Conference Mission
Energize & Equip Local
Congregations to Make Disciples of Jesus
Christfor the Transformation of
the World
Conference Vision
Vital Congregations all
across the Central Texas
Conference whoMake Disciples of Jesus Christ
for the Transformation of the World
Conference Biblical Foundation
Choose today whom you will serve. … The LORD is the one we will serve. (Joshua 24:15,21)
16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth.19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)
You are the body of Christ and parts of each other. (I Corinthians 12:27)
So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature. (Romans 12:1-3)
Conference Linkage to and with Call to Action
“The adaptive challenge for The United Methodist Church is:
To redirect the flow of attention, energy, and resources to an intense concentration on fostering and sustaining an increase in the number of vital congregations effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”
Conference Leadership Teams
Shift thinking from programing & management to:
DirectionGuidanceOversightPolicy
One Example:Conference Core Leadership Team
Responsibilities • Keeps CTC Mission, Vision and Values
out front• Recommends policies and direction
based on Annual Conference actions• Leads/Coordinates CTC long-range
planning• Provides critical review(from a big picture
perspective) on the alignment of budget, deployment of resources, major policy issues and outcomes of the centers
• Creates a culture of accountability• Seeks and Identifies emerging missional
needs
Conference Core Strategies
To energize and equip local congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world through the engagement and development of the following:
• Wesleyan Spirituality and Theology
• Transformation of Local Churches• Clergy and Lay Leadership• Ministry with the Poor• New Churches• Accountability• Extravagant Generosity
Conference Vital Signs Metrics
The Five Practices
Vital Sign Metrics
Membership Vows
PassionateWorship
Average Weekly Worship
Attendance
Presence
RadicalHospitality
Professions of Faith
Reaffirmations of Faith
Witness
Intentional Faith Development
Involvement in Small Discipling
Groups
Prayers
Risk-TakingMission & Service
Involvement in Service Beyond
the CongregationService
Extravagant Generosity Total Giving Gifts
The Fifth Crucial Element:From Gospel Story to Conference
Story The Importance of Narrative
stories often change before metrics
Sightings! – God in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit in action
what we measure we pay attention to
metrics are at best proximate measurements
Conference Vital Congregation Scorecard
2010 DATA 2012 2013 2014 2015
Percentage of Highly Vital Cong. (as compared to total # of congregations)
21.8% 25% 27% 29% 31%
Worship (Average worship attendance) 44,862 47,825 49,260 50,245 51,075
Evangelism (Total people who will join by profession of faith)
1,996 2,232 2,344 2,468 2,525
Spiritual Formation (Total of small groups, Sunday school classes and Bible studies.)
5,040 5,275 5,538 5,760 5,971
Missions (Total of people from the congregation engaged in local, national and international mission/outreach)
8,751 11,235 11,797 12,269 12,718
Stewardship (The total amount given by your congregation to other organizations for support of benevolent and charitable ministries, including connectional mission giving and support for all UMC and non-UMC organizations active in work such as advocacy, education, health, justice, mercy, outreach and welfare anywhere in the world)
$15,759,484
$16,124,834
$16,660,859
$16,940,751
$17,220,697
Conference Vital Congregation Historical Data
2006 2007 2008 2009
Worship 47,117 46,192 46,639 45,860
Evangelism
2,195 1,946 2,223 2,085
Spiritual Formation
5,054
Missions 2,265 2,567 2,069 7,063
Stewardship
$13,522,046
$14,704,138
$15,474,712
$14,704,048
Conference Transition TimelineNov. 13, 2010 Adoption of
Plan
Dec. 15, 2010 Naming of Center Directors
Jan. 15, 2011 Naming of District Superintendents
Jan-April, 2011 Plan Centers/Teams & Best Practices
May 1, 2011 Staffing
June 2011 Implementation/ vote on Best Practices
June – Dec 2011 Transition and Learning
Jan. 1, 2012 Fine Tuning
June 2012 Forward-Adjustment
Post June 2014 Review by outside consultant