Dr. Hama Vote Passes

The following is an ENN transcript of Michael Brown on the membership vote on the motion to extend an offer to Dr. Hama to be the English pastor of ECBC.

LH: So tell the viewers who haven't been following this story what event happened today and why is it of historical significance?

MB: Today is the special membership meeting, we will be voting on the motion to extend an offer to Dr. Hama to be the next minister for the english congregation. If he accepts this could be the beginning of a new chapter for the english congregation at ECBC.

LH: How would today's decision impact ECBC in the short term and the long term?

MB: If the motion is passed and Dr. Hama accepts the offer he would take over leadership responsibilities of english ministries from Reverend Tawa Anderson who is leaving ECBC to pursue his doctoral studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville Kentucky. So there you have it... of 74 votes, 64 supported the motion, 5 opposed, and 5 void. And the 64 is more than two thirds of the membership so the motion is carried. Tawa is leaving ECBC to start his studies at the end of July this year. When Dr. Hama would start hinges on whether he accepts, and on the ECBC leadership. If either of these conditions do not happen the process to find an English pastor will once again resume until we have a pastor.

LH: We'll have a story on the vision team meeting later on, but based on your study of Dr. Hama, would the past few months of the vision process be a dramatic change to what has been discussed or would the vision team need to start from scratch or be able to continue what has taken place so far?

MB: The vision will continue to be guided by our excellent leadership team, the outreach team is currently working with the english leadership to identify who the english congregation is best suited to reach. Once a clear direction is established the outreach team will work to create integrated programming that is welcoming to the appropriate population. The outreach team will work with the ECBC leadership to most effectively use the strengths God has given us to produce fruits.

LH: What direction, differences, or similarities do you see in Dr. Hama's leadership/traits?

MB: As of now Lincoln, it is difficult to say. The leadership team has spent plenty of time and thought prior to raising the motion. From what I have seen Dr. Hama has plenty of excellent leadership qualities that could benefit the english congregation and the entire ECBC family. Wheather or not the motion is passed will be up to the members of the congregation.

LH: What has the atmosphere been like amoung the members today leading up to the vote?

MB: People here are excited about the prospect of filling the position being left vacant by our beloved Tawa Anderson who will be missed greatly. The atmosphere has been very positive all morning and we look forward to what God has in store for us.

LH: So what now? Is today's vote the final decision or does it need further action like a bill would in government?

MB: What now is that the committee will give Dr. Hama the offer and wait for his acceptance. If he accepts, there still needs to be legal transitions for him to come to Canada as he needs a visa and of course, the formalities of resigning from his current occupation.

LH: Well thank you Michael.

MB: Thank you... and right now, we have a live feed of the ballots being destroyed.

LH: Michael is our correspondent on pastoral motions at ENN reporting about the vote for Dr. Hama's position at ECBC.