Common Table Task Force ReportCOMMON TABLE TASK FORCE EQUIPPING THE CHURCH Dear Members of the Virginia Conference, The 2001 session of the Virginia Annual Conference adopted the following vision statement: "We envision churches where all God’s people are welcomed at table, nurtured and transformed to be Christ to others in the world." The next and very important step was to see if the Conference was properly organized to both under gird and implement the vision statement. Therefore, in March of 2002 I appointed a task force to examine the current organization as to its suitability to carry forward the vision and to make recommendations for a more effective and streamlined organizational structure. The Common Table Task Force is composed of persons who reflect the age, gender, theological and ethnic diversity of the Annual Conference. Both persons with a long history in the conference and a new generation of leaders make up the task force. The strength of this report is that it is focused on the strengthening of our connection so that the local church can become more effective in building up the Body of Christ. This, it seems to me, is crucial because the local church is the primary arena for making disciples of Jesus Christ. Thank you for the prayerful consideration that you will give to this report. In Christ, Joe E. Pennel, Jr. The Common Table Task Force has worked hard to understand the needs of the members of the Virginia Conference and the ways that the organization of Conference leadership can positively impact the ministry of our local churches and shared connectional ministries. This report is coming to the 2004 session of the Virginia Annual Conference for approval. Our recommendation creates a Common Table for Church Vitality that will provide vision, guidance and leadership in setting the ministry priorities for the Conference. Guided by the vision statement and the values enumerated in this proposal, the Common Table is a creative forum for leadership and strategic planning to equip and assist the ministry of the local church. Since discovery of great leaders is essential for the future of the church, there is a proposal for revising our Conference Nominations process. The Conference Leadership Development and Discovery Team will have the task of identifying excellent leaders from the diversity of our Conference churches. Last, the Local Church Ministry Development Team provides direct support of local church ministry. The focus of this portion of the Conference staff is to equip and assist the local church by providing expertise regarding the life of the church and its effective witness in the world. Members of the task force invite you to study this proposal and hope that together we can create an organizational structure to make God’s present vision for our ministry a future reality. Tom Berlin, Chairperson Introduction Vision The Virginia Conference has the on-going task of organizing itself for effective ministry. At the 2001 Annual Conference Session, the Virginia Conference adopted the following vision statement: We envision churches where all God’s people are welcomed at table, nurtured and transformed to be Christ to others in the world. Purpose To implement this vision statement, Bishop Pennel convened the Task Force in March 2002 for the purpose of devising an organization plan for the Conference to carry forward this vision. The Task Force began work by studying The Book of Discipline to understand the purpose, procedures and offices which define a conference. The Book of Discipline defines the purpose of the annual conference as follows: to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church, all to the glory of God. Furthermore, The Book of Discipline identifies the officers, boards, agencies and procedures that are required to accomplish that purpose. The Task Force also embraced Jesus’ words in The Great Commission as a foundation for the plan: ÒGo therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. [Matthew 28: 19-20] Findings Our next significant effort involved understanding the Conference’s current operating structure and evaluating its effectiveness. Key findings gathered during the past two years from laity and clergy of our churches were included in our initial report to the Annual Conference Session in Roanoke in June 2003, entitled Empowering the Vision. They include: 1. Conference programs can be piecemeal. 2. Key local church needs are not adequately supported. 3. Funding decisions are not always consistent with program productivity. 4. We spend too much time in meetings, too little time in ministry. 5. Effective communication is needed between and among local churches, districts, and Conference staff. 6. Conference staff support committees more than they resource local churches. 7. We tend to be more innovative outside current structures than within. 8. Composition of our boards and agencies fails to be inclusive. 9. Positioning of our leaders on boards and agencies is often not in areas of their giftedness. Values Members of the Annual Conference have identified values which guide our work as we endeavor to assist our churches in the task of welcoming all God’s people at table, nurturing them and transforming them to be Christ to others in the world. In our life and ministry together, our Conference shall embody these values: • Spirit driven, Spirit centered. • Grow spiritually and numerically. • Serve the local church, not the reverse. • Connect with and equip the local church for ministries of welcome, nurture and transformation. • Develop and live out ministries to the poor. • Strive for excellence. • Model servant-leadership at all levels. • Honor diversity and teach inclusivity. • Practice simplicity. • Communicate effectively, that others might also. • More ministry, fewer meetings. The plan of organization for our Conference presented in this report embraces and honors our understanding of God’s vision for our Conference. The plan also responds to extensive feedback from the members of the 2003 Annual Conference session about the initial report, to on-going dialogue with leaders from throughout the Conference and with Conference staff, and to consultations relative to our compliance with The Book of Discipline. Finally, it strives to embody the values desired by members of our Annual Conference. The Plan Step 1: Create the Common Table for Church Vitality The new entity at the core of this organizational plan is the Common Table for Church Vitality ("Common Table"). It replaces the Conference Council on Ministries (see Appendix D). The "table" is a profound image for disciples of Jesus. The Common Table brings the issues, challenges and vision of this Conference into a new "table" dialogue. This Common Table places leaders in trusting relationship with each other to pray, to work, to make decisions and to discern and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The focus of the Common Table is to work with our Conference lay and clergy leadership to support the local church in the design and delivery of ministries, programs and events. Organizing Principles • The Common Table is a circle of spiritual leadership empowered by the Conference to coordinate and prioritize the ministries and resources of the Conference. The Common Table reports annually to the members of the Virginia Conference on its work and offers recommendations for the goals of the Conference for the coming year(s). • The Common Table interprets, engages and advances the vision of the Conference, as well as the mandates of The Book of Discipline, to benefit the ministry of the local church and our connectional ministry. • The Common Table embodies the values of the Conference in its own work and advocates for those values in the work and ministry of the Conference and local churches. • The Common Table primarily focuses on strategy, planning and creativity to realize the Conference vision. When appropriate, the Common Table addresses issues related to the administration of boards and agencies, budgets, policies and staff. • The Common Table meets at least quarterly, often in extended day format, to enhance the depth of its work and its own spiritual formation as a faith community. • The Common Table meets in open session, as provided by The Book of Discipline. • The Common Table includes others in its dialogue, as needed, to enhance its knowledge and understanding. Selection of Common Table Members • Common Table members serve four year terms and are placed in annual classes. For the first two years, there will be no rotation. • Common Table members are selected by the Conference Leadership Discovery and Development Team (see Step 2). The Bishop and existing Common Table members may make nomination recommendations to the Conference Leadership Discovery and Development Team. • The Bishop, Conference Lay Leader and Director of Connectional Ministries make the selection of persons to serve on the first Common Table, beginning in 2006. The current leadership of the Conference boards, agencies, commissions and committees, the Cabinet and Conference staff will be encouraged to suggest persons for this initial Common Table. Interface with Conference Boards and Agencies and with Conference Staff • The Common Table is a catalyst for the creative and cooperative functioning of the boards and agencies. However, the operations of the boards and agencies remain their own responsibility. • Members of the Common Table are responsible for maintaining current knowledge and understanding of the ministries of each board and agency represented, to ensure that any issues from their areas of responsibility are brought to the Common Table. • The Common Table includes the participation of specific board and agency representatives and Conference staff at its meetings as appropriate. Other Governance Issues • The administrative functions of the Common Table is governed by a charter approved by the Annual Conference • Consistent with the budgetary process of The Book of Discipline, the Common Table determines the number of persons who are employed as Conference program staff and the functions that are assigned to each person. • The Common Table ensures that all existing Conference boards, agencies, commissions, committees and task forces function consistently with the Conference vision statement and values and The Book of Discipline. • With the formation of the Common Table, the Conference Council on Ministries and its Executive Committee cease to exist. The Programmatic Work of the Conference Most of our existing structure is mandated in The Book of Discipline. All of our more than forty boards, agencies, commissions, committees, task forces and initiatives continue. They initiate, plan, and execute the programs of the Conference. As prescribed in The Book of Discipline, the Council on Finance and Administration retains the responsibility for budget recommendations to the Conference. The Common Table and the Council on Finance and Administration work together so that budget recommendations reflect consensus on the vision undergirding the mission and ministry of the Conference. Common Table for Church Vitality (19 people) The Bishop The Conference Lay Leader The Director of Connectional Ministries These three persons are the primary leaders of our Conference in its annual conference session, in its spiritual witness and leadership of the churches and in its day-to-day functioning. At the Common Table, these leaders shepherd and interpret the vision. The Director of Connectional Ministries is the chairperson of the Common Table. Equipping the Local Church (Two persons) These two persons (lay and clergy) represent the work of: Board of Discipleship Board of Laity Leadership Development Institute Goodson Foundation Stockton Academy of Evangelism Mission and New Churches (Two Persons) These two persons (lay and clergy) represent the work of: Board of Global Ministries Commission on Ethnic Local Church Concerns Inter-Aagency Commission on Charge Boundaries Communications and Conferencing (One Person) This person represents the work of: Virginia United Methodist Communications, Inc. Annual Conference Planning Committee Site Selection Committee Equipping Beyond the Local Church (One Person) This person represents the work of: Board of Higher Education Ministries Board of Church and Society Heart Havens, Inc. United Methodist Homes, Inc. United Methodist Retired Clergy Housing, Inc. United Methodist Family Services, Inc. Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center and Camps and Retreat Committees Commission on Archives and History Equipping for Inclusivity (One Person) This person represents the work of: Commission on Status and Role of Women Commission on Religion and Race Commission on Disabilities Commission on Christian Unity and Inter-religious Concerns Human Resources (Two Persons) These two persons (lay and clergy) represent the work of: Board of Ordained Ministry Pension and Health Benefits Commission on Equitable Compensation United Methodist Women (One Person) United Methodist Men (One Person) Ministries with Adults (One Person) This person represents the work of: Adult and Family Sections, Council on Age Level & Family Ministries Ministries with Youth (One Person) This person represents the work of: Youth Section, Council on Age Level & Family Ministries Conference Youth Council Ministries with Children (One Person) This person represents the work of: Children’s Section, Council on Age Level & Family Ministries Children’s Initiative Cabinet Representative (One Person) This person represents the on-going work of the cabinet in the deployment and supervision of clergy and the development of lay and clergy leadership at the district level. Administration (One Person) This person represents the work of: Council on Finance and Administration Conference Trustees Rules Committee United Methodist Foundation The elected Secretary of the Annual Conference Session will serve as Secretary for the Common Table. Note: Persons representing separately incorporated entities do so solely for the purpose of communication. Separately incorporated entities remain independent, autonomous, incorporated bodies. Step 2: Create the Conference Leadership Discovery and Development Team The Conference Leadership Discovery and Development Team is composed of 22 persons, including the Director of Connectional Ministries and the Conference Lay Leader as co-chairpersons. This team, comprised equally of lay and clergy, includes one representative from each district and two members appointed by the Bishop to ensure inclusivity. Representatives of the Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the Commission on Disabilities, the Commissions on Ethnic Local Church Concerns and the Commission on Religion and Race monitor and have voice at these meetings. Procedures for forming the initial team, terms of service and rotation are found in the recommendation of the Rules Committee. For the first two years, there will be no rotation. The Conference Leadership Discovery and Development Team identifies and secures excellent leadership for our Conference. The team meets at least quarterly and, at appropriate times, nominates individuals for election by the Annual Conference (unless specified by The Book of Discipline or Conference rules to be nominated in some other manner). Given the scope and importance of these responsibilities, Conference Leadership Discovery and Development Team members are encouraged to give priority to this Conference-level leadership role. The team designs, maintains and utilizes a profile database with entries submitted by District Nomination Facilitation Committees. In addition, chairpersons of Conference organizations and Conference staff provide input to the team concerning potential leaders and requirements for essential skills and knowledge. Once the slate of nominations has been elected by the Annual Conference, the team ensures that proper orientation and education takes place so that all Conference leaders understand the nature, scope and objectives of their area of service. The team also provides Conference Leaders ongoing care and nurture to sustain them in their ministry. The Conference Leadership Discovery and Development Team works to discover leaders who reflect the diversity of our conference in its ethnicity, church size and geographical area. Further, they endeavor to understand the positions to be filled as well as the pool of leaders who are either available or who need to be sought. In addition, they ensure leadership involvement for laity and clergy, for women and men, for all districts, for all age groups, for persons with handicapping conditions and for all ethnicities. The Leadership Discovery and Development Team Objectives - Identify and call servant-leaders into Conference ministry, promoting leadership excellence and matching spiritual gifts to ministry opportunities. - Ensure the training and equipping of servant-leaders. - Celebrate and nurture servant-leaders. Step 3: Reconfigure the Conference Program Staff Staffing structure changes are important to better support local churches, improve communication and enhance ministry effectiveness. The central component of the reconfigured program staff structure is the Local Church Ministry Development Team. The working relationships of the staff are characterized by: - Networking with each other, as well as counterparts in other conferences. - Routines which blend centralized interface with each other, teamwork, and independent functioning in the field. - Minimal attention to the administrative needs of boards, agencies, commissions, and task groups. These administrative needs are addressed by the support staff and by the groups themselves. It is both desirable and consistent with our Conference values that the staff be representative of the diversity of our conference, with respect to gender, age, ethnicity, and lay/clergy partnership. Upon recommendation of the Director of Connectional Ministries, the Common Table will determine the number and functioning of technical and administrative support staff.
Local Church Ministry Development Team The Local Church Ministry Development Team is primarily responsible for the Conference’s programmatic ministries with local churches. There is an intentional effort to reduce the time spent on administrative support of boards and agencies. The team consists of six staff persons, lay and/or clergy, skilled at resourcing and teaching the basics of local church life: worship, mission, education, small group development, stewardship, membership care, lay leadership development, spiritual formation, outreach, evangelism, and administration Developing proficiencies in these basics enables our churches to live out the Conference vision: welcoming, nurturing and transforming all God’s people to be Christ to others in the world. In addition to these broad-based skills, each team member maintains specialized skills and responsibilities in one or more of the areas listed in the chart below. The team works closely together to develop coordinated plans to assist local church ministries. This model facilitates matching of appropriate skills and resources to the local church need. Furthermore, it enables the identification of recurring church programming needs and the development of broader based resources directed to these needs.
Conclusion The movement from a vision for ministry to the reality our vision statement defines will take a great deal of commitment and effort on the part of the members of the Virginia Annual Conference. It will require a leadership structure that is able to hear God’s calling and then create strategies and plans that benefit the work of the local churches and of our connection. It will also require the finest leaders available...people who understand the needs of the local church and its ministry and who have the Spiritual gift of leadership. Finally, the movement from vision to reality will require a talented and knowledgeable staff, focused on the opportunities for ministry in our local churches, so that we can truly be churches where all God’s people are welcomed at table, nurtured and transformed to be Christ to others in the world. In this hope, the Common Table Task Force has prayerfully conducted our work. Financial Impact Given the size and meeting parameters of the Common Table and the Leadership Discovery and Development Team stated herein, as compared to their predecessor organizations, the net administrative cost for the Conference is reduced. Given the Conference staff numbers and descriptions stated above, as compared to the current staff, the net personnel cost for the Conference remains approximately the same. Members of the Common Table Task Force Ms. Leigh Banducci Mr. Joe Bass Rev. Thomas M. Berlin, Chair Ms. Karen P. Booker Rev. Doris V. Byrd Mr. Kevin L. Clary Rev. Rhonda VanDyke Colby Ms. Rhonda Ford Rev. Susan Garrett Rev. Victor Gomez Rev. Jay M. Hanke Mr. Ron Hardman Mr. Sam Harris Rev. M. J. Kim Mr. Steve Lambert Rev. Elizabeth H. Lazenby Rev. Christina Ross McLain Rev. David J. Rochford, III Rev. Joe Torrence Ms. Carole Vaughn Ms. Sarah Willis Force |