Annual Conference Equips Churches (2 of 5)

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.