State Methodists to vote on conference delegates

Oklahoma Methodists soon will select delegates to their denomination's muchanticipated 2020 General Conference.

Ballots for state delegates to the gathering will be cast at the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference's annual meeting set for Monday through Thursday at Oklahoma City University, St. Luke's United Methodist Church and Wesley United Methodist Church.

Many Methodists expect that decisions made at 2020 General Conference in Minneapolis will either affirm or reject the denomination's current ban on gay marriage and ordination of openly gay and lesbian clergy. For some groups, the conference gathering may be their last opportunity to persuade the denomination to forego the ban and allow full inclusion for gays and lesbians in the church.

In February, Methodist delegates from around the globe met in St. Louis for a special General Conference session to take up the issue of gay inclusion in the church. At that time, delegates voted to uphold the denomination's prohibition against same-sex marriage and the ordination of gays and lesbians. Delegates also voted to implement punishments for Methodist clergy who defy the prohibition: suspension from ministry for one year without pay for the first offense and the loss of ministry credentials for a second offense. In the past, punishment has been inconsistent for clergy who have come out as gay or lesbian to their congregations or who have performed gay weddings.

Meanwhile, the Rev.

Joe Harris, communications director for the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference, said voting to elect delegates is the only item on the annual meeting's agenda that could be connected to Methodists' continued conversation about LGBTQ inclusion.

He said Methodists will consider and discuss many

other items, including the Oklahoma Conference's budget and other ministry matters.

“We're still doing missions and discipling and all those things that have always been important to Oklahoma Methodists. That's really our main focus,” Harris said.

Theme for the gathering is “Living Hope” based on 1 Peter 1:3.

A Memorial Worship Service will be at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Wesley. Registration will open at 7 a.m. Tuesday at the Freede Center, with the Rev. Jimmy Nunn, the Oklahoma United Methodist Conference's bishop, to give his Episcopal address during the morning session that begins at 10:15 a.m. Voting for General Conference delegates will begin at 11:15 a.m.

During a business session that begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Freede Center, the Rev. Linda Harker, of Norman's McFarlin United Methodist Church, is set to give a report on the General Conference held in February. Also on Wednesday, the conference will host a commissioning and ordination service at 7 p.m. at St. Luke's.