints will be triaged in such a way that those causing grave and/or widespread harm will receive priority. We believe that persons and relationships are to be honored over institutions and laws, which is what we see in Jesus’ life as depicted in the Gospels. As a result, the priorities of this annual conference regarding the process of complaints shall be as follows (ordered from most to least urgent): 1. Sexual abuse (para. 2702.1h) and/or child abuse (para. 2702.1g); 2. Sexual misconduct (para. 2702.1i); harassment, including, but not limited to, racial and/or sexual harassment (para. 2702.1j); and/or racial or gender discrimination (para. 2702.1k); 3. Crime (para. 2702.1c) and/or fiscal malfeasance (para. 2702.1l); 4. Relationships and/or behavior that undermines the ministry of another pastor (para. 2702.1f); 5. Other complaints causing harm; and 6. Other complaints.

Find links to all legislation considered by the body during Annual Conference at www.umoi.org/legislation. Amendments and results of voting can be found in the daily proceedings of the Conference.