According to the MAUC Outlook, the Mid America Union Conference discussed the Compliance Document at their Year-end meeting last week. From the Outlook publication:
Following the president’s report, a motion was brought to the Executive Committee by Dakota Conference president Neil Biloff. He asked that an item be placed on MAUC’s regularly scheduled 2021 Constituency Session agenda stating the desire to provide ordination opportunities for all pastors in Mid-America, both male and female.
The motion followed a lengthy discussion of recent actions voted by the General Conference at its Annual Council last month and by the North America Division last week at its Year-end Meeting. Copies of the document voted by the GC Executive Committee and the NAD’s response were included with each MAUC Executive Committee member’s information packet.
“People are hearing conflicting messages,” said Thurber. “Many are confused about what is actually happening and what is being said and what it means.” He shared with the committee a few examples of misinformation and added that “our conference presidents are doing a good job of explaining the true story.”
While some members of the committee would have preferred a shorter timeframe in the motion for discussing ordination opportunities, Thurber pointed out the logic for the timing, stating that members and leaders of all six conferences will have ample time to explore the various considerations in depth. “We don’t want to move ahead of our constituents,” said Thurber. “No one will be pressured to vote either way.”
Central States Conference president Roger Bernard spoke in favor of the timeframe proposed, stating that it would give him adequate opportunity to talk with Central States members.
The longer timeframe will also allow for General Conference administration to respond to the NAD’s three requests, and will follow actions that may be taken during the 2020 GC Session in Indianapolis.
Mic Thurber, MAUC ministerial director, stated that while he personally resonated with moving ahead more quickly, “giving the GC the opportunity to respond to the NAD’s thoughtful action regarding the recent AC vote might provide the most peaceful way forward.”
The president asked if any members would prefer a secret ballot process, but none requested this option, so a voice vote was taken. The motion carried as proposed with very strong support.
MAUC PRESIDENT GARY THURBER
That the motion “carried strongly” portends that the MAUC will soon press forward with their own ordinations of women, joining the rebellious Unions of Pacific and Columbia.
Notice also how this Union assumes that they are under the protective umbrella of the North American Division (NAD), as they anticipate that the GC will respond or acquiesce to the (3) requests NAD’s ‘Anti-Compliance’ Document.
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“Wherein they think it strange that you do not run with them into the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you” (1 Peter 4:4).