conference mission and vision

1
Connectional Ministries Team Proposal

• conference mission and vision

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ who transform
our church and our world - through bold
decisions, faithful sacrifices and courageous
actions.
Every good and perfect gift is from above,
coming down from the Father of the Heavenly
lights, who does not change like shifting
shadows
James 117
2

Jeremiah 2911
I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm,
plans to give you hope and a future.
C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
3
Conference Challenges - Opportunities for Change
Renewal

• Declining membership
• Decline in the number of churches
• Increased number of clergy eligible
• for retirement
• Overall concern for congregational
• strength, vitality and fruitfulness

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
4
How do we turn things around?
A new focus on shared priorities networking
churches by size location action
teams lay leadership best
practices connecting, equipping,
mobilizing
5
2008 Annual Conference Priorities

• Intentional Discipleship with Wesleyan
  Distinctiveness
• Congregational Vitality and Revitalization
• Leadership Development
• Faith Community and New Church Development
• Outreach Advocacy

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
6
A new approach

• Build new ministry teamsgeared toward action!
  Pull together creative and passionate people to
  address ministry needs and provide ministry
  tools.
• (nominating process
  already reflects this change)
• Focus on what worksbest practices of small,
  medium and large churches
• Get out of the large scale top down programming
  business
• Lay Leadership and Local Church Emphasis
• Focus on networking, equipping, training and
  mobilizing based on overall priorities and local
  needs!
• 
  

A New Connection Now C o n n e c t I n gE m p
o w e r I n gM o b I l I z I n g
7
Response calls upon Best Principles Practices
in Ministry
The Program Ministries Transition Team (PMT)
proposes a vision for shared life and ministry
that brings true renewal, hope and unity.

• Sharpened role of Connectional Ministries Office
• Formation of Memphis Conference Connectional
  Ministries Team (CMT)
• Creation of Primary Ministry Action Teams

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
8

• Intentional Discipleship
• Church Vitality and Revitalization
• Faith Community and New
• Church Development
• Church and Society
• Leadership Development
• Outreach Advocacy
• Communications

7 Primary Ministry Action Teams
C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
9
Action Teams will

• Serve as a re-search engine to identify best
  principles and practices for application in
  ministry
• Facilitate networking, renew relationships and
  communicate ministry related information widely
• Use all communication tools available

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
10
Getting closer to the Grassroots

• A Lay Resource leader will be identified in each
  District. (Job description in document)
• A unique partnership will be formed between the
  District Superintendent, LRLs, District Lay
  Leaders Director of the CMT to address ministry
  needs.
• Emphasis on positive impact on the local church!
• A collaborative strengthening of all shared
  ministries.

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
11
Connectional Ministries Office Staff
CMT Director Director of Communications Direc
tor of Disaster Response 6 LRLs Support
Staff
C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
12
Anticipated Outcomes
First 12 Months

• Heightened awareness of Wesleyan distinctiveness
• Better informed pastors, lay leaders and local
  churches
• Stirring of energy and spirit
• New ways of communicating and connecting
• (large/medium/small churches networking and
  cooperating in new ways)
• Networking of churches by size and location
• Mobilize groups for hands on missions involvement
  and build action teams
• LRLs in place with initial contact made with
  every charge

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
13
Anticipated Outcomes
Two Years

• Better equipped pastors and lay leaders
• Greater sense of shared Wesleyan identity
• Greater focus on and effectiveness in evangelism
  and stewardship
• Detailed strategy for developing both lay and
  clergy leadership
• Detailed strategy for encouraging the call to
  ministry
• Use of specific tools to evaluate and improve
  local church health

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
14
Anticipated Outcomes
Three Years

• More people being brought to Christ
• Growing number of new faith communities and
  congregations
• Healthier congregations
• Growing congregations
• Greater financial stability for churches and the
  conference

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
15
Benefits of adopting the proposal

• Grassroots emphasis Conference staff located
  in Districts
• Focus on the health and sustainability of local
  churches
• Heavy Lay Emphasis
• Majority on CMT
• LRL as partner with DS
• Streamlined structure
• Application of best principles and practices
• Cost savings

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
16
Making the most of a rare opportunity!

• We have a rare opportunity to impact our future
  positivelyhowever, failure to adopt will
  perpetuate decline.
• 2. We have to live into the vision to see
  its benefits and make adjustments.
• 3. We envision that some districts may choose
  to provide funding to increase the hours/salary
  for LRLs.

C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g
17
Let God guide us through!
I know the plans I have for you, declares the
Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm,
plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 2911
C o n n e c t I n gE m p o w e r I n gM o b I l
I z I n g