General & Jurisdictional Election Information

     As the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences near, we will be electing lay and clergy delegates at Annual Conference this June.  In New Mexico we elect one clergy and one laity voting delegate to General Conference, an additional voting laity and clergy delegate to Jurisdictional Conference, and three additional laity and clergy alternates. This year we will be using electronic voting which should increase our efficiency. Both the laity and clergy have similar processes to gather information about individuals who are interested in serving as a delegate to General and Jurisdictional Conferences.  Pastors and Lay Leaders were mailed the laity information in January.  Click here for all laity & clergy information.  Interested individuals are encouraged to submit the Delegate Information Forms to Peggy Wilson - peggy@nmconfum.com by 5 pm on March 30th.

     There are some things to keep in mind as you think about offering yourself for election. 

There are monthly delegation meetings and a multi-day meeting to interview endorsed episcopal candidates.  Delegates also spend much time preparing reading and researching the thousands of petitions submitted and conversing with other delegates across the connection.  Although there is a line item in the annual conference budget for the delegation, it is insufficient to cover most expenses. 

     The time spent at General and Jurisdictional Conferences is physically and emotionally demanding. The days are long.   Because of the nature of the work, petitions continually change until the vote is taken.  Because of the kind of decisions being made, there are prayers, many different opinions, and yes, political processes to navigate.

     The United Methodist Church grew up within a framework of American Democracy and has become more and more representational and democratic since the 1950's.  Certainly, decisions need to be made in the church and many voices need to be heard.  But, we cannot forget the difference between democracy and discernment.  Democracy seeks to know the will of the members.  Discernment seeks to know the will of God.

     General Conference is a decision making body.  Delegates continually walk a fine line between democracy and discernment called Holy Conferencing.  Please join me in a season of prayer and reflection between now and Annual Conference. Pray for the United Methodist Church, the New Mexico Annual Conference, and for the discernment in electing our delegation.   Submitted by DonnaTeBrink, Conference Lay Leader