Connectional Table Spring 2011 Meeting Update

The purpose of the Connectional Table (CT) is for the discernment and articulation of the vision for the church and the stewardship of the mission, ministries, and resources of The United Methodist Church as determined by the actions of the General Conference and in consultation with the Council of Bishops. As part of the total mission of the church, the CT is to serve as a steward of the vision and resources for mission and ministry, provide fiscal responsibility, and establish policies and procedures to carry out the mission of the church. (¶904)

The fourteenth meeting of the Connectional Table was held at the Nashville Airport Marriott in Nashville, TN on May 9-11, 2011. The Connectional Table met all day May 9^th and half a day on May 10^th, followedby a joint session with GCFA which concluded at 2:45pm on May 11^th. This meeting focused on the recommendations being made by the Interim Operations Team as well as important decisions regarding the 2013-2016 budget.

During their meeting, members of the Connectional Table:

Heard the Interim Operations Team report presented by Neil Alexander and engaged in small group discussions around the recommendations presented. CT members completed a response form indicating their affirmations and/or rejections of the directions being proposed by the IOT.
Approved a motion to support Bishop Christian Alsted’s recommendation to add a central conference bishop to the IOT and recommended Bishop Rosemarie Wenner.

Business in the Connectional Table plenary included:

Re-committed to the covenant for how this body will work together, as created by the Covenant Task Group prior to the spring 2010 meeting.
Heard reports on the Financial Summit held March 1-2, 2011 in Dallas, as well as the Leadership Summit held via webcast on April 6, 2011.
Reviewed and received copies of the 2011 State of the Church report.
Affirmed a process for CT presence at General Conference 2012.
Received updates from the Study Committee on the Worldwide Nature of the Church and agreed that the committee’s proposals should be referred to the IOT.
Heard reports from the General Board of Global Ministries, the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, the Global Health Initiative, the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, and the Vital Congregations Project.
Approved the 2013-16 quadrennial budget proposal for the CT, as presented by the Finance Committee.
Affirmed updates from the Personnel Committee, the General Conference Report task group, and the World Service Contingency Fund task group.
Heard reports from the External Evaluation and Review task group, the Internal Evaluation and Review task group, the Legislation task group, and the Pre-General Conference Briefings task group.

Additional activities in which Connectional Table members participated included:

Inspirational worship services led by staff of the Worship Center for Worship Resourcing, General Board of Discipleship.
Covenant Groups joined for conversation and fellowship.

During the joint meeting with GCFA, the members of GCFA and the Connectional Table:

Received the budget process as proposed by the Budget Process Team and divided into small groups to engage in discussions with agencies about their individual budgets using a list of standardized questions.
Approved a motion to create a task force comprised of three GCFA members and three Connectional Table members to work with IOT in consultation with the GST on budget possible implications to present to the joint plenary of the July 2011 CT/GCFA meeting.

Bishops Davis and Hopkins named the 6-member task force:

CT Members: Jay Brim, Deb McLeod and Kunle Taiwo
GCFA Members: Tim Bruster, Pros Tumonong, and Claire Nash
(Note: Claire had to resign due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced by Sharon Ragland)

Received reports from the Economic Advisory Council and the Apportionment Study Group.
Approved a motion to adopt the realistic budget scenario projected at $603,125,592 based on a 3.47% decrease in apportioned funds and a 6.6% decrease of the budget approved by the 2008 General Conference.