FAQs

The Annual Conference decides the number of districts. We currently have 7; the petition asks for 4.

The Bishop, in consultation with the Cabinet, makes those decisions. The Annual Conference has authority only for the number of districts.

Having 4 districts will enable the Conference to have more efficient and consistent Conference-wide communication and coordination. This past year there were 5 superintendents who were responsible for 7 districts. This year there will be 4 district superintendents, and adoption of this proposal would mean there would be 1 superintendent per district.

No. The number of districts doesn't directly translate into cost savings. The Bishop and Cabinet determine how to administer the Conference via the districts, and costs are impacted by factors such as office rental, operating expenses, materials distribution, and staffing.

The number of districts is the only matter that is before the Annual Conference.

However, plans are in place to make use of funds for superintendent-level positions for Leadership Development and for Ministry Effectiveness – including New Churches and Church Revitalization. In addition, pastor and church records will be converted to electronic media this summer. This will allow each superintendent to have access to information, regardless of where he or she is. No longer will a DS be dependent upon being physically present in an office in order to review documents.

It is important to remember that the supervision task is different from mission development. Technology advances in the past few years have made meetings and some supervisory tasks less dependent upon driving distances. Mission development will be shared with the circuits and lay leadership.