2011 Year-end Meeting Report #3
NAD Votes on E 60 Policy: Conference/Mission President Eligibility
Following a two-hour discussion on October 31 concerning Policy E 60, the NAD Year-end Meeting committee members voted to reaffirm the action taken at 2010 Year-end Meeting. The committee requested the following resolution:
Whereas, the North American Division is an integral part of the World Church and respects and values the position of the General Conference as it relates to the Conference/Mission President being an ordained minister, and
Whereas, the North American Division desires compatibility in all policies of the World Church including the ones that deal with women in leadership positions,
In the spirit of equality and being sensitive to the unique needs of our field and not acting in any way contrary to the Bible nor the Spirit of Prophecy,
We hereby vote to affirm the North American Division Working Policy E 60 as is currently written in the 2010-2011 Working Policy book, which reads as follows:
E 60 Conference/Mission President
Inasmuch as the conference/mission president stands at the head of the ministry in the conference/mission and is the chief elder, or overseer of all the churches, a conference/mission president should be an ordained/commissioned minister.
According to the General Conference’s Office of General Counsel, the vote numbered 162 in favor of the affirmation and 61 against it.
Prior to the discussion of this policy, Dan Jackson, president of the North American Division, led the congregation through the hymn “Have Thine Own Way Lord” and asked for the Holy Sprit’s leading in the discussion. Also, attendees separated in small groups (about three times) to pray about the proceedings. “My desire is that at the end of this discussion everyone present says in their own mind ‘I was in the presence of the Spirit of God,’” said Jackson.
This vote will allow those who hold the commissioned ministers credentials to lead out in conferences, whether male or female, which could include treasurers, Bible workers, and educational institution presidents.