Rev. Dr. Shakira Sanchez-Collins, Columnist

The last day of the 51st Session of the General Conference was fully packed with closing legislation, the election of General Officers, Judicial Council and Bishops, the Installation of General Officers, and the Consecration Service of the newly elected Bishops. During the morning business session, the Judicial Council sustained the recommendation of the Judicial Committee of the Episcopal Committee to locate Bishop Wilfred Messiah. As a result, the Episcopal Committee report recommended that there be one additional vacant spot bringing the total number of vacant spots for new bishops to four. 

In the late morning, the conference transitioned to the highly anticipated election of the general officers and four bishops. After five years of campaigning, the candidates finally had the chance to see voters’ decision.

Going late into the evening, the Installation of General Officers and Judicial Council and the Consecration of the Bishops Service blended in-person, live, and pre-recorded components creating a hybrid worship experience. During a pandemic, the Consecration of the Bishops looked slightly different from previous consecration services.  During the laying of the hands, the consecrators wore gloves. They omitted the practice of sharing a bible between the newly elected bishops to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission.

In a surprising turn of events, after the consecration service, the episcopal committee presented the new episcopal assignments but received a very mixed response from the general conference. As a result, the delegation returned to their delegation rooms for further deliberation and discussion. Despite the delay, in the end, the report and recommendations of the Episcopal Committee were accepted by the general conference.

After an epic week of conducting business as a church in several locations worldwide and encountering several challenges along the way, the general conference has come to a close. The end of the General Conference offers an opportunity to reflect upon what we were able to achieve as a church and where we still need to go to ensure that our policies and leadership reflect the entirety of our global church. Out of the eleven persons elected (including the general officers, judicial council members and bishops), unfortunately, only two were women, and only one came from districts 14-20.

“No matter how many seats are available, there always seems to be only one available for a woman. In the upcoming general conference, there are six seats to be filled. There should be more than one open for women”, said Bishop Francine Brookins during her acceptance speech.

If we were to measure success by overall representation, then we have much more progress that needs to be achieved in our church in order to address diversity, equity, and inclusion within the denomination so that we can continue to be relevant in this new era of being the church.

ins, Columnist