The following list includes the motions voted by numerous Upper Columbia Conference churches calling for a statewide constituency meeting to address changes to the UCC minister description that are out of harmony with the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist church. There may be minor inaccuracies in dates and voted wording. Churches moved and voted motion wording may differ slightly because formatting varies. The wording of very recent special session request votes is embargoed to permit churches several days to directly inform conference administration of their vote.

[Editorial note: In a our current national setting where Conferences and Unions customarily impose their own will on the people they represent, it is refreshing to see this grassroots movement rise up and hold their leaders accountable. May their tribe increase!]

1 Sandpoint, ID (voted May 30, 2016):

“VOTED, According to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Upper Columbia Conference, Article 7, Section 3 C, to petition for a special session of the UCC constituency, to be held before Dec. 31, 2016, to discuss and rescind the vote of the executive committee on March 29, 2016, regarding the new commissioned minister policy.”

2 Chewelah, WA (voted June 8, 2016):

“VOTED, The board of the Chewelah Seventh-day Adventist Church petitions for a special session of the Upper Columbia Conference constituency to be held in the next six months. The purpose of the meeting is to enable the constituency to overrule the March 29, 2016 executive committee action granting the commissioned minister credential additional authority in contradiction to the world church, and to take any action deemed needful to provide administrative leadership consistent with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

3 Ione, WA (voted June 9, 2016):

"VOTED according to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Upper Columbia Conference, Article 7, Section 3 C, to petition for a special session of the Upper Columbia Conference constituency to be held prior to December 31, 2016. The purpose of the Special Session is to enable the constituency opportunity to rescind the March 29, 2016 Executive Committee action granting the Commissioned Minister credential additional authority and ministry function equal to that of an Ordained minister. This action is in contradiction to the General Conference world church governing body and its Working Policy to guide all levels of church ministerial governance, and to take any remedial action deemed needful to provide laity and denominationally salaried administrative leadership consistent with the working policy of the General Conference Seventh-day Adventist Church."

4 Deer Park, WA (voted June 13, 2016):

"VOTED, The Deer Park Seventh-day Adventist Church petitions the Upper Columbia Conference to call a constituency meeting in regard to the new "UCC Commissioned Minister Policy" that was voted on 3/29/2016 which, in the opinion of this board, oversteps the authority of the conference executive committee in regard to the July 8, 2015 General Conference session."

5 Valley View, WA voted June 14, 2015):

“VOTED, According to the Constitution and the Bylaws of the Upper Columbia Conference Article 7, Section 3. C, Valley View petitions for a special session of the UCC constituency, to be held before December 31, 2016, to discuss and rescind the vote of the executive committee on March 29, 2016, regarding the new Commissioned Minister Policy.”

6 Spokane Countryside, WA (voted June 15, 2016):

“VOTED, The board of the Countryside Seventh-day Adventist Church petitions for a special session of the Upper Columbia Conference constituency to be held in the next six months. The purpose of the meeting is to enable the constituency to overrule the March 29, 2016 executive committee action granting the commissioned minister credential additional authority in contradiction to the world church, and to take any action deemed needful to provide administrative leadership consistent with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.”

7 Kettle Falls, WA (voted June 15, 2016):

“VOTED: To petition the Upper Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for a special constituency session to be held before Dec. 31, 2016. Purpose: To rescind the executive committee action on March 29, 2016, on commissioned minister policies. (See Article 7, Section 3C, Constitution and Bylaws of the Upper Columbia Conference).

8 Inchelium, WA (voted June 21, 2016):

9 Leavenworth, WA (voted July 7, 2016):

[Update] This statement and motion was read into the board minutes at Leavenworth SDA on July 7:

This past March, the Executive Committee for the Upper Columbia Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church voted a policy that would make the commissioned minister essentially the same as an ordained minister and give him or her the same authority. This appears to be a way to get around what was voted at the 2015 General Conference action regarding the Ordination of Women.

However, what the Executive Committee has done is outside of our conference's constitution and bylaws and certainly outside of the General Conference Working Policy. Therefore, I request the following action be considered by the Leavenworth SDA Church Board Members.

I move that the Leavenworth SDA Church request our UCC leadership to call a special constituency to vote on either upholding or rescinding the Executive Committee action of March 29, 2016 regarding the new Commissioned Minister Policy.

Leavenworth SDA Church voted unanimously to call for a special constituency to vote on either upholding or rescinding the Executive Committee action of March 29, 2016 regarding the new Commissioned Minister Policy.

10 Stateline, OR (Voted July 11, 2016)

There are at least 4 other churches that are in process of bringing this to their boards, that we know of. So there may be more churches calling for a statewide constituency meeting to address ExCom changing the UCC commissioned minister policy to be essentially equal with ordained ministers.

Updated information 7-20-2016:

11 Athol, ID:

Petition letter was received by Conf. on July 13th.

12 Northport, WA:

Just voted, but has not mailed yet.

13 Clark Fork, ID:

Planning to meet to discuss this issue.

Several other churches have this issue on their agenda. A total of 17 churches is needed to call a special constituency meeting. It looks like they are well on their way to meeting that goal.

Walk with the King and be a blessing!