Annual Conference Report

Signs of life at Annual Conference:
• Cross Cultural Events:
o Promote Racial Diversity and harmony within the COB.
o Dan, Jane and I sang with Bittersweet at the luncheon.
 It was a great time of praising the Lord
 There was/is real spirit filled life among our multicultural congregations.
o I attended their workshop “Barriers to inclusion.”
 It was hosted by a panel of leaders, 2 Hispanic -Ruben Deoleo and Gilbert Romero, 1 African American –Thomas Dowdy and one Caucasian –Nadine Monn.
 The main issue discussed is a willingness/desire to embrace another culture.
• We think that our way of doing things is the best and by so doing, we don’t take time to consider the value of other cultures.
• The solution is to be intentional about embracing other cultures.
• More than anything, this is done in music and styles of worship.
• Brethren World Mission/Witness
o At the Brethren World Mission breakfast, Jay Wittmeyer spoke.
o Jay is the new director for our Brethren Witness
o Jay represents a more moderate view
o He is as passionate about the gospel’s power to save people from sin and restore them to a right relationship with God has he is passionate about the gospel’s power to restore people to a right relationship with each other.
o I would call him a true Matthew 25 Christian.

Issues at Stake at Annual Conference, two significant queries:
• How to deal with controversial issues, Language about Same sex covenants.
o Standing committee will determine if an issue is controversial
o Once it is determined, a study committee will be formed to discuss how we are going to talk about it
 The goal is to talk about the issue on a congregational issue
 Then discuss it on a district and national level
 This way, the votes will be informed
o The query passed with an amendment to include Query #4: Are we going to continue to use the language from 1983 paper on human sexuality?

Struggles at Annual Conference:
• Conference had poor attendance.
o Probably more than anything, due to the economy.
• Conference rules were strained in procedure.
o The way that query 2 and 4 were placed together seems a violation of policy by many.
• No other way to say it but: “Battle lines were drawn.”
o One side used a crotched rainbow scarves
o It made those without them feel marginalized
 (Marginalized means that they were made to feel like they were merely outsiders).
o One man, wearing a scarf told me that it was their desire to split the denomination.
 He said: “There is no way we can continue to journey together. Our goal is to split the church. We (I assume he meant the liberals) can get Elgin and you can get New Windsor.”
• There are a significant number of key leaders who are neither liberal or conservative, they just love Jesus and are tired of the fight. Hopefully, our voice can be heard and we can work to prevent a split.
• New Carlisle COB has a query to next years AC stating: “The Southern Ohio District of the Church of the Brethren asks: Are there ways to structure Annual Conference that could more effectively unite, strengthen and equip the Church of the Brethren to follow Jesus?”