A New Indiana: Next Steps

What do we hope this new Indiana Conference will look like when we have completed these next steps?  Focused upon our mission of making disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world  With an “inverted initiative” toward local congregations  Not “hierarchical” but an organic system of interdependence and “horizontal accountability” A New Indiana: Next Steps

Disciples Three Simple Rules Congregations Five Practices Congregations Five Practices Clusters Congregations Working Together Districts Resourcing Clusters Conference Equipping and Connecting

3 Simple Rules and 5 Practices Three Simple Rules for Individuals:  Do no harm  Do good  Stay in love with God Five Practices for Congregations:  Radical hospitality  Passionate worship  Intentional faith development  Risk-taking mission and service  Extravagant generosity

Ministry Clusters What is a “Cluster”?  A group of local churches who choose to work together to accomplish the Gospel mission in their area  A group of local churches who share common ministry needs and who work together to learn from each other

Ministry Clusters Where does this idea of come from?  Biblical model of sharing among Christians (Acts 2:44-49)  Wesley model of class meetings and societies  Covenant discipleship groups  Team ministry  Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us …

Ministry Clusters NRSV: Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching. THE MESSAGE: Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do, but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Ministry Clusters The Bishop and Cabinet will be hosting 10 different “Cluster Tip- Offs” where pastors and lay leaders will hear the concept, dialog, and help select their Clusters (February/March, 2009) Clusters will nominate Leaders to the DS who will name the Leader Clusters will help shape final lines of district boundaries.

Proposed Districts Names 1 = North District 2 = Northeast District 3 = Northwest District 4 = West District 5 = Northcentral District 6 = Central District 7 = East District 8 = Southeast District 9 = Southwest District 10 = South District

Proposed District Pairings 1 & 3 North and Northwest 2 & 7 Northeast and East 5 & 6 Central and Northcentral 8 & 10 Southeast and South 4 & 9 West and Southwest

Possible Resource Centers Sites 1 & 3 = Plymouth 2 & 7 = Warren 5 & 6 = Westfield 8 & 10 = Scottsburg 4 & 9 = Vincennes

Resource Center Straff

Resource Center Staff 2 District Superintendents who live and work out of their homes within the bounds of their own district and come to the R.C. for team meetings about once a week; Bishop joins them quarterly 1 Associate District Superintendent who works regular hours in the R.C. 1 Administrative Assistant in the R.C. 1 Deployed Conference staff who relates to these two districts Other staff as determined by the 2 districts

Resource Center Structure

Conference Staffing

Area Staff  Bishop – Michael Coyner Secretary  Executive Assistant to the Bishop – David VW Owen Receptionist  Well-Lived Pastoral Life Director Assistant, shared staff  Interim Director of Human Resources – Adolf Hansen

Conference Staffing (continued) Conference Staff led by 5 Directors:  Director of Administrative Services – Brent Williams Administrative Services and Support Staff Property and Legal Support Human Resources /Benefits Information Technology/Software Services  Director of Connectional Ministries – Jim Bushfield Clergy Services/BOOM Registrar Discipleship/Diversity / Missions Leadership Development Youth/Young Adult/Campus Ministries Camping and Retreat Ministries

Conference Staffing (continued)  Director of Communications – Dan Gangler Website, Advocacy, Public Relations (Assistant)  Director of Church Development – Mark Gough 5 Deployed Staff to the Resource Centers  Director of Financial Services & Treasurer - Jennifer Gallagher Finance office staff Finance staff, Data base manager

Youth and Young Adult Ministry Director of Administrative Services Director of Communication Executive Assistant to the Bishop Cabinet Representative Council on Finance and Administration Communicati on Discipleship Leadership Development Mission Resource and Development Social Advocacy and Justice and Ethnic Ministries Camping and Retreat Ministry Congregation Redevelopment and New Congregation Development Pension and Health Insurance Board of Trustees Board of Ordained Ministry Prayer Team Leader UM Women UM Men Wesleyan Theologian Lay Leader Bishop Director of Financial Services and Treasurer Director of Connectional Ministries Director of Church Development.. Annual Conference Session Episcopacy Concerns Conference Leadership Team Cabinet Incapacit y Human Resources Administrati ve Review Nomination s Archives and History Institutional Relationships

Congregations, Clusters, Districts, Resource Centers, and Conference Cabinet/Staff How will it all work?

Congregations, Clusters, Districts, Resource Centers, and Conference Cabinet/Staff  Every local congregation will be a part of a Ministry Cluster  Each Ministry Cluster will have a Cluster Leader who reports to the DS  DSes will supervise their churches and clusters of churches, but also work as a team with the Resource Center staff  Resource Center Team will work together to “deliver” support and resources to the local churches and clusters  Conference staff will support/connect the entire conference

Timeline October 4, 2008 – Special Session adopts final report on Imagine Indiana and Transition Team motions Fall/Winter, 2008/2009 – Directors begin hiring new conference staff; the new CFA, Trustees, and Interim Committees begin February/March 2009 – “Tip-Off” meetings to select Ministry Clusters March, 2009 – launch of new website April, 2009 – “Our Life Together” retreat for clergy will launch Clergy Covenant groups June, 2009 – First Session of new AC, election of new conference committees

Timeline (continued) Fall of 2009 – Ministry Clusters and Clergy Covenant Groups continue; the two current Cabinets function as one Cabinet and begin preparing to move to 10 district model; plans are set to establish Resource Centers. January 1, 2010 – new conference office in place by this date (or sooner) January 1, 2010 – the new Indiana Conference begins to operate with a unified budget July 1, 2010 – launch of the new 10 districts and the 5 resource centers

Disciples Three Simple Rules Congregations Five Practices Congregations Five Practices Clusters Congregations Working Together Districts Resourcing Clusters Conference Equipping and Connecting

Remember the Dream: “God, by the power at work within us, is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20-21

“ abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine ”

God is doing a new thing in Indiana … now it is time for the next steps