| BOOM actions cannot be based on public or personal opinions  By Rev. Laura B. Easto When a clergywoman or man seeks to be on a voluntary leave of absence in the life of our annual conference, the Conference Relations Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry interviews her or him. On occasion the Cabinet seeks a voluntary leave of absence through the executive committee of the board. In either case, it is with the approval of the board that clergy enter into the status of voluntary leave of absence. It is the responsibility of the board to understand the reasons(s) why a person is seeking this relationship with the conference so that when a request is made by the individual to return to an active appointment, the board can make an informed decision. We ask questions in interviews to be clear that the reasons a person went out on the leave have been dealt with fully. This is the process we use for everyone who seeks to go out on and return from a voluntary leave of absence. The Book of Discipline binds the Board of Ordained Ministry. It gives us authority and limits our capacity to act. Last year the board faced a decision about whether or not a full member of the annual conference, who had undergone sex reassignment surgery, would be permitted to return from a voluntary leave of absence, and the annual conference faced the need to be prepared for that decision. We sought the assistance of the leadership of the Order of Elders and Order of Deacons to help us create a process that would invite our annual conference members into conversation about transgender clergy. More than 300 clergy and lay members of the annual conference attended the conversations that were offered with the assistance of members of our conference conflict resolution team. The process was received by most of those who participated as helpful. We, as the church, need to be able to engage in difficult conversations. However, the work of the Board of Ordained Ministry and the decisions the board makes cannot be based on the public opinion of the annual conference nor on our personal opinions. Our Book of Discipline is silent on the issue of transgender clergy. The Board of Ordained Ministry followed the process we invoke for everyone who seeks to return from a voluntary leave of absence. We reported to the bishop and Cabinet that our transgender colleague had fulfilled everything that we asked and required and that she is available for an appointment. We are concerned for our denomination. We are concerned for the churches served by this colleague, which are now suffering with questions and confusion. We will evaluate the resources available in our conference and will seek to support these congregations in unity with the pastors who are currently serving them. And we will continue to engage in prayer for Gods gbwc_superuserance. The Rev. Laura B. Easto, pastor of University Park UMC in College Park, is chairwoman of the Board of Ordained Ministry. | 
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