BOARD OF ELDERS MEETING
AUGUST 6-13, 2008
Present: Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator; Rev. Elder
Ken Martin, Region 1; Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Region 2; Rev. Elder Arlene
Ackerman, Region 3; Rev. Elder Glenna Shepherd, Region 4; Rev. Elder Diane
Fisher, Region 5; Rev. Elder
Staff: Rev. Cindi Love,
Joined by: Rev. Jeff Miner, Marvin Bagwell, Barb
Crabtree,
MOTION 08.08.07.BOE.01 Motion by Rev. Ken Martin, seconded
by Rev. Diane Fisher to extend the term for Board of Administration members
Barb Crabtree, Marvin Bagwell and
M/S Approved
MOTION 08.08.07.BOE.02 Motion by Rev. Ken Martin, seconded
by Rev. Diane Fisher to reappoint Board of Administration members
M/S
Approved
MOTION 08.08.07.BOE.03 Motion by Rev. Ken Martin, seconded
by Rev. Diane Fisher to reappoint Board of Administration members Rev. Jeff Miner,
Barb Crabtree and
M/S
Approved
MOTION 08.08.08.BOE.04 Motion by Rev. Diane Fisher,
seconded by Rev. Arlene Ackerman to adopt the mission statement “Tearing Down
Walls, Building Up Hope.”
M/S
Approved
MOTION 08.08.08.BOE.05 Motion by Rev. Diane Fisher,
seconded by Rev. Ken Martin to reappoint Chuck Phelan to the Board of Pensions
from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.
M/S
Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.06 Motion by Rev.
M/S
Approved
HUMAN
RIGHTS PROTOCOL – ADOPTED AUGUST 11, 2008 BY THE BOARD OF ELDERS
What
is the
Philosophy:
We are called as Christians to:
•
to stand in solidarity with
those who are marginalized and oppressed,
•
to be partners in working
for change,
•
to be witnesses who call
attention to Human Rights abuses,
•
to be a voice in the
international community for justice,
•
to lift up new generations of
remarkable, far-reaching spiritual
activists,
•
to build on hope and
create our future
What is justice?
Harper’s dictionary defines
justice as:
The demand of God for justice is
so central that other responses to God are empty or diminished if they exist
without it (Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 23:23).
God is
the defender of the poor and the oppressed (Jeremiah 9:23-24, Psalm 10:17-18)
When
we properly carry out justice, we are agents of divine will (Isaiah 59:15-16)
The context for the carrying out
of justice is the creation of community and the preservation of people in it
(Leviticus 25:35-36; Job 24:5; Psalm 107:36; Luke 7:29-30).
What are our base line standards?
•
to only go where we are invited
•
to assume we have a lot to
learn
•
to listen to our hosts
•
to forge partnerships
•
to respond when requested
•
to be flexible to the realities
and differences in establishing churches internationally
1. To only go where we are
invited: MCC is approached by
people and organizations from around the world asking for our assistance and
support. Prioritizing our response is critical in managing our resources
and responding to cries for justice around the world.
Criteria for
Potential for Success:
·
Assessment is key – need to consider nature of the
contact, who, what, where, when, why and how
·
We need to consider the impact of our involvement –
are we the best people/organization to respond
·
What resources, personnel and financial will be
required and are they readily available
·
Are there organizations willing to partner with us
on this response
·
Need to consider, potential for impact for the LGBT
community, history of Christian Church in the region, political stability of
country, nature and severity of the treatment of LGBT community, windows
of opportunity
2. To assume we have a lot to
learn: MCC has been invited to
work in community with many cultures and countries.
·
Do your research, read everything that you can find
on the country you are going to, a useful tool in gathering information about
nations is the internet. Also, The World Guide
2005/2006: See the World from a Different Angle (Paperback) by Third World Institute (Author)
·
Check for recent stories in the news
·
Look at what is happening regionally
·
Check the political realities in countries near the
region you are travelling to
·
Find out everything you can about cultural and
religious norms
3. To listen to our hosts: MCC has been invited and the experts on what is
happening in any country are the people who live there.
·
Listen and learn from the
community who offered the invitation
·
Check on the local customs and
culture and imagine the implications
·
Never do any press/media work without members
of the indigenous community present and advising, listen to what it is they
want the message to be
4. To forge partnerships: It is critical
that we form partnerships and build bridges that unite as we do this work.
·
There are often links with international
organizations that are possible and supportive eg: Human Rights Watch, ILGA
(ILGA Europe, ILGA Africa, ILGA Latin America), Amnesty etc.
·
Many nations have limited LGBT organizations, but
check with local groups to make contact with any organizations they might
suggest
·
Look for places where NGO’s are invited to participate
and try signing up
·
Look for meetings that deal with Human Rights issues
and get involved
·
Stand with others who are marginalized and oppressed
5. To respond when requested: MCC is often
asked to be present at or to do press conferences and/or TV and Radio.
·
Always have a clear message that has been crafted
with the community you are presenting with
·
Ensure that you are always with an indigenous leader
for all media coverage
·
Create a short statement of introduction of yourself
and the primary topic
·
Never argue just politely disagree
·
Carry many business cards with local contact
information
·
Have MCC printed materials available in the language
of the country if possible and English
·
If you are clergy, wear your collar
·
If you are participating in a public event, such as
Gay Pride, wear a rainbow stole (it attracts the media)
·
Bring a local member of the community when you are
answering questions, something as simple as turning and asking them if they
have anything that they would like to add
·
Practice
before hand
6. To be flexible
to the realities and differences in establishing churches internationally : People are often in situations
where safety is the primary concern and until that is starting to become a
reality, church is often not possible. The Human Rights work helps us to
understand the culture and the issues and to build trust.
·
A worship service may happen, but that does not mean
that a church is being planted
·
MCC’s church planting initiative can be involved
when the time has come for a church plant
·
Church planting must be culturally relative and
sensitive. The religious culture which is predominant within a community
will often influence people’s expectations and/or fears
·
Church planting is a long term goal not may not be
an immediate reality and that is okay
BE SAFE, WORK IN PARTNERSHIP,
LEARN FROM THE HOSTS, BE FLEXIBLEAND OPEN, TRUST IN GOD!
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.07 Motion
by Rev.
M/S 6 Approved, 1
Abstained
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.08 Motion
by Rev.
M/S Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.09 Motion
by Rev.
M/S Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.10 Motion
by Rev.
M/S Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.12 Motion
by Rev.
Rev. Elder Diane Fisher:
Rev. Elder Lillie Brock:
Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman:
Rev. Elder Ken Martin:
M/S
Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.13 Motion by Rev.
M/S
Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.14 Motion by Rev.
M/S
Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.15 Motion by Rev.
M/S Approved
MOTION 08.08.11.BOE.16 Motion by Rev.
M/S Approved
August
15, 2008