205th General Assembly, 1993 David Dobler, moderator By John H. Adams The Layman Online Monday, June 14, 1999 Commissioners to the 205th General Assembly said yes and no in the growing controversy over the ordination of people who engage in homosexual activity. They said no to making a change in the policy, but yes to a three-year study that would include a "safe space" for participating homosexuals. Meanwhile, the stated clerk's statistics showed another 34,639 membership loss. David Dobler, 43, a pastor from Anchorage, Alaska, was elected moderator. During questioning, Dobler affirmed the denomination's prohibition of ordaining practicing homosexuals. "Scripture is clear and consistent," he said. "We must carry the Bible with one arm and wrap the other around our brothers and sisters." Gay lobbying activities were intense. At one point, Dobler was trying to calm the protests, but demonstrators shouted him down. The General Assembly gave its executive director of the General Assembly Council (the Rev. James Brown) broad discretionary powers. Brown appointed a controversial feminist, Mary Ann Lundy, to become director of the Women's Ministry Unit. [Both Brown and Lundy would later lose their jobs.]

1999 General Assembly issues The Top Ten issues at the 211th General Assembly

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