Clarifying Conference Structure

In the last Superintendent's Log, I wrote about the many conversations that have gone on with the Ministerial Education & Guidance (MEG) board, the District Leaders, and the Board of Administration (BOA) in regards to how to best

structure the Conference in this season. My desire is that Conference will resource, hold accountable, and find safe community for our pastors so that our pastors and churches can be as healthy as possible. Last time I wrote about Conference Community Groups (CCGs) and how these were being created as a place of safe community. By now, pastors appointed to local churches should have heard from their CCG leader. In this edition of the Log, I'll update you on ways we are resourcing, evaluating, and holding accountable.

Resourcing You! The Coaching Network Launches

The first of our resourcing initiatives is the new Coaching Network. Twenty-six pastors met in February, at two different locations, for peer coaching and networking. Pastors reported that it was "refreshing," "great," "helpful," and "it could have been twice as long!" These are monthly training opportunities, free to appointed pastors. A big "thank you" goes out to Pastor Rick Rouse and the whole Akron team for making this happen!

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As I travel the Conference Celebrate & Pray...

South Dayton treated us to a potluck. I discussed with the church their strengths, weaknesses, and

opportunities. We are focusing on some great opportunities in the days ahead.

Eastside Church (Rochester) We were warmly greeted at this vibrant and friendly church-plant, pastored by Roger Haskins. College students mix easily with kids and seniors. The church takes a break in the middle of the service for people to grab a snack or coffee and visit with one another, including visitors.

A great idea!

Alton & Rose We visited BOTH our Alton & Rose churches, pastored

by Mike Cogswell, & discovered that it's good I'm not the pastor of this two-point charge... I visited too long in Rose & was late for Alton! Mike was thankfully on time. 😀

MARCH 10, 2017 VOLUME 1; ISSUE 9

Genesis Superintendent's Log Life around the Conference

On facebook? "Like" the Genesis Conference page. Website: www.genesisfmc.com

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SUPT'S LOG MARCH 10, 2017

CONFERENCE MEG: ORDINATION The denomination's new "outcomes based ordination" process is meant to help people prepare in all ways for the ordained ministry, Head, Heart, & Hands.

In order to better oversee this process and journey with Conference Ministerial Candidates (CMCs), the Conference MEG will now interview Local Ministerial Candidates ready for CMC, annually interview each CMC, work with CMCs on a growth plan, and connect CMCs with mentors and coaches.

MISSIONS CORNER

What are Free Methodist World Missions Country Support Accounts (CSA’s)?

Imagine going to work, but when you arrive at the office, there's no work station, no

computer, and no office supplies! When we give money to support FM missionaries,

those funds go to their Missionary Support Account (MSA’s). This covers the

missionary’s & family’s living expenses. But the work they do also needs to be funded.

Country Support Accounts cover the funds needed to do the work of ministry.

Consider adding a CSA to your missions budget, either by giving to the CSA of the missionary you support, or multiply your influence by giving to another country’s CSA. A good place to begin? A CSA in Europe, an area adopted by Genesis

Conference, and overseen by our own Mitch Pierce!

(From Pete Mills, Missions Liason)

UPCOMING HAPPENINGS... Annual Conference will be May 25 & 26 at Pearce Church, North Chili Starting at 3:30 p.m. on the 25th, and ending by 3:30 p.m. on the 26th. (Yes, we're starting earlier on the 25th. If you have delegates who can only take off one day of work, consider sending your reserve delegate for the other day).

Annual Conference is open to anyone (voting is limited). Feel free to invite leaders from your church to hear the messages from the bishop, a message from me, participate in one of our workshops, & tour the new Conference office.

EVALUATION & ACCOUNTABILITY Is your church healthy? Headed in the right direction? A place where a visitor is welcomed & made to feel at home? A

place where lives are being transformed? Sometimes, particularly if we've been there awhile, it might be hard to tell.

The Book of Discipline asks that pastors and churches be part of an evaluation process at least every three years. In our new Conference structure, Area MEG (Ministerial Education & Guidance) boards will be a key part of this evaluative process. Starting this calendar year, 1/3 of Genesis churches will be entering into an evaluative process which includes: a written evaluative survey taken by church leadership, a self-evaluation done by the pastor, a MEG board evaluative visit (no surprises, you'll know when someone is visiting and what they'll be looking for), and a pastor's review of the information with me. WHY are we doing this? Because the mission of the church is too important to let slide! Evaluation helps us know how to better resource you (both pastor & church), pray for you, challenge you, and hold you accountable.

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” - Lamentations 3:40 NIV

WHERE'S PAM? . When you get an email from me at a strange hour, one of two things is happening: either I'm

catching up on email at a strange time, or I'm responding from a different time zone. As I work to resource you, I'm being resourced by the denomination. In the past two months I've attended two Superintendent's gatherings where we discussed Annual Conference best practices (did you know Annual Conferences vary greatly?), as well as the ordination process. In addition, I participated in a

meeting with all three Bishops where we discussed how to best encourage and develop women clergy.