Memphis Conference/UMC Memphis Conference/UMC FACTFACTSecond face-to-face meeting on Second face-to-face meeting on December 12, 2012December 12, 2012

Chilean/Memphis Conference Critical Success Factors—Process

• Active, visible leadership

• Transparency

• Cooperation

• Steely determination

• Widespread support

• Sought external expertise

• Thought outside the box

• Simultaneous efforts

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement• Recommendations re: Identified

Dilemmas (page 1 of 2) Lack of Shared, Focused Mission and

Measurable Strategic Plan

Chaplaincy Model for Ministry and Culture of Entitlement

Lack of Trust Results in Ineffective Leadership and Supervisory System

Clergy Effectiveness Hindered by Poor Health and Poor Health Habits

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement• Recommendations re: Identified

Dilemmas (page 2 of 2) Lack of Forums to Discuss and Confer

About Important Matters “Shallow Leadership Pool” Demographic Tsunami Financial Dilemmas Declines: Membership, Attendance,

Professions of Faith Conference Merger

Memphis FACT Engagement• Lack of Shared, Focused Mission Lack of Shared, Focused Mission

and Measurable Strategic Planand Measurable Strategic Plan Strategy must be long term Developed and implemented Supported by a rolling 5-year financial

plan Take action now

Memphis FACT Engagement

• Chaplaincy Model for Ministry Chaplaincy Model for Ministry and the Culture of Entitlementand the Culture of Entitlement

Pastors must serve the “not yet” church as well as the “already church”

Chaplaincy model for ministry has become an exclusive expectation of many congregations

Memphis FACT Engagement

• Lack of Trust Results in Ineffective Lack of Trust Results in Ineffective Leadership and Supervisory SystemLeadership and Supervisory System

Where there is no trust in the “Connection” means there is no trust of peers within the Connection

Trust requires time; time creates presence; presence provides understanding; understanding leads to acceptance; acceptance is Christ-like grace

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement

• Clergy Effectiveness Hindered by Clergy Effectiveness Hindered by Poor Health and Poor Health HabitsPoor Health and Poor Health Habits

Incentivized health planIncentivized health plan

Advocate for spiritual growth leaveAdvocate for spiritual growth leave

DS can provide more pastoral care and DS can provide more pastoral care and presencepresence

Partner with the Center of HealthPartner with the Center of Health

Financial ImplicationFinancial Implication

Memphis FACT Engagement• Lack of Forums to Discuss and Lack of Forums to Discuss and

Confer About Important MattersConfer About Important Matters Increase transparency and inclusion of Increase transparency and inclusion of

decision-makingdecision-making

Leverage positives from Bishop’s district Leverage positives from Bishop’s district visits and continue the processvisits and continue the process

Develop structure for addressing Develop structure for addressing dilemmasdilemmas

Regular and structured communication Regular and structured communication sessionssessions

Search for opportunities for open forumsSearch for opportunities for open forums

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement• ““Shallow Leadership Pool”Shallow Leadership Pool” Dilemma exists for clergy and laity Act to identify future leaders Begin formal succession planning

process Identify a key person to manage the

effort

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement

• Demographic TsunamiDemographic Tsunami Local church attendance

• Tennessee is 24.6% non-white

• Memphis Sunday attendance is 4.5% non-white

Cross-racial appointments Multi-cultural focus and training Lack of a solution is not sustainable

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement• Financial Dilemmas Financial Dilemmas

Conversion to GAAP financial statements for complete disclosure of all assets and liabilities for unqualified opinion on conference audited financial statements

Conference needs to build additional reserves for long-term sustainability and create formal reserves policy

Conference needs to address unfunded post-retiree medical liability

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement• Declines: Membership, Declines: Membership,

Attendance, Professions of FaithAttendance, Professions of Faith Rate of decline of baptisms and Rate of decline of baptisms and

professionsprofessions

The need to measure:The need to measure:• How many elders are needed in the futureHow many elders are needed in the future

• Quality and supervision of clergyQuality and supervision of clergy

• Congregational excellence and vitalityCongregational excellence and vitality

Memphis FACT Memphis FACT EngagementEngagement• Conference MergerConference Merger• FACT’s philosophy on engagements

• We heard a wide range of opinions

• Best to build on stone, not sand

• Focus on self-identified dilemmas now, not merger

• Cross-conference synergies now, without merger

• Re-evaluate unification down the road

Chilean/Memphis Chilean/Memphis Conference Conference Critical Success Factors—Critical Success Factors—PeoplePeople

• Deep faith

• Strong

• United

• Cared for one another

• Remained positive

• Love was infectious

• Encouragement

• Gratitude