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“TRANSFORMING THE WORLD”
Seventh Session of the Arkansas Conference, The United Methodist Church June 14-17, 2009 at Rogers, Arkansas
The conference meetings were held at the Hammons Convention Center and the worship services were held at Central United Methodist Church, Rogers, Arkansas. In his Episcopal Address, Bishop Charles Crutchfield reported that 2008 ended with a loss in membership, attendance, professions of faith and baptisms in Arkansas. He also noted that payment of apportionments dropped from 96% to 90%. He said that we must “rethink church” and he has appointed an ad hoc steering committee to examine how the Arkansas Conference should be shaped for future growth. He has also hired Gilbert Rendel , author of Leading Change in the Congregation and Behavioral Covenants in Congregations, to consult with the committee. The Vision Team reported three goals as a result of the Conference reexamining its vision and mission as directed by 2008 Annual Conference. The goals are: To provide resources to help develop vital local congregations and mission fields in which persons can center and develop a life of discipleship, To offer resources and connectional ministry opportunities to equip local churches to be more faithful and effective in making disciples and transforming the world, To address the strategic needs of the conference including starting new places for new people, identify and develop a new generation of leaders, and modeling and serving as a catalyst for ministries which transform the world by seeking to eliminate poverty, seeking wholeness, and seeking justice.
These goals will be measured by number of baptisms, number of persons making professions of faith, worship attendance, membership, apportionments paid, and number of volunteers involved in hands-on ministry. Churches were recognized for growth in these areas during the conference. Salem UMC was recognized for paying 100% of our apportionments and four professions of faith in 2008. Customizable demographic information is now available at www.missioninsite.com. An access code is available from Leon Gray at the Conference office. The Conference approved a reduction in local church apportionment levels from 10% to 9.4% of church expenses. The Conference Group Medical Monthly Premiums for 2009 were increased from $410.52 for the participant only to $451.57. There was much discussion about the increase in premiums and the decrease in benefits. Our current insurance plan is a partially self-funded plan. We purchase insurance for the most major claims and pay most claims from premiums. We contract with an administrator to pay the claims but they pay them from the premiums. Since 2007 medical expenses began climbing dramatically resulting in depletion of the reserve fund and requiring action. Holy Healthy UMC is an Arkansas Conference health initiative for clergy, laity and their families. Visit www.holyhealthyumc.com to learn more! Conference delegates discussed and voted on twenty-two constitutional amendments from the 2008 General Conference. Each Conference must vote on these amendments and a 2/3 majority is required to pass each amendment. Amendments # 8, 9, 15, 17, 19 and 22 received over 50% of the votes and Amendments #8, 9, 19 and 22 received over 66.7% of the votes. [#8 would add “gender” to a list of protected categories, #9 would set a minimum number of delegates available for the election of bishops, #15 would allow General Conference to redefine clergy and lay membership without amending the constitution each time, #17 would allow laity on the committee on investigation to vote on matters of ordination, character, and conference relations of clergy, and #22 would integrate churches in Bermuda into the UMC and the Baltimore-Washington Conference.] The 2009 Pre-Conference Journal is available on the arumc.org website and includes these proposed amendments. The United Methodist Communications media campaign is going beyond “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” to “Rethink Church.” “Unchurched young people are looking for authenticity, genuine welcome, works beyond words, and places where they can join in doing something that makes a difference. Because of their findings, UMCom is revamping the advertising to change peoples’ perceptions of The UMC. They want 1) outsiders to see us as vibrant, active communities of believers, 2) to redefine the church experience beyond Sunday morning, and 3) to connect us to the first century church where faith affected every part of the believer’s life.” Check out www.10thousanddoors.org! The Conference has a goal of starting five new churches each year. The UMC and the Conference have joined the fight against the three diseases of poverty: HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB. We are asked to join the 3 for 1 Project. It is a 3-year commitment to give $1 per member to the UM Global AIDS Fund, purchase 1 net per every 10 members for Nothing but Nets, and give $1 per member to fight TB. Miscellaneous: Wye Mountain UMC is offering a free lot for you to build your retirement cottage next to the Daffodil Field. There was a private screening of The River Within, a new movie written and directed by Zac Heath, a native of Paragould who is a United Methodist. The Child Care Liaison Project provided a poster and training tools [available in our church office] for our youth and children’s ministry staff and volunteers. Arkansas Conference Communications provided each church a communication tool kit [available in our church office] entitled “A Guide for 21st Century Communications.” Several groups [Council, Operation Andrew, and Communications Task Force] may want to review it. The guest preacher for Sunday and Monday evening worship was the Reverend Edward W. Paup, General Secretary, General Board of Global Ministries, the international mission and relief agency of the UMC.
Thank you for allowing me to represent Salem UMC at the 2009 Annual Conference. We celebrated the retirement of eleven clergy members who served a combined total of 275 years! And The Conference ordained thirteen elders, commissioned two deacons in full connection and received nineteen provisional members. I was moved by the passionate commitment of those reporting and by the preaching and, as always, by such a large group joyfully singing Charles Wesley’s “And Are We Yet Alive?” and “Here I am Lord.” I have completed a brief report and it is available at www.salemumcconway.org]. For those who do not have internet access, there will be a few copies available in the narthex. Please contact me if you would like more details or have questions. I would be happy to review the conference proceedings with you. Love in Christ, Janie Harrison
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