Returning to Our Calling

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

I greet you in this season of Lent looking forward to the celebration of God's astounding act of resurrection in Jesus Christ.
 
Over the past year and a half I have been listening closely as I have travelled across the Conference. I have heard stories of faith and faithfulness in our churches and extension ministries. I have heard, as well, the pain and worry of economic troubles and the loss of heart that plagues many in our midst.
 
These are difficult times. The temptation is to be timid in such times, but the witness of the resurrection is that God is the God of abundance who will provide what we need, though not always what we want.
 
As the people called Methodist, we are a covenant people. But we have been inconsistent in that covenant with one another – to our churches, to the Annual Conference, to the General Church. We have been inconsistent in our covenant to be disciples who make a difference. It is time that we recommit to living the Wesleyan way.
 
The need for that recommitment is no secret. For the past 40 years California and Nevada have steadily increased in population while our baptisms, professions of faith, worship attendance and membership have declined. Drifting from our focus on actively living our discipleship, we have become complacent and let our preferences take the place of mission.
 
It is time for us to return to our calling to work connectionally on behalf of the mission of Christ. Our mission is making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
 
This will require a shift away from the comfort of the familiar, well-worn path of what we have always done and already know. Instead, we will need to learn, collaborate and innovate as we develop effective systems that form and support us in becoming faithful disciples of Christ. This must be done in faith-filled, compassionate, efficient and fiscally responsible ways.
 
We have already begun that journey. Circuits have re-connected clergy efforts toward cooperative ministry within their communities. Superintendents have begun to spend time in coaching and visioning beyond management. The Board of Laity is in a deepening partnership with me as we seek ways of returning to a true discipleship-focused partnership between clergy and laity.
 
There is more to do. In order to return to our primary work of discipleship we will need to make changes in the way that we do our work on every level. It is necessary for us to reevaluate how we use the resources available to us so that we might use our time and treasure in ways that bring the results we are called to produce.
 
This June the Annual Conference will be asked to take several steps to help us become mission-focused and fiscally responsible. Many thoughtful conversations have been underway about steps we should take.
 
While many good things have happened within the Conference through our current structures, our giving pattern means we can't pay for all the things that we have been doing in the way we have been doing them. We need to be clear on our priorities and to order our life to support the primary mission. Therefore, the Conference Council on Ministries is calling for a suspension of the conference rules (Section V of the Standing Rules) that govern our program, organization, and administrative practices to allow us an opportunity to find ways to more efficiently order our life together.
 
The Cabinet and I are ready to realign the districts to more effectively support the leadership being provided through the circuits. It is clear to us that the Cabinet can also realign its work in ways that will make us more efficient and provide better stewardship. With the full support of the Cabinet, I will be asking the Annual Conference to consolidate the number of districts from seven (7) to four (4). This step will further build on the strength of circuits as the place where ministry is developed and implemented.
 
With Rev. Ben Silva-Netto's decision to retire this year, we will be able to implement this change as of September, 2010. The new district alignment will be developed over the next few months and will be presented before Annual Conference.
 
Financial issues are pressing, as well. Last year we trailed every other Annual Conference in the Church in fulfilling our connectional obligations through the Apportionments. The pension Apportionment is the only one that was paid at a rate of 90% or more. But, unfortunately, we cannot take comfort even with our current pattern of paying pension costs. Many churches, while paying some or all of their pension Apportionment, do not pay for the full pension cost for their pastor. The weight of this growing imbalance has become too heavy for those who pay more than their true share of pension costs.
 
The Clergy Benefits Task Force and others will be recommending that we join the majority of the other conferences in billing local churches directly for their pastor's actual pension costs by 2012. This will enable congregations to more accurately gauge the true cost of ministry and make mission decisions accordingly.
 
Another important cost of ministry is salary for clergy. Clergy persons should receive a fair salary for the work they are doing. Yet churches must be realistic about what they can pay so that they can be faithful in all of their obligations. The minimum salary concept is intended to set a minimum level, and the cost of assisting churches that cannot meet that standard is included in your Apportionments. But our rate of payment on Apportionments limits our ability to honor that expectation.
 
In addition, our minimum salary formula provides for an automatic escalation of salary that often is beyond the means of some local churches, and beyond the cost of living increases for our region. The Commission on Equitable Salaries will be proposing some adjustments to the plan and structure for minimum salary. It is important that our minimum salary program be both fair and affordable. 
 
As United Methodists we covenant to share our entire ministry. Each local congregation and every pastor is expected to support the ministries we share. Our standard practice must be for each church to cover the cost of the ministry it receives and provides. That cost includes salaries, Apportionments, disciple formation, missions, community outreach, facility maintenance, insurance and more.
 
These changes will help us shape our future. The steps being taken will hopefully help us become what God dreams for us to become. We are graced with an abundance of opportunity and we cannot let this time pass us by.
 
We remain committed to our call to be and make disciples. We remain committed to mutual accountability, shared ministry and mission. We must live out this commitment faithfully, fully and efficiently.
 
This is not a time to be timid. God has called us for this time and we must take responsibility to make the future to which we are called.
 
I invite you to attend one of the six gatherings listed below as we have conversations about how we may live in a new way of being servants together.
 
May the blessed spirit of God continue to guide all of us.
 
Your bishop and brother in Christ, 
 
 
 
 
Warner H. Brown, Jr.
 
 
"Rethink Conference" Dates and Locations:
 
March 14 (Sunday), Redding, First UMC, 3-5 p.m. 
 
April 10 (Saturday), Stockton, Central UMC, 3-5 p.m.
 
April 17 (Saturday), Livermore, Asbury UMC, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 
April 18 (Sunday), Palo Alto, First UMC, 3-5:30 p.m.*
 
April 24 (Saturday), Visalia UMC, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
 
May 1 (Saturday), Sparks UMC, 10 a.m.-noon
 
*arrive early - parking will be a challenge 
 

By: Warner H. Brown, Jr. On 3/11/2010
Topics: Letter