texas annual conference · quadrennium except in the case of person filling an unexpired term of...

Texas Annual Conference

Committee on Nominations

Job Descriptions

2015

Conference Rules and Structure

These are the new rules adopted from the Document entitled

“Bound for Greater Things” and adopted at the Texas Annual Conference 2006 – Updated July 2014

TEXAS CONFERENCE STANDING RULES

SECTION 1: GENERAL

I. The Texas Annual Conference (Conference) establishes Rules by which it operates (Rules) and its Model for Ministry under authority of paragraph 609 of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, 2004 (BOD or Discipline).

II. The Model for Ministry and Rules describe Conference ministries and the procedures by which they operate.

III. Any conflict between the Model for Ministry and Rules and The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church shall be decided in favor of The Book of Discipline.

SECTION 2: OFFICERS

I. The Officers of the Texas Annual Conference shall be the Bishop, Assistant to the Bishop, Secretary, Fiscal Officer, Statistician, and

Lay Leader. (BOD 603.9)

II. The Secretary and the Statistician shall be elected at the last session of each quadrennium to serve during the next quadrennium. (BOD 603.7) The minutes of each business session shall be kept on file at Conference headquarters.

III. A Chancellor shall be nominated by the Bishop and elected by the Conference. (BOD 603.8)

IV. The Treasurer/Director of Administration shall be elected by the Conference, on nomination of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, at the first session of the Conference after the quadrennial session of the General Conference. Upon vacancy, the

Conference Council on Finance and Administration shall fill the position until the next session of the Texas Annual Conference.

(BOD 618)

SECTION 3: MODEL FOR MINISTRY IN THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

I. CONFERENCE CORE LEADERSHIP TEAM A. A Conference Core Leadership Team will be responsible for implementing decisions approved by the Annual

Conference in accordance with Conference Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs. The Core Leadership Team will:

1. Create a culture of accountability within the Conference by conducting an ongoing process of strategic planning, goal setting, and annual reporting to the Annual Conference.

B. The Conference Core Leadership Team will be comprised of:

1. Voting Members a. One member from each of the nine Districts

b. Three At-Large Members

c. One Cabinet Member d. The Conference Lay Leader(s)

2. Ex-Officio Membership (non-voting) a. The Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence

b. The Director of the Center for Clergy Excellence

c. The Director of the Center for Missional Excellence d. The Director of the Center for Connectional Resources

e. The Conference Director of Communications

f. The Bishop or the Assistant to the Bishop who will preside over the Conference Core Leadership Team

II. CONFERENCE MINISTRY CENTERS

A. There will be four (4) Conference Ministry Centers 1. The Center for Congregational Excellence

2. The Center for Clergy Excellence

3. The Center for Missional Excellence 4. The Center for Connectional Resources

B. The Center for Congregational Excellence

The purpose of this center is to connect and equip local congregations and new church start leaders with tools and resources to engage in the practice of congregational revitalization, transformation, and vitality in

communities they serve.

C. The Center for Clergy Excellence

The purpose of this center is to create an environment of support and accountability that

continuously moves clergy of the Annual Conference toward excellence.

D. The Center for Missional Excellence The purpose of this center is to provide and equip leaders who carry out ministries of

mercy, justice, and wholeness to all persons inside and outside the church.

E. The Center for Connectional Resources

The purpose of this center is to provide fiscal oversight, property management, and

archives and records to under gird the mission and ministry of the Texas Annual Conference.

SECTION 4: NOMINATIONS

I. The Nomination Committee

The Nominations Committee for the Texas Annual Conference of the UMC shall consist of The Assistant to the Bishop,

the Dean of the Cabinet, and one representative from each of the 9 Districts. The District Representatives shall consist of 3 clergy, 3 lay men, and 3 lay women. The Nominations Committee will reflect the diversity of the Texas Annual Conference with regard to

ethnicity, age, gender, geography, and church size. The ex-officio members with voice and vote shall consist of the Directors of the

Centers and the Conference Lay Leader. The chair of the Nominations Committee will be The Assistant to the Bishop. II. Quadrennium Nominations

A. At the Annual Conference session one year prior to each new quadrennium, The Assistant to the Bishop will

distribute a listing and description of all positions on teams, boards, agencies, committees, commissions and councils which are subject to election by the Annual Conference to all clergy and lay delegates to Annual Conference. The Nominations Committee will

hold a workshop during Annual Conference to discuss the Nominations Process. The delegates shall take the listing and description

back to their local churches and districts for discussion. B. Persons interested in being considered for nomination to any TAC positions shall fill out a biographical profile

including church, district, conference and spiritual gifts and turn these into their local church pastors and District Superintendents for

comments and endorsement. Completed profiles with endorsements should be sent into the office of The Assistant to the Bishop prior to November 1 of the year prior to the new quadrennium. District Superintendents, Center Directors, and the Core Leadership Team

and District Leadership Teams may also make nominations.

C. The Assistant to the Bishop will prepare a profile book for the Nominations Committee by January 1. The Nominations Committee will meet prior to January 15. The Nominations Committee will make nominations from the pool of names

in the Profile Book. The Nominations Committee will strive to make each Board, Agency, Commission, Committee, and Team as

inclusive as possible with regard to ethnicity, age, gender, and church size. The report of the Nominations Committee will be reviewed by the Commission on Religion and Race for inclusivity as specified in the current Book of Discipline of the United

Methodist Church. The Commission on Religion and Race will report any recommendations back to the Nominations Committee by

March 1. All persons nominated by the Nominating Committee will be notified by email or letter and indicate whether they accept or decline the nomination. The Nominations Committee will continue to meet until nominations are finalized. Nominations from the

pool in the Profile Book will be completed by March 15 and will be published in the Pre-Conference Journal. Some nominations may need to be made after the March 15 deadline and these will be presented at Annual Conference.

D. The aggregate membership of all Ministry Teams, Boards, Divisions, Commissions, Committees will consist of ½

clergy and ½ laity unless otherwise restricted by the current Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church. E. Persons may be nominated for unfilled positions by completing the biographical profile and submitting it to the

Nominations Committee at their District Pre-Conference meeting.

F. Persons may be nominated from the floor of the Annual Conference. The nominator will indicate which person from the Nominating Committee’s report is to be replaced by the nominee. Substitute nominations should be in the same category of

inclusivity as the person in the Nomination Committee’s report. Votes on substitute nominees will be made individually prior to the

vote on the full report. G. Persons shall not serve more than two consecutive quadrenniums on the same Ministry Team, Board, Division,

Commission, and Committee except in the case of persons elected to complete a vacancy occurring during a quadrennium who will be

allowed to serve two consecutive full quadrenniums. No persons shall be eligible to serve on more than one Ministry Team, Board,

Division, Commission or Committee at the same time.

H. The Chairperson of any Ministry team, Board, Division Commission or Committee shall not serve more than one full

quadrennium except in the case of person filling an unexpired term of not over two years. I. During the quadrennium, annual assessments will be conducted of the leadership of all Ministry Teams, Board,

Divisions, Commissions, and Committees for attendance, effectiveness, and evidences of fruitfulness. Based on these assessments,

the Center Leaders may request the Core Leadership Team to recommend remedial action or replacement of leadership. J. All Nomination Rules of the Texas Annual Conference are subject to any applicable provisions of the current Book of

Discipline of the United Methodist Church

K. The Board of Ordained Ministry of the Texas Annual Conference will be subject to Paragraph 634 of the current Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church with the exception of the term limit which will be two quadrenniums.

L. Persons elected will begin serving at the close of Annual Conference.

III. Nominations Between Quadrenniums A. Vacancies in elected positions occurring between sessions of Annual Conference will be filled on a temporary basis by

a vote of the Core Leadership Team. Nominations for the Core Leadership Team to consider for vacancies will be made by the

Nominations Committee. B. Vacancies will be permanently filled by the process listed in Section II.

IV. District Nominations

The Districts shall use a process similar to the Conference process subject to the current Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.

[For 2007 the Core Leadership Team will nominate the 2007-2008 Nominating Committee from a pool of names submitted by the process outlined in Section II, C. After 2008 the Nominations Committee nominations will follow the same guidelines as the

rest of the Committees being nominated.]

SECTION 5: PROCEDURES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

I. Pre-Conference Journal

A. The Assistant to the Bishop shall be responsible for producing a Pre-Conference Journal. Contents of the Pre-Conference Journal shall include those materials necessary for the business of the Annual Conference to be conducted. It shall be

mailed at least 25 days before the Annual Conference begins.

B. Chairpersons are responsible for providing reports and materials to the Assistant to the Bishop on the schedule

prescribed by the Assistant to the Bishop.

II. Resolution and Proposals (Resolutions are related to issues. Proposals are related to structures and rules.)

A. Resolutions for consideration by the Annual Conference shall be sent to The Assistant to the Bishop on or before January 15 prior to the Annual Conference Session. The Assistant to the Bishop will refer resolutions to the appropriate Center of

Excellence. The Center will study the resolution and offer any changes to the presenting entity. The final resolution will be

distributed to the Districts with a list of speakers for and against the resolution for discussion. Comments from the District discussions are to be forwarded to the Center responsible for the resolution. The Center will vote concurrence or non-concurrence and provide a

written report back to the entity responsible for the resolution. The entity responsible for the resolution can withdraw the resolution

from consideration by the Annual Conference or send the resolution, along with the Center’s written report on to The Assistant to the Bishop for inclusion in the Pre-Conference Journal.

B. Proposals will be referred to the Core Leadership Team for consideration and action. The Core Leadership Team may

also distribute the final proposal to the Districts for discussion as set forth for resolutions in Section 5, II.A. C. All discussions regarding the resolutions/proposals, whether in the Center or the Districts, will be conducted in a spirit

of Holy Conversations with all sides of the issues being presented and listened to in a spirit of Christian love and respect. Persons

making presentations will be not be interrogated or cross-examined. Persons present will not participate in applause or partisan or disparaging sounds (boos or hurrahs). No personal attacks will be allowed.

D. Resolutions and proposals included in the Pre-Conference Journal shall be discussed in Pre-Conference Delegate

Meetings prior to Annual Conference. The Center and/or the entity responsible for the resolution/proposal shall provide a speaker for and a speaker against the resolution/proposal. All discussions surrounding the resolutions/proposals will be made in the spirit of Holy

Conversations as set forth in Section 5: II.C. A non-binding vote will be taken at each Pre-Conference Delegate Meeting to determine

concurrence or non-concurrence with the resolution/proposal, and the results will be reported to the Annual Conference. E. Resolutions and proposals included in the Pre-Conference Journal will be placed on the Agenda of the Annual

Conference, provided that the requirement Section 5: II.D. has been fulfilled. All resolutions/proposals may be included in the

Conference Workshops with scheduled speakers for and against the resolutions/proposals and questions and answers. All presentations, questions, and answers in the workshops will be made in the spirit of Holy Conversations as set forth in Section 5: II.C.

above. F. When the resolutions/proposals come to the floor of Annual Conference, there may be one predetermined speaker for

and one predetermined speaker against the resolution/proposal. Predetermined speakers are allowed a maximum of 5 minutes. An

additional 6 minutes will be allowed for alternating comments, no longer than 60 seconds each, for and against the resolution/proposal. All comments will be made in the spirit of Holy Conversations as set forth in Section 5: II.C. above. A minute of

silent prayer will precede the vote on each proposal/resolution.

G. Proposals and resolutions not in the Pre-Conference Journal, except for Resolutions of Thanks, may be brought up at Annual Conference provided that:

1. They have been turned into The Assistant to the Bishop at least 21 days prior to the Annual Conference

session and have been reviewed by the appropriate Center or the Core Leadership Team with a recommendation of concurrence/non-concurrence and/or disposition; and, the Conference votes to suspend the rules; and, the Center/CLT and

the entity responsible for the resolution/proposal follow the provision of Section 5: II.F.

III. Conference Session Procedures

A. The Assistant to the Bishop shall prepare an agenda of all reports and proposals for distribution on the opening day of

each Annual Conference.

B. No report, paper, or proposal shall be considered until three (3) copies have been given to the Secretary. C. The Conference Rules may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Annual Conference members present and

voting. The Rules may be changed by three-fourths (3/4) majority of the Annual Conference members present and voting.

D. All items that do not require Annual Conference action will be placed on the consent calendar. If the consent calendar is not a part of the Pre-Conference Journal, it will be presented on the first day of Annual Conference, and after laying on the table for

24 hours, it will be acted on by motion of the Assistant to the Bishop. Anyone may make a motion that an item be removed from the

consent calendar. The item may be placed on the Agenda by a support of 25% of the Annual Conference body present and voting. E. Speeches in favor of or in opposition to a motion will be limited to three (3) minutes each.

IV. Conference Journal

A. The Assistant to the Bishop shall be editor of the Conference Journal. B. The Conference Journal shall include at a minimum

1. Items required by BOD 606

2. Year-end statement of receipts and expenditures by all Conference bodies 3. List of appointments with and without annuity claim

4. Conference Rules document

SECTION 6: DISTRICTS

I. Each District will determine an organizational structure that is consistent with the Conference vision and mission, and responsive to

specific needs and priorities of the District.

SECTION 7: CONFERENCE STAFF

I. Conference staff positions will be determined by the Bishop, the Cabinet, and the Core Leadership Team.

II. Compensation of the Conference staff positions shall not exceed that of a District Superintendent.

III. Salaries of District Superintendents shall be adjusted annually by the percentage change in the average (mean) base salary of all full-time

senior pastors serving in the Texas Annual Conference. This adjustment shall begin in 2005, using the 2004 compensation level as the initial base

SECTION 8: FINANCIAL PROCEDURES OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

I. Each year, the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) shall prepare and recommend a budget for the next calendar year, under appropriate headings, for Conference action.

II. At least 48 hours before presenting its recommended budget to the Annual Conference, the CF&A shall notify the Director of any Center of

Excellence of any change in the recommended budget request for that body. III. CF&A shall recommend to the Annual Conference for its action and determination methods or formulae by which all approved budgets shall

be apportioned to the churches. All Conference delegates must be informed in writing of the financial consequences of any proposed change in

the apportionment method before a vote is taken. IV. The Treasurer of each church or charge shall remit to the Conference Fiscal Officer all receipts for Conference connectional causes, the

District Superintendents' Fund, the Episcopal Fund, the Conference Claimants Fund, and Health insurance at least monthly.

V. The Conference Fiscal Officer shall distribute monthly or quarterly a report of budgeted funds available to the credit of agencies in proportion to receipts.

VI. All proposals with financial implications shall be referred to the CF&A before any action is taken by the Annual Conference, including any

disbursements from any Reserve Funds held on behalf of the Annual Conference. VII. At the end of each fiscal year, all unspent budgeted funds remaining in the Annual Conference budget shall be deposited in the Operating

Reserve Fund, except: unspent budgeted funds for New Church Starts, Church Revitalization, the reserves for pensions and the reserves for health

benefits, shall be deposited in separate reserve funds and made available for future expenditures for these designated purposes. VIII. Annually, the CF&A shall report for Conference approval a list of special days without offering and a list of special days with offering,

including Conference Advance Specials. No appeal shall be made to churches of the Texas Annual Conference without CF&A approval except as

provided in The Book of Discipline. IX. By November 1, District Superintendents shall supply District Auditors apportioned amounts for causes reported in statistical tables,

including all salaries set for the current calendar year. These shall be the official figures for such tables. District Superintendents shall send a copy of these figures to the Conference Statistician.

X. Copies of all financial records and minutes of all meetings related to Centers of Excellence shall

be sent to the office of the Assistant to the Bishop in hard copy or suitable electronic form. XI. At the request of anyone receiving a salary from the Conference, the Conference Fiscal Officer is authorized to withhold a designated portion

of salary annuities, allowances, and/or other benefits, pursuant to Internal Revenue Service regulations.

XII. The CF&A of the Texas Annual Conference, consistent with ¶613.8, shall have limited authority to modify a budget approved by the Annual Conference between its sessions but only in accordance with the following procedures:

1. Budget modifications are limited to instances in which budgeted expenditures are inadequate to meet emerging missional needs or

unforeseen circumstances.

2. Departments, councils, boards, commissions, or any other organization seeking modifications in an approved budget must make a

specific request to CF&A for change, including the affected line items and amounts, the rationale for the change, and the

consequences of the change.

3. CF&A shall establish a Budget Review Committee consisting of the Treasurer of the Texas Annual Conference, the President of

CF&A, the Vice President of CF&A, the Secretary of CF&A, and one additional voting member of CF&A. Three members of this

Committee shall constitute a quorum.

4. The Budget Review Committee shall have the authority to approve a request for budget modification that either a) does not result in an

increase in total budgeted expenditures and does not require expenditures from the Contingency Fund, or b) requires expenditures

from the Contingency Fund of no more than $5,000 per request.

5. Approval of a modification that requires expenditures from the Contingency Fund of over $5,000 must be approved by the full CF&A.

6. The CF&A shall always honor the intent of designated funds by recommending that designated funds are spent for their intended

purposes.

7. Minutes of Budget Review Committee meetings shall be presented at the subsequent CF&A meeting, and all modifications to the

budget shall be noted and explained in the CF&A report to the Annual Conference.

SECTION 9: PLAN OF EQUALIZATION

I. The Plan of Equalization shall follow the current BOD (BOD 2012 was 602.4)

SECTION 10: ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES

I. Clergy and Laity Candidate Profile Booklet Eligible clergy members and eligible laity willing to be considered for election as a delegate to General or Jurisdictional Conferences are

requested to complete a candidate profile sheet for inclusion in a candidate profile booklet which shall be mailed with the Pre-Conference

Journal. Eligible persons willing to be considered must agree to attend delegation meetings, to prepare themselves by studying all assigned materials, and to make the necessary preparations to be effective delegates. If any eligible person who is not included in the booklet receives a

vote on any ballot, then the individual will be assigned a number to be included in the remainder of the balloting process.

II. Rule For The Payment Of MPP And CPP Arrearages Each month the Director of Center of Clergy Excellence shall send to each District and affected pastor notification of arrearages for MPP and

CPP. Upon receipt of the report, the District Superintendent shall contact the minister and the treasurer of the reported charge to assure timely

payment of the arrearage by the church. If a local church does not make payment of MPP and CPP arrearages within 60 days of notification, the

District Superintendent shall meet with the local church to discuss the realignment of the charge. Districts may choose to establish a reserve fund

to assist in timely payment of MPP and CPP. It remains the responsibility of the local church to reimburse funds to the District within the time

established by the District. Until reimbursement is made by the church, realignment of the charge remains under consideration.

III. Overview of Texas Annual Conference Assessment Process

Purpose: To establish, review, and measure progress toward achievement of Goals, Objectives, and Evidence of Fruitfulness. The Assessment Process ensures aligned planning and good stewardship at the Conference, Center of Excellence, District, ministry,

church, and clergy levels, to achieve the Conference Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs. Results of reviews and measures contribute to

subsequent plans as successes to be replicated, risks to be recognized, problems to be addressed, and challenges to be met. Assessment results allow us to celebrate victories and identify opportunities for improvement.

Process: The Annual Conference and each Center, District, ministry, church, and clergy member-including the Bishop, Center Directors and District Superintendents – establishes Goals and Objectives consistent with and contributing to our Mission, Vision,

Core Beliefs, and Measures of Fruitfulness.

The Core Leadership Team supports the Annual Conference in overseeing Assessment Process. Before Annual Conference, The Core

Leadership Team reviews prior year’s results and recommends Conference-level Goals, Objectives, and Evidence of Fruitfulness

measures for the coming year. At the beginning and end of the yearly planning cycle, the Core Leadership Team reviews Center and District Goals, Objectives and Evidence of Fruitfulness; and reviews progress quarterly.

Each Center and District develops annual Goals, Objectives, and Evidence of Fruitfulness, consulting with each other to optimize support to churches and clergy and avoid gaps and duplications between or across Centers and Districts. Ministry teams recommend

Goals and Objectives based on input from programs and ministries within the team. Centers approve ministry goals and objectives

and review progress. Ministry teams annually assess results of their programs and ministries. Each clergy member develops annual Goals and Objectives for each charge and for herself/himself.

The Conference will provide more detailed information about the Assessment Process to all affected groups and persons. IV. Policy Recommendations*

A Vacation Policy for pastors was unanimously approved by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and was adopted by Texas Annual Conference. This policy is recommended for all those serving full-time appointments within the bounds of the Texas

Conference.

CONFERENCE RELATIONS TIME OF SERVICE VACATION TIME

Full Time Local Pastors in Process,

Attending Four-Week Course of Study 2 weeks paid

Full Time Pastors (Associate Members, (Probationary Members, Full Members) 5 years or less 2 weeks paid

Full Time Pastors (Associate Members,

Probationary Members, Full Members) 10 years or less 3 weeks paid Full Time Pastors (Associate Members,

Probationary Members, Full Members) Over 10 years 4 weeks paid

NOTES: Years of service refer to years of service in an Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, not to years of service

in the local church to which the pastor is appointed. Time used for Continuing Education, as defined in ¶349 of The 2004 Book of Discipline,

and according to the rules set by the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, shall not be considered as vacation time or used in lieu

of vacation time. This policy is to be printed each year in the Texas Conference Journal. *This policy was not included in the 2006 and 2007 Texas Conference Journals. The original policy was voted into effect at the Texas Annual

Conference 1991, as stated on pg. 143-144 of the Daily Proceedings in the 1991 Texas Conference Journal and was amended at the Texas Annual

Conference 1992, as stated on pg. 145 of the Daily Proceedings in the 1992 Texas Conference Journal.

ORGANIZATIONS RELATED TO THE TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Affiliated Entities within the Texas Annual Conference

Heartspring Methodist Foundation

Houston Methodist Hospital Lakeview Methodist Conference Center

Methodist Retirement Communities

UM Army Wesley Community Center

Wiley College

Entities within the State of Texas

Methodist Children’s Home

Providence Place Texas Methodist Foundation

Texas United Methodist College Association

Entities within the South Central Jurisdiction

Lydia Patterson Institute

Mount Sequoyah Perkins School of Theology

Saint Paul School of Theology

Entities outside the South Central Jurisdiction

Gulfside Assembly

Committee on Nominations

Conference Elected Positions

CONFERENCE STATISTICIAN

Description: The Conference Statistician works closely with the Treasurer’s Office of the Center

for Connectional Resources to prepare for the gathering of statistics relating to the Texas Annual

Conference of the UMC. The Conference Statistician contacts the nine districts and asks them to

assign someone to be its District Auditor. The District Auditor and his team work to gather the

data from the churches. Report Day sites are set up by each district. Report Day is usually

around the second week of January. The District Auditor works closely with the District

Superintendent and his staff to make sure that everyone knows the deadlines and dates for Report

Day. Data is gathered via computers-online and is then sent to the analyst of the Center for

Connectional Resources. The Conference Statistician reports statistics to the Conference such as

membership, attendance, gender, and professions of faith. Once completed all of the statistics

are sent to the General Council on Finance and Administration of the United Methodist Church.

CONFERENCE SECRETARY

Description: The Annual Conference Secretary is responsible for recording, certifying and

reporting the official business of the Annual Conference, including, but not limited to: the

official minutes of the annual conference sessions, the election of delegates to General and

Jurisdictional Conference, the credentialing of ordained elders, ordained deacons, diaconal

ministers, and local pastors. In addition, the Annual Conference Secretary trains and oversees

the work of the associate secretaries.

Book of Discipline: BOD 603.7

Rules and Structure: Section 2.I, II

Expectations: The Annual Conference Secretary is an enormous responsibility requiring a good

memory, attention to detail, knowledge of the Book of Discipline and the Texas Annual

Conference Rules and Structure, superb organizational skills, and absolute confidentiality.

CONFERENCE LAY LEADER

Description: The Conference Lay Leader is the elected leader of conference laity and is an

officer of the annual conference. In that capacity, the conference lay leader shall present an

address or report during the meeting of the annual conference. The conference lay leader serves

as a member of the Core Leadership Team and his or her district’s District Leadership Team. In

addition, the conference lay leader serves as a member of the extended cabinet, as well as other

conference committees, including, but not limited to the Nominations Committee. The

conference lay leader chairs the Board of Laity, and serves as a connection between local church

laity and the annual conference.

Book of Discipline: BOD 603.9a

Conference Rules: Section 2.1

Expectations: Knowledgeable of the Structure, Model for Ministry and Member of the Texas

Annual Conference. Commitment to working with, developing, and encouraging the lay

leadership of the Texas Annual Conference.

CORE LEADERSHIP TEAM

Description: Conference Core Leadership Team will be responsible for implementing decisions

of the Annual Conference in accordance with Conference Mission, Vision, and Core

Beliefs. The Core Leadership Team will:

Hold Conference bodies and staff accountable for action.

Create a culture of accountability within the Conference by conducting an ongoing

process of strategic planning, goal setting, and annual reporting to the Annual

Conference.

Conference Structure: The Conference Core Leadership Team will be comprised of:

Voting Members

o One member from each of the nine Districts

o Three At-Large Members

o One Cabinet Member

o The Conference Lay Leader(s)

Ex-Officio Membership

o The Bishop or the Assistant to the Bishop who will chair the

Conference Core Leadership Team

o The Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence

o The Director of the Center for Clergy Excellence

o The Director of the Center for Missional Excellence

o The Director of the Center for Connectional Resources

o The Conference Director of Communications

Expectations: The Core Leadership Team meets frequently, usually at the United Methodist

Service Center.

Committees Under the Assistant to the Bishop

Annual Conference Planning Team Brief Description: The Annual Conference Planning Team plans, develops, and implements

each year the components of the Annual Conference sessions, including: hotels, meals,

transportation, logistics, childcare, events, workshops, worship, and business sessions. The

ACPT and its sub-committees meet and work throughout the year to make Annual Conference

sessions spirit-led, exciting, informative, and meaningful as the Texas Annual Conference moves

forward in its mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world and

the greater glory of God.

Book of Discipline: BOD 603-605

Expectation: The Annual Conference Planning Team meets approximately six times a year with

sub-committees meeting in between. Meeting locations are usually at the location of the next

Annual Conference session. Team members should have a desire to make the Annual Conference

sessions an excellent expression of the vision, mission, key drivers, and core values of the Texas

Annual Conference.

Nominating Committee Description: The Nominations Committee is responsible for preparing the nominations report

for the vote of the Texas Annual Conference at its annual sessions, and to submit

recommendations to the Core Leadership Team between sessions of possible members to fill

vacancies.

Book of Discipline: BOD 609

Conference Rules: Section 4

Expectations: The Nominations Committee meets approximately four times a year. Members of

the Nominations Committee need to have knowledge of the structure of the Texas Annual

Conference and have knowledge of the clergy and laity of their district. The members need to be

committed to finding persons who have a passion and commitment for the ministry to which they

are nominated. The members need to be committed to diversity with regard to ethnicity, age,

gender, geography, and church size.

Committee on Communications Description: The mission of the Texas Annual Conference Committee on Communications is to

articulate the vision and mission of the Texas Annual Conference to the local church and

beyond; to assist local churches in sharing their faith stories and to support Conference efforts to

equip local churches to make disciples.

Book of Discipline: BOD 609.5, 645

Conference Rules: No related conference rules.

Conference Structure states: Purpose – To work with the Communications Officer in developing

an effective and coordinated Conference communications program. Composition – Four

members who are specialists in communications and marketing.

Expectations: Members must be able to provide year-round consultative and support services to

the Annual Conference and its Communications Office. Members are expected to lend their

expertise to the communications undertakings of the Annual Conference. Members must have an

interest and experience in the area[s] of marketing, public relations, print media, broadcast

journalism, digital media and web technology.

Committees Under the Center for Clergy Excellence

Clergy Accountability Ministries Brief Description: The Texas Annual Conference created the Clergy Accountability Ministry

Area to set standards for quality of pastoral leadership for local congregations. The Center

assists local pastors, deacons, and elders in living out their call to re-present Jesus Christ by

helping them demonstrate accountability to God, the covenant shared among clergy, and the

Annual Conference. This ministry area continues to develop processes adopted by the 2005

Texas Annual Conference which will help clergy measure accountability.

Book of Discipline: BOD 329, 340; Bound for Greater Things, pages 13-14

Conference Rules: 3 clergy, 3 laity, and 3 at-large

Expectations: The Clergy Accountability Ministry Area Team members should be able to meet

approximately four times each year. Meeting locations are set near the center of the Conference,

convenient to most team members. Team members should exhibit love and concern for ordained

ministers. Experience with P/SPR committees and/or human resources issues preferable. Team

facilitator should also be a skilled leader, with the time, willingness, and expertise to plan,

implement, and assess fruitful ministry.

Clergy Development and Spiritual Formation Ministries Brief Description: To develop clergy who grow in their theological understanding, in their

prophetic leadership, and in their spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. The Texas

Annual Conference created the Clergy Development and Spiritual Formation Ministry Area to

offer Clergy Peer Groups and One-to-One Encouragement, Continuing Education and Spiritual

Formation events, and Enrichment Opportunities.

Book of Discipline: BOD 350-352; Bound for Greater Things, pages 13-14


Expectations: The Clergy Development and Spiritual Formation Ministry Area Team members

should be able to meet approximately four times each year. Meeting locations are set near the

center of the Conference, convenient to most team members. Team members should exhibit love

and concern for ordained ministers. Passion for the importance of clergy continuing education,

spiritual growth, small group and one-to-one accountability is preferred. Team facilitator should

also be a skilled leader, with the time, willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess

fruitful ministry.

Clergy Recruitment Ministries Brief Description: To encourage an ethnically diverse group of gifted young candidates to enter

pastoral service in the Texas Annual Conference, and to equip local congregations to identify

and encourage persons with appropriate gifts and graces and a clear sense of call to commit to

pastoral ministry, the Texas Annual Conference created the Clergy Recruitment Ministry Area to

orchestrate a pastoral internship project for college candidates; facilitate seminary campus visits

and contacts; emphasize Christian vocation in our congregations and among our youth and

young adults; plan gatherings for current and prospective candidates; and consider incentives to

attract young women and men to serve as pastors in the Texas Annual Conference.

Book of Discipline: BOD 350-352; Bound for Greater Things, pages 13-14


Expectations: The Clergy Recruitment Ministry Area Team members should be able to meet

approximately four times each year. Meeting locations are set near the center of the Conference,

convenient to most team members. Team members should exhibit love and concern for ordained

ministers. Passion for the importance of cultivating a culture of call in the Texas Annual

Conference and nurturing gifted diverse young clergy is essential. Team facilitator should also

be a skilled leader, with the time, willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess

fruitful ministry.

Extension Ministries Brief Description: Because ordained, commissioned, and licensed ministers appointed to serve

in ministry settings beyond the local United Methodist church in the witness and service of

Christ’s love and justice “shall be given the same moral and spiritual support by it as are persons

in appointments to pastoral charges”; and are invited to an annual meeting with the bishop “to

gain understanding of one another’s role and function in ministry”, an Extension Ministries team

was created to help the Conference, the Center for Clergy Excellence, and Board of Ordained

Ministry relate to extension ministers and to help “interpret the role and function of extension

ministries to the larger church” (BOD, paragraph 343 and 344).

Book of Discipline: BOD 316, 326, 343, 344, 350, 1421; Bound for Greater Things, pages 13

Conference Rules: 4 clergy and 4 laity

Expectations: The Extension Ministries Team members should be able to meet approximately

four times each year. Meetings are usually held at the Conference Service Center or at Lakeview

Conference Center. Team members should exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers

appointed to serve beyond the local church. Team members should be willing to encourage

extension ministers one-to-one and help coordinate meetings and events during which extension

ministers will be encouraged and informed. Team facilitator should also be a skilled leader, with

the time, willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess fruitful ministry.

Leadership & Assessment Team Brief Description: The Assessment Leadership Team develops strategies and organizational

recommendations for clergy excellence, including but not limited to assessment, coaching,

training, evaluation (measurable accountability), tracking of activities and indicators, mentoring,

continuing education, interim ministry, conflict resolution training, and spiritual formation.

Originally named the “Transition Leadership Team,” after creating an overall plan for Clergy

Excellence when the Center was created in 2006, the team was asked to continue to meet

annually to follow up on the objectives recommended.

Book of Discipline: Bound for Greater Things, pages 13-14


Facilitators of Clergy Accountability, Clergy Development and Spiritual Formation, and Clergy

Recruitment serve on the team as an ex-officio, with voice but no vote.

Expectations: The Clergy Transition/Assessment Team members should be able to meet once

each summer to assess Center progress. Meeting location will be set near the center of the

Conference, convenient to most team members. Team members should exhibit love and concern

for ordained ministers, and have a thorough understanding of the history, objectives, and current

projects of the Center for Clergy Excellence. Team facilitator should also be a skilled leader,

with the time, willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess fruitful ministry.

Board of Ordained Ministry Brief Description: The Board of Ordained Ministry exists to recruit, equip, nurture, distill and

deploy spiritual leaders for the church.

Book of Discipline: BOD 634; Bound for Greater Things, page 15

Conference Rules: At least six ordained elders and deacons in full connection

At least two associate members or local pastors who have completed the Course of Study

At least one-fifth laypersons (up to one-third board membership)

Must include women and ethnic persons

At least one retired ordained clergyperson

At least one ordained clergyperson serving in extension ministry

One district superintendent named by the bishop to represent the cabinet

The Center for Clergy Excellence and Center for Clergy Excellence District representatives

strongly recommend that the chairpersons of every District Committee on Ordained Ministry be

part of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, ex-officio, with voice and vote.

The Center for Clergy Excellence further recommends that a minimum of one-fifth of Board of

Ordained Ministry members are under age forty and that no board member serve for more than

eight consecutive years.

Expectations: The Board of Ordained Ministry members should be able to meet at least

quarterly, for a total of about 12 days each year, including several extended sessions which

necessitate overnight accommodations. Meetings are usually held at Lakeview Conference

Center, or at a location set near the center of the Conference, convenient to most team members.

Team members should exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers, and have a thorough

understanding of the current process toward licensed and ordained ministry. Chairperson should

also be a skilled leader, with the time, willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess

fruitful ministry.

Commission on Equitable Compensation Brief Description: The Commission on Equitable Compensation is charged to support full-time

clergy serving as pastors in the charges of the annual conference by recommending conference

standards for pastoral support; administering funds to be used in base compensation

supplementation; and providing counsel and advisory material on pastoral support to district

superintendents and committees on pastor-parish relations.



Expectations: Equitable Compensation Team members should be able to meet approximately

four times each year. Meeting locations are set to be convenient to most team members. Team

members should exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers and a thorough understanding

of clergy compensation issues. Team facilitator should also be a skilled leader, with the time,

willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess fruitful ministry.

Board of Pensions Brief Description: The Board of Pensions Committee provides broad over sight on the

retirement benefits provided retired clergy, surviving spouses, disabled clergy and lay employees

of the Annual Conference. The Committee works closely with the General Board of Pensions of

The UMC which provide excellent counsel, interpretation and guidance regarding various

pension programs. The Board provides guidance to the Director for Clergy Excellence and the

Group Health and Pension administrative office by reviewing and approving the Chairperson’s

annual report (including finances and funding levels), attending bi-annual meetings, deciding on

benefit levels to be provided (past service rate) approving the policies of the Group Health &

Pension administrative office, determining appropriate levels of reserves, and reviewing

investment performance.


Conference Rules: Representatives from the Group Health Benefit Committee

Representatives from C F & A

Laity representatives (1/2 elected each quadrennium)

Clergy Representatives (Both large and small churches – ½ elected each quadrennium)

Cabinet representation

Expectations: Board of Pensions Committee members should be able to meet twice each year.

Meetings are usually held at Lakeview or at another location convenient to most committee

members. Committee members should exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers and a

thorough understanding of clergy pension issues. Chairperson should also be a skilled leader,

with the time, willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess fruitful ministry.

Group Health Benefits Committee Brief Description: The Group Health Benefits Committee provides broad over sight on the

health and life benefits provided for active, disabled, and retired clergy (including surviving

spouses) of the Annual Conference, along with full-time lay employees of local churches who

have elected to participate. The Committee provides guidance to the Director for Clergy

Excellence and the Group Health Pension administrative office by reviewing and approving the

Chairperson’s annual report (including finances and funding levels), hearing appeals, selecting

vendors to be utilized, attending bi-annual meetings, deciding on benefit levels to be provided,

approving the policies of the Group Health & Pension administrative office, determining

appropriate levels of reserves, and reviewing investment performance. The Committee reviews

existing programs, especially for cost competitiveness, and requests new benefits or benefit

modifications to meet changing needs of the membership.


Conference Rules: Representatives from the Board of Pensions

Representatives from the C F & A

Laity representatives with insurance experience (1/2 elected each quadrennium)

Clergy representatives (Both large and small churches – ½ elected each quadrennium)

Cabinet representation

Expectations: Group Health Benefits Committee members should be able to meet twice each

year. Meetings are usually held at Lakeview or at another location convenient to most

committee members. Committee members should exhibit love and concern for ordained

ministers and a thorough understanding of clergy group health benefit issues. Chairperson

should also be a skilled leader, with the time, willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and

assess fruitful ministry.

Committee on Investigation Brief Description: When judicial complaints are made, the Committee on Investigation

conducts investigations into the allegations to determine whether reasonable grounds exist to

support the charges. It is not the committee’s duty to determine guilt or innocence.

Book of Discipline: BOD 634, 2703, 2706; Bound for Greater Things, page 15

Conference Rules: Four clergy in full connection, three laity, and ten alternate members (Five

clergy in full connection plus five laity). Nominated by the bishop, elected quadrennially by the

annual conference

Expectations: Committee on Investigation members should be available to meet occasionally, as

needed, throughout the year, at a place convenient to committee members. Committee members

should exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers, and a thorough understanding of the

standards for clergy effectiveness.

Administrative Review Committee Brief Description: The Administrative Review Committee exists to ensure that the disciplinary

procedures for involuntary leave of absence (354.1b), involuntary retirement (359.3), or

administrative location (362.3c) are properly followed.


Conference Rules: Three clergy in full connection

Two alternates who are not members of the cabinet, BOM, or immediate family members of the

above, nominated by the bishop and elected quadrennially

Expectations: Administrative Review Committee members should be available to meet

occasionally, as needed, throughout the year, at a place convenient to committee members.

Committee members should exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers, and a thorough

understanding of the standards for clergy effectiveness and procedures governing disciplinary

action.

Joint Committee on Medical Leave Brief Description: The Joint Committee on Incapacity investigates cases in which clergy

members of the annual conference are unable to perform their ministerial work because of

incapacity due to health matters and disabling conditions.

Book of Discipline: BOD 358, 651; Bound for Greater Things, page 15

Conference Rules: Minimum two representatives each from the BOM and Board of Pensions

A District Superintendent appointed by the bishop to represent the cabinet

Encouraged to include a person with a disability, preferably someone under appointment

Expectations: Joint Committee on Incapacity members should be available to meet occasionally,

as needed, throughout the year, at a place convenient to committee members. Committee

members should exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers, and a thorough understanding

of the standards for clergy effectiveness and procedures governing incapacity leave.

Sexual Ethics Committee Brief Description: The Sexual Ethics Committee assists the Conference Board of Ordained

Ministry in sexual ethics training for the ordained and licensed clergy and the certified lay

professionals of the annual conference. The Committee is also responsible for recruiting and

training Response Team members.

Book of Discipline: 2007 Pre-Conference Journal, page 34

Conference Rules: Membership appointed by the bishop in consultation with the Cabinet and

the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry in the first year of each quadrennium to serve for a

term of four years with reappointment for a maximum of twelve years. Committee should

include ex-officio representatives from orders of deacons and elders, the Cabinet, the Center for

Clergy Excellence, the Center for Connectional Resources, and Safe Sanctuary; and legal

counsel.

Expectations: Committee members should be able to meet approximately four times each year.

Meeting locations are set to be convenient to most team members. Committee members should

exhibit love and concern for ordained ministers and a thorough appreciation of the importance of

sexual ethics issues. The committee chairperson should also be a skilled leader, with the time,

willingness, and expertise to plan, implement, and assess fruitful ministry.

Committees Under the Center for Congregational Excellence

Extravagant Generosity Ministries Team Description: The Extravagant Generosity Ministries Team equips congregations with tools and

resources needed to engage in effective Christian stewardship by providing workshop

experiences and other training for pastors and laity on a variety of topics related to disciple-

making stewardship including such topics as year-round stewardship, planned giving, and

effective financial management for Christians.

Book of Discipline: BOD 629, 609

Expectations: The ministry team meets approximately 4 times per year. Chair of the team is on

the leadership team for the Center for Congregational Excellence.

Passionate Worship Ministries Team Description: The Passionate Worship Ministries Team equips local congregations with tools and

resources needed to engage in passionate worship appropriate to the communities they serve by

providing training and education opportunities for laity and clergy in the area of passionate

worship through conference-wide training opportunities and local church and district training

opportunities.


Expectations: The committee meets about 4 times a year and committee members make

themselves available as resources to local churches in the area of planning and implementing

passionate worship. The chair of the team is on the leadership for the Center for Congregational

Excellence.

Faith-Forming Relationships and Spiritual Formation Team Description: The team sees its primary work to be that of “Gatherers and sharers of

resources and tools in the area of Faith Forming Relationships and Spiritual

Formation.” This will be done in a variety of ways. Our first efforts include the following: work

in districts, support and development of leadership school, and making resources available on the

conference website.


Conference Rules: Charis and Single Adult Council will relate to this team.

Expectations: The ability to meet at least three times during the year. The chair of the team is

on the Leadership Team for the Center for Congregational Excellence.

Radical Hospitality and Evangelistic Ministries Description: The Radical Hospitality and Evangelistic Ministries Team equips local

congregations with tools and resources needed to engage in radical hospitality through the

identification of churches displaying excellence in growth and evangelism ministries and using

the methods of these churches in educating clergy and laity in the conference and by providing

other educational experiences in the fields of evangelism, faith sharing, and radical hospitality.


Expectations: The team meets approximately 4 times per year and the chair serves on the

leadership team for the Center for Congregational Excellence.

The Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee (ELCC) and the Small Membership Church

Committee (SMCC) relate to the Center for Congregational Excellence through the Radical

Hospitality and Evangelistic Ministries Team. The chairs of these two committees serve on the

Radical Hospitality and Evangelistic Ministries Team.

Age-Level and Camping Ministries Description: The Age-Level and Camping Ministries Team equips local congregations with

tools and resources to develop effective ministry with children, youth, young adults, and senior

adults. It also oversees the work of planning camping programs for children and youth at

Lakeview. The chair of this ministry team also serves on the Center for Congregational

Excellence leadership team.


Lay Leadership Development Ministries Description: The Lay Leadership Development Team equips local congregations with tools and

resources to develop leadership for ministries of disciple-making.


Expectations: The team meets approximately 4 times per year and hosts training events

throughout the year. The chair is a member of the Center for Congregational Excellence

Leadership Team.

Leadership & Assessment Team Description: The Transitional Leadership Team determines policy and purpose for the Center

for Congregational Excellence in accordance with the conference model for ministry. It is the

group responsible for assessment of Center programs and coordination of calendar.


United Methodist Men Description: The UMM equip local congregations for ministry with and for men.


Conference Rules: These persons are elected by the UMM organization.

United Methodist Women Description: The UMW provides mission education and outreach with women in local

congregations.


Conference Rules: These persons are elected by the UMW organization.

Youth Ministry Council Description: The Conference Council on Youth Ministries equips local congregations with tools

and resources to develop effective ministry with youth. The council also plans conference-wide

youth activities and participates in planning and leadership of camping programs.


Conference Rules: The CCYM was restructured at Conference 2007. It will have 2 youth and 1

adult representative elected from each district and 4 at-large representatives chosen by the

Conference Nominations Committee.

Expectations: The council meets approximately 4 times per year.

Young Adult Ministry Council Description: The Young Adult Ministry Council equips local congregations with tools and

resources to develop effective ministry with young adults.


Conference Rules: One member per district.

Expectations: The council meets approximately 4 times per year.

Board of Laity Description: The Board of Laity equips local congregations with tools and resources for the

ministry of the laity in each congregation.

Book of Discipline: BOD 630.1, 630.6d

Conference Rules: The Board is composed of the Conference Lay Leader who is chosen by the

Bishop, and the District Lay Leader, who is chosen by the District Superintendent of each district

.

Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee

Description: The Ethnic Local Church Concerns Committee equips local congregations with

tools and resources to enhance disciple-making with ethnic persons.


Conference Rules: Eight members, four clergy and four laity.

Expectations: The committee meets approximately 4 times per year and the chair serves on the

Radical Hospitality and Evangelistic Ministries Team.

Small Membership Church Committee Description: The Small Membership Church Committee equips small membership churches

with tools and resources to strengthen their ministry in all areas of disciple-making.


Conference Rules: Four members, two clergy and two laity.

Expectations: The committee meets approximately 4 times per year. The chair of the committee

is a member of the Radical Hospitality and Evangelistic Ministries Team.

Committees Under the Center for Connectional Resources

Council on Finance and Administration Description: The Council on Finance and Administration is assigned several, specific tasks to

complete on behalf of the Annual Conference. These major tasks include: the construction of an

annual budget recommendation, the administration of the formula by which local churches are

apportioned, the administration of the annual conference operating funds and investments, the

consideration of conference-wide fund-raising proposals, and the establishment of employment

and compensation policies regarding conference staff. The CFA seeks a balance between annual

conference financial requests and the financial needs of the local church. This balance involves

the determination of both the appropriate size of the annual conference budget and the

anticipated impact of apportionments upon the local churches. Additionally, the CFA initiates

methods by which the annual conference can pay its apportionments to the General Church.


Conference Rules: BOD 611.2

Expectations: Council meets about 3 times per year.

Board of Trustees Description: The Board of Trustees are amenable to the annual conference and have the

authority to manage any and all properties that may be given or conveyed, real or personal,

abandoned or request to be sold on behalf of the conference.

Book of Discipline: BOD 639, 2512.1-7

Conference Rules: The board of trustees shall consist of twelve (12) members. One-third clergy,

one-third be laywomen and one-third be laymen. Said persons must be of legal age as determined

by law and lay members shall be members in good standing of local churches and within the

bounds of the conference.

Expectations: Be able to meet when required, review all materials and understand the mission of

the conference. The board is expected to carry out actions on any contracts, deeds, bill of sale,

mortgages or other necessary written instruments on behalf of the conference.

Commission on Archives and History Description: The mission statement of the Commission on Archives and History is as follows:

1. to preserve the official records of the Texas Annual Conference; 2. to assist local churches to

preserve their own historical records; 3. to provide a ministry of education and interpretation

about the history of the Texas Annual Conference


Conference Rules: 1. Chair - I have been serving as chair since 2004. The chair is elected by the Annual

Conference after being nominated by the Committee on Nominations.

2. A representative from each of the nine districts

3. The Conference Historian - Bill Hedges has been serving in this position since 1980.

He has told me that he wishes to retire. He also told me that he has approached the Rev.

Bill Lanigan to be his successor. I do not know whether this is a special appointment by

the bishop or an election by the Conference. Bernice McBeth also holds the title of

Conference Historian. Ms. McBeth is no longer able to participate in the activities of the

Commission. Her past service to the Conference is so valued that the Commission

wishes that she continue to receive the honorary title

4. The Conference Archivist -The Conference Archives are located at Lon Morris College.

The Rev. Faulk Landrum is the Archivist. This is a part time paid position. Dr. Landrum

has been in this position since June, 2006. The Archivist is hired by and reports to the

Commission. The Archivist attends Commission meetings but does not vote.

5. The Center for Connectional Excellence Director

6. One at large member -After the 2006 reorganization the Commission was composed

almost entirely of District Representatives. The districts each chose a representative.

The process resulted in a Commission that did not reflect the diversity of the Conference.

Our conference is the result of merger of churches from the Central Jurisdiction (African

American) and the South Central Jurisdiction (Anglo American). The Commission

thought it important that both strands of our history be included on the Commission. We

sought and obtained permission to add an at large member to make sure such

representation occurred. That at large position is currently held by Ms. Dolores Sandling,

a lay member of Blueridge UMC.

7. McMahan’s Chapel representative

Expectations:

A. General Background -The most important disciplinary duty of the Commission

is caring for the Conference Archives. The requisite knowledge and skills tend to

be associated with library science, records management, etc. It would be very

desirable to have someone with expertise in digital preservation techniques.

Although some knowledge of and appreciation for Texas Conference history is

desirable, skills related to record management are more important.

B. Specific duties 1. The Commission meets twice per year, once at the Archives at Lon Morris and

once in the Houston area. All members should be willing and able to attend both

meetings.

2. The District Representatives should be willing to travel to all churches in their

districts to assist local church historians set up and maintain archives, adopt and

implement retention guidelines, attend historical commemorations, assist in the

application for historic markers, etc.

3. The District Representative should work with the District Superintendent by

attending district meetings to relate the work of the Conference Commission to

the district. The Representative should also assist, when requested, in the transfer

of records of discontinued churches to the Archives.

4. Members should be willing to become familiar with the work of the General

Commission on Archives and History. They should support that work by

encouraging the observance of Heritage Sunday and learning the policies and

procedures of the General Commission.

5. Members should join the Texas United Methodist Historical Society and

participate in its programs.

6. Members should be willing to volunteer for special events such as workshops,

seminars, etc. conducted by the Commission. (The next such event is the July,

2008, Jurisdictional Convocation of Archivists.)

Committee on Episcopacy Description:

1) To support the bishop in the oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the

Church, with special reference to the work of the annual conference.

2) To be available to the bishop for counsel.

3) To assist in the determination of the Episcopal needs of the area and to make

recommendations to appropriate bodies.

4) To keep the bishop advised concerning conditions within the conference as they affect

relationships between the bishop and the people of the conference agencies.

5) To interpret to the people of the area and to conference agencies the nature and

function of the Episcopal office.

6) To engage in annual consultation and appraisal of the balance of the bishop’s

relationship and responsibilities to the annual conference, the jurisdiction, general Church

boards and agencies and other areas of specialized ministry, including at all levels the

inclusiveness of the Church and its ministry with respect to sex, race, and national origin,

and understanding and implementation of the consultation process in appointment-

making.

7) To report needs for Episcopal leadership to the jurisdictional committee on episcopacy

through the duly elected conference members of that committee.

Book of Discipline: The Discipline calls for a Conference Committee on Episcopacy. The

committee is elected quadrennially by the annual conference at the session following the General

Conference.

Conference Rules: The Committee’s membership shall number at least seven, but no more than

seventeen. One-fifth of the committee’s members shall be appointed by the bishop. It is

recommended that the committee be one-third laywomen, one-third laymen, and one-third

clergypersons with special attention given to inclusiveness. Conference staff members and

members of their immediate family cannot serve as members. However in the Texas Conference,

we have found that it is helpful to have the Assistant to the Bishop and the Conference Treasurer

serve as Ex-Officio members. We have also had the members of the Jurisdictional Committee on

Episcopacy serve as Ex-Officio members.

Expectations: The Committee shall meet at least annually and shall elect a chairperson, a vice

chairperson, and a secretary. The bishop and/or the chairperson may call additional meetings as

needed.

Committee on Episcopal Residence Brief Description: The Committee on Episcopal Residence provides and oversees the housing

for the Bishop and his/her family. The Committee is led by a chairperson who is also a

representative of the Committee on Episcopacy. The members should include the president or

designate from the Committee on Episcopacy, the Trustees, and the Council on Finance and

Administration. Other members include the Conference Treasurer and other clergy/lay assigned.

Consultants without votes may be utilized. The Committee makes recommendations to the

annual conference regarding the purchase, sale, or rental of an Episcopal residence. The

property is held in trust by the Trustees of the Annual Conference. The Committee also prepares

an annual budget for the Episcopal residence which includes utilities, insurance, and normal

costs of upkeep in maintaining the residence. In short, the Committee handles all matters

relating to upkeep, maintenance, improvements, and appropriate insurance coverage for the

Episcopal residence.


Conference Rules: 7 Clergy and 6 Laity

Expectations: The Committee meets quarterly.

Safe Sanctuary Description: As Christians, we are called to create a safe sanctuary in our churches. They must

be holy, safe, and protective communities for all of God’s children, regardless of age or ability.

The Safe Sanctuary Committee works with the districts and local churches in creating policies

and procedures that will aid in preventing the opportunity for an abusive act to occur. They

initiate and provide training in the Texas Conference Safe Sanctuary Policy. The committee

works with the Staff Consultant to ascertain that adequate records of background checks of those

people working with children and youth are kept up-to-date.

To accomplish our mission, we must continually review our procedures; work with the Camping

Coordinators in maintaining adequate safety procedures, and be prepared to aid the local church

when needed.

Book of Discipline: BOD 161 g-3, 162c

Conference Rules: 8 Team Members elected in classes, i.e. 4 per class—the 4 elected in 2008

will be for class 2016 (see page C-12 Texas Annual Conference 2006 Journal). Each class

elected is 2 Lay and 2 Clergy. In addition to eight team member, the Safe Sanctuary Staff

Consultant and the Conference Fiscal Officer are ex-officio members.

Expectations: Be able to meet two times a year, and three times if needed. Meetings are held in

mutually decided locations.

McMahan Chapel Trustees Description: McMahan Chapel is the oldest Protestant Church in the State of Texas with

continuous worship services. It is a powerful witness to the continuing influence of the Gospel

of Jesus Christ. The first building was constructed in 1836. It was a little log building with a dirt

floor. McMahan Chapel’s second home, another, larger log building, was built in 1872. The

present brick chapel was completed in 1949. The McMahan Chapel Trustees are responsible for

overseeing the upkeep of the buildings and grounds, finances and planning for the growth of

McMahan Chapel property. A new Museum and Events Center was built in 2002 to

accommodate large groups and a McMahan Chapel Day is held every year on the second

Saturday in October.

Expectations: Be able to meet four times a year in or around the East District Office or San

Augustine. Be able to assist in planning for McMahan Chapel Day and apply for grants. Make

sure that McMahan Chapel is maintained and plans made to keep the historic site viable and

appealing to future generations. Maintain the history, tradition and preservation of the property

and grounds. Oversee caretakers and review policies for use of the Museum & Events Center

and Chapel. Define, plan and develop long range plans to promote McMahan Chapel.

Cemetery Trustees Description: The Trustees of the Texas Conference Cemetery are charged with oversight and

management of the Texas Conference Cemetery located in Palestine, TX. This includes the

physical care, development, and improvement of the cemetery site; formation of policies and

procedures for the cemetery; handling of cemetery funds and monies for permanent care;

processing of all records, lot sales and ownership, burials.

The purpose of the Cemetery is to provide a respectful and honorable final resting place for the

clergy and their families of the Texas Annual Conference. It has been the goal of the Trustees to

provide this benefit as inexpensively as possible.

Higher Education and Campus Ministries Description: The Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry (BHECM) promotes the

mission of the United Methodist Church to make disciples through our colleges and our campus

ministries. Our work with college students represents a two-fold concern of the church: (1) to be

faithful in risk-taking mission in the college and university campus mission field, and (2) to

equip and empower future lay and clergy leadership for the local congregation. The first concern

expresses commitment to our mission mandate; the second a wise investment of our resources.

Projects in any given year include assessment of campus ministries (in the fall) and the work of

preparation and follow-up accompanying that. Managing the distribution and collection of

assessment forms and communication with campus ministers is vital for a smooth assessment

meeting. The BHECM also consults with ministries regarding capital projects as needed. The

recent work of assessment and benchmarking of Wesley Foundation ministries and assessment of

our Annual Conference’s strategic approach to campus ministry will likely continue to present

key issues facing the BHECM in the next quadrennium.


Conference Rules: 6 members (3 clergy, 3 laity) plus 2 student members, the Director of Center

for Connectional Resources, and a Wesley Foundation campus minister representative are ex

officios. Others are enlisted to serve with ex officio status depending on expertise and need.

Expectations: Meets 4-6 times/year. Work on special issues/projects may dictate more frequent

meetings of the board or of a task force. Relate with campus ministers with supportive oversight,

yet with an appropriately critical eye to discern gaps and room for improvement. The BHECM

assesses Wesley Foundation ministries for faithfulness and fruitfulness, sets salaries of campus

ministers, and allocates conference apportionment funds for Wesley Foundations. The BHECM

will be proactive in setting benchmarks for ministry growth and health, so members will be

expected to be proactive students of the campus ministry context for ministry, balancing

oversight responsibility with the need to learn from campus ministers about their ministry

context.

Must have a passion for ministry to and with college students and for supporting campus

ministry diligently, energetically, and creatively. Must be willing to visit a campus ministry each

Each semester, one of which can be a board meeting for the Campus Ministry, and financially

support Campus Ministry in the Texas Annual Conference (as is expected of all the board

members of each Campus Ministry).

Committees Under the Center for Missional Excellence

Missional Excellence Leadership Team Description: The Missional Excellence Leadership Team (MELT) meets quarterly to update and

review the progress of its five Ministry Teams which include 1) Mercy Ministry 2) Higher

Education & Campus Ministry, 3) Sending Ministry, 4) Restorative Justice Ministry and 5)

Social Principles Implementation Ministry.

Projects in any given year include assessment of all Missional Excellence Ministries and the

work of preparation and follow-up accompanying, such as: managing the distribution and

collection of assessment forms and establishing communication directives and guidelines. The

MELT also consults with ministries regarding major projects as needed. Establishing

benchmarks for each of the ministries and designing assessment tools and processes for our

Annual Conference’s strategic approach to equipping the local churches and making disciples for

Jesus Christ.

Conference Rules: Bound for Greater Things, page 18

Expectations: Meets 4 times a year. Must have a passion for ministry, to and with college

students and for supporting campus ministry diligently, energetically, and creatively.

Restorative Justice Ministries Team

Description: Restorative Justice has a vision: That all people impacted by crime would be

restored by the love of Jesus Christ through Restorative Justice Ministries. Our mission is: To

inspire Texas Annual Conference Congregations to participate in Restorative Justice activities

and to facilitate their engagement.


Conference Rules: 1 member from each District

Expectations:

1. Sponsor/Develop one Restorative Justice Ministry Awareness conference in the district

each year. Use First Baptist Church Dallas as a resource to organize the event. Use

Marvin Hood as a speaker if available.

2. Distribute all Welcome Back referrals to churches in the district. Identify new

welcoming churches as needed and send church contact information to the Welcome

Back coordinator for addition to the conference RJ database.

3. Assist the District Superintendent, clergy and lay leaders to engage people in Restorative

Justice activities using:

a. Support from the Center for Missional Excellence – Rick Goodrich

b. Support from the Center for Clergy Excellence – B. T. Williamson

c. Support from the Center for Congregational Excellence – Karen Dorris

4. Identify a successor and involve them in the above activities.

The District Representative may recruit a team to assist with these responsibilities and serve as

the team leader.

Sending Ministries Team Description: Sending Ministry is about the work of encouraging the people and congregations of

the Texas Annual Conference to “follow” Jesus. From the standpoint of risk taking mission

“following” means each individual finding a unique missionary post. Sending Ministry

encourages “hands on mission.”

What Sending Ministry has to offer to the Texas Conference

1) Motivate local congregations and individuals to go forward as fellow servants with

Christ – offering in word and action the saving grace of Christ – doing what we are able

to do in order to make disciples and transform the world.

2) Offer tools to share with individuals and with local churches to help inspire and create

opportunities for mission – some “tools” will be verbal, some printed, some visual,

all designed to facilitate and encourage ministry.

3) Provide speakers and resource leaders to help congregations organize for mission – at

least one person in each district currently serves as part of Sending Ministry task force.

4) Provide “hands on” opportunities through Partner in Mission (PIM).

5) Offer through the Board of Global Ministry partnerships which come from being part of

a great and very global church. Such as missionary support and partnership, UMCOR and

Advance for Christ opportunities, long and short term missionary service, etc.

6) Ways to evaluate the work of mission – emphasis on accountability in hands on – risk

taking – mission.

7) Encourage and work to establish mission focus team in each district.

8) Support and acknowledge the local mission projects which are so important to the

life of the church.

Emphasis of Sending Ministry

1) Primary Emphasis: to provide for the telling of the mission “story” in every local

church of the Texas Annual Conference.

2) To encourage partnerships and missionary support as part of a connectional

denomination. Emphasize the General Board of Global Ministry.

3) Strengthen spiritual awareness and language of mission – provide ways to

understand that hands on mission is more than the work alone.

4) Partners in Mission (PIM) – offers hands-on experiential mission projects which

are open to all Texas Conference individuals and congregations.

5) Ethnic ministry – assists and encourages volunteers in partnership with others.

6) Endowment for Mission – Conference Advance Special for 2007 with funds.

donated matched dollar for dollar by Moody Foundation – ultimate goal to supply

finances for mission projects – projects with local, national and international focus.

7) Ivory Coast – encourage and work with Ivory Coast partnership.

8) Nothing but Nets – provide resources and encouragement for support of this great

work. Note that Nothing but Nets is our Conference Advance Special offering for 2008.

9) Help congregations develop mission emphasis in local communities and beyond.

Book of Discipline: BOD 632.1, 632.3

Conference Rules: One member from each district, PIM staff person, chaired by Conference

Global Ministries Secretary.

Expectations: Meets approximately 4 times per year. The members of this ministries team need

to have a passion for risk taking mission and service, and a strong desire to equip the local

congregations for this ministry.

Parish & Community Development Team Description: The Committee on Parish Community and Development is to assist in representing

community ministries. The general responsibilities of the committee shall include research,

evaluation, planning and strategy development, policy formulation, program implementation,

local and national liaison (denominational and ecumenical) related to parish and community

development, and such other functions. Responsibilities may include developing a relationship to

all such institutional and voluntary ministries within the annual conference; consulting with them

in cooperative planning and strategy for the implementation for national mission concerns

relative to needs in the area of social welfare as implemented through the ministries of

community centers, residences, health-care agencies, schools, and other educational agencies;

and working with funding sources (local churches) to provide the support needed for effective

service in such agencies. National issues such as improved health care and affordable housing for

all, national insurance programs will be reviewed.

2007 Goals 1. Contact churches to see what they are doing in the Health and Wellness area.

2. Provide training for Pastors in Pastoral Care.

3. Advocate for health and wellness issues to be a part of all district training.

4. Provide Pastors with list of county services (healthcare resources) available.


Conference Rules: 4 Team Members - 2 Clergy: 2 Lay

Expectations: To meet 3-4 times per year in and around the surrounding Houston area.

Mercy Ministries Team Description: As a part of the Center for Missional Excellence, the mission of Mercy Ministries

is to equip congregations and leaders to carry forth ministries of mercy, justice and wholeness so

that all persons, inside and outside of the church, experience mercy, justice and wholeness:

emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually.

Mercy Ministries is the committee charged with representing (and facilitating the relationship

with the Texas Annual Conference) the connectional ministries of the church including:

Golden Cross

Methodist Children’s Home

Methodist Hospital System

Methodist Mission Home

Methodist Retirement Communities

Lydia Patterson Institute

Society of St. Stephen

Specific action steps designed to implement this mission include:

Education of pastors and local congregations about connectional ministry and congregational

opportunities in health and welfare ministry;

Education of the connectional institutions as each seeks to integrate the mission, vision and

values of the Texas Annual Conference into its own organizational mission.

Facilitate relationships between connectional ministries and congregations.

Assist connectional ministries in matching services they might provide in response to identified

congregational needs.

Facilitate Health Care Initiatives and programs within congregations:

Encourage health fairs and other congregation-based programs such as blood drives.

Support church leadership and/or congregational participation in advocating for prevention and

wellness.

Identify the needs of congregations within the Texas Annual Conference as they relate to health

care.

Advocate for the health care priorities established by the Council of Bishops and the Global

Health Initiative.

Book of Discipline: BOD 632.4b (27)

Conference Rules: 6 Team Members, 3 Clergy; 3 Laity

Expectations: Be able to meet 2-4 times a year in or around the Houston area. Must have a

passion/interest/concern in area(s) of health and welfare and/or connectional ministries.

Golden Cross Team Description: A medical assistance ministry of the Texas Annual Conference depends on

contributions from local churches and individuals. Golden Cross was started in 1921 to assist

members of United Methodist churches who have little or no financial resources. The Texas

Annual Conference observes the first Sunday in May as Golden Cross Sunday. Some churches

have chosen a different Sunday for their offering. Your church is encouraged to set a

Communion Offering sometime during the year to support this ministry. Individuals are also

encouraged to donate. Golden Cross works with doctors and hospitals to discount the cost of

their services. This allows your donations to help more individuals. For assistance contact your

pastor.

Donations large or small may be sent to:

The United Methodist Service Center

Golden Cross Ministry

5125 Main St.

Houston, TX. 77002

For more information contact Woodie Wells at 713 521-9383 ext. 326 or [email protected]

Social Principles Implementation Ministries Description: The purpose of the Social Principles Implementation Ministries (SPIM) Team is to

pursue implementation of the social principles of the United Methodist Church, justice concerns,

and other policy statements on Christian social concerns of the Texas Annual Conference.

Members of SPIM do general planning together, encourage and support one another in the

specific objectives of each group represented, and hold one another accountable for each group’s

part of the work. Specific projects are sometimes shared and at other times are carried out by the

specialists of one or more of the groups represented on the SPIM team.


Conference Rules: Members are the following:

Chair, Board of Church and Society

Chair, Commission on Religion and Race (CORR)

Chair, Black Methodists for Church Renewal

Chair, Native American Ministries

Representative from Asian Ministries

Representative from Hispanic Ministries

Chair, Commission on Status and Role of Women (COSROW)

Chair, Committee on Disability Concerns

Chair, Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CUIC)

Coordinator of Peace with Justice (PwJ)

Expectations: Prepare for and attend SPIM meetings. (Meetings are held at least quarterly and

up to monthly, depending on need.) Serve as liaisons between SPIM and their respective groups,

keeping the communications open and accurate. Convene their respective groups on a regular

basis for the purpose of setting their own measurable objectives and action plans and for

assigning responsibilities for carrying them out. Keep appropriate records, financial and

otherwise, and report through SPIM in a timely fashion.

SPIM members also elect one of their own to serve as SPIM chairperson. The SPIM Chair

works closely with the Asst. Director of the Center for Missional Excellence. Serves as liaison

between SPIM and the Center for Missional Excellence. Prepares for and attends Missional

Excellence Leadership Team meetings. Convenes and facilitates SPIM meetings. Sees that

appropriate SPIM records are kept, and make timely reports. Supports and encourages all of the

represented groups. Carries out specific requests from the Center.

Peace With Justice Description: Peace with Justice witnesses to God's demand for a faithful, just, disarmed, and

secure world.

Book of Discipline: BOD 264.5, 628.2, 822.5

Church and Society Description: The purpose of this committee is to relate the gospel of Jesus Christ to the

members of the Church and to the persons and structures of the communities and world in which

they live. We seek to bring the whole of human life, activities, possessions, use of resources, and

community and world relationships into conformity with the will of God. We seek to

demonstrate that the reconciliation God effected through Christ involves personal, social, and

civic righteousness.

Our primary objective is to seek implementation of the UM Social Principles and other policy

statements of the General Conference and statements from the Council of Bishops related to

Christian social concerns.

Strategies:

Support/participate with SPIM—speakers, workshops, retreats, etc.

Promote expansion of CHIP for the well being of Texas children

Build data base of persons willing to write letters, email, make calls and/or visits with

public officials. (Use UM Book of Discipline and UM Book of Resolutions)

Promote participation with Texas Impact by local congregations and individual members.

Tap into other avenues of information and possible action (e.g., UMW, TX Impact, TCC,

UM Power, Dominican Sisters, TMO, etc.)

Another objective of this committee is to annually facilitate forums for respectful conversation,

education, and reflection around proposed resolutions (related to the UM Social Principles) prior

to the annual conference meeting.

Book of Discipline: BOD 628, 1002-1004

Conference Rules: 13 Members: 8 Elected, 5 Ex-Officios; 6 Lay, 7 Clergy

From “Bound for Greater Things”, page 24:The following mandated or equivalent structures of

the Model for Ministry shall correspond to those agencies outlined in the 2004 Book of

Discipline as noted below. BOD 609.1

Board of Church and Society, BOD 628.1

Expectations: Be able to meet 4 times a year. Some meetings will be in or around the Houston

area and others will be further north in the conference. Must have a passion/strong interest in

continuing and strengthening the ministry of social justice in The United Methodist Church.

Religion and Race Description: The CCORR assumes seven major roles and functions: Monitoring/Evaluating,

Enabling, Advocating, Sensitizing, Empowering, Counseling/Consulting, and Investigating.


Conference Rules: Minimum of 12 members – representation from each district with lay and

clergy representation.

Expectations: Members are expected to be able to meet at least quarterly. Meetings will usually

be held in or around the Conroe area. Members must have a passion to address the seven major

roles and functions of CCORR as outlined in the attached document. Members must be willing

to be engaged in a process of self-sensitization and nurture and educate themselves in a new

understanding and appreciation of diversity as God’s gift to creation. Members need to strive to

understand the different levels of racism and be willing to address racism as it occurs within the

local church, the district and the conference.

Commission on Status and Role of Women Description: The responsibility of this commission shall be in harmony with the responsibility

of the general commission.

To be informed about the status and role of all women in the total life of the

conference. Data shall be gathered that relate to all structural levels of the

conference and then disseminated and communicated throughout the

conference.

To develop ways to inform and sensitize the leadership within the conference

at all levels on issues that affect women.

To focus on major priorities of issues related to women, which may include

sexual harassment policies, and procedures, and enlist the support of

conference.


Conference Rules: 12 Members

Expectations: Will meet in or around the Houston area 4 times per year.

Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns Description: To provide for Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns within the Texas

Annual Conference, and maintain the connectional relationships with the General Commission

on Christian Unity and Interreligious concerns. The Texas Annual Conference is the largest

contributor among the various Roman Catholic and Protestant judicatories involved in the

ecumenical ministry of The Texas Conference of Churches Annual Assembly. To encourage

dialogue and cooperation with persons of other living faiths. To stimulate conference, district,

and congregational participation in councils, conferences, or associations of different churches in

the ecumenical community and various other modes of interchurch cooperation. To stimulate

understanding and conversations with all Christian bodies, to encourage continuing dialogue

with Jewish and other living-faith communities, and to encourage an openness of mind toward an

understanding of other major world religions.



Expectations: Be able to meet 4 times a year in or around the Houston area. Interested in

Interreligious issues. Willing to work within the community of various faiths. Be able to attend

The Texas Conference of Churches Annual Assembly Conference held yearly in Austin in

February.

Disabilities Concerns Description: The people of the United Methodist Church are called to open our hearts, our

minds and our doors. God calls us to welcome all of God’s children into our families of faith.

The goal of The Committee on Disability Concerns is to help our annual conference and local

congregations offer radical hospitality to persons with disabilities. Removing physical barriers

and attitudes that separate will allow all people to join in ministry, sharing the rich gifts that we

each bring.

Our goal is to help our annual conference and local congregations become aware of and advocate

for persons with disabilities, and develop programs in ministry with persons with disabilities. By

fostering cooperation between the different ministries within our conference, we can share the

challenges and accomplishments to strengthen our disability ministries. By strengthening these

ministries, we move closer to fully including all persons in the total life of the local church and

annual conference.


Conference Rules: 4 members

Expectations: We expect members of this committee to meet once a quarter in a location that is

convenient for all committee members. Member of this committee must have a passion/interest/

concern/experience in the area of disabilities and reaching out to others with special needs. We

expect members to participate in the planning, directing and implementation of this committee’s

ministry.

Disaster Response Team Brief Description: The Disaster Response Committee establishes and monitors the Texas

Annual Conference Disaster Response Plan and oversees the establishment of District and Local

Church Disaster Response Plans. The DRC works with the United Methodist Committee on

Relief to provide training for Disaster Preparedness, Early Response Teams, and Long Term

Recovery and for the Conference response to any Disaster within the bounds of the Annual

Conference. The DRC also works with the Texas Annual Conference Partners in Mission

Committee in recruiting teams for disaster response. The DRC works closely with national, state,

county, and city emergency management groups in preparation for, and response to, disasters.

Book of Discipline: BOD 632.4b (22)

Conference Rules: There is no Conference Rule for the make-up of the Disaster Response

Committee, but its membership includes each District’s Disaster Response representative, the

Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, the Director of Partner in Missions, the Assistant to

the Bishop, and additional at-large members as needed.

Expectations: The Disaster Response Committee members need to be committed to being

trained and providing training in disaster preparedness and response. The District representatives

need to be committed to working in their districts to ensure that the district and the churches in

the district have response plans. The DRC meets at least six times a year, and as needed when a

disaster occurs.

Asian Ministries Brief Description: The Asian Ministries Team is responsible for goals and strategies in the

Texas Annual Conference to reach its growing Asian populations in making disciples for Jesus

Christ by being sensitive to their unique ethnic and cultural concerns at the conference, district,

and local church levels. The current focus is on the greater-Houston area and needs to be

expanded to all of the districts of the TAC.

Book of Discipline: BOD 632.4b (14), (15), (17), and (19)

Expectation: The Asian Ministry Team has no set number of meetings at this time, but is getting

organized in the Houston area to develop Asian faith groups and communities. The members of

this team need to be familiar with or willing to train in cross-cultural issues and ministries and

have a passion for radical hospitality.

Hispanic Ministries Brief Description: The Hispanic Ministries Team is responsible for goals and strategies in the

Texas Annual Conference to reach the growing Hispanic populations in making disciples for

Jesus Christ. The Hispanic Ministries Team is in the process of preparing a Conference Hispanic

Plan to be presented at the 2008 Annual Conference. The members of this ministries team need

to be committed to the interpretation and implementation of this plan throughout the TAC in the

2008-12 Quadrennium.

Book of Discipline: BOD 632.4b (14), (15), (17), and (19)

Expectation: The Hispanic Ministries Team meets quarterly. The members of this team need to

be familiar with the National Hispanic Plan and the unique needs and concerns of the growing

Hispanic population of the TAC. This ministry team needs committed persons from the districts

outside of the Houston area and needs members who have a passion for radical hospitality and

risk taking mission.

Native American Ministries Description: The Committee on Native American Ministries (CONAM) has as its vision

“vibrant, growing congregations changing lives of Native Americans and reshaping futures for

Jesus Christ, whether in new or existing churches.” We see our mission as linking churches and

ministries by developing Native American leadership, by creating new NA ministries, and by

strengthening NA spirituality within the UMC.

To accomplish our mission and vision, we have three major projects at this time: (a)

Third Sunday Worship at Shepherd Drive Fellowship; (b) Native American powwow, which is

an outreach to Natives and non-Native people; and (c) college scholarships for Native youth

attending college or vocational school, specifically targeting Wiley and Lon Morris Colleges.

We would like to see Native American student associations at colleges and universities in

the conference, e.g., Lon Morris, U of H, SFA, and SHSU. There are chapters at Rice University

and Wiley College, neither of which we established, both of which we support.



Expectations: Be able to meet four times a year in or around the Methodist Center in Houston.

Be able to assist in one major fundraiser, attend the November powwow, and attend Third

Sunday Worship at least once. Members must have an interest in the area[s] of marketing, fund-

raising (e.g., grant-writing), passionate worship, and Native American culture and current issues.

texas annual conference · quadrennium except in the case of person filling an unexpired term of...

Documents