When they went back to the afternoon session, Rev. Paul Gartor, DS of Kakata-Farmington District gave the devotions. Then highlights of Bishop Innis’ new book about the History of United Methodism in Liberia were mentioned with great appreciation by an English professor from the University who had been asked to review it. It was going to be sold for $5. There was protest that it was worthy of much more. So it was voted to sell it for $10.
Guided prayer was given by a pastor and all prayed aloud particularly for General Conference. The Clergy Women came up, sang “We are Here” and presented a plaque to Bishop Innis. There was a motion that the Gbanga Graduate School of Theology be named the John G. Innis Graduate School of Theology. It was passed.
The Nomination Process began. Bishop Yambasu had the ballot container listed up and shown that it was empty – then it was covered. Someone had to receive 60% majority of the vote to elect.
Everyone was removed from the building. District by district – each pastor and each lay delegate was called and seated. Foreign guests were seated on the stage. At 5:55 the doors were closed. Not all got in. They would have a district that had finished voting go out so another could come in. There were more than 1500 persons voting. And it had to be equal clergy and lay. When they first determined the voters, there were three less lay persons so three pastors who had no lay present could not vote.
This is where our guide Sis. Frances asked Duane if he wanted to go back and check on me. So the next part is based on Saturday morning conversation.
All elders in good standing were eligible so there was a variety of possibilities. And we did not see anything handed out or promoted in front of all about those that had declared they were running. We did hear that there was promotion to small groups. The Norwegian Board of Global Ministries woman was asked to monitor the ballot box.
Superintendents called in the clergy and lay to sit down. They were given a ballot when they came in. 12 districts of 21 were seated. Then they came up individually then left. The next 9 districts came in and came right up and voted and left. Then the entire group came in very quickly to get their seats and watch the counting. (See notes later about process.)
After everyone had voted, she led the opening of the box and the checking of ballots to be sure they were valid. The name on the ballot had to be the full name of the person. Some only had a last name or a first name and an initial. These were invalid. Some could not be read. These were invalid. Then several of the Norwegian and the East Ohio delegations counted the ballots by calling
When the counting was over, they had several names at the top of a list. There was dancing and singing in the auditorium until 1 am. Bishop Hopkins took several videos and showed us. The top two would be sent on to the West Africa Conference in December for voting. The names that surfaced were not all the ones we had heard about running for Bishop. The top three were David Tokpak, James Labala, and Samuel Quire. They will vote again tomorrow to narrow it down.