Columbia Union Calls Constituency Meeting to Vote on Ordination
The Columbia Union Conference sent out the following press release:
At its May 17 meeting, the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee received a report from an ad hoc committee assigned to study how to affirm women in ministry.
After discussing the report (included below), the committee voted:
- To recognize its responsibility to act morally and ethically by expressing unyielding commitment to ordain qualified persons to the gospel ministry without regard to gender, and
- To call a special constituency meeting for the purpose of authorizing ordination to the gospel ministry without regard to gender, and
- To set the meeting date for July 29, 2012, at 10 a.m., at a location to be determined in Maryland.
The committee approved the motion by a vote of 34-6, with one abstention.
“I believe this action represents our committee’s desire to move the mission forward, and we are calling this special session to facilitate a wider conversation,” said Dave Weigley, union president, explaining the need for input from the larger constituency.
To help members understand the committee!s perspective, leaders will publish a special July issue of the union paper, the Visitor. It will provide an in-depth review of biblical, historical and Spirit of Prophecy guidelines concerning the role of women in ministry.
UPDATE: The Columbia Union Ad Hoc Committee also released the following report: