BOA ACTION: Motion to adopt with the amendment to the resolution to add to the first sentence “in agreement with our operational values as articulated in ¶6050” in place of the second sentence which would be stricken.
GCRCC Status: forwarded for April 2011 BOA action
Introduced by: Mark Adams, North Central Conference
Written by: Mark Adams
Related to Paragraph(s) #: 5220 D, 5300, MEG Manual
Whereas:
Free Methodist pastors are called to lead the church, and are appointed to particular churches, and;
The call to lead is tied to the Great Commission and to do the work of an evangelist, and;
A common temptation by both congregations and pastors is to grow inner-focused, and sometimes insulated from the community they are called by God to influence, and;
Many judicatories have found that emphasizing leadership appointment decisions that are a match to the overall community in addition to meeting a congregation’s felt needs leads to greater conversion growth:
Therefore, be it resolved:
Ministerial Appointments Committees, pastors and churches prioritize appointment of leaders based upon a pastors’ potential positive influence in the community in which a church is based in addition to the felt needs of a congregation, revising 5220.D to read:
“The committee shall appoint pastors for an indefinite tenure. The basis for appointment is complex, but must consider as first priority the pastor’s ability to influence and evangelize the community in which the church is located. The committee shall monitor progress and make changes at each annual conference when deemed necessary.”
And to revise the first sentence of paragraph 3 of 5300 to read:
“Free Methodist ministers may carry out their task under appointment as pastors of particular communities and congregations or they may be given other assignments.”
Does the resolution have a direct relationship to the vision and mission of the Free Methodist Church?
Yes.
How will the proposed change help us accomplish our vision and mission?
By reinforcing community impact and evangelism as a primary task of pastors and churches, and making personnel and appointment decisions with this principle prioritized, the FMC may see more targeted community influence by pastors and congregations. The Wesleyan concept of the “Word as Parish” is reinforced.
The Resolutions Committee rates this resolution as:
(A) Support – recommend adoption
Comments:
The North Central Conference understanding of ABC was A meriting review on the floor of the conference, B meriting review by the appropriate subcommittee of the BOA.
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