Network Conference Business

It was a memorable day of business on Tuesday at Network Conference.  First, we elected Superintendent Bill Welch for another four years!  He was elected in the first electoral ballot with a vote of 100%.  

After being returned to office for another four years, the Presbytery surprised Pastor Bill and Dori with a gift of a trip to Israel.  The Presbytery had asked churches and ministers in the Alaska Ministry Network to give toward this, and they did.  Pastor Bill and Dori are very appreciative of this blessing, and excited for the trip.

Northern Region Presbyter JR Markle was reelected for another term as Northern Region Presbyter.  Congratulations Pastor JR!  We thank you for your leadership.

Central Region Presbyter Fay Niemann was reelected to serve another term.  She was also elected to serve as a General Presbyter as an Ordained Female to represent the entire Northwest Region.  Congratulations Pastor Fay! We appreciate all that you do.

I (Brad Kesler) was elected to serve as a General Presbyter to represent the Northwest Region as an Ordained Minister under the age of 40.  I am very honored to serve in this capacity and thank you for electing me.  I will do my best to represent us well.

We passed resolutions to elect two people as honorary presbyters for the Alaska Ministry Network:   Pastor Ted Boatsman and Pastor Norman Lindsay.  Brother Boatsman served as the Alaska Superintendent for 8 years, as the Assistant Supt. for 2 years, was an AMN Presbyter for 16 years, served on the Northwest University Board for 10 years, was a member of the General Presbytery for 10 years, and served in pastoral ministry in Alaska for 23 years.  He was a great blessing to the Alaska Ministry Network, and we are pleased to elect him as an honorary presbyer.

Brother Lindsay served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Alaska Ministry Network for 10 years, on the AMN Presbytery for 12 years, was a member of the General Presbytery for 10 years, served on the Executive Leadership Team and taught several class for AKSOM, and pastored in Alaska for 12 years.  Many people and churches have been blessed by the ministry of Norman and Judy Lindsay.  We are pleased to elect him as an honorary presbyter for the Alaska Ministry Network.  Brother Lindsay was in town to assist in teaching some AKSOM classes, and was able to attend Network Conference.  After passing the resolution electing him as an hononary presbyter, he was invited to address the body.  He received a standing ovation!

All the other resolutions passed.  Perhaps the most historic resolution was Resolution 10, which authorizes Ethnic Fellowship in the Alaska Ministry Network, and allows the President for an approved Ethnic Fellowship, operating under Network-approved Articles of Fellowship, to have a seat on the Alaska Ministry Network Presbytery.

In other business, we received video reports from the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Regional Presbyters.  We received the Treasurer's Report and Secretary's report, and the regional caucuses met to nominate presbyters and elect committee people.

We appreciate the dedicated work of the parlimentarians:  Chairman Wade Cogan, David Wilson, and Scott Vantrease.