tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post721094881097747345..comments2023-10-31T09:33:01.781-04:00Comments on McilWeb: The Politics of Annual Conference 2007Keith H. McIlwainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14661248415435540954noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-86704983634925616882007-06-13T10:25:00.000-04:002007-06-13T10:25:00.000-04:00Personally, Conference was a bit of a disappointme...Personally, Conference was a bit of a disappointment to me this year because my wife couldn't be with me. She helps keep me grounded and to keep perspective, and, to be honest, she's a heckuva lot prettier than John Wilson and Joel Garrett.<BR/><BR/>Other than that, Conference was OK. I've been to worse; I've been to better. Bishop Bickerton's initial Conference with us was probably my favorite...it was just so optimistic and positive. This year's had some definite highlights, and it's always good to reconnect with colleagues in Christ. It could have been a lot worse!<BR/><BR/>I hear what you're saying about the age issue. At 36, I still felt older at times!Keith H. McIlwainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661248415435540954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-79164684407069929122007-06-13T09:21:00.000-04:002007-06-13T09:21:00.000-04:00Keith - you really have a strong sense of how the ...Keith - you really have a strong sense of how the AC elections went... Any other reactions to the conference? Even though I was going to postal if I heard the word discerning one more time (especially in the context of worship...since we all know what they were "really" talking about), I really felt the conference was one of the best I've been to in 15 years.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and on the "youth vote" thing - maybe we ought to check the median age or average age of our clergy before we set an age for "young clergy"... I think the under 45 suggestion jeff v. made is probably a little more realistic (heh, and Keith - I was feeling pretty old at 39...sigh...)<BR/><BR/>Bill B.Pastor Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01365928184955951086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-61692335933702196942007-06-12T15:31:00.000-04:002007-06-12T15:31:00.000-04:00I too will come to Zilhaver's defense. He not onl...I too will come to Zilhaver's defense. He not only had nothing to do with the letters, but to my knowledge, he did no politicking for anyone at all. Although often controversial, he is first and foremost a man of integrity. I have never seen a person in the church who has done more to help the institutionally weak. His tireless work as an advocate...his legislative archive and his agenda have always been about justice and fairness for all.<BR/><BR/>That being said...as long as being part of the delegation to G.C. is a status symbol, there will be political hand fighting. I know that I sat next to Zilhaver in the plenary sessions and he never asked me to vote for anyone.<BR/><BR/>I agree with Matt and hope the members of our delegation will be independent voices seeking to discern God's will for the church. No labels, letters or agendas matter now. <BR/><BR/>My prayers are with each member of our delegation.Randy Rodahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03611170269567077219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-60130811545634609782007-06-12T11:50:00.000-04:002007-06-12T11:50:00.000-04:00Keith, thanks for the thoughtful analysis of AC. ...Keith, thanks for the thoughtful analysis of AC. Even though we didn't get anyone under 40 to be official delegates I felt we let others know that there are some young clergy around. ...And as Vanderhoff stated you did leave your name of the list. And to Eric congrats first (your election is truly awesome) but I will take you on in a pushup contest any day that is after we finish a marathon and a sit up contest. Great seeing everyone at AC and have a blessed week.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-8264658310137818502007-06-12T11:32:00.000-04:002007-06-12T11:32:00.000-04:00Ahh, yes - but isn't it funny how most people know...Ahh, yes - but isn't it funny how most people know who did indeed write the "anonymous" letter?Greg Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06745007452155543635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-78892163023300596602007-06-12T09:20:00.000-04:002007-06-12T09:20:00.000-04:00I hear you, Matt. It was my intention to stress th...I hear you, Matt. It was my intention to stress that you were univolved in <I>any</I> political campaigning; folks may have supported and/or endorsed you, but you had nothing to do with that.<BR/><BR/>Also...yes, Bob was not involved <I>in any way</I> with the anonymous letters.Keith H. McIlwainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14661248415435540954noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-80171180782938634742007-06-12T08:41:00.000-04:002007-06-12T08:41:00.000-04:00Excellent analysis, Keith...I really appreciate wh...Excellent analysis, Keith...I really appreciate what you had to say. I understand what you're saying when you say that 6 of the 8 are "Zilhaver-friendly" but please remember that I (and others, I'm sure) had nothing to do with that. I really can't stress that enough! Not that I don't like Bob, but I don't like the dirty politics that happened before AC that I was somehow wrapped up in, even though I was unaware and unwilling! I'm not saying that Bob was the leader of that either, but the conservative movement was, and at this point, even though I am an evangelical conservative, I don't want that label. I'd like to be thought of as a radical Methodist.Matthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05841955916613757099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-85452015623544561802007-06-11T21:28:00.000-04:002007-06-11T21:28:00.000-04:00Good point, Jeff. The letters should have been si...Good point, Jeff. The letters should have been signed.Randy Rodahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03611170269567077219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-86916566052492199122007-06-11T19:30:00.000-04:002007-06-11T19:30:00.000-04:00I LOVED it when it the Bishop said "I am not anony...I LOVED it when it the Bishop said "I am not anonymous." I thought that was an important point to make, and was glad that it was well received (by most, based on the extended applause). Why did I appreciate it so much? Because of the whole stigma attached to those anonymous letters. It is said that when John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence, he signed first, and he signed in large letters, stating that he wanted to be sure the King would have no trouble seeing his signature on the document. That's the kind of stance that is worthy of respect, and that is what is sadly lacking in the anonymous letters.Jeff Vanderhoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08468780780315636742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-78342795105778865852007-06-11T17:40:00.000-04:002007-06-11T17:40:00.000-04:00Keith...good piece. On the political stuff...I st...Keith...good piece. On the political stuff...I stopped listening after hearing the bishop say "I Am Thomas J. Bickerton and I am not anonymous." What was he trying to say? Anonymous is bad. What about those guys who wrote epistles and then signed them with Paul's name? We call it Scripture.<BR/><BR/>I guess I felt that the opening speech set the political tone, and for me, conference never recovered. I like the delegates...I don't know what I'm gonna do with Zilhaver's now gigantic ego.<BR/><BR/>All in all, I had a great time at conference. I enjoyed the worship, rekindling frienships and making new ones.Randy Rodahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03611170269567077219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-26943395880037460112007-06-11T13:32:00.000-04:002007-06-11T13:32:00.000-04:00I appreciate all the affirmation, Keith and Jeff.B...I appreciate all the affirmation, Keith and Jeff.<BR/><BR/>But all this talk of age suddenly makes me feel like a very ancient 41-year-old!<BR/><BR/>I feel like challenging Shaver to a push up contest!!Eric Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14484569506084519086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-72125158165724341712007-06-11T11:40:00.000-04:002007-06-11T11:40:00.000-04:00"And, since we were told that this was all done th..."And, since we were told that this was all done through Spiritual discernment, those who are dismayed at the elections have little recourse but to either deny the Spirit's presence altogether or ignore how the Spirit moved." That is a very concise way of putting it, and I think the understanding which you've put forth here speaks volumes. Bob Z's election shows the high regard our conference has for him, regardless of how polarizing he is when it comes to disciplinary matters and such. While we didn't elect any lead candidates under 35, let's be honest - we have VERY FEW under 35. I think 45 will have to become the new standard, and I'm thrilled to have Eric Park representing our AC as one who is at least under 45. I don't think youthfulness had anything to do with Eric's election, however, I firmly believe that he was lifted up because of his pastoral abilities, leadership skills, and general AANG (All Around Nice Guy!) personality. You mentioned Jim Walker, John Shaver, and Greg Cox as younger candidates as well, but you neglected (in a RARE moment of humility, I'm sure:) to include yourself in that list, Keith. You had a great number of votes yourself, and I think you'll have a good shot next time around. Brett Probert would have had a chance, but too many people wrote him in as "Brett Problino" and those ballots were then considered invalid.Jeff Vanderhoffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08468780780315636742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-5382469281403602362007-06-11T10:34:00.000-04:002007-06-11T10:34:00.000-04:00Keith, Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts...Keith, <BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing with us your thoughts on AC 2007. I respect you in many ways brother. <BR/><BR/>Personally, what I am walking away with came from the Bishop's ordination sermon - to remember my calling (I fear that I have been doing the work, and not allowing the Spirit to lead me). <BR/><BR/>Thanks again!Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03977799699814671231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22297646.post-30437962177622874912007-06-11T09:02:00.000-04:002007-06-11T09:02:00.000-04:00Keith, I appreciate the honest discussion of inclu...Keith, I appreciate the honest discussion of inclusivity and the election process. At our annual conference , there were times that I felt uncomfortable with several comments that almost blatantly said, "OK,we need to elect a minority now..." <BR/><BR/>In the end, there were at least three ethnic minorities elected, but it seemed strange. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand the need for diversity and inclusivity. Heck, I even support affirmative action! <BR/><BR/>I simply don't know how I'd feel if I went home to my wife and said, "Hey, I got elected for general conference!" "Wow, that's great! Was it your leadership, your theology, maybe your integrity? Why did they pick you?" "Well, they said they needed a white guy.."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com