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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodists together |
October 2005 |
Bishop says merger of two conferences probably inevitable
By Daniel R. Gangler
Indiana Bishop Michael J. Coyner told a South Indiana Conference task force that the merger of the North and South Indiana Conferences is probably inevitable. "If that (merger) is true, then I hope we can move in that direction intentionally, with a new design for ministry and mission and not just 'cut back' to save money," he said.
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"I believe that we need to continue starting new faith communities to reach new population groups, including new worship services, new congregations and second campuses for some churches." -- Bishop Michael J. Coyner |
This is one of five observations Coyner made Sept. 12 to the 30-member South Indiana Conference Futuring Task Force meeting at the SIC Center in Bloomington. The Task Force is composed of lay and clergy leaders of the South Indiana Conference. Coyner convened and presided over the task-force meeting. Assisting with the details of the task force is the Rev. Adolf Hansen, a retired minister of the conference living in McCordsville. Hansen is a former vice-president of administration of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill.
Coyner also said, "Reducing the number of District Superintendents, and perhaps districts, is probably inevitable." He went on to explain that "many conferences are moving in that direction, some rather drastically - money seems to be driving this change."
Again he said he hoped that if the conference decided to change the number of District Superintendents, it would do so intentionally and not just ask fewer superintendents to do the same job with more work. Coyner expressed the need to plan ways to have some of superintendents work done by others. He suggested several options to the task force.
Third, Coyner said he "believes we need to at least consider moving toward ministry teams or circuits or affinity groups for our pastors and churches. Several churches are moving that direction and we can learn from them." He said he realized that such a change would mean a different role for the Elders (ordained pastors) with more emphasis upon their role as teacher, leader of a team or staff, including lay leadership and being mentored onto staff of larger churches or teams.
Fourth, Coyner said he was sure that our conference budget and the Annual Conference Session would need to focus upon the purpose of the Annual Conference which is by Discipline "equipping local churches for ministry and providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church."
For the budget, he said this will likely mean budgeting just the "basics" that the conference must do according to the Discipline like pensions for clergy and general church connection, and moving other items into "mission giving" or specials which attract attention and support beyond the basics.
But again, he said, budgeting for the basics does not negate the importance of everyone working on stewardship. "Our stewardship would be directed toward helping our local churches to be effective, rather than focusing upon raising money for the conference budget," he said.
Finally, he said, "I believe that we need to continue starting new faith communities to reach new population groups, including new worship services, new congregations and second campuses for some churches." He said he envisions that most of this will happen from local churches, with the conference staff and committees providing training, expertise and support. "We can't afford too many so called 'parachute drop' new churches, but we can encourage our vital churches of all sizes to see new opportunities to expand their ministry. Much of this may be done by lay leadership, not by ordained clergy."
He also said that we must face that reality that some congregations will need "to close with dignity, to merge or consolidate, or to re-start as a new ministry."
He closed his comments by saying, "Again, this is a murky glimpse of where we are heading in the future, and not all of it is really my preference, but I believe it is the new reality we have to face and into which God is providing us with new possibilities."
During the meeting, the Futuring Task Force also heard reports from the six sub-groups that compose the task force including: Mission/Vision/Core Purpose, Role of DS/Number of Staff/Districts, Budget and Structure Priorities/Financial Efficiencies, New Generation/New Leaders, Small Churches and Appointment/Exit Processes.
These sub-groups discussed their tasks and responsibilities in the over all mission of the conference in relationship with its congregations.
The South Indiana Conference Futuring Task Force will meet Nov. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the conference center.
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008