In 2025 we conducted listening tours in both conferences.

Here is what we found:

Oregon Conference: Listening Tour Summary

What We Heard from the Listening Tours

One main message came through clearly: we must let the Holy Spirit lead every step of this process. People want to make sure that any change we make is what God wants and that it helps the church grow in the right way.

What People Shared – Concerns and Hopes

  • Spiritual Leadership: People said it’s very important to listen to the Holy Spirit to know if joining together is the right step or if each conference should keep growing on its own.

  • Relationships and Culture: Many want to keep the close, caring relationships and the unique ways each church does ministry. They hope for natural growth—not something forced.

  • Trust and Clear Communication: People asked for honesty, fairness, and clear updates. They want to feel included and informed at every step.

Oregon's Lead Values for the New Conference

These are values Oregon values and what we want the New Conference to prioritize:
During the Listening Tours, people shared what they believe is most important to have in the New Conference. 

  1. Strong Relationships – Leaders should stay connected and be easy to reach.

  2. Respect for Culture – Each conference’s way of doing ministry should be honored.

  3. Clear Finances – Money should be shared in fair and open ways.

  4. God’s Mission First – The goal must be to follow God and help more people know Jesus.

  5. Led by the Spirit – Decisions must be prayerful and guided by the Holy Spirit.

  6. Honest Leadership – Leaders should act with care, honesty, and responsibility.

  7. Building Trust – People want open conversations and honest updates.

  8. Support for Every Church – Each church should be free to grow in its own way.

  9. Fair Sharing – Resources must be shared in a way that feels fair to everyone.

  10. Open Communication – Everyone should be kept in the loop and have a voice.

PNW Conference: Listening Tour Summary

What We Heard from the Listening Tours

One clear message emerged across the Pacific Northwest Conference: people are open to change, but only if it’s Spirit-led, rooted in mission, and shaped by the whole body. Trust and transparency must go hand-in-hand with vision and bold steps forward.

What People Shared – Concerns and Hopes

  • Spiritual Discernment: Leaders and churches want to be sure this process is grounded in prayer and the Spirit’s leading. People asked, “How do we know this is what God wants?”

  • Structure and Identity: There’s deep care for PNWC’s unique culture of belonging, collaboration, and diversity. People want to protect this identity and not be absorbed into a system that dilutes it.

  • Communication and Trust: Participants named past wounds and asked for honest, consistent updates. People want to see feedback reflected in decisions, not just collected.

  • Inclusion and Representation: Voices from bi-vocational leaders, younger pastors, and diverse communities want to be included in shaping the future—not just reacting to decisions.

  • Mission and Multiplication: There’s strong support for change if it helps churches grow, plant, and reach new people. The mission must remain the central reason for any restructuring.

PNWC's Lead Values for the New Conference

These are the values PNWC members expressed as essential for the future of the New Conference:

  1. Spirit-Led Discernment – Decisions must begin and end in prayer and the presence of God.

  2. Mission Over Structure – Systems must serve disciple-making, not the other way around.

  3. Relational Culture – Keep the connectional, supportive culture that defines PNWC.

  4. Trust Through Transparency – Share the “why,” “what,” and “how” consistently and clearly.

  5. Representation Matters – Ensure all voices (rural, bi-vocational, diverse) are included in shaping the future.

  6. Support for Local Churches – Every church should be resourced and empowered to grow in its own context.

  7. Leadership with Humility – Guide boldly but with openness, listening deeply to the body.

  8. Actionable Feedback Loops – Show how feedback is influencing outcomes.

  9. Cultural Healing – Acknowledge past wounds and build a healthier way forward.

  10. Hope with Urgency – The moment is serious, but filled with potential—let’s move prayerfully and boldly.

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