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By Erik Alsgaard
UMCONNECTION STAFF

By a nearly unanimous vote, the Baltimore-Washington Conference adopted a new plan of organization that, conference leaders say, is designed to show that 'the local church is the main thing.'

'Local churches are where disciples of Jesus Christ are made,' said Bishop John R. Schol. 'Our new conference structure will reinforce local churches to make disciples.'

The new plan, and the budget that will support it, seeks to resource and support congregations to grow Acts 2 congregations, and transform lives and communities. While reversing a 43-year downward trend of membership and worship attendance is a concern, reaching people is at the heart of growing Acts 2 congregations.

The plan streamlines numerous commissions, boards, committees and agencies, and is seen as a way to set people free to pursue their calling and passion in serving God rather than sitting in meetings or managing bureaucracies.

Presented by the Rev. Andy Lunt, pastor of Glen Mar UMC and chair of the conference?s Committee on Planning, Research and Evaluation, the so-called 'path forward' will align the conference more closely with the Book of Discipline, allow the conference to elect fewer people to various positions while maintaining inclusiveness and diversity, and reduce administrative layers and barriers.

'This organizational plan makes it clear to me,' Lunt said, 'that the Annual Conference exists to support the local church.'

Lunt said that the new structure will minimize conference staff responsibilities for maintaining the conference and free up staff for local church resourcing; organize ministry around functions and desired outcomes; and call and nominate leadership based on calling and passion, rather than simply filling slots with people.

'We will begin with what God has already provided: the calling and passion of people,' Lunt said.

After the plan was adopted, the Rev. Roger Strait, retired, asked the bishop to issue a rule of law on the new organization. The bishop has 30 days to respond. His ruling will be published on the conference?s Web site, www.bwcumc.org.

After the bishop issues his decision, it is automatically sent to the church?s Judicial Council (Supreme Court) for review.

During an extensive period of questions and answers, conference members asked where various ministries and issues would be lodged in the new structure.

The Rev. Rod Miller, director of Connectional Ministry, Sandra Ferguson, associate council director, and the Rev. Wayne DeHart, director of Human Resources and Connectional Life, took turns answering questions and assuring members that ministries and issues they were passionate about would not slip through the cracks.

The major changes of the new structure include the creation of a Connectional Table. Similar in function to the denomination?s Connectional Table, this group will learn best practices, align all ministries with the vision, mission and strategy of the conference, and account for fruits.

The bishop and conference lay leader Delores Oden, a member of Asbury-Town Neck UMC, will serve as co-chairs. Membership will consist of all elected persons of the Conference and many others.

In addition, a Discipleship Council will meet every other month to develop the strategic direction of the Conference, direct resources and set policy, according to language passed out to conference members. Its membership shall include the conference lay leader and 11 other people elected by annual conference.

During debate on the plan, conference members wrestled with how people are nominated and elected to the various pieces of the plan. Created and adopted during the debate were a separate nominations committee, an episcopal committee and a separate personnel committee.

An amendment by the Rev. Lynn Glassbrook, pastor of Emmanuel UMC in Hungtingtown, to increase the number of people elected to the various Boards, Commissions and Committees from seven to nine, failed.