Tampa Bound

Four years ago I started this blog because I wanted to share about a big project, my first time cycling 100 miles in one day. I have ridden over 7000 miles since then and let this blog go very, very dormant.

Now in the fall of 2011, as I embark on another "big ride," I find myself wanting a place to share the experience. If you care to read about my reflections as a 1st time delegate to the United Methodist General Conference in April of 2012, read here. (subscribe, do the RSS thing or check back as you wish).

How these things start: An election



The "five finger" ballot moving us toward "Kanaska"

I went to Annual Conference last May with a lot of things on my mind. I was concerned about the test vote regarding possible conference realignment (Kansas East + Kansas West + Nebraska). I was nervous and excited about selling DVD's of the small group curriculum I have been working on for two years http://www.acrosscreation.org/ And I was curious to see how the elections for General and Jurisdictional Conference would turn out.

I was interested in serving on the delegation and had hope that I would be elected as an alternate to Jurisdictional Conference. I had never been a delegate before that that seemed like the place people start. I was almost elected as an alternate in 2008 but considering our delegation was half the size for 2012 (two GC clergy delegates, two JC clergy delegates, three alternates, same 7 slots for laity) I didn't know what would happen. 



KS West Delegation 2012



Long story short, I was elected as the second clergy delegate, meaning I am a voting member of General Conference 2012.  Who knew? If someone (or several someones) worked hard for me behind the scenes, they didn't bother to tell me about it. Which is a very Kansas-like way to operate but also perhaps a little odd. I'm not complaining, mind you. I'm thrilled. Not for the "honor" of it (though it is certainly an honor) I'm thrilled because I get to spend the next several months digging into our church polity and structure and then I get to be a part of the conversation that shapes that structure for the years ahead.

FYI: I anticipate actually talking about all that legislative stuff here. So if your eyes rolled at the last part of that previous paragraph, you might want to unsubscribe.

At the end of Annual Conference the elected delegates gathered to choose legislative committees. Thankfully Mark Conard, our 1st elected clergy person, 3 time delegate and revered elder statesmen, had given me a heads up so I could consider my choice. I selected "Ministry and Higher Education" because I also serve on the conference Board of Ordained Ministry and I care a great deal about our ordination process, creating a hospitable climate for young clergy, and clergy effectiveness. I'm sure I will have more to say about that in posts to come.

Since the end of May there has been only a little bit to do regarding GC. Until yesterday, that is, when we held our first delegation meeting. I could have stayed busy by reading some of the 31 Books of Discipline I have in my office, dating back to 1854. They were a gift several years ago from a relative who is a retired UM elder. I took them from him to be polite, but now that I will get to vote on what's in the 2012 version, I'm kind of glad to have them.