Michigan Area Transition Team

Proposed new Great Lakes Conference...
Detroit says 'yes,' West Michigan votes 'no'
Updated 4/7
By Ann Whiting
Advocate editor
Michigan United Methodists will not be joining together in one new conference in 2009. After discussion and debate April 5 at the Lansing Center, Detroit Conference members approved the proposed merger; West Michigan Conference members defeated it by13 votes.
The vote on the Plan of Organization for the Great Lakes Conference was as follows:

Detroit: Yes, 651; No 266; 2 abstentions

West Michigan: Yes, 363; No 376; 2 abstentions

    According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline and rules for the special session, each conference, voting separately, had to adopt the Plan of Organization for the merger to take effect.
    Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) co-chair Paul Thomas, told the Advocate: "We were asked to serve and put a plan together to bring to this special session and we did just that. I hope the conferences will realize that change is upon us and realize we need to move forward." He said MATT’s work is done and that team has been disbanded.
    Opposition from West Michigan appeared to center around portions of the Plan of Organization, not resistance to becoming one conference. Two major sticking points for those who spoke against the plan, both at the special session, and a "holy conferencing" session the night before the vote at East Lansing: University UMC, were lack of inclusive representation on boards and agencies in favor of so called "functional" agencies; loss of conference ministry consultants who worked directly with local churches; and decreased financial support for camping, campus ministry and missions in general.

Bishop rules 'Response Petitions' out of order
By Ann Whiting
    Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton has ruled out of order "Response Petitions" for the April 5 Special Sessions of the Detroit and West Michigan Conference submitted by 60-plus members of the West Michigan Conference.
    West Michigan Conference rules allow for response petitions to resolutions proposed for adoption at annual conference sessions.
    Keaton ruled the petitions out of order for three reasons:
1) The Book of Discipline states "A special session of the annual conference shall have only such powers as are stated in the call."
2) The Feb. 1, 2008 call letter was specific about what matters would be considered: to vote on the proposed new creation of the Great Lakes Conference... and to vote on the appropriate resolutions necessary to facilitate the transition to a new conference."
3) The Discipline allows the Special Session to vote to suspend the Detroit Conference Standing Rules and West Michigan Rules of Order to adopt Rules of Order for Special Session.
    When the Michigan Area Transition Team completed its work, it announced that the materials in the voting items booklet will be presented to the special session without opportunity for amendment and that a simple majority vote in each conference would be needed to create the new conference.
    "The proposed Rules of Order for the special conference require the resolutions that will be voted upon on April 5 be considered without amendment because The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church requires both conferences (Detroit and West Michigan) to adopt identical legislation," Heisler said. "Future annual conferences will have the opportunity and ability to modify the policies, structure and budget of the Great Lakes Conference as they desire."
    According to the Rev. John Ross Thompson (East Lansing: University UMC) those submitting Response Petitions were seeking to be able to amend the Plan of Organization; require a 2/3 approval from each conference; extended debate on the plan; a call for a new plan that would keep conference ministry consultants to work with local churches; an increase in representation in conference leadership; substantial support for campus ministry and missions as well as some other items.
    University UMC is hosting an Open Forum on the proposed union of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences Friday, April 4, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

MATT distributes voting booklet, registration forms for April 5 special session

All voting and registration materials for the April 5 vote to create a new Great Lakes Conference will be in the mail today, Feb. 4, and posted on the Detroit and West Michigan Conference web sites. Other materials relating to the proposed new conference will also be posted, but not mailed:

2006 Report of the Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force

Fall 2006 report
2007 Annual Conference Written Progress Report

2007 Annual Conference Verbal Report

2007 Annual Conference Verbal Report Power Point

Fall 2007 Listening Tour Handout

Fall 2007 Clergy Session and Listening Tour Health Care Handout

Preliminary maps of the proposed 11 districts

Find Voting Booklet and other materials...on the Detroit and West Michigan Conference web sites. DAC download WMC download

MATT finishes design
of Great Lakes Conference

    OKEMOS, Mich. – The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) met for the final time, as a full committee, on Wednesday evening (Jan. 30) and completed its design work for the proposed Great Lakes Conference, which will be voted on by members of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Mich.
    The 26-member team was appointed in August 2006 by Bi shop Jonathan D. Keaton in response to legislation approved by the 2006 Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences. In that legislation, the bishop was requested to “appoint a transition team who will assist the bishop in designing the new Michigan Area Annual Conference.” In addition, the legislation established that a “final vote of affirmation” of the new conference is to take place by June 15, 2008.
Read more about the completion of MATT's work

Transition process will be proposed
at April 5 special session

Ann Whiting
MCA Editor
If Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conference members vote April 5 to unite into the Great Lakes Conference, they will then be asked to adopt a transition process for conference agencies.
The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) is proposing two processes to keep the mission and ministry functioning in the transition period:

current agencies in each conference "continue to function and carry out their responsibilities" until Dec. 31, 2008;

interim agencies with an equal number of members from each current agency will work from Jan. 1, 2009 until the spring 2009 annual conference elects board and agency members.
    The resolution MATT will propose provides specifics about how the interim agencies will be created and function.
    MATT co-chairs, the Rev. Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas, sent a letter on Jan. 2, 2008 to conference members to accompany the resolution entitled "Interim Conference Agencies." They explained MATT’s intention "not to structure each agency in the Plan of Organization, but to allow the agencies to structure themselves under the guidance of the Implementation Team (to be created in a separate enabling motion). This process acknowledges and affirms the important conversations among the agencies that have taken place over the past two years to become more focused on ‘creating something new’ for the Great Lakes Conference."
    The interim agencies will be asked to develop recommendations for the first Great Lakes Conference session on structure and membership of agencies. They will also be asked to make budget recommendations for 2010.
    Heisler and Thomas also wrote that they hope "this process will allow for the continuation of many of the important ministries that are carried out by our conference agencies as we prepare to become one." they also hope the interim agencies "will do the necessary evaluation and refinement of programs as they prepare fir a 2010 budget and the permanent creation of the agencies in June 2009."
    Transition timeline...
    April 5, 2008 Vote to create the new Great Lakes Conference. If vote is "yes"...
    July 2008 Approval of new conference by North Central Jurisdiction
    January 1, 2009 Great Lakes Conference begins
    June 2009 First session of Great Lakes Conference

MATT announces mailing date
for Great Lakes Conference voting booklet
Ann Whiting
MCA Editor
    All documents for the vote to create the new Great Lakes Conference will be mailed Feb. 4, 2008 to lay and clergy members of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences. Members will vote at sessions of the two conferences on April 5, 2008 at the Lansing Center.
    Registration materials will be included in the mailing, with a registration deadline of March 21. The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) set a registration fee of $25, which will include lunch. MATT co-chair Paul Thomas said the fee should cover the cost of the one-day meeting. He also announced the late registration fee will be $50.Read more about MATT's November meeting

MATT releases new
district alignment proposals
    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) is proposing an 11-district model for the new Great Lakes Conference, down from a total of 13 in the current Detroit and West Michigan Conferences.
    "The 11-district model was developed by the re-districting sub-committee of MATT, which consisted of three current/former district superintendents, and was approved by MATT. The current superintendents from Detroit and West Michigan also had significant input on the creation process, reported the Rev. Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas, MATT co-chairs.
    They also reported "guiding principles" for the district proposals:

Following county lines and/or highways as boundaries for a district.

Giving consideration to the travel patterns and natural community affinities.

Number of charges more than the number of churches, for which a superintendent would have responsibility for.

Number of larger/stronger congregations per district in terms of leadership potential and financial support.
    "The implementation date of the "new" districts is proposed to be July 1, 2009," Heisler and Thomas wrote in a cover letter for the re-districting proposal. "The naming of the districts is expected to take place during the transition period between Jurisdictional Conference (July 15-18, 2008) and the first annual session of the Great Lakes Conference (June 2009) and will be determined by each district."
    A multiple-page document that includes district and local church statistics, maps, and a complete listing of the proposed new districts is available in pdf format on the Detroit and West Michigan Conference web sites. DAC download WMC download

MATT adds
camping staff position
Ann Whiting Editor
Michigan Christian Advocate

    Responding to concerns about the lack of a full-time camping staff in the recently-released Plan of Organization for the Great Lakes Conference, the Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) voted Oct. 17 to add an Associate Council Director for Outdoor and Retreat Ministries to its proposed program staff positions.
    The plan already proposed a Director of Connectional Ministries and three Associate Council Director positions for Congregational Health and Development, Ethnic Ministries, and Youth and Young Adult Ministries. It was the consensus of MATT that camping and retreats play an important role in disciple-making, the Vision for the new conference.
    The feedback that resulted in adding a position to oversee and coordinate the camping program in the Great Lakes Conference came to individual MATT members, MATT's e-mail, and from agency leaders from both Detroit and West Michigan Conferences. Over 125 of them met on Oct. 6 in Grand Ledge. (Read a report of that meeting at by clicking on Michigan Area Transition Team on this home page.)
    Draft 1 of the Plan of Organization was released Sept. 20 via e-mail, web postings and U.S. mail for those without e-mail and internet access. There will be seven Listening Tour sites in the next several weeks with more opportunity for feedback on the Plan of Organization as well as preliminary information on health care benefits and re-districting models. (See adjacent box for dates and locations.)

Timeline... 2007

Listening Tour – Oct. 27-Nov. 11

Official Call to Conference – end of October/early November

Timeline 2008...

Finalized documents for mailing to voting members – January-March 2008

Joint Annual Conference sessions – April 5, 2008 With a positive vote on April 5...

Final sessions of Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences – May and June 2008

North Central Jurisdictional Conference (to approve merger) – July 16-19

Great Lakes Conference begins – January 1, 2009
    Assuming a "yes" vote on April 5 and approval from the NCJ Conference, Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton announced to MATT that he intends to begin the hiring process for three key Great Lakes Conference staff members who will report to him as soon as possible after the North Central Jurisdicional Conference. Those positions are: Director of Connecctional Ministries, Director of Communications and Director of Benefits and Human Resources. Keaton aims to announce these staffers by Nov. 1, 2008.
    The Council on Finance and Administration will name an interim Conference Treasurer; that person, or another, would have to be elected at the first session of the Great Lakes Conference. An earlier version of this report said the bishop would name the interim treasurer. That information was incorrect.
    An open, nationwide search for other staff will begin after the Director of Connectional Ministries is named.
    Clergy attending the Call Clergy Session Oct. 21-22 in Lansing will hear a report on plans for health care and retirement benefits. Watch mcadvocate.org for more information on those items.

PLAN OF ORGANIZATION of the Great Lakes Conference

DRAFT 1 September 20, 2007

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION 3
A. Preamble 3
B. The Conference VISION 3
C. Strategies and Goals 3
D. Core Values and Beliefs 4
E. Philosophy of Conference Agency Membership 6

II. DISTRICTS 7
A. District Conference 7
B. District Leadership Team 8
C. Clergy Clusters 9
D. Funding of Districts 9
E. Role and Responsibilities of District Superintendent 10

III. ANNUAL CONFERENCE 11
A. Annual Conference Session 11
B. Leadership Team 11
C. Ministry Teams 12
1. Health a) Congregational Health and Vitality Team 13
b) Leadership Formation Team 14
2. Discipleship
a) Discipleship Team 15
3. Transformation
a) Ethnic Ministries Team 16
b) Mission and Outreach Team 17
4. Ministry Support Services 18

IV. CONFERENCE AGENCIES 20

V. DISTRICT AND CONFERENCE STAFF 22
A. Districts 22
B. Annual Conference 22
1. Directors
2. Associate Directors
3. Ministry Priorities Staff
4. Support Staff
5. Treasurer’s Office Staff
6. Benefits and Human Resources Staff

VI. AREA EPISCOPAL OFFICE STAFF 24

SECTION I – INTRODUCTION

A. PREAMBLE
    "The purpose of the annual conference is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God." ¶601, The Book of Discipline 2004.
    The faithful Church remains open to what God is doing in the world. The church transforms its organizations and practices in alignment with a vision of authentic Christian mission. In the spirit of Jesus Christ, disciples - corporately and individually - act boldly and creatively to reflect God's light to the world, to call persons to learn Christ's servant ways and participate in God's purposes. Throughout history, when the Body of Christ has been open to God's new creation and willing to journey toward God's promise, the Holy Spirit has breathed vitality into its forms and blessed its ministry.
    The radical nature of change today calls for thoroughly rethinking both personal practices and connectional patterns. By God's grace we can discover new ways of seeing things, a paradigm shift more appropriate to the needs of our present day. In doing this it must be grounded in mutual accountability and interdependency to live out its common vision for mission and ministry. Persons will offer their differing ideas and concerns, and each person learns and grows in interaction with one another. This is not a new concept - United Methodism is grounded in the conciliar principles of conferencing and connection with one another.
    Seeking to be aligned with God's perceived activity in the present day, this Plan of Organization of the Great Lakes Conference seeks to bring its priorities and practices into line with this understanding and order its life in mission and ministry to be faithful followers of Christ in the 21st Century. It envisions an annual conference through an interdependency of organizations that support and resource the ministries of local congregations and also provides for conference organizational units that cannot be accomplished by local congregations.

B. THE CONFERENCE VISION

The vision of the Great Lakes Conference is to create and nurture healthy congregations who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

C. STRATEGIES AND GOALS

The following Strategies and Goals express specific ways through which the Great Lakes Conference seeks to respond in living out its vision:

1. Health will be improved as we:

Create a culture where discipleship means more than membership

Create and nurture congregations that are seeking and reaching persons of all ages, races and cultures

Encourage the constant development and transformation of leaders, both clergy and laity

Intentionally develop new congregations, new worship services, and new satellite locations for congregations 2. Discipleship will be fostered through congregations who:

Change lives through effective, engaging and inviting worship

Empower and equip people to call others into a new relationship with Christ

Teach and model effective Christ-like service as a way of life

Pray for healing and wholeness, both inward and beyond

Encourage people to identify and respond to a call to a life of ministry and service 3. Transformation will take place as we create and nurture congregations who strive to:

Identify and engage the needs of their communities

Respond, both financially and with service, to ministries beyond the local church and throughout our United Methodist connection

Work for justice so that all persons experience the peace of Christ

Risk change to move forward in mission and ministry

D. CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS

Undergirding this organizational design are the following core values and beliefs held by the Great Lakes Conference which enliven the relationships of its members and shape its common identity as Michigan United Methodists.

Scripturally-based – Constantly seeking and discerning God’s will for us through scripture. Through scripture "our faith is born and nourished, our understanding deepened, and the possibilities for transforming the world become apparent to us." "Wesley believed that the living core of the Christian faith was revealed in Scripture, illumined by tradition, vivified in personal experience, and confirmed by reason."(¶104, 2004 The Book of Discipline)

Accountability to a Common Vision and Mission –All conference, district, and local church organizations, boards, agencies and staff will be intentionally held accountable to align themselves with the current vision and mission of the conference.

Congregational Development – An intentional focus of increased attention to starting new churches and revitalizing existing congregations

Discipleship – To be in relationship with Christ through study, learning, growing and maturing in a faith that is real and a community that is alive and vital for this day and time. It affirms the talents and gifts given through the leading of the Holy Spirit and each person’s place of service as their lives are truly transformed.

Effective Communication –- To share with each other the promise of new life that is found in Jesus Christ. The outward expression of our faith is contagious and transparent and desires to inform and to equip others who are spiritually lost and seek Christ. The outcome for every Christian is to see the whole world as the people of God. We affirm the Great Commission. (Mathew 28:19-20)

Evangelism – A focus on proclaiming the gospel and seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the body of Christ. (¶122, 2004 The Book of Discipline)

Flexibility -– Being capable and intentional in responding and conforming to changing or new situations to carry out the mandate of its Vision, Mission and Strategies to make disciples and transform the world.

Inclusiveness/Openness/Responsiveness- - An attitude of openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all matters and responsiveness to the needs of all persons. This attitude of openness and responsiveness must ensure inclusiveness---racial, gender, age, and people with disabilities---in all places and circumstances.

Leadership Development - - Providing for the ongoing preparation and development of lay and clergy leaders to carry out the ministry of the church.

Maintaining Connectionalism- – The United Methodist connectional principle, born out of our historical tradition, many biblical roots, and accepted theological ideas, is the basic form of our polity, the way in which we carry out God’s mission as a people. Connectionalism is a network of interdependent relationships among persons and groups throughout the life of the whole church. (¶112.3, 1992 The Book of Discipline)

Ministry focused on Local Congregations - – Support and resources for local congregations as they each offer evangelistic, nurture and witness responsibilities for their members and the surrounding area, and a missional outreach to the local and global community. (¶204, 2004 The Book of Discipline)

Social justice- - As disciples of Jesus Christ we hear the call of the prophet, "He has told you, O mortal what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8) We claim anew our Wesleyan spirit which moved beyond the narrow and shallow religious ritualism of its day to empower the poor and to preach the message of freedom and forgiveness in fields and near factories and mines. Our desire is for a just world and we aim to be agents of healing, rejecting all systems and structures and those attitudes that would divide in favor of those things that will lead us to love our neighbor as our self.

Stewardship and effective use of and deployment of staff and resources - Taking responsibility for the good care of resources entrusted to us such as: the talent, time and gifts of local churches and their constituents; the effective use, definition of and deployment of staff whether paid professionals or volunteers; and the accumulation and distribution of resources facilitating the ministry of the local church, the annual conference and the wider connection.

E. PHILOSOPHY OF CONFERENCE AGENCY MEMBERSHIP

The goal of each agency is to be functional. It will organize itself based on functions rather than representation. It is intended to move from a ‘committee’ system to a ‘team’ system – where each member has a specific function. The members of each agency need to have a function in order for the agency to work most effectively. It is intended that the agencies of the Great Lakes Conference will be more effective by being functional rather than representative.

The philosophy for membership of the councils, boards, commissions and committees (referred to as agencies) of the Great Lakes Conference is that each agency will –

1. Fulfill its responsibilities in a manner consistent with achieving the vision, strategies and goals of the Annual Conference. 2. Have members chosen based on functional need and passion for the area of the agency’s work. 3. When not in conflict with the provisions of The Book of Discipline, organize itself around its functions. 4. Adhere to the membership requirements in The Book of Discipline.

SECTION II – DISTRICTS

A. DISTRICT CONFERENCE

There shall be a District Conference in each district in the Annual Conference as provided by The Book of Discipline.

1. It shall meet annually not later than December 31 at the time and place specified by the District Superintendent with at least fourteen (14) days public notice to its members.

2. Members of the District Conference shall be:

All Clergy and Diaconal Ministers under appointment or residing within the district;

Lay Member(s) of the Annual Conference elected by the district;

Two (2) lay members from each church elected by the charge/church conference (one of whom shall be the lay member to Annual Conference);

District Lay Leader;

All members of the District Leadership Team;

All members of the Human Resource and Leadership Development Teams;

President of:
    United Methodist Men
    United Methodist Women
    United Methodist Youth Ministry
United Methodist Young Adult Ministry

Chairpersons of:
    District Board of Missions
    District Board of Building and Church Location
    District Committee on Ordained Ministry
    District Committee on the Superintendency
    District Committee on Lay Speaking Ministries

3. In addition to such items as shall be determined by the District conference, District Leadership Team, and/or the District Superintendent as being part of its order of business, the District Conference shall also do the following:

a. Upon nomination from the floor, elect six (6) members to the Human Resource and Leadership Development Team. Three additional members will be named by the District Superintendent. The chairperson will be chosen by this Team from among its nine members.

b. Elect 3-10 members of its District Leadership Team.

c. Adopt a budget for the District and establish shares of ministry (apportionments) to local churches to enable the District to carry out its mission and ministry.

4. Other meetings of the District conference may be held during the year at the call of the District Superintendent, the Bishop, or the District Leadership Team, upon notice to its members of at least fourteen days.

5. Membership vacancies occurring in District groups normally elected by the District Conference shall be filled by the groups themselves after consultation with the Human Resources and Leadership Development Team.

B. DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM

The District Leadership Team shall be the basic unit of connectional organization for district programming and ministry. The authority of the District Leadership Team is limited only by the provisions of The Book of Discipline, actions of the Annual Conference, and other parts of this Plan of Organization.

The primary objective of the District Leadership Team shall be to achieve the Conference vision through the goals of Health, Discipleship and Transformation.

Its responsibilities shall be:

    1. To enable/resource/support of local churches through established District ministries (Health, Discipleship, Transformation);
    2. To convene an annual gathering of all District leaders at the District Conference to cast/recast vision for the district. Other members of local churches in the District may also be invited to participate in this visioning event;
    3. To implement the vision of the District
    4. To create and organize Health, Discipleship, Transformation and other groups within the District for fulfill its vision;
    5. To hold ministries accountable to this vision;
    6. To engage in ongoing evaluation to fulfill vision;
    7. To develop and provide budget/resources for the District Health, Discipleship, Transformation and other ministries;
    8. To encourage creating "centers of excellence" in each district for the purposes of clergy and laity training and education
    9. To consult with other district ministries as needed to carry out its responsibilities

District Leadership Team Members

District Superintendent

District Lay Leader (¶658)

Between 3-10 others as nominated by the district nominating committee and elected by the District Conference

Note: Leadership Team members who may also be members of other district groups (including those listed below) shall not serve as representatives or ex-officio members of those ministries on the Leadership Team.

Other District Ministries

Groups required by The Book of Discipline, including:
o Committee on Ordained Ministry (¶663)
o Committee on District Superintendency (¶666)
o United Methodist Women (¶667)
o United Methodist Men (¶668)
o Board of Trustees (¶2517.2)
o Board of Church Location and Building (¶2518)

As determined by the district, other groups permitted by The Book of Discipline and/or desired by the District, including:
o Board of Laity (¶664)
o Committee on Lay Speaking (¶665)
o Council on Youth Ministry (¶669)
o Young Adults Ministries

C. CLERGY CLUSTERS

Each District will organize no less than four (4) and no more than twelve (12) Clergy Clusters as determined by the District Superintendent.

o The primary purpose of the Clergy Clusters will be for pastoral care and to provide an environment for education, encouragement and mutual support.
o Diverse representation of churches, such as size, vitality, health, etc. will be considered in establishing clusters in each District.
o Every pastor in the District is expected to be a member of a Clergy Cluster.
o Each District Superintendent will work in collaboration with the Order of Elders, Order of Deacons, John Wesley Association and Fellowship of Local Pastors in facilitating the Clergy Clusters on the District.
o Each District Superintendent will name and provide training for a qualified leader for each cluster.
o Cluster leaders shall be accountable to the District Superintendent.
o Clergy Clusters can create Task Forces or Teams to address specific concerns within the cluster churches or refer them to the District Leadership Team for consideration. o District Superintendents will not be members of any Cluster.

D. FUNDING OF DISTRICTS

Funding of Districts in the Great Lakes Conference shall be as follows:

District Shares of Ministry (Apportionments) suitable and adequate to the vision of the district

Block Grants provided for the Cabinet from a specific line item in the Annual Conference Budget to be used by the District Superintendents for o Training
o Leadership Development
o Human Resource Support (on a short-term contractual basis)

The full cabinet will allocate these block grant funds to each District Superintendent upon his/her application and request.

For the budget year 2009 a minimum of $550,000 shall be provided in the Conference Budget.

E. ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT

The District Superintendents shall fulfill the responsibilities of District Superintendents as contained in The Book of Discipline. (currently ¶¶419-424, 2004).

In addition, the role and responsibility of District Superintendents should be seen as:

o Leader of the district in implementing the annual conference vision.

o Communicator of the Gospel through the various media available

o Counselor to persons with genuine needs through developing and nurturing relationships

o Change Agent within both the church and the larger community in which the church’s ministry takes place

o Consultant to the laity in their church organizational responsibilities and in their mission to the world, and

o Celebrator of the significant events in the life of the congregation.

SECTION III – ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The organizational design set forth below embraces the disciplinary statement of the purpose for an annual conference through an interdependency of organizations that support and resource the ministries of local congregations and also provides for conference organizational units that cannot be accomplished by districts and local congregations. This organizational design for the Great Lakes Annual Conference is composed of the following essential components:

Annual Conference Session

Leadership Team

Five Ministry Teams
    o Discipleship Team
    o Congregational Health and Vitality Team
    o Ethnic Ministries Team
    o Leadership Formation Team
    o Mission and Outreach Team

Ministry Support Services

A. ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSION
(NOTE: Detail will be added here describing the functions of the Annual Conference Session, including referencing portions of The Book of Discipline as appropriate.)

B. LEADERSHIP TEAM

PURPOSE

The Conference Leadership Team shall:

Implement the vision of the Annual Conference.

Align resources, structure, and ministries of the Conference in support of the Conference vision, mission and goals.

Affirm the permission giving strategies of the Great Lakes Conference. Throughout each segment of the conference there will be stakeholders who identify the needs of the mission and vision and organize their constituency around strategies for change.

Be the policy-setting and decision-making body for the Annual Conference between its sessions within limits set by the Conference.

Coordinate and support the work of the Ministry Teams as they focus spiritual, human and fiscal resources to meet identified needs for mission and ministry.

Convene an annual Visioning Conference of Conference leaders to test the current vision and develop a future vision for the Conference.

Recommend priorities to the annual conference on a quadrennial basis

Work collaboratively with the Council on Finance and Administration in establishing and submitting a proposed budget for the Annual Conference.

Develop measures of performance and evaluate the effectiveness of the Ministry Teams in fulfilling their vision, mission, and goals.

Appoint Task Forces as needed

Be accountable to the Annual Conference.

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Conference Leadership Team will consist of the following persons:

The Conference Leadership Team shall:

The Bishop who will serve as Team Leader and Spiritual Guide

Conference Lay Leader

Director of Connectional Ministries

Director of Communications

President of the Council on Finance and Administration

Dean of the Cabinet

Discipleship Ministry Team Leader

Congregational Health and Vitality Ministry Team Leader

Ethnic Ministries Ministry Team Leader

Leadership Formation Ministry Team Leader

Mission and Outreach Ministry Team Leader

Conference Treasurer

Two additional lay persons named by the Board of Laity

Clergy Assistant to the Bishop

Up to two additional members may be named by the Bishop to ensure inclusiveness. Leaders of task forces appointed by the Leadership Team will meet with the Leadership Team as requested by the Bishop.

PROCESS

The Conference Leadership Team shall meet at least bi-monthly. The Bishop may call special meetings as necessary to respond to the missional needs of the conference. The Bishop may designate the responsibilities of Team leader and/or Spiritual Guide to any other member of the team. The Conference Leadership Team will provide an opportunity for effective communication to and from the churches through the District and Conference boards, councils, committees, agencies, etc. throughout the visioning process.

C. MINISTRY TEAMS

There shall be five (5) Ministry Teams which will each provide mutual settings and processes to achieve the Annual Conference vision and the strategies and goals of Health, Discipleship and Transformation.

Health
Congregational Health and Vitality Team
Leadership Formation Team

Discipleship
Discipleship Team

Transformation
Ethnic Ministries Team
Mission and Oureach Team

These teams will resource District Leadership Teams for mission and ministry and implement the annual conference vision as coordinated by the Leadership Team. The Ministry Teams will be empowered to make decisions consistent with the policies set by the Leadership Team. The Team leader of each Ministry Team shall not be a member of any of the member units related to that Team.

CONGREGATIONAL HEALTH AND VITALITY TEAM

PURPOSE

The Congregational Health and Vitality Team shall focus on starting new churches and supporting and revitalizing existing congregations. The team shall provide focus to:

Congregational health and development

Strengthening all local churches (small to large membership)

Provide training for clergy and laity in ministries with persons with disabilities

Maintain the connectional relationship with the General Church agencies whose work relates to this Team.

MEMBERSHIP

The Congregational Health and Vitality Team is composed of a Team leader nominated by the Conference Nominating Committee and elected by the Annual Conference and the chair or a representative from each of the following member units (however organized):

Congregational Health and Development

New Church Starts

Disability Concerns

Large Church Initiative

Small Membership Church

The team shall select one of its members as a Spiritual Guide.

PROCESS

The Congregational Health Vitality Team shall meet a minimum of two times each year to assess the present state of ministries with community segments represented by member committees, address needs as identified by the community segments and the Leadership Team, and develop plans to close the gaps. Vision, mission, and objectives will be the framework by which ministry will be planned, implemented and evaluated. Special attention will be given to ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of the conference and the current strategies developed by the Leadership Team. An annul budget will be prepared and submitted the Leadership Team to ensure necessary funds are available to support the work of the team and its member units.

LEADERSHIP FORMATION TEAM

PURPOSE

The Leadership Formation Team shall provide for the on-going preparation and development of lay and clergy leaders to carry out the mission of equipping and supporting excellent leadership for local churches as required by the Book of Discipline and the Annual Conference Plan of Organization. The team's responsibilities shall be to:

Create a conference environment for cultivating leadership at all levels of the church.

Identify potential lay and clergy leaders

Develop and provide a plan for leadership training

Assess leadership effectiveness throughout the conference

Interpret and promote United Methodist ministries in Higher Education that are supported by the General Church and those specifically related to the Annual Conference

Provide effective ministries that relate to the Status and Role of Women

Relate to the United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Men through the Board of Laity.

Maintain the connectional relationship with the General Church agencies whose work relates to this Team.

MEMBERSHIP

The Leadership Formation Team is composed of a Team leader nominated by the Conference Nominating Committee and elected by the Annual Conference and the chair or a representative from each of the following member units (however organized):

Board of Laity

Board of Ordained Ministry

Council on Youth Ministries

Council on Young Adults Ministries

Status and Role of Women

Higher Education and Campus Ministry

Lay Speaking Ministries

Committee on Nominations

The team shall select one of its members as a Spiritual Guide.

PROCESS

The Leadership Formation Team shall meet a minimum of two times each year to assess the skills needed for leadership in the ministry tasks of the conference. To fulfill their responsibilities, the team shall include the steps of needs assessment, training development, deployment, and assessment to ensure the lay and clergy leadership at all levels of the connection are fully equipped to effectively fulfill their responsibilities. Special attention will be given to ensure the availability of appropriate training to all church leadership regardless of congregation size, geographic location, and ability to participate financially. Vision, mission, and objectives will be the framework by which ministry will be planned, implemented and evaluated. Special attention will be given to ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of the conference and the current strategies developed by the Leadership Team. An annual budget will be prepared and submitted the Leadership Team to ensure necessary funds are available to support the work of the team and its member units.

DISCIPLESHIP TEAM

PURPOSE

The Discipleship Team shall support and resource congregations and districts in forming and strengthening disciples of Jesus Christ. The team shall

Increase the evangelistic passion and effectiveness of all congregations to the goal of every United Methodist being a witness for Christ.

Foster and promote development of Christian disciples

Provide for effective camping and outdoor ministries

Identify, evaluate and promote effective educational material and systems for making disciples

Provide guidance/learning for district and local church worship leaders

Plan and promote a comprehensive program of stewardship for all ages

Plan and promote spiritual formation and the development of the devotional life for all ages

Maintain the connectional relationship with the General Board of Discipleship

MEMBERSHIP

The Discipleship Team is composed of a Team leader nominated by the Conference Nominating Committee and elected by the Annual Conference, and the chair or a representative from each of the following member units (however organized):

Age Level Ministries, including: Adult, Children, Older Adults

Education

Evangelism

Family Ministry

Outdoor and Retreat Ministries

Singles Ministry

Spiritual Formation

Stewardship

Worship

The team shall select one of its members as a Spiritual Guide.

PROCESS

The Discipleship Team shall meet a minimum of two times each year to assess the present state of discipleship in the conference, address needs as identified by the member committees and the Leadership Team, and develop plans to close the gaps. Vision, mission, and objectives will be the framework by which ministry will be planned, implemented and evaluated. Special attention will be given to ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of the conference and the current strategies developed by the Leadership Team. An annual budget will be prepared and submitted to the Leadership Team to ensure necessary funds are available to support the work of the team and its member units.

ETHNIC MINISTRIES TEAM

PURPOSE

The Ethnic Ministries Team shall focus on developing ministries that embrace and celebrate the diversity of Methodism and ensuring that all persons have an opportunity to fully participate in the life and ministry of the Conference at all levels. The team shall provide focus to:

Ensure inclusive participation in the mission and ministry of the Annual Conference in all places and groups at all levels of the annual conference

Provide effective ministries that relate to Religion and Race and Racial/Ethnic Local Church Concerns (African American, Native American, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islanders)

Hold the Annual Conference accountable to being the church which Christ has opened to people of all ages and from all nations and races

Carry out denominational initiatives related to ethnic ministries.

Maintain the connectional relationship with the General Church agencies whose work relates to this Team.

MEMBERSHIP

The Ethnic Ministries Team is composed of a Team leader nominated by the Conference Nominating Committee and elected by the Annual Conference and the chair or a representative from each of the following member units (however organized):

Ethnic Local Church Concerns

Religion and Race

Hispanic Ministries

Native American Ministries

Korean/Asian Ministries

The team shall select one of its members as a Spiritual Guide.

PROCESS

The Ethnic Ministries Team shall meet a minimum of two times each year to assess the present state of ministries with community segments represented by member committees, address needs as identified by the community segments and the Leadership Team, and develop plans to close the gaps. Vision, mission, and objectives will be the framework by which ministry will be planned, implemented and evaluated. Special attention will be given to ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of the conference and the current strategies developed by the Leadership Team. An annul budget will be prepared and submitted the Leadership Team to ensure necessary funds are available to support the work of the team and its member units.

MISSION AND OUTREACH TEAM

PURPOSE

The Mission and Outreach Team shall focus on serving and caring for the needs of all God’s people in the local and larger community and assist congregations, districts and the Annual Conference in developing ministries that encourage service to God and others beyond the local church. The team shall:

Provide training, education, and resources that will enable connections among local churches for outreach ministries

Interpret the mission program priorities and concerns of The United Methodist Church in outreach to others

Ensure Conference ministries address personal, social and civic righteousness

Cultivate and promote benevolent giving to mission

Maintain the Connectional relationship to the General Board of Global Ministries, General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, and the General Board of Church and Society.

MEMBERSHIP

The Mission and Outreach Team is composed of a Team leader nominated by the Conference Nominating Committee and elected by the Annual Conference and the chair or a representative from each of the following member units (however organized):

Board of Global Ministries

Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns

Church and Society

Conference Secretary of Global Ministries

Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries

Disaster Preparedness and Response

Volunteers-in-Mission

The team shall select one of its members as a Spiritual Guide.

PROCESS

The Mission and Outreach Team shall meet a minimum of two times each year to assess the present state of ministries beyond the local church in the conference, address needs as identified by the member committees and the Leadership team, and develop plans to close the gaps. Vision, mission, and objectives will be the framework by which ministry will be planned, implemented and evaluated. Special attention will be given to ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of the conference and the current strategies developed by the Vision Team. An annual budget will be prepared and submitted the Leadership Team to ensure necessary funds are available to support the work of the team and its member units.

D. MINISTRY SUPPORT SERVICES

PURPOSE

Each support ministry functions as a separate unit to fulfill the ministry for which it is organized consistent with the vision, strategies and goals of the annual conference.

MEMBERSHIP

The structure of each Ministry Support unit is uniquely designed to meet the needs of its mission and purpose and support the work of other groups within the Great Lakes Conference. The chair/president or designated representative of each Ministry Support unit is not a member of the Leadership Team but shall meet with the Team from time to time as requested by the Leadership Team. Units of Ministry Support (however organized) are:

Board of Pensions and Health Benefits

Board of Trustees

Commission on Archives and History

Commission on Equitable Compensation

Committee on Episcopacy (including Episcopacy Residence Committee)

Council on Finance and Administration

Joint Distributing Committees (¶1509)

United Methodist Foundation

PROCESS

Ministry Support units will not function as a team. They will fulfill their duties and responsibilities as separate units. They shall meet as needed but at least annually to carry out the responsibilities of their ministry.

SECTION IV – CONFERENCE AGENCIES

The annual conference shall have the agencies described below related to its Ministry Teams or Ministry Support Services to accomplish the Conference vision and the strategies and goals of Health, Discipleship and Transformation and to fulfill the requirements of The Book of Discipline.

Health
Congregational Health and Vitality Team
Committee on Parish & Community Development (¶632.5)
Commission on Small Membership Church ¶644)
Joint Committee on Incapacity (¶651)
Committee on Disability Concerns (¶652)

Leadership Formation Team
Board of Laity (¶630)
Board of Higher Educations and Ministry (¶633)
Board of Ordained Ministry (¶634)
Commission on the Status and Role of Women (¶643)
United Methodist Women (¶646)
United Methodist Men (¶647)
Council on Youth Ministry (¶648)
Council on Young Adult Ministry (¶649)

Discipleship
Discipleship Team
Board of Discipleship (¶629)
Council on Older Adult Ministry(¶650)

Transformation
Ethnic Ministries Team
Committee on Ethnic Local Church Concerns (¶631)
Commission on Religion and Race (¶642)
Committee on Native American Concerns (¶653)

Mission and Outreach Team
Board of Church and Society (¶628)
Board of Global Ministries (¶632)
Commission on Christian Unity & Interreligious Concerns (¶641)
Conference Advance Program (within Global Ministries) (¶654)
Committee on Criminal Justice & Mercy Ministries (¶655)

Ministry Support Services
Council on Finance and Administration (¶¶610-618)
Commission on Equitable Compensation (¶624)
Administrative Review Committee (¶635)v Committee on Episcopacy (¶636)v Episcopacy Residency Committee (¶637)
Board of Pensions (¶638)
Board of Trustees (¶¶639 & 2512.1-7)
Commission on Archives and History (¶640)
Commission on Communications (¶645)
Joint Distributing Committees (¶1509)

SECTION V – DISTRICT AND CONFERENCE STAFF

The following staff positions are recommended to support the mission and ministry of the Great Lakes Conference:

A. DISTRICT STAFF

District Superintendent

Clerical Staff (as determined by the District Superintendent)

Other staff (as determined by the District)

B. ANNUAL CONFERENCE STAFF

Directors (accountable to the Bishop and members of the Full Cabinet)

Director of Connectional Ministries

Director of Communications

Director of Benefits and Human Resources

Associate Directors (accountable to the Director of Connectional Ministries)

Associate Director for Congregational Health & Development

Associate Director of Ethnic Ministries

Associate Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries

Ministry Priorities Staff (accountable to the Director of Connectional Ministries)

Staff persons engaged to support each priority (annual/quadrennial) approved by Annual Conference on recommendation of the Leadership Team.

These staff positions would be short-term "contractual hires" limited to the time period of the annual conference priority to which they relate.

These persons would be supervised by the Director of Connectional Ministries.

Support Staffv

Administrative Assistant to the Director of Connectional Ministries

Receptionist

Three clerical staff

Other necessary support staff as needed

Treasurer’s Office Staff

Conference Treasurer (amenable to the CFA and member of the Full Cabinet)

Benefits and Human Resources Staff

Director of Benefits and Human Resources (accountable to the Bishop and member of the Full Cabinet)

Other necessary staff as needed

SECTION VI - AREA EPISCOPAL OFFICE STAFF

Area Bishop

Clergy Assistant to the Bishop

Executive Asistant to the Bishop

Executive Assistant to the Clergy Assistant to the Bishop

Treasurer (Part-time)

You may download a fully-formatted copy of this report from the Detroit and West Michigan Conference web sites.

MATT invites feedback, questions

Ann Whiting
    Members of Detroit and West Michigan Conference boards and agencies had their first opportunity to offer feedback, list questions and identify potential problems in the draft Great Lakes Conference Plan of Organization at a gathering on Oct. 6 in Grand Ledge.
    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) released the draft via e-mail, mail and website postings on Sept. 20. The 24-page document reiterated the Conference Vision adopted by MATT as well as Strategies and Goals and Core Values and Beliefs. The organization focuses the work of the conference on resourcing local churches to "make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." That will be accomplished through a Leadership Team, 11 districts, five Ministry Teams, and a Ministry Support Services team. The plan also outlines proposed permanent staff positions. More

MATT releases
Plan of Organization
CLICK ON the "Michigan Area Transition Team" button at left to read the report. Or go to the Detroit or West Michigan Conference web site to download a fully-formatted pdf file of the report.
    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) is releasing Draft 1 of its Plan of Organization today. In a cover letter, the Rev. Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas, MATT co-chairs, wrote:
    "The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) has worked steadily since we presented our progress report to the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conference sessions. We have intentionally attempted to implement the feedback we received from both bodies as well as continue to make progress on the various items we reported about during those gatherings.
    "As we reported both during our spring listening tour and at the annual conference sessions:     The vision of the Great Lakes Conference is to create and nurture healthy congregations who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
    "Our focus from the outset of this process has been the local church – equipping the local church for ministry and providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church – to fulfill the purpose of the annual conference, as outlined in ¶605 of the 2004 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church.
    "Staying consistent with the vision we have cast, and keeping the local church as our focus, MATT has approved a draft of the Plan of Organization for the Great Lakes Conference, a foundational document in the creation of a new conference. The members of the Vision, Organization and Structure sub-committee, with guidance from the members of MATT, have worked diligently over the past several months to produce a document that outlines the basic framework of the structure for the Great Lakes Conference – a sleek, streamlined structure that seeks to greater equip the local church for ministry and provide a connection for ministry beyond the local church."
    Copies of the plan are to be e-mailed widely today. A pdf file for download will be posted on Detroit and West Michigan Conference websites.

MATT announces release date
for Plan of Organization,
Fall Listening Tour dates

Ann Whiting
The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) will release its working draft of the Plan of Organization for the proposed Great Lakes Conference on Sept. 27. The document includes the Conference Vision, Strategies and Goals, Core Values, and a Philosophy of Conference Agency Membership. It also includes a district model for resourcing local churches and clergy and a staffing structure. Current staff members of Detroit and West Michigan will have a preview of the Plan of Organization before it is released publicly.

    Leaders from both conferences have been invited to a gathering on Oct. 6 at Grand Ledge: First UMC to meet with members of MATT's Vision, Organization and Structure Subcommittee The event – "Anticipating a New Day for Ministry and Mission" – will be one of the first opportunities for "important conversation and feedback" on the Plan of Organization, said David Lundquist, chair of the subcommittee. Invitations to the gathering were extended to members of the Detroit and West Michigan Conference Council on Ministries, Board of Pensions and Health Benefits, Board of Trustees, Commission on Archives and History, Committee on Episcopacy, Council on Finance and Administration, Episcopal Residency Committee, and the United Methodist Foundation. MATT held a similar gathering earlier this year for program agency members to talk about the Vision and Core Values for the Great Lakes Conference.
    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) co-chairs – the Rev. Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas – will conduct a Fall Listening Tour to present more details and seek feedback on structure and a new district ministry model for the proposed Great Lakes Conference. There will be seven Listening Tour sites.

MATT announces Fall Listening Tour

Ann Whiting
    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) met June 20. Team co-chairs – the Rev. Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas – announced dates and sites for a Fall Listening Tour the two will conduct to present more details and seek feedback on structure and a new district ministry model for the proposed Great Lakes Conference. The number of Listening Tour sites has been increased from the three originally proposed to seven.
    Thomas reported that MATT’s "live" progress report at both Detroit and West Michigan Conferences were enthusiastically received by most. MATT also distributed a printed comprehensive progress report.
    MATT spent most of its time reviewing drafts of structure and district proposals and staffing models. The drafts are not yet ready for publication. No structure or staffing models have been adopted. MATT will meet next in September, but all its sub-committees will be meeting regularly through the summer.
    One of MATT’s subcommittees is working on a redistricting model that would reduce the total number of districts in the Michigan Area from 13 to 11.
    Here is the Listening Tour schedule (as of June 20):

Saturday, Oct. 27
Cadillac, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Indian River, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Nov. 3
Escanaba: Central, 2-4 p.m.

Nov. 10
Caledonia: Cornerstone, 9-11 a.m.
Lansing: Asbury, 1-3 p.m.

Nov. 11
Frankenmuth, 2-4 p.m.
Birmingham: First, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Handout from Listening Tour

From Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT Co-chairs
Paul Thomas and the Rev. Benton Heisler

How it began
Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force
The Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences adopted legislation in 2004 requesting Bishop Linda Lee to appoint a task force to explore all ways that the two conferences could cooperate in ministry, both to be more effective in ministry and to be good stewards of financial resources. The group, called the Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force, was chaired by Cathy Hazen, lay leader of the DAC, and Bob Hundley, pastor at Mason: First in the WMAC. They worked for two years, carrying out their appointed task. The group quickly identified that merging together was the way the two conferences could best cooperate in ministry. In 2005, the group submitted a motion of an intention to unite, but that motion was withdrawn to allow further discussion between the members of the two annual conferences. In 2006, the motion was resubmitted, calling for an intention to unite, with a final vote of affirmation to take place by June 15, 2008. Upon approval of the North Central Jurisdiction, which meets in July of 2008 in Grand Rapids, Mich., the creation of a new conference would take effect on January 1, 2009.

’06 Petition/Resolution
Last year, both annual conferences approved the following motion: "That the Detroit/West Michigan Annual Conferences declare their intention to unite with the West Michigan/Detroit Annual Conference to create a new annual conference in the Michigan Area. We believe this strategic change will allow the Michigan area to better fulfill its mission of strengthening the local church for the purpose of ‘making disciples of Jesus Christ’ for the transformation of the world. Further, we request that the Bishop of the Michigan Area appoint a Transition Team who will assist the Bishop in designing the new Michigan Area Annual Conference. The Transition Team will report at the 2007 sessions of the DAC/WMAC, with a final vote of affirmation by June 15, 2008."

In the Detroit Annual Conference, this motion was passed by an 87 percent margin, while in the West Michigan Annual Conference, the motion passed by a 78 percent margin. It was clear that both annual conferences affirmed the Task Force’s suggestion that merger was the best way to cooperate in ministry in the Michigan Area.

Now, there are two pivotal phrases to completely understand what was approved:

" . . . declare its intention to unite" – the two conferences voted they that intend to unite. The conferences have pledged to work together to create/build a new annual conference. We are working as a Transition Team under the premise that unification is going to happen.

" The Transition Team will report at the 2007 sessions of the DAC/WMAC . . . " – We are expected to report our progress to the 2007 sessions of the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences.

MATT Formation On August 1, Bishop Keaton named 25 people to become MATT – the Michigan Area Transition Team. The group has met almost monthly since August, and has divided its work into seven subcommittees to accomplish the vision we have been given. These seven sub-committees will guide how we have structured our time together today. We will take you through the concepts and philosophies of each sub-committee’s area of work and ask for your feedback and suggestions.

About Our Time Together This time is designed to be highly interactive. We want to present you with ideas and concepts and get your feedback and hear your ideas. After all, we are here to listen to you – the members of the Michigan Area. We will then take what we hear from each of our 14 stops to the Transition Team. The feedback and thoughts we receive will factor into the design process as these concepts and ideas that we share today begin to take shape in the form of a plan of organization for the new conference.

We assume some of you would like specific answers to specific questions. While we will try to answer every question to the best of our ability, we are not ready as a Transition Team to answer with many specifics. For example, we do not have the ability to tell you how much your church will pay in apportionments/ministry shares in the new conference, how much health care will cost, or how big the budget will be. Those are specifics that will be generated out of the concepts that will be shared with you today, and your response to those concepts. We ask you to trust us to provide more specifics in a few months. We expect to hold a series of information meetings again in the fall in preparation for a vote of affirmation at a joint session of both annual conferences on April 5, 2008.

Creating Something New, Pt. 1

Explain vision statement and strategies (HANDOUT)

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

Creating Something New, Pt. 2

Structure Using the vision statement as its guide, the sub-committee hosted an event in January with the chairpersons and representatives from program boards and agencies from both annual conferences to talk about what boards and agencies would look like in the new annual conference. From this meeting, along with dialogue from the Transition Team, a list of core values was developed that will guide how the new structure is shaped. The core values include:

Scripture

Accountability

Congregational Development

Discipleship

Effective Communication

Effective Use of and Deployment of Staff

Flexibility

Inclusiveness

Leadership Development

Maintaining Connectionalism

Ministry focused on Local Congregations

Openness

Response to the Needs of All Persons

Sharing a Common Vision for Mission and Ministry

Sufficient Resources

Among these core values and beliefs the sub-committee has identified the following core values which they believe must be expressed in the design of a new annual conference in specific ways:

Congregational Development – Consideration of a separate agency for congregational development with a Director of Congregational Development staff position – all focused for increased attention to starting new churches and revitalizing existing congregations.

Effective Communication – Including a separate Ministry Team for communications to support the mission and ministry needs of the annual conference with the possibility of a full-time Director of Communications staff position.

Effective Use of and Deployment of Staff -- The new annual conference needs to provide for the most effective use of its staff including addressing how they are best used (centrally, regionally, geographically)

Maintaining Connectionalism – Included in this value would be an intentionally mission-focused annual conference in involved with and responding to General Church initiatives.

Ministry focused on Local Congregations – A foundational principle of the design for the new annual conference will be to support, resource and enhance the ministry of local congregations.

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

Re-Districting & Area Conference Center

Suggesting an 11 district model. Currently there are 13 districts (Seven in the Detroit Annual Conference, six in the West Michigan Annual Conference) (¶415.4 – Presidential Duties of the Bishop - to form the districts after consultation with the district superintendents and after the number of the same has been determined by vote of the annual conference.)

The sub-committee has gathered a variety of information from all 13 districts. It is now analyzing the reports, mapping area church locations through a mapping program, and projecting possible district configurations

MATT has recommended that that the new conference center be located in the greater Lansing area. Possible uses of the space would include the potential of: offices, small group (<25 persons) space, large group (>100 persons) space, and/or retreat center. Potential concepts for the new conference center include: purchasing and renovating an existing church property, sharing a church property, leasing an office complex, or purchasing and renovating retail "big box" store or shopping area.

In place of district offices, a possible consideration is sharing of regional centers that would be technologically connected to the conference center and also have the ability to host small group and/or regional events.

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

Creating Something New, Pt. 3

Personnel

The sub-committee has met with the paid employees of each annual conference.

The sub-committee is responsible for dealing with the personnel transitional issues of a new annual conference, including transitional benefits, early retirement, transitional pay, and moving expenses for the current employees of each annual conference, including district staff.

The sub-committee has compiled and has been comparing the personnel policies and job descriptions of both annual conferences.

The sub-committee’s next task is to prepare policy recommendations for the implementation of a new conference organization.

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

Property/Legal Documents

The sub-committee, working with the chancellors of both annual conferences, is charged with the responsibility of seeing that the new annual conference is established in accordance with the legal requirements of all jurisdictions of government.

It is further charged with the obligation to see that the transfer of assets from the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences to the new conference entity is complete and done in a manner which is fully transparent and meets all legal requirements, as well as the requirements of The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.

The sub-committee has recommended that the existing corporations be collapsed and a new corporation be created. This means that all existing organizations currently owned and overseen by the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences would be transferred to the ownership and oversight of the new annual conference.

The church buildings and properties in both conferences will still be held "in trust" by the local congregations. The only change is that the name of the new conference will replace the existing conference names on legal documents. There will be no need to make any changes to existing local church documents.

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

2008 Vote of Affirmation & 2009 Annual Conference Session

The final vote of affirmation to create the new annual conference will take place on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at the Lansing Center in a joint session of both annual conferences.

If affirmed, the recommendation for the creation of a new annual conference will be presented to the North Central Jurisdiction in July of 2008 at its meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Locations for the 2009 annual conference session are being considered. Possibilities include the Lansing Center, or the Breslin Center at Michigan State University.

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

Creating Something New, Pt. 4

Finance

This sub-committee has been working with a joint task force representing the Council of Finance & Administration from both annual conferences. Together, the group has:

Developed CF&A administrative policies and procedures.

Developed a name for the apportionments – "Share of Ministry"

Determined how the "Share of Ministry" will be calculated:

The "Share of Ministry" ratio will be income-based and based on a three-year rolling income average. It will exclude appropriate capital and benevolent income streams.

The amount of the "Share of Ministry" will be assigned to the local church and satisfy necessary requirements, as outlined in The Book of Discipline.

A tithe of the local church’s income is the eventual goal of the "Share of Ministry."

Discussed the differences between Ministry Jubilee (Detroit) and Conference Benevolences (Detroit and West Michigan) as well as Spotlight Church program (Detroit) and the Six Lanes of Advance Special program (West Michigan). Details which address these differences are still to be resolved.

Outlined a possible staffing model for the new annual conference treasurer’s office.

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

Health Care

A joint task force of persons from the Board of Pension & Health Care from both annual conferences, as well as MATT representatives, have been working for over a year. They are addressing the following items:

A unified medical benefit plan for UM active & retired clergy & lay employees in Michigan

Prescription Drug Coverage

A short-term disability plan

They expect to hold Health Care presentations to explain the specifics of the proposed plan in the Fall of 2007. Any further revisions would then be included in the proposal to the uniting conference for its April 5, 2008 action.

Some key issues being considered at present include:
1. The application of a "blended" rate to local churches instead of single, couple, and family rates.
2. The use of a principle of cost-sharing of the health care premiums at a 10% participant/90% local church rate based on a salary sliding scale as currently used in both Conferences.
3. A basic deductible and co-insurance structure that is tiered in three salary levels: $30,000 & under,$30,001-$50,000 and $50,001 & above.

Key strategic guiding principles the task force has agreed should shape a unified medical plan include:
1) The unified medical plan should include comprehensive benefit coverage provisions which provide participants with adequate financial protection in the event of catastrophic medical care expenses.
2) The unified medical plan should offer universal access to acceptable/quality medical service providers for all Plan participants throughout the State of Michigan.
3) The unified medical plan should provide comprehensive medical benefit coverage levels which are, at a minimum, comparable to or somewhat higher than (superior to) the median benefit coverage levels provided by other church denominations and nonprofit or service based organizations.
4) The unified medical plan should incorporate a cost effective, managed care plan design which is sustainable on a long-term basis.
5)The benefit costs of the unified medical plan must be affordable and sustainable over the foreseeable future for a broad range of local church membership levels and financial positions.
6) The benefit structure of the unified medical plan must anticipate the future trends in medical cost inflation and service utilization patterns over the next 3 to 4 years (i.e. 2007 to 2010) as well as future changes in the medical field and competitive market environment during this period.
7) The unified medical benefit plan should incorporate reasonable/equitable and consistent participant and future retirees’ premium cost sharing features.
8) The unified medical benefit plan should also include uniform eligibility features, retirement continuation provisions, and consistent plan policy and procedures.
9) The unified medical benefit plan should also include Wellness Program.

All the details of a plan developed by the task force will eventually be acted upon by both Boards of Pension and Health Benefits.

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

Pension

The sub-committee, also working with a joint task force of persons from the Board of Pension & Health Care from both annual conferences will be addressing the pre-1982 service annuity rate (SAR).

FEEDBACK FROM AUDIENCE

What’s Next?
A written and verbal report will be given by the Transition Team co-chairs at each annual conference session. In addition, each annual conference will have the chance to participate in an informal Q&A session with members of the Transition Team.

Sometime this fall, a tour will take place to present the proposed, specific details of the new annual conference.

Also in the fall, health care presentation events will be scheduled to explain the proposed health care program for the new annual conference.

For more information and to stay updated on the process:

Michigan Christian Advocate – www.mcadvocate.org

Questions or suggestions – e-mail MATT@miareaumc.org

MATT hears Listening Tour report
Ann Whiting
Advocate editor

    Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) co-chairs, the Paul Thomas and the Rev. Benton Heisler, reported findings from their 14-stop Listening Tour in March and April to MATT on April 19.
    "There seems to be a level of trust… and empowerment of MATT's work," Heisler said. "We also heard 'way to go' comments about the vision statement MATT has created for the new Great Lakes Conference."
    Heisler said he and Thomas received helpful feedback at the tour stops. The purpose of the Listening Tour was not only to share information on MATT's progress so far; it was also to invite comments and suggestions to be fed back into MATT's planning and its progress report to the 2007 annual conferences.
    MATT's Vision Statement for the new conference is: "to create and nurture healthy congregations who make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." Heisler said some asked for clarity on a definition of "healthy congregations." He said they will point to eight characteristics from a book, Natural Church Development, by Christian Schwarz.
    Regarding MATT's Core Values and Structure, Heisler and Thomas said these focus on how the conference will support and resource the local church. The structure will not be "top down," with the implication that local churches exist to support the conference.
Other findings from the Listening Tour:

there is "no overwhelming concern" about locating a new conference center in the Greater Lansing area;

the majority of attendees did not support reducing districts from the current 13 to 11.
    Heisler and Thomas, with the help of other MATT members, provided a list of questions from Listening Tour attendees. Those will be answered as the team continues it work.
    Heisler and Thomas reported (sometimes humorously) about the tour process. They drove through 41 Michigan counties (62%). They drove approximately 1,700 miles through two time zones and visited two states – US 2 across the southern UP drops into Wisconsin for a few miles. And their A&W visits and root beer stats were described as "priceless!"
    A total of 568 persons attended a Listening Tour stop, an average of 41 per stop. (High attendance was 100 in Potterville. In Pentwater 11 people participated. There was a higher proporti on of laity in attendance, Heisler reported.
    MATT decided to schedule a three-stop Listening Tour in the fall – Lansing, Gaylord and Marquette. Regional presentations on a new health care plan will also be scheduled.
    MATT will present its progress report at both Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences. Matt will not be presenting any actions for a vote. An additional Q&A time will also be provided.

MATT prepares for Listening Tour
Ann Whiting
Advocate editor

The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) met March 20 and helped its co-chairs – the Rev. Benton Heisler and Paul Thomas – finalize their plans for the MATT Listening Tour, which kicked off March 22 in Flint.
The co-chairs will make a presentation of MATT progress and listen to feedback at each tour site – 14 in all – this month and then resuming mid-April.
MATT prepares for Listening Tour... continued If you attend a Listening Tour meeting, these are some of the things you will hear: A brief history of the work done before each annual conference in the Michigan Area voted to "declare its intention" to unite with the other. (Detroit Conference voted 87% yes; West Michigan, 78% yes.) What to expect at the 2007 annual conferences: a progress report from MATT. When the decision to unite will be made: MATT will ask for a "vote of affirmation" at a joint session (with separate voting by conference) of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the Lansing Center. (The North Central Jurisdictional Conference must approve the decision to unite in July 2008. An overview of…

the Great Lakes Conference vision statement and strategies. (More detailed information may be found in previous MCA coverage by clicking on Michigan Area Transition Team on the MCA home page.)

preliminary information on re-districting (an 11-district model is being suggested), a future conference center in the Greater Lansing Area, and possibilities for the 2009 united conference center;

personnel issues;

property and legal issues;

finance, including an agreed-upon name for apportionments – "Share of Ministry" – and a review of ongoing conversations on funding conference benevolences;

health care agreed-upon "guiding principles". After each topic, attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and make comments. The Listening Tour is designed to be "highly interactive." Additional MATT members will be present at each site to record feedback. That feedback will be an essential part of the design process of a plan of organization for the new conference. The draft of a hand-out for the Listening Tour makes it clear that some questions do not yet have answers: pre-1982 pension rates, or example, or how much health care will cost, or the apportionment for any given local church. MATT plans another series of informational meetings in the fall to provide more specific data and a proposed plan of organization. The first Listening Tour event is March 22. The last one is on April 18. Return to the home page and scroll down for complete Listening Tour information.

Transition Team planning Listening Tour

    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) and its sub-committees continue to compile information to share at 14 Listening Tour locations across the state in March and April.
    The two co-chairs, Paul Thomas and the Rev. Benton Heisler, will be at every location and stress that they will be to listen to ideas and concerns about the new Michigan conference as much as to share information.
    Thomas and Heisler plan to review the work that went into the 2006 vote by both the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences that declared their intent to merge. They will also clarify what will come to the 2007 annual conferences: a progress report from MATT that will lay out the work done so far, including the vision for the new conference and the philosophy underlying proposals on such things as structure, apportionments, pensions and health care.
    A special session to vote on the finalized union document is projected to April 2008. If the vote is affirmative, the North Central Jurisdictional Conference will need to approve it in July 2008.

Michigan Area Transition Team Progress Report

HOW WE GOT HERE...     The members of the Transition Team are eternally grateful to the work already done by the Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force, co- chaired by Cathy Hazen and Rev. Bob Hundley. The preliminary work done by that body can be viewed on the Michigan Christian Advocate’s web site (http://www.mcadvocate.org). We highly recommend that all pastors, lay members to annual conference, and members of all conference board/agencies/commissions become familiar with this document, as it outlines the work already done in the creation process.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR...     In August, Bishop Keaton appointed 26 people to represent the diversity of the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences and form the Michigan Area Transition Team.
    This group has already met twice to begin the task of creating the Michigan Area Annual Conference. To best accomplish the creation of the new annual conference, seven subcommittees have been created to handle the work of the creation process. The following groups each have specific tasks and will work with all relevant organizations and personnel within each annual conference to accomplish their purpose:

Vision, Structure and Organization – This group will first establish the vision and purpose for the new annual conference before creating a structure to accomplish that vision and purpose.

Finance – This body will make decisions about Apportionments/Ministry Share formulas for the new annual conference, as well as Minimum Base Compensation and Equitable Compensation amounts.

Health Care and Pensions – This sub-committee is charged with developing a comprehensive health care and pension plan for the pastors and staff of the new annual conference.

Re-Districting – This group, in consultation with the Cabinets from both conferences, will advise the Bishop on the boundary lines of the districts that will form the new annual conference.

Personnel – This body will handle all the personnel concerns of the paid staff of the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences, and help those persons transition to the staffing needs of the new annual conference.

Property and Legal Documents – This team will be working with the Chancellors from both annual conferences and handle all issues relating to physical property and legal documentation needed for the new annual conference.

2009 Annual Conference – Working with the Program Committees from both annual conferences, this group will establish the location, dates, and details for the first session of the Michigan Area Annual Conference in 2009.

WHERE WE ARE HEADED . . .     The Transition Team has plans to meet monthly over the course of the next two years, with each sub-committee meeting as needed to accomplish its specific tasks. All progress being made in this creation process can be followed on the Michigan Christian Advocate web site (http://www.mcadvocate.org), as well as the web sites of each conference.
    In addition, at each annual conference in 2007, a report from the Transition Team will be made on the design phase of what the new annual conference will look like in regard to organizational structure, potential staffing models, financial overview, and ministry goals and objectives.

HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED . . .     During this entire process, the Transition Team invites all suggestions and ideas from pastors and churches that need to be considered during the formation of the new annual conference. To help facilitate this, we invite all suggestions and ideas to be e-mailed to MATT@miareaumc.org, or mailed to the Transition Team’s attention at: Michigan Area Episcopal Center, 2164 University Park, Suite 250, Okemos, MI 48864.
    Also, we have attached two items of informational nature for you to be aware of. The first is a listing of the members of the Transition Team and the structure of the Transition Team. The second is a statistics summary of each annual conference, as well as the Michigan Area Annual Conference. Based on those statistics, we have also ranked the annual conferences among conferences in the North Central Jurisdiction and the United States. We hope this information proves useful as you communicate this information to your local churches.
    We look forward to what God will do through the work of the Transition Team, and how the formation of a new annual conference will reignite the ministry of The United Methodist Church in Michigan. We also ask for your prayers as this important work is being done.

Blessings,
Rev. Benton Heisler
Paul Thomas
Co-Chairs, Michigan Area Transition Team

Michigan Area Transition Team As of October 9, 2006 Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton Clergy Assistant to the Bishop Terry Euper Co-Chairs Benton Heisler
Paul Thomas
Steering Committee
Benton Heisler
Paul Thomas
Donna Lindberg
Little Eagle Oyler Sayles
Jay Hook
Jacque Hodges
Communications Ann Whiting, Michigan Christian Advocate

SUB-COMMITTEES

Vision, Structure and Organization
David Lundquist (chair)
Paul Thomas
Cathy Hazen
John Huhtala
Aaron Gray
Sarah Haggard

Finance
Eugene Blair (chair)
John Hice
Jacque Hodges
James Mitchum

Heath Care and Pensions
Carol Johns (chair)
Lynn Grimes
Bob Hundley

Re-Districting
Benton Heisler (chair)
Peggy Paige
Donna Lindberg

Personnel
Jay Hook (chair)
Sandy Eisele
Sang Yoon Chun
Wayne Bank

Property and Legal Documents
Ed McRee (chair)
Little Eagle Oyler Sayles
Zawdie Abiade

2009 Annual Conference
Bob Hundley (co-chair)
Cathy Hazen (co-chair)
Little Eagle Oyler Sayles

MATT will propose Greater Lansing conference center
    The Michigan Area Transition Team will propose that the new conference develop a conference center in the Greater Lansing Area. After team members brainstormed in small groups at the Jan. 18, 2007 MATT meeting, there was a clear consensus on the Lansing area. Team members foresee proposing a site that would include the bishop's office, conference agency offices, meeting rooms and a gathering space.
    MATT's decision to recommend this demographically-central site was embargoed until staff of the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences were notified on Jan 22.

MATT adopts two recommendations for new conference
Ann Whiting
The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) finalized two proposals it will make to the 2008 Detroit and West Michigan Conferences for the new Great Lakes Conference:

The new conference will be a "new entity," with a new corporation created;

A new conference center, with the preferred location to be announced next week.
    Both current conference chancellors have been reviewing current corporate entities, including real estate. They recommend incorporating the new conference rather than merging one into the other. Related current incorporations will be "collapsed" into the new entity.
    MATT members brainstormed facility needs for the new conference center, including the need for meeting and gathering space as well as offices.     Beyond these two actions, MATT co-chair Paul Thomas said next weekend (Jan. 26-27) will be a "huge moment" as chairs of program agencies come together in East Lansing to talk about the structure of the annual conference and its ministry and mission priorities.
    Fifty people are expected to attend the Agency Leaders Gathering, along with members of the structure sub-committee, chaired by David Lundquist, sub-committee members will review the new conference vision statement and stategies. Agency chairs or representatives from each conference will meet with their counterparts. The expect outcome: sketching out possible structural components to fulfill each agency's responsibilities in the new conference. Lundquist said his sub-committee expected to make a draft report on "principles and criteria" for a new structure to the MATT February meeting. (See below.)
    MATT co-chairs, Thomas and the Rev. Benton Heisler, announced their schedule of regional Listening Tours in March and April. Both will attend each meeting, along with MATT members who live in the region.
    Thomas said he and Heisler would provide handouts on components of MATT's work so far:

Statistical information, including reports from statistical tables;

Vision Statement for Great Lakes Conference, along with strategies for fulfilling the vision;

Concept and philosophy for developing an apportionment formula – likely some combination of West Michigan's "Ministry Shares" tithe of local church expenses and a "blending" of Ministry Jubilee (DAC) and Six Lanes giving (WMC) – and a health care plan;

Preliminary work on an 11-district model (down from the current 13 across both conferences).

Concept and philosophy for developing a structure for new conference. Visit mcadvocate.org on a regular basis for updates on the Michigan Area Transition Team

MATT adopts a new vision
for a new conference

    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) adopted a Vision Statement for the proposed new annual conference in the Michigan Area at its Nov. 29 meeting. The team also chose a name for the new conference: the Great Lakes Conference.
    "The vision of the Great Lakes Conference is to create and nurture healthy congregations that will make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
    The one-sentence Vision Statement is grounded in two paragraphs of the 2004 United Methodist Book of Discipline:

Para. 120, which defines the mission of the United Methodist Church: "to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs."

Para. 601, which defines the purpose the annual conference as "equipping its local churches for ministry and... providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God."
    MATT members also refined and adopted strategies and goals to fulfill the vision. Earlier this fall, MATT invited comment and critique on its proposed Vision Statement and Strategies and Goals.
    Many respondents affirmed the vision. One wrote: "I can offer only praise for the focus on disciple making. Anything that diverts us from our primary mission and vision diverts energy resources at a time when we need to be very careful stewards of all our blessings from God."
    Another wrote, "I think the vision statement inspired and right on target." Yet another described it as "clear and simple."
    Not all responses were positive. One writer asked for a vision statement that can "paint a picture of a better world. Then paint in the actors who make the world better. Please don't focus on ourselves first!" Another pleaded for a statement that "reflects the trinitarian nature of our experience of God." And the West Michigan Conference Council on Ministries Executive Committee expressed concern that the statement does not include the issue of "connection": "the stated goals focus almost entirely on the local church. We applaud the local church focus AND we wish to lift the need for a connection focus alongside the local church. It is indeed that connection which is part of our UM identity." MATT members wove the "connection" issue into revisions made in the "Strategies and Goals" section of its document.
    Cathy Hazen, a member of the Vision, Structure and Organization sub-committee that drafted the vision statement and strategies and goals, stressed in MATT discussion that the vision and strategies are a "living document." She said MATT needed to move ahead to adopt a vision "so boards and agencies have guidance in their work" to create a new conference. The Rev. Benton Heisler, co-chair of MATT, said the vision document "can still be refined if statements need to be clarified."
    "I am very pleased with the progress and momentum of the Transition Team," Heisler told the Advocate. "A very diverse team of leaders have clearly coalesced around a common vision for a new conference. The vision statement points the ministry of the conference toward the local church. Healthy, effective and competent lay and clergy leadership at that key human relation interaction point is critical to disciple making and world changing transformation."
    MATT sub-committees reported on their work so far – information-gathering and listening – and had no concrete proposals except from the Finance sub-committee. It requested that Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton request consultation from the general secretaries of the General Council on Finance and Administration and the General Board of Pensions and Health Care.     Hazen said the Vision, Structure and Organization sub-committee is inviting chairs of Detroit and West Michigan Conference program agencies to meet in January. Sub-committee members will present the vision, strategies and goals that should guide the agencies as they develop program visions for their mission and ministries. Hazen said they will be asked to "identify the strengths of each board and agency and how they might fit into a new conference structure." She said they will also be asked to re-evaluate "mistakes" and consider whether some programs should be discontinued.
    A "Working Master Timeline" for MATT includes the March 21, 2007 release of a "rough draft" of a plan of organization for the new conference. The draft is expected to include at least these components:

Vision Statement;

Proposed structure;

Apportionment formula;

Concept of pension and health care plan;

Number of proposed districts;

Proposed location of conference headquarters. The next MATT meeting will be Jan. 18, 2007.

STRATEGIES and GOALS
for the Great Lakes Conference (adopted 11-29-06)

Health will be improved as we:

Create a culture where discipleship means more than membership;

Create and nurture congregations that seek and reach persons of all ages, races and cultures;

Encourage the constant development and transformation of leaders, both clergy and laity;

Develop new congregations, new worship services and new satellite locations for congregations.
Discipleship will be fostered through congregations that:

Change lives through effective, engaging and inviting worship;

Empower and equip people to call others into a new relationship with Christ;

Teach and model effective Christ-like service as a way of life;

Pray for healing and wholeness, both inward and beyond;

Encourage people to identify and respond to a call to ministry and service.
Transformation will take place as we create and nurture congregations that:

Identify and continually meet the needs of theircommunities;

Respond, both financially and with service, to ministries beyond the local church and throughout our United Methodist connection;

Work for justice so that all persons experience the peace of Christ;

Risk change to move forward in mission and ministry.

Comments and suggestions should be sent to MATT@miareaumc.org.

Transition Team releases
draft Vision Statement
    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) is releasing its draft Vision Statement for the new Michigan Area annual conference. The Vision Statement is based on Mission and Purpose statements derived from the United Methodist Book of Discipline.
    The team invites and welcomes comments and suggestions for an indefinite period of time, said MATT co-chair Paul Thomas.
    Thomas said the Vision Statement and accompanying strategies and goals were developed by MATT's Vision, Structure and Organization sub-committee, chaired by David Lundquist and approved in principle on Oct. 24. The sub-committee then took the team's comments and suggestions to make a final version of the draft.

Michigan Area Transition Team – Working Draft
October 25, 2006
MISSION STATEMENT
"The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs." (¶120, 2004 Book of Discipline)
PURPOSE STATEMENT
"The purpose of the annual conference is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God." (Para. 601 , 2004 Book of Discipline)
PROPOSED VISION STATEMENT
The vision of the _______________ Annual Conference is to create and nurture healthy congregations which will make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

PROPOSED STRATEGIES and GOALS
Will be based on three areas: 1. Health will be improved as we

Create a culture where discipleship means more than membership

Create and nurture congregations that are seeking and reaching persons of all ages, races and cultures

Encourage the constant development and transformation of leaders, both clergy and laity
Intentionally develop new congregations, new worship services and new satellite locations for congregations

2. Discipleship will be fostered through

Congregations that are changing lives through effective, engaging and inviting worship

Congregations that are empowered and equipped to call others into a new relationship with Christ

Congregations that are teaching and modeling effective Christ-like service as a way of life

Congregations that are praying for healing and wholeness, both inward and beyond

Congregations that are encouraging people to identify and respond to a call to ministry and service

3. Transformation will take place as we create and nurture

Congregations that are identifying and continually meeting the needs of their communities

Congregations that are responding, both financially and with service, to ministries beyond the local church

Congregations that are working for justice so that all persons experience the peace of Christ

Congregations that are risking change to move forward in mission and ministry


MATT will release draft Vision Statement for comment
Ann Whiting
Advocate editor
    The Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT) plans to release a proposed Vision Statement for the new Michigan annual conference by October 27. MATT hopes for wide distribution of the draft for comment through the Michigan Christian Advocate website and magazine and the Detroit and West Michigan Conference websites and e-mail.
    The proposed vision statement – drafted by MATT’s Vision, Structure and Organization sub-committee, chaired by David Lundquist – is based on mission and purpose statements derived from the United Methodist Book of Discipline: disciple-making.
    "Our proposed vision statement ties back to the church’s mission and purpose," said Paul Thomas, co-chair of MATT. (Pictured above left.) The mission is "What we do; the purpose is why we do it, and the vision is where we need to go," Thomas explained.
    "The vision statement will be the foundation for everything we are going to do to create a successful and healthy annual conference." The vision will be a "litmus test for every organization and structure we develop," Thomas said. "We will be creating programs and philosophies and policies that reflect and achieve that vision."
    Other sub-committee chairs reported on their progress, which is primarily in the information-gathering stage.
    The Rev. Eugene Blair, chair of the Finance sub-committee, said his group is gathering financial data and will need to develop models for funding ministry. He noted differences in funding philosophy between the conferences related to apportionments/ministry shares and equitable compensation, for example.
    The Rev. Carol Johns said the Health Care and Pensions sub-committee will need to do "a lot of listening." What are the values important to each conference and to clergy, she asked rhetorically. "It will be crucial to talk about values and attitudes before we talk about money."
    The Re-Districting sub-committee is beginning to map church locations to "develop a sense of geography," reported the Rev. Benton Heisler.
    The Personnel sub-committee plans to meet with existing paid staff and review job descriptions. "As we move forward we’ll know who these people are," said Jay Hook, chair. He reported there are 61 paid staff in West Michigan and 62 in the Detroit Conference.
    Conference chancellors are being asked to assess the legal work that will need to be done before merger, reported Ed McRee, chair of the Property and Legal Documents sub-committee.
    A special e-mail address has been set up to direct questions and comments to MATT and its sub-committees: MATT@miareaumc.org. Or mail them attention Transition Team: Michigan Area Episcopal Center, 2164 University Park, Suite 250, Okemos MI 48864.


Been there, done that
    Cathy Hazen, who chaired the Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force, reported on conversations with leaders in two conferences that recently merged: Arkansas and Missouri.
    She listed "positives" from leaders in both conferences:
It was definitely worth the effort and we would do it again.
Better ways of doing ministry emerged.
Bishop and leadership teams are able to focus on one vision.
Strategic initiatives emerged when there was a clearer vision/mission statement.
    Cathy Hazen, who chaired the Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force, reported on conversations with leaders in two conferences that recently merged: Arkansas and Missouri.
    She listed "positives" from leaders in both conferences:

It was definitely worth the effort and we would do it again.

Better ways of doing ministry emerged.

Bishop and leadership teams are able to focus on one vision.

Strategic initiatives emerged when there was a clearer vision/mission statement.
    Leaders of both conferences also identified similar stumbling blocks to merger, including retired clergy concerned about loss of identity, pensions and health care; United Methodist Women; loss of district identity as well as numbers of districts; and camps and camping programs (because of different philosophies).
    Hazen share more specific observations from each conference and shared advice those conference leaders offered to Michigan United Methodists:
"Whatever the design/plan for union, be sure that the result is not business as usual.

"Provide lots of opportunity for listening and input.

"Be careful with the redistricting issue.

"Be sure that money issues are not the driving force behind the proposals.

"Plan a big celebration for the coming together event."


Transition Team sends progress report to local churches
    The Michigan Area Transition Team e-mailed a report to each local church about its progress. (Hard copies were mailed to churches without known e-mail access.) The report to the churches also included a table compiling and comparing statistical data on both the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences: numbers of churches and clergy; membership; Sunday school and worship average attendance; recent budget information, etc. Here is the report…

October 16, 2006
    Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
    It truly is an exciting time in the life of our two annual conferences as Bishop Jonathan D. Keaton, along with the members of the Michigan Area Transition Team (MATT), have begun work towards the creation of the new Michigan Area Annual Conference. This is a result of the adoption of Resolution #5 (Detroit) and Petition #1 (West Michigan) by the margin of 87 percent and 78 percent, respectively, at each annual conference.
Michigan Area Transition Team Progress Report
HOW WE GOT HERE...     The members of the Transition Team are eternally grateful to the work already done by the Michigan Area Cooperation Task Force, co- chaired by Cathy Hazen and Rev. Bob Hundley. The preliminary work done by that body can be viewed on the Michigan Christian Advocate’s web site (http://www.mcadvocate.org). We highly recommend that all pastors, lay members to annual conference, and members of all conference board/agencies/commissions become familiar with this document, as it outlines the work already done in the creation process.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR...     In August, Bishop Keaton appointed 26 people to represent the diversity of the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences and form the Michigan Area Transition Team.
    This group has already met twice to begin the task of creating the Michigan Area Annual Conference. To best accomplish the creation of the new annual conference, seven subcommittees have been created to handle the work of the creation process. The following groups each have specific tasks and will work with all relevant organizations and personnel within each annual conference to acc

Proposed new Great Lakes Conference...Detroit says 'yes,' West Michigan votes 'no'

Bishop rules 'Response Petitions' out of order

MATT distributes voting booklet, registration forms for April 5 special session

MATT finishes design of Great Lakes Conference

Transition process will be proposedat April 5 special session

MATT announces mailing date for Great Lakes Conference voting booklet

MATT releases newdistrict alignment proposals

MATT adds camping staff position

MATT invites feedback, questions

MATT releasesPlan of Organization

MATT announces release date for Plan of Organization,Fall Listening Tour dates

MATT announces Fall Listening Tour

Handout from Listening Tour

MATT hears Listening Tour report

MATT prepares for Listening Tour

Transition Team planning Listening Tour

Michigan Area Transition Team Progress Report

MATT will propose Greater Lansing conference center

MATT adopts two recommendations for new conference

MATT adopts a new visionfor a new conference

STRATEGIES and GOALS for the Great Lakes Conference (adopted 11-29-06)

Transition Team releases draft Vision Statement

MISSION STATEMENT

PURPOSE STATEMENT

PROPOSED VISION STATEMENT

PROPOSED STRATEGIES and GOALS

MATT will release draft Vision Statement for comment

Been there, done that

Transition Team sends progress report to local churches

Michigan Area Transition Team Progress Report

Proposed new Great Lakes Conference...
Detroit says 'yes,' West Michigan votes 'no'

MATT finishes design
of Great Lakes Conference

Transition process will be proposed
at April 5 special session

MATT announces mailing date
for Great Lakes Conference voting booklet

MATT releases new
district alignment proposals

MATT adds
camping staff position

MATT releases
Plan of Organization

MATT announces release date
for Plan of Organization,
Fall Listening Tour dates

MATT adopts a new vision
for a new conference

STRATEGIES and GOALS
for the Great Lakes Conference (adopted 11-29-06)

Transition Team releases
draft Vision Statement