New Clergy Orientation District Superintendents...and YOU!

Some Things to Talk About... 1.What DSs Do (and Don’t) 2.The Appointive Process 3.Clergy Assessment 4.Supervisory Meetings 5.Problems in the Church and “The Filter Factor” 6.Ethical Education Workshops 7.Charge Conferences 8.Questions/Suggestions You Have for DSs’ Work

What DSs Do and DON’T Do DO: Provide spiritual and pastoral leadership to churches and clergy. Supervise appointed clergy and churches in the Conference. Work with the personnel matters, including: identify and support candidates for ministry, assist District Committee on Ordained Ministry with its work, work with Bishop in appointment-making, work with the Board of Ordained Ministry on clergy relations. Administer the charge/church conferences of the district, the district office and committees, keep supervisory files and a host of other administrative functions required by the Discipline. Oversee programs of the Church within the sub-districts.

What DSs Do and DON’T Do DON’T: Do Everything! Like pastors, we must prioritize what is important. Make appointments in a smoke-filled room; well, maybe holy smoke. Provide close, daily supervision – though accessible when needed. Run the district, especially its program…rely on lay/clergy teams. Rush in to fix problems that come to us.

The Appointive Process

Clergy Assessment

Supervisory Meetings One 90-minute visit annually Additional visits on call Purpose is for DS to: stay aware of concerns offer support/counsel inquire about your soul consider your calling encourage community

Dealing with Church Problems

Shared Re-Negotiation of Expectations “The Filter Factor”

Ethical Education Workshops DATES OF UPCOMING WORKSHOPS: Saturday Sep 18th First, Durango, CO Saturday Oct 16th First, Rock Springs, WY Saturday Nov 6th Monte Vista, Monte Vista, CO Saturday Jan 22, 2005 Burns UMC, Aurora, CO Saturday Feb 12, 2005 First, Ft. Collins, CO Creating Sacred Trust in Congregational Relationships A half day interactive training with new focus and information and some review for increased awareness.

Charge Conferences 2004 Web Site Access for Formats and Forms: Follow these instructions (the arrow symbol below stands for “click on”):  GO to “  “Enter Site” (or “Skip Intro”)  “District Sites”  Common Forms for District Reports and Charge Conferences”  the forms you need (13 are listed, including this letter and format suggestions)

Charge Conferences 2004 Church or Charge Conference? A “charge conference” is comprised of the leadership of the church and RMC retired clergy associated with the church. A “church conference” is comprised of the members of the church. We recommend a church conference for this annual meeting, so that all members can participate in this occasion for celebration, learning, and decision-making. Please also note that the “quorum” for either a charge or church conference is “all members present and voting.”

Charge Conferences 2004 Some Key Church/Charge Conference Decisions Required by the Discipline (BOD):  Church organization and election of leaders (2000 BOD Para. 248)  The setting of compensation for clergy/local pastors (246.12)  The adoption of new year objectives for ministry (245.3, 245.4)  Affirmation of wider missions apportioned to the church (246.13)  Actions on changes of membership relations, including removal of members from active roles (231, ). NotNote: an end of the year statistical summary is not required at the Church/Charge Conference; this is reported on the end-of-year annual forms due January 31, An update on membership and worship attendance is helpful.

Questions/Suggestions the Cabinet