Tip-Off for Ministry Clusters

What do we hope this new IndianaConference will look like when wehave completed putting it together? Focused upon our mission of

making disciples of 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 Conference

What we are doing is “assembling an automobile while driving it down the highway at 70 MPH.”

- Dr. Gil Rendle consultant

A New Indiana Conference

DisciplesThree Simple Rules

CongregationsFive Practices

CongregationsFive Practices

Clusters Congregations Working Together

Districts Resourcing Clusters

Conference Equipping and Connecting

Congregations and Disciples

Congregations will focus upon:3 Simple Rules and 5 Practices

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

Ministry Clusters

Every Congregation will join a Ministry Cluster

What is a “Cluster”? A group of 4 to 9 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

Ministry clusters are to focus on answering two core questions:

1) “How are each of our congregations doing in our local church ministries toward accomplishing our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world?” and

2) “What can we do better and more effectively together in our ministries to impact our area for Christ than we can do as individual congregations?”

Ministry Clusters

Churches in a Ministry Cluster will fulfill this by: praying for each other by name during worship. studying and praying for their shared mission

area using demographic tools. dreaming of ways to make an impact on their

shared mission area through witness and/or mission, or possibly shared programs.

supporting each other, perhaps through sharing resources, expertise or best practices.

encouraging one another when faithfulness and fruitfulness is evident.

holding each other accountable when lack of faithfulness or fruitfulness is evident, including learning from ministries that have not worked.

Ministry Clusters

Where does this idea come from? Biblical model of sharing among

Christians (Acts 2:44-49) Wesley model of class meetings

and societies Covenant discipleship groups Team ministry (started with Jesus

calling two sets of brothers) Other Conferences

Ministry Clusters

The Bishop and Cabinet are 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 (lay or clergy) to the DS who will name the Leader

Clusters will help shape final lines of district boundaries.

Cluster Leaders and functions

Characteristics of a Cluster Leader: Lay or clergy Time to serve Willingness to learn about the

churches, people, and communities Convener and organizer skills Communication with DS Facilitate process Willingness to be trained Co-leaders are encouraged too

Clergy Covenant Groups

Clergy Covenant Groups

The Transition Team assigned this task to the Chairs of the Orders (Elders, Deacons, Local Pastors) and those persons are working on this assignment:

Gathering information about current covenant groups

“Our Life Together” retreat in April will be the launch of new groups

On-going monitoring will be done

Districts

Proposed District Lines and Names

1 = North District 2 = Northeast District3 = Northwest District 4 = West District 5 = Northcentral District 6 = Central District 7 = East District 8 = Southeast District 9 = Southwest District 10 = South District

2010 District Superintendents

1 = North District (Cindy Reynolds)2 = Northeast District (Dave Michel)3 = Northwest District (Craig LaSuer)4 = West District (Judi Purvis)5 = Northcentral District (Frank Beard)6 = Central District (Bert Kite)7 = East District (Dale Mendenhall)8 = Southeast District (Brian White)9 = Southwest District (Glenn Howell)10 = South District (Charlie Wilfong)

District Staffing (instead of Resource Centers)

District Superintendent

Assistant to the DS

Deployed Church Development Staff

Other district staffing as determined by your district

All focused upon resourcing congregations to be more effective in our mission

Conference Staff and Leadership

Conference StaffingBishop

Director of Financial Services/Treasurer

Director of Administrative

Services

Director of Communication

Director of Connectional

Ministries

Director of Church Growth

Cabinet (10)Executive Assistant

Finance Staff

Accounting Services

Data Base Management

Administrative Services and Support

Staff

Pensions and Insurance

Information Technology and

Software

Property/ Legal Service

Web site, e-HUM, Together

Public Relations

Youth, Young Adults, Campus Ministry

Leadership Development

Camping and Retreat Ministries

Clergy Services and BOOM support

Missions / Advocacy

Deployed Staff to support local

churches

Deployed Staff to support new

churches

Conference Staffing Area Staff

Bishop – Michael Coyner Secretary to the Bishop

Executive Assistant to the Bishop – David VW Owen Receptionist/Assistant

Well-Lived Pastoral Life Director – Michelle Cobb

Assistant, shared staff Interim Director of Human Resources –

Adolf Hansen

Conference Staffing (cont’d)

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 (cont’d) Director of Communications

– Dan Gangler Website, Advocacy, Public Relations (Assistant)

Director of Church Development – Mark Gough

5 Deployed Staff to support congregations

Director of Financial Services & Treasurer- Jennifer Gallagher Finance office staff Finance staff, Data base manager

Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Director ofAdministrative Services

Director ofCommunication

Executive Assistant to the BishopCabinet

Representative

Council on Finance and Administration

Communication

DiscipleshipLeadership Development

Mission Resource and Development

Social Advocacyand Justice and Ethnic Ministries

Camping and Retreat Ministry

Congregation Redevelopment and New Congregation Development

Pension and Health Insurance

Board of Trustees

Board ofOrdained Ministry

Prayer TeamLeader

UM Women

UM Men

Wesleyan Theologian

Lay Leader

Bishop

Director of Financial Services and Treasurer

Director ofConnectional Ministries

Director of Church Development

..

AnnualConference Session

EpiscopacyConcerns

ConferenceLeadership

Team

Cabinet

InstitutionalRelationships

Congregations, Clusters, Districts, and Conference Cabinet/Staff

How will it all work?

DisciplesThree Simple Rules

CongregationsFive Practices

CongregationsFive Practices

Clusters Congregations Working Together

Districts Resourcing Clusters

Conference Equipping and Connecting

Congregations, Clusters, Districts, and Conference Cabinet/Staff

Churches will focus upon 5 practices 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 other district staff, and deployed Church Development staff to resource Ministry Clusters and churches

Conference staff and leadership will support/connect the entire conference

Timeline

October 4, 2008 – Special Session adopted final report on Imagine Indiana and Transition Team motions to create the Indiana Conference

Winter/Spring, 2008/2009 – Directors began hiring new conference staff; the new CFA, Trustees, and Interim Committees began

February/March 2009 – “Tip-Off” meetings to select Ministry Clusters

March, 2009 – launch of new websiteApril, 2009 – “Our Life Together” retreat for

clergy will launch Clergy Covenant groups

Timeline (continued)

June, 2009 – First Session of new AC, election of conference committees (Rethink Church)

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.

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

January 1, 2010 – launch of the new 10 districts to be finalized by July 1, 2010

God is doing a new thing in Indiana … we are moving forward one step at a time

God is doing a new thing in Indiana … we are moving forward one step at a time

Ministry Clusters are the next step

Time for questions and comments Break Start moving into Ministry Clusters of

your choice Your DS and Lay Leaders will help Set the time for your first Ministry

Cluster Team meeting Nominate a Cluster Leader to your DS Meet together as a Cluster Team, get

acquainted, pray for each other