This is part of a series of posts in which I am responding to questions of purpose and improvement for the annual conference in the United States.
In paragraph 601 of the United Methodist Book of Discipline there is a dual purpose for the annual conference – to equip local churches for ministry and to provide a connection for ministry beyond the local church.
There are many different areas in which the annual conference equips local churches for ministry. One of the critical areas of fulfilling this purpose is in the Board of Ordained Ministry which is responsible for recruiting ordained clergy for leadership in the local church. Recruiting and training leaders both lay and ordained for local congregations is one of the most critical aspects of equipping churches for ministry.
Other than through the Board of Ordained Ministry, I do not believe that the annual conference effectively fulfills the purpose of equipping local churches for ministry. My impression is that the local church is primarily equipped through the local leadership. I think that there is a limit to the effectiveness of equipping that takes place on the level of the annual conference for the diverse contexts throughout the conference. The final measure for fulfillment of purpose in this area would be to assess whether local churches are making disciples of Jesus Christ through ministry.
What do you think? I have a feeling that there is a lot to add to my response. I would be interested in your assessment of the annual conference in equipping churches.
Rev. Andrew Conard 
2 replies on “Annual Conference Equips Churches (2 of 5)”
I’ll add a few…
– I agree that providing quality pastoral leadership is the primary enabling act of Annual Conferences and that BOOM makes that happen. But let’s also give the Bishop and Cabinet some credit for matching them to churches well.
– I’ve never been around a church where there haven’t been laity that go to conference events, everything from workshops to Lay Speaker training to Annual Conference itself, and come back full of ideas and re-invigorated for ministry– or, to use a different word, enabled. Camping ministry is also enabling, I believe, and would fit in this category.
– Annual Conferences offer resources for ministry that are often underutilized, from resource libraries to Conference staff members going out to work with churches. Granted these often aren’t the best resources, but they are there.
– Administrative support enables ministry in an often overlooked way… Where would our local treasurers be without the Conference treasurer for instance? Also, I’ve seen the annual S/PPRC forms generate fantastic discussion.
– One can make an argument, since a Conference is by definition a collection of local churches, whenever two churches support/enable each other that support is really coming from the Annual Conference
I’m sure there are more, and I’m also sure we could be doing better. Still, I do believe there is good enabling going on even if it’s not always overtly visible.
Good series of posts!
Jeff – I truly appreciate your additions. I think that each of them is a valuable addition. I was pretty sure there was a lot more that I was not addressing. I like your reminder of laity being involved in events of the annual conference. Your comment does make me think about the use of the word “enable” vs. “equip” I feel that there may be some distinctions between these uses of the words, but am not quite able to articulate them. Thoughts?
I think that there is a balance at times between an administrative enabling and burdening of ministry. I think that the assessment and review forms that are a part of the appointive process can be very helpful in stimulating conversation and leading to a common growth together. However, I also know that paperwork at times seems like a burden.
I hope you enjoy the posts over the next few days as well…