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By Kirkland Reynolds

Working in ministry partnerships with other organizations is a vital part of the Baltimore-Washington Conference’s mission to make disciples for the transformation of the world. In an effort to more clearly define these partnerships, the Discipleship Council is currently seeking members to create a task force.

The Ministry Partner Policy Task Force will develop guidelines and policies that clarify what it means to be in partnership with the BWC, determine how the BWC will grant the status of a ministry partner and create policies and procedures for evaluating partnerships.

The task force is envisioned as a diverse group of seven to nine members with background and knowledge in developing and executing partnerships between organizations. People with experience in areas like nonprofit work, law, finance, management consulting and other relevant fields are being sought.

Names of potential members are currently being collected. This summer the task force will be established and in the fall it will begin work to develop a policy and any supporting documents for policy implementation. A final policy will be created by February 2014.

If you would like to volunteer to serve on the Ministry Partner Policy Task Force, or know someone you would like to nominate, send an e-mail to .

Baltimore-Washington Conference Ministry Partner Policy Task Force Position Description

Introduction: As part of the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, the Baltimore-Washington Conference (BWC) enjoys partnerships with organizations or institutions that share a similar ministry focus or help expand its impact in communities. The BWC is currently engaged in ministry partnerships (including the Board of Child Care, Wesley Seminary, and [insert another example]) and is often presented with opportunities for engaging in new ministry with potential partners. This Ministry Partner Policy Task Force (MPPTF) will aid the BWC’s efforts in identifying, developing, executing and evaluating ministry partnerships.

Purpose: This task force is charged with three primary objectives: (1) develop guidelines and policies that clarify what it means for a ministry or initiative to be a partner in ministry of the BWC, (2) determine how the BWC grants the status of a ministry partner, and (3) create policies and procedures for evaluating active ministry partnerships and determining whether the partnership should be maintained.

Because the BWC is currently engaged in ministry partnerships and is often presented with opportunities for entering into ministry with potential partners, guidelines,  policies and procedures that direct the evaluation of ministry partnerships will aid the BWC as it seeks to faithfully invest its time, talent and resources in making disciples for the transformation of the world.

Attributes Sought: The MPPTF is envisioned as a diverse group of individuals (both lay and clergy) from the BWC with background and knowledge in developing and executing partnerships between organizations.  The MPPTF will work collaboratively to develop guiding documents to be used by the BWC in assessing, approving, and monitoring ministries that wish to partner with the BWC. 

Required Qualifications:

• Experience with creating partnerships or new opportunities that further an organization’s ability to connect with or serve others.
• Desire to support and equip United Methodist ministry in the Maryland and Washington, D.C. region.
• Understanding of and commitment to the polity of the United Methodist Church.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Public-Private Partnerships
• Non-Profit Management or Development
• Management Consulting
• New Church or Ministry Starts, Start-ups and/or Entrepreneurship
• Non-Profit Advisory Boards
• Development of teaming agreements/contracts/MOUs
• Bidding, Procurement, and/or Project Management Processes
• Training in Communities of Shalom
• Legal Counsel
• Finance or Development

Size of Task Force: 7-9 individuals

Reporting To: Discipleship Council

Time Commitment: Short-term time commitment from September to December 2013. Task force members will attend two to four meetings (some may be done remotely) and be assigned research and work to be done between meetings. The task force chair and others designated by the task force will present a progress report in late 2013 and a final presentation in early 2014 to the Discipleship Council.

Outcomes: Policy and supporting documentation to guide the BWC in evaluating and being in relationship with both existing and potential future ministries.

Timeline:

• Summer 2013: Via recommendations (both self- and external-), candidates will submit a summary of qualifications and statement of interest to the Discipleship Council.  Specific efforts will be made to reach out to the Cabinet, BWC Connectional Ministries, Council on Finance and Administration and Board of Trustees to obtain nominations.
• September 2013: The Discipleship Council and Cabinet will review candidates, conduct follow-up interviews as necessary and select a chair(s) and the members of the Task Force.
• October - December 2013: Task Force will work to develop a policy and any supporting documents needed for policy implementation. Task Force will present a progress report to the Discipleship Council and the BWC Chancellor
• Early January 2014: Draft Policy and any accompanying procedural documents presented to the Discipleship Council
• Mid-January 2014: Discipleship Council and others (e.g., Chancellor, Board of Trustees, etc.) review and provide feedback on the policy statement and other documents
• End of January 2014: Feedback is incorporated into final document(s)
• February 2014: Final policy is submitted for review by the Connectional Table and inclusion in the Pre-Conference Booklet
• May 2014: Policy is voted on at Annual Conference