It has been the first day of meetings at the annual conference of the Western North Carolina Conference. We voted on petitions. We casted ballots. We sat in the hot, non-air conditioned auditorium. Nothing new, except that this is the first year I could actually vote.
I am often cynical about conference, the business aspect of church. I wonder if we are really doing God's work or are we simply Pharisees who just dress different. But I had to admit I was looking forward to casting my ballots and electing delegates to Jurisdictional and General conference. The countdown on the Methoblog site always reminds me it is coming very soon.
There I sat, sweating, getting some relief from the wind blowing in off of Lake Junaluska. I looked at the names of all the clergy in the WNCC and I had to pick 13 in the first ballot. I glanced through the pages and I realized something. I knew really no one. I didn't know who would be good at these conferences. I didn't know who would represent what I think should happen at these conferences. But I had to pick 13. I glanced through booklet and I looked for familiar names. I voted for who I knew. That was the only requirement.
Then ballot 2 came about and I realized I was back in high school. We were voting for prom king and queen. The one thing I was looking forward to was merely a popularity contest. The wind left my sails. The bishop has done a good job trying to keep this a holy time, but it is hard when it is hot and we continue to do ballot after ballot.
Oh well, I guess I can rest easy in my cynicalness. I can find hope in knowing God will use those popular people elected. God works despite our votes. Thank you God because I just colored in a couple of names during this last ballot!
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