Explanation of Each Board, Etc 9 29 11

8/2/2019 Explanation of Each Board, Etc 9 29 11

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BOARDS

Board of Laityprovides support and direction for the ministry of the laity on the local, district, and

annual conference levels, promotes the observation of Laity Sunday, and supports the stewardship of

time, talent, and possessions within the annual conference in cooperation with the CCOCM.

Board of Ordained Ministryassumes the primary responsibility for the enlistment and recruitment of

ordained clergy by working in consultation with the cabinet and the General Board of Higher Education

and Ministry; receives annual reports on the progress of ministerial students, examines all applicants as to

their fitness for the ordained ministry; interviews applicants and makes recommendations, ensures

confidentiality in relation to the interview and reporting process.

Board of Pensionsis responsible for the Conferences retirement plans for clergy as well as conference

lay employees; budgets and approves funding; offers retirement-related seminars, and provides partial

funding and guidance to the Director of Administrative Services.

Board of Trusteesis primarily responsible for Tennessee Conference real property, property and

casualty insurance, and legal and corporate matters.

Camp and Retreat MinistryWelcoming, Re-storing and TransformingCamp and Retreat Ministry

plans camping and outdoor ministries as a means of helping persons grow in their discipleship to Jesus

Christ, increase their awareness of God in creation, and strengthen their sense of community as the Body

of Christ and plans for the maintenance and stewardship of the camping facilities at Camp Cedar Crest

and Beersheba Springs.

Higher Education and Campus Ministryprovides for the connectional relationship between the

Division of Higher Education of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry and the conference,

district, and local church; recommends the policies guiding the annual conference in its program of

ministry in higher education, and apprises United Methodists of our historic commitment to the present

mission in higher education.

COMMISSIONS

Commission on Archives & HistoryConference Commission on Archives and History serves the

Churchs Ministry of Memory so we may continue to learn from our past and anticipate our future;

recognizes and encourages excellence in archival and historical work for the local church and the

Tennessee Annual Conference; responsible for preserving and promoting the heritage of United

Methodist resources in middle Tennessee.

SPECIAL NOTE: [2012 will mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Tennessee Conference.

Commission on Status & Roles of Womenhelps the conference discern its inclusiveness as a sign of

living into Gods purposes of justice and its discipleship to Jesus Christ who included all persons in his

ministry, monitors gender inclusiveness across the conference and during annual conference and gives

daily reports, and awards scholarships to persons (male and female) attending events that will increase

awareness of gender equity and inclusiveness.


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Equitable Compensationrecommends the minimum salary for clergy under appointment to churches;

administers the Equitable Compensation Fund by budgeting, requesting funding, and considering

applications for grants to clergy serving in charges that for a limited time cannot afford to pay minimum

compensation.

Religion & Race - monitors and assesses racial inclusiveness and diversity across the conference as a

means of being faithful to Jesus Christs call to love and justice, makes recommendations to the

Tennessee Conference for celebrating and strengthening racial inclusiveness, helps plan diversity training

for pastors and other church leaders, and offers the Tennessee Conference Plan of Inclusiveness as a tool

for increasing cross-cultural and ethnic diversity.

COUNCILS

CF&Ais primary responsible for all of the conferences fiscal and administrative policies, procedures,

and services; oversees Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services; considers all requests for annual

conference funding and recommends amount of apportionment funding to Annual Conference for

approval. No member or employee of a Conference agency that receives conference funding may be onCFA.

CONFERENCE COUNCIL ON CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES (CCOCM)

ADVOCACY

Asian-American Ministriesoffers resources and plans ministries for Asian persons, plans supportive

networks for Asian pastors serving within the Tennessee Conference, serves as a resource for building

awareness of Asian culture so the congregations can enhance their ministries of hospitality and

inclusiveness and works in conjunction with other ethnic groups in developing a greater awareness of the

need for unity amid diversity as a means of living into Gods call for love and justice.

Board of Laity/Lay Speaking Ministries - provides support and direction for the ministry of the laity on

the local, district, and annual conference levels, promotes the observation of Laity Sunday, and supports

the stewardship of time, talent, and possessions within the annual conference in cooperation with the

CCOCM.

Christian Unity & Interreligious Concernscreates opportunities for interfaith, ecumenical and Pan

Methodist dialogue throughout the Tennessee area as an expression of Christian love and Wesleyan

conferencing, and builds relationships with other Christian denominations, the Jewish Community, the

Islam Community, and other faith communities.

Commission on Religion and Race - monitors and assesses racial inclusiveness and diversity across theconference as a means of being faithful to Jesus Christs call to love and justice, makes recommendations

to the Tennessee Conference for celebrating and strengthening racial inclusiveness, helps plan diversity

training for pastors and other church leaders, and offers the Tennessee Conference Plan of Inclusiveness

as a tool for increasing cross-cultural and ethnic diversity.

Commission on the Status and Role of Women - helps the conference discern its inclusiveness as a sign

of living into Gods purposes of justice and its discipleship to Jesus Christ who included all persons in his


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ministry, monitors gender inclusiveness across the conference and during annual conference and gives

daily reports, and awards scholarships to persons (male and female) attending events that will increase

awareness of gender equity and inclusiveness.

Comprehensive African-American Strategic Team (CAAST) - offers resources and plans events for

African-Americans such as Strengthening the Black Church for the 21stCentury, and Black Methodist

for Church Renewal ministries, provides opportunities for building community, enhancing ministry skills

and strategic planning for leaders in the Black Church, and works in conjunction with the other ethnic

groups in developing greater awareness of the need for unity amid diversity as a means of living into

Gods Kingdom of love and justice.

Ethnic Local Church Concernsreflects the racial and ethnic constituencies and local churches of the

annual conference, offers resources to churches, provides a forum for dialogue, provides training for the

annual conference and congregational leaders, promotes and interprets ethnic local church concerns to the

annual conference and offers opportunities for building community and strategic planning for and among

all ethnic groups as a means of living into and promoting Christian unity amid diversity as a sign of Gods

Kingdom of love and justice on earth.

Hispanic-Latino Ministriesserves as a resource for establishing outreach, faith and fellowship

ministries, and churches throughout the Tennessee Conference; promotes Incubator Covenant groups,

leadership training, retreats, workshops, and a wide range of ministries for Hispanic/Latino pastors and

laity through the Hispanic/Latino Academy for Christian Formation and Church Leadership; serves as a

resource for building awareness of Hispanic/Latino culture, and works in conjunction with the other

ethnic groups in developing solidarity as a means of living out Gods gift of hospitality.

Native-American Ministries - serves as a resource for building awareness of Native American culture

and heritage, helps to enable local churches to observe Native American Sunday, offers resources and

plans ministries for Native Americans in order to strengthen ministries with and among the NativeAmerican community, and works in conjunction with the ethnic groups in developing unity amid

diversity as a means of building up the Body of Christ.

NURTURE

Adult/Older Adult/Singles Ministriesserves as an advocate for older adult concerns and issues, offers

opportunities for fellowship, spiritual growth, and study with older adults across the Tennessee

Conference, provides training and consultations for leaders working with older adults, and advocates for

the development and implementation of policies and services designed to impact systems that affect older

adults.

Camp and Retreat Ministries[Welcoming, Re-storing and Transforming]Camp and Retreat

Ministry plans camping and outdoor ministries as a means of helping persons grow in their discipleship to

Jesus Christ, increase their awareness of God in creation, and strengthen their sense of community as the

Body of Christ and plans for the maintenance and stewardship of the camping facilities at Camp Cedar

Crest and Beersheba Springs.


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Congregational Developmentworks collaboratively with local churches and districts to plant new

congregations and revitalize existing churches through strategic planning, training, and grants. ~

Cooperative Ministriesseeks to help develop ministries that work cooperatively and collaboratively

with other churches and agencies through training events and grants, with a particular focus on smaller

membership churches. ~Evangelismworks to help individuals and congregations develop the passion

and skill in sharing Christ in the most holistic sense through inviting special speakers and sponsoringtraining; also awards each year the Harry Denman Evangelism Award to a youth, layperson, and

clergyperson.

Disability Concerns/ Health and Welfare Disability concernsserves as the accessibility advocate

body for districts and the conference, encourages and assists local churches in making their building,

facilities and ministries accessible to all persons, including those with disabilities in order that the

Churchs Body can embody the inclusive nature of God in and through Jesus Christ. Health and Welfare

serves as an education awareness and advocacy group by gathering data and offering information on

health-related concerns such as United Methodist health care professionals, to include TennCare,

Tennessee Health Care Reform, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and the development of health clinics for the

working poor, and submits health care legislation resolutions at the Annual Conference for review

Mercy and Missions Ministriesfocuses on the development of local and global mission outreach by

connecting churches and individuals with opportunities to serve, sponsors missionaries, supports local

mission projects, and share in the work of GBGM/UMCOR around the world; includes coordinators and

sub-teams of Disaster Response and Recovery, Hunger and Volunteers in Mission.

Corrections/Prison Ministry (Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries)connects persons incarcerated in

local and state facilities; provides training and grants.

WITNESS

Commission on Archives and History - serves the Churchs Ministry of Memory so we may continue

to learn from our past and anticipate our future; recognizes and encourages excellence in archival and

historical work for the local church and the Tennessee Annual Conference; responsible for preserving and

promoting the heritage of United Methodist resources in middle Tennessee.

SPECIAL NOTE: [2012 will mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Tennessee Conference.

Communicationsassesses, plans and updates the printed and electronic communications media for the

Tennessee Conference, including the TNUM Connector Newspaper and subscriptions, the UM Connects,

E-blast, the Website and other forms of communication as needed.

United Methodist Men (UMM)focuses their resources and energies on the spiritual growth among

men, helping them to mature as disciples of Jesus Christ, so they empower spiritual formation in other

men within the congregations of the United Methodist Church. Helping Men Grow in Christ, So Others

May Know Christ.

Scouting Ministriessponsored by the United Methodist Men (UMM) of the United Methodist Church,

sponsors strong ties to Scouting to enhance the churchs ministry in the community: Outreach, Nurture,

and Service. Helps the local church by resourcing its ministry with children, youth, and families;


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recognizes, supports, equips and trains United Methodist Scouts in their role of volunteer ministry in the

church and community; is a positive spiritual force in a liaison relationship with the Boy Scouts of

America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, and 4-H. The Scout Oath pledges the Scout

to help other people at all times.

United Methodist Women - (UMW) develops programs to meet the needs and interests of women and

the concerns and responsibilities of the global church; encourages and supports spiritual growth,

missionary outreach, and Christian social action; promotes the plans and responsibilities of the Womens

Division and the conference organization of United Methodist Women.

COMMITTEES

Conference Health Planrecommends the annual budget and premium rates for the health plan; advises

the plan sponsor (who is the Director of Administrative Services) on matters related to plan coverage and

costs.

Conference Nominations (District Rep.)nominates persons to entities as authorized by the Annual

Conference, including the officers of the CCOCM, Conference Lay Leader, Conference Secretary, Editorof the Journal, and Conference Statistician at the session immediately following General Conference.

Episcopacy - supports the bishop of the area in the oversight of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the

Church, with special reference to the area where the bishop has presidential responsibility; is available to

the bishop for counsel; assist in the determination of the Episcopal needs of the area; keeps the bishop

advised concerning conditions within the area; interprets to the people of the area and to conference

agencies the nature and function of the Episcopal office; engages in annual consultation and appraisal of

thebalance of the bishops relationship and responsibilities to the area and annual conferences. And

reports needs for Episcopal leadership to the jurisdictional committee on episcopacy.

Journalcoordinates the work related to the annual publication of the journal related to accuracy,efficiency and timelines to include the necessary divisions.

Resolutioncreated by the Annual Conference, establishes procedures for submission of resolutions, and

after considering all resolutions, recommends that the Annual Conference approve, deny, or modify

submitted resolutions.

Standing Rules Reviewestablishes the procedure by which a deliberative body (e.g. the Tennessee

Conference) conducts its business sessions by proposing new policies and standing rules; by proposing

needed amendments to existing policies and standing rules; and providing guidance to the Annual

Conferences.

Explanation of Each Board, Etc 9 29 11

Documents

Transcript of Explanation of Each Board, Etc 9 29 11