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Resetting Our Framework for Ministry

Published: 3/19/2009

March 18, 2009

The theme for last year's General Conference was "A Future with Hope." Over the last six months I have been traveling around this Annual Conference establishing or reconnecting relationships with laity and clergy. I have been observing and listening deeply. There are many exciting ministries and numerous examples of excellence in leadership among our clergy and laity. The things I am seeing and hearing encourage me to believe that we have reasons to look hopefully to the future of our Conference.
 
It is also very clear that we must be intentional about change if we want to claim our future. While good work has been done over the years, we continue a multi-decade pattern of decline in membership, attendance, and new professions of faith. The growing congregations cannot keep pace with those that are clearing the rolls.
 
The situation we face is not unique to us. A study of faith in the United States, released just last week, showed almost all faith traditions losing ground between 1990 and 2008. This trend hit mainline Protestant churches the hardest.
 
But in the face of this daunting reality we have some good news. Many of those people who have grown skeptical about church long for a community where they can embrace mature spirituality and selfless service to others. To me, that sounds a lot like the United Methodist ideal of being church! Furthermore, many young people of this generation are spiritually minded. They embrace movements that share their values, show them respect, and listen to them. They can potentially find a home among us.
 
I believe that, if we want to turn the trend around, we have to pay attention to the outcomes we want and hold one another accountable. We cannot create a different future by only doing what we have already done. We must rethink how we do church at every level. If the answers we are all looking for were easy, we would have already found them. Finding answers will require increased collaboration and cooperation as we discover them together.
 
My Cabinet and I will offer leadership the Annual Conference needs and encourage others to do the same. We are changing the way we do our work. We cannot be all things to all people. We must focus on the essentials. Appointing effective clergy leaders will, of course, continue to be at the center of our work. But, in addition, we will actively collaborate with clergy leaders to develop a reliable system for support and accountability. We will work strategically, in partnership with congregations for effective and vital witness.
 
Beginning July 1, I will only appoint five district superintendents to supervise the seven districts of the California-Nevada Annual Conference. With them working as a team, each superintendent's gifts will serve the whole Conference. Additionally, Rev. Ted Virts, after completing six years as Delta District DS, will continue on the Cabinet in a new role. He will serve as a Conference Superintendent with focused responsibility for leadership development, new and revitalized congregations, and supervision.
 
The Cabinet's work will be resourced by intentional working relationships with the clergy. The active clergy will be placed in clergy circuits. These circuits will meet on a scheduled basis for communications, support, and accountability. Each circuit will have a designated circuit leader who will convene the circuit and also meet with the DS on a scheduled basis. Circuit leaders will assist the DS in communications with circuit clergy and in other ways that optimize the work of the superintendent with clergy and congregations.
 
The Cabinet and I are excited about this new plan for doing the work of superintending. We believe it will help us work more effectively. The idea was not a response to the financial concerns facing the Conference, as we were developing this plan before that came to light. Originally, I had hoped we could have two Conference Superintendents in addition to the five District Superintendents. But, in response to the current economic climate, we are reducing the Cabinet by one for now. I hope this will not become a permanent change.
 
As many churches have felt the impact of the current economic uncertainty, Conference leaders are looking for ways we can share the sacrifice and reduce whatever costs we can. The Council on Finance and Administration directed that the spending plan for 2009 be revised to reflect actual collections for 2008, rather than the 2009 budget adopted at Annual Conference. 
 
Every area of spending is subject to this revision. Wages for salaried employees, including Superintendents, have been cut 3.85 percent, effective March 1. In addition, the Conference Center in West Sacramento will be closed to meetings and employees on the last Friday of each month - a move that constitutes a corresponding 3.85 percent pay cut (in the form of an unpaid day off) for hourly workers, while providing some saving in energy costs. District Offices will also be closed on the last Friday of each month.
 
These measures will trim away $47,111. In addition, cuts are being made to actual programs administered by all the boards and agencies operating under the Program budget category, resulting in nearly $151,000 more in savings. Similar cuts are being made in all the categories.
 
But that just takes care of 2009.
 
As we look toward 2010, more comprehensive action is required. Going forward, the discussion becomes, "What are we most passionate about?" "At what do we excel?" And, "What best generates the resources (in terms of people and money) that are necessary for ministry?" It becomes, "How important is this or that to us?" "How can we do this better?" And even, "Is this something we should be doing at all?"
 
In the months to come, your Conference leadership will be weighing many such questions, just as you are doing in your local churches and your homes. Difficult to face, yes, but not necessarily leading to a negative outcome! In fact, as we seek the Lord's will in this, we claim His promise, made in Jeremiah 29:11: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
 
We invite you to keep us in your prayers, and we shall pray for you, as together we confront the significant challenges - and opportunities - that lie ahead.
 
Your brother in Christ,
 
 
 
 
Warner H. Brown, Jr.