Bishop's Leadership Summit looks forward to next four years
On Wednesday, September 3, 2008, Bishop Willimon hosted a Leadership Summit on the campus of Birmingham-Southern. The Summit was made up of almost 80 North Alabama clergy and laity who were invited to came together to engage in conversation about the issues, opportunities and challenges presented in the next four years.
The focus question of the day was, “What are some of the ‘mission critical’ steps we need to take in the next four years to fulfill our vision and priorities?”
Bishop Willimon opened the proceedings by sharing the top eight things he has learned in his first four years as Bishop of the North Alabama Conference.
These learnings are
1. We can notice the numbers, and hold ourselves accountable. "Methodists love lists and numbers," he said. "We are collectors and publishers of numbers. Vibrant congregations have always advertised their numbers. We can remember the parable of the talents, and examine what we have produced with what we have been given."
2. We can start new churches. The UMC's decline in membership is tied to failure to do this, Willimon stated. "Our conference is one of the first to make this a priority," he said.
3. We can call a new generation of clergy. "Our next class is one of our largest and youngest ever," he said. "And we're going into recruitment mode for the future."
4. We can grow despite huge demographic challenges. "With a median age of 59 years, we must prepare for the demographic of the next 10 years by making it our goal to be more attractive to a new generation, and to regain the ability to reach that generation."
5. We can change the role of District Superintendents to be leaders in growth. "Our superintendents have been the glue that holds the organization together," "Not much happens that they don't make happen. They have moved from making appointments to making appointments work."
6. We can equip clergy and churches for growth. "We're asking our clergy to step up as servant leaders," he said. The Residency in Ministry program and Natural Church Development are seen as tools to equip clergy to do things they were not taught in seminary.
7. We can focus energy resources and attention on conference priorities.
Willimon believes that we can relieve pastors of the burdens congregations have laid on them in the past. "Pastors need to stop try to be all things,"
he said. "And they don't need to feel guilty about it."
8. We can claim the gift of Wesleyan theology. "United Methodists have an environment with a history of preaching grace," he said. "Grace offered to all, with the result of transformed lives."
The Summit included breakout sessions, where attendees talked about each of the four conference priorities and how we can meet the challenges and opportunities they present. Dale Cohen, Director of Connectional Ministries, formed ad hoc committees for each of the priorities, which will report a recommended course of action after two months of discussion.
Acknowledging the great challenges before us, Bishop Willimon expressed confidence that we can meet them.
Summit participant Rev. Jack Hinnen says, "The Bishop's Summit meeting was inspiring because it shows that the leadership of the conference is devoted to not just beginning conversations or making snap decisions. The leadership truly wants as many people involved in the conversation as possible. And by focusing on the four conference priorities we can adapt and change the conversation to better equip our churches."
After listening to the discussions Bishop Willimon also promised in the coming weeks to share what he hopes he will learn in his next four years as bishop.
All North Alabama Conference United Methodists are invited to join in this discussion and offer their thoughts to the theme question of “What are some of the ‘mission critical’ steps we need to take in the next four years to fulfill our vision and priorities?”