On Sunday, June 23, the North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) held its constituency meeting. Among many issues addressed was that of ordination. Taken to a vote, a solid majority of 62.6% of NPUC delegates voiced their support for a motion to allow local conferences to submit names for ordination without reference to whether the candidate is male or female. In short, this motion allows conferences to recommend both men and women for ordination.
 
So, what does this action mean for our future here in the Oregon Conference?
 
In recent times, there have been two distinct viewpoints present among Seventh-day Adventist believers in the North Pacific Union Conference. Some, with deep convictions about how certain Bible passages should be read, have held that “ordination” should not include women. Others, with equally profound convictions, also based on how Bible passages should be read, have asserted that “ordination” should include women. The recent action ensures that local conferences are able to respect equally those who hold either of these two opinions. It allows local congregations, working with their local conference, to express their convictions through the policies and ceremonies of the church. 
 
That is why some would argue that this action is a measure of peace and unity. A similar decision was once taken in regard to women serving as elders. Since 1975, congregations that believe it is appropriate for women to serve as elders have been able to select and ordain them to do so, while those congregations that believe that action to be inappropriate refrain from doing so. The recent action allows this same approach of peace and unity to be extended to the ordination of women for gospel ministry.
 
Since both views–--and those who hold them–--may find affirmation and respect within the context of their church, might this allow for more fruitful exchange rather than less?
 
As the Oregon Conference moves forward considering this change, there will certainly be questions about what’s next. Let us address a few here.
 
What does this decision change about how things work in the Oregon Conference?
 
This decision allows for the conference’s personnel and executive committees to forward names of women who have moved through the ordination track process to the North Pacific Union Conference for approval for ordination to gospel ministry. Up until this time, women who were candidates would have moved through a commissioning track. 
 
What happens with women in our leadership that have already been commissioned?
 
Based on a 2015 Oregon Conference Executive Committee action, women who have been commissioned and hold the “commissioned” credential now become eligible to receive the “ordination” credential on the endorsement of the North Pacific Union Conference.
 
How far does ordination extend outside of the Oregon Conference?
 
Since this is an action of the North Pacific Union Conference, it applies only to the North Pacific Union Conference territory (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington), though it is assumed that there will be reciprocity with the other three unions and other areas of the church who have already approved parallel measures (such as the Columbia Union Conference, Mid-America Union Conference, and Pacific Union Conference).
 
The Oregon Conference, as a sisterhood of churches, has long wished for the privilege of fully acknowledging God's calling and work through the women serving as pastors and leaders in our midst. We express our deepest appreciation to the NPUC constituency delegates for our ability to do so, and to each of the women who have been following God's guidance in our territory all along.