|
Southwest Texas Annual Conference
June 7-10, Corpus Christi, Texas
After two hours of preaching and praying June 9, Southwest Texas leaders adopted a Bishop’s Initiative on New Church Development. That was one of more than 20 legislative actions taken during the 148th Southwest Texas Annual Conference session.
The 1,354 voting members of the conference session also approved:
- A funding formula for the Clergy Retirement Security Program going into effect Jan. 1;
- A task force to develop a plan for clergy-effectiveness standards. The group is to report to the 2007 conference session;
- A voluntary clergy wellness program;
- A $8.92 million budget for 2007; and
- Accountable reimbursement guidelines for pastors’ business expenses.
The new church initiative is designed to reverse three straight years of membership losses in a region with major population growth. The plan includes authorization for a capital fund-raising campaign. The money is designated for starting new congregations and ministries.
“We must resource this effort if we feel it is important to God’s claim upon us,” the Rev. J. Michael Lowry told church leaders before the vote. Lowry, new conference executive director for new church development and transformation, said adopting the initiative and fund-raising effort would be “significant and important for advancing the kingdom of God.”
“This (vote) is a commitment on your part as members of the conference to be engaged in a capital campaign together,” Lowry said.
The New Church Development Commission would use funds from a continuing $400,000-per-year apportionment for revitalizing existing congregations, said the Rev. Bill Henderson, senior pastor of Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, Austin. He chairs the new church agency.
The initiative includes a strategic plan. Its goals are:
- To have all congregations involved in partnerships to start new congregations. Those involvements could include prayer support, financial backing and direct aid with volunteers and services.
- To have all seven districts in partnerships to start new congregations.
“These goals are based on partnerships rather than numbers of new congregations or members,” the plan says. “The harvest is God’s and not ours, and as we are faithful with every partnership, so we will be blessed with the ability to have more partnerships and experience an increase in the Lord’s harvest.”
Southwest Texans celebrated the 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women throughout the four-day meeting.
Bishop Joel N. Martinez set the tone during his State of the Church address June 8. “It is noteworthy,” Martinez said, “to mention that, as we celebrate this year, the president of the Council of Bishops is Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of Beeville, and the bishop who will deliver the Episcopal Address at the 2008 General Conference is Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher of Corpus Christi.”
Two of three featured preachers were women. The Rev. Mimi Raper, associate pastor of First United Methodist Church, Austin, spoke at the June 7 memorial service and opening Eucharist. Bishop Ann B. Sherer of the Nebraska Area delivered the message at the June 10 ordination service. A 50-voice clergywomen’s choir sang during the ordination service.
Conference members received copies of a 56-page history of Southwest Texas clergywomen, A Time to Speak, by the Rev. Ann Brown Fields of Austin. Conference participants watched a 13-minute video history presentation about the 50th anniversary. It was produced for the Commission on the Status and Role of Women by the Communications and Public Witness Office.
Martinez, Lay Leader Jay Brim and Austin District Superintendent Kim Cape, dean of the cabinet, all celebrated the growing number of certified welcoming congregations in the conference. As the meeting began, Southwest Texas had 56 welcoming congregations, the most of any conference.
“What a witness you are making to the United Methodist connection,” Martinez said. “This is another sign that you want to offer Christ to all by extending hospitality to all.” He also read the conference parts of a congratulatory letter from Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the General Commission on Communication. The letter said that more than 15 percent of all certified welcoming congregations were in Southwest Texas.
Brim repeated his call, first issued during his 2005 laity report, for 200 welcoming congregations in Southwest Texas. He set a new goal: June 2007.
According to Cape, the welcoming process was a key component in offering Christ to all. “It’s easy; it’s free; and it’s available on line,” she said of the welcoming-congregation materials.
Martinez ordained seven women and four men as elders in full connection June 10. He commissioned nine probationary elders—six men and three women—and two probationary deacons—a man and a woman. The conference recognized two licensed local pastors as associate members. Ten clergy members—seven elders and three licensed local pastors—retired June 9.
Membership stands at 119,677, down 403 from the previous year. Worship attendance stands at 50,202, down 760. Church school attendance stands at 21,067, down 419.
—Douglas Cannon |
