wfn.org | Task Force Seeks Control of Funds

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
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Note 342 by UMNS on Sept. 23, 1997 at 16:14 Eastern (3906 characters).

CONTACT:	Ralph E. Baker				530(10-34-71B){342}
		Nashville, Tenn.  (615) 742-5470  Sept. 23, 1997

NACP task force plans to ask 
for control of designated funds

by Ginny Underwood*

	ALBUQUERQUE (UMNS) -- The Native American Comprehensive Plan (NACP) task
force plans to send representatives to meet with officials of the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries and ask for full control over money
designated by the General Conference.
	Questions of the role of the mission agency were raised when the executive
director, Anne Saunkeah, announced that she and the administrative assistant
are now considered staff of the board.   Many members said they believe that
the executive director should be under the direction of the NACP board rather
than under the auspices of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries
	Another concern raised by the boards finance
consultant was that the agency has not been able to give a full account of the
funds.
	"This is just a control mechanism, its very paternalistic," said Tim Moss,
representative from the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.
	The Native American Comprehensive Plan was mandated by the 1992 General
Conference, top legislative body of the denomination, to enhance and
strengthen Native American ministries.  The plan focuses on four areas: 
leadership development, congregational development, Native American
spirituality, and creating a denominational awareness of Native American
concerns and issues.
The plans task force expressed concern over the difficulty Saunkeah had in
receiving funds to establish an executive office in Tulsa, Okla. Saunkeah is
the fist full-time director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan.
"Our main concern is the role of the General Board of Global Ministries," said
the Rev. Homer Noley, director of the National United Methodist Native
American Center in Claremont, Calif., and board member.  "The comprehensive
plan should be set up similar to the National United Methodist Native American
Center," he said. "We decide our own administrative process."
The center, also sanctioned by General Conference, recruits Native Americans
into ministry.  Funding for it is housed with the United Methodist Board of
Higher Education and Ministry.  
According to Noley, the mission agency sends an allotment of money to the
Native American Center but leaves the management and program directions up to
the centers board members. 
"We have just sat back and let the General Board of Global Ministries make a
decision for themselves on the plan functions," Noley said.  "Now we have to
reclaim control."
"We are able to take care of business if they would just trust us," said the
Rev. Tom Roughface, Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference representative.
Restructuring the churchwide mission agency has slowed down the process of
sorting through issues of the Native American Comprehensive Plan, according to
board officials.
"The whole thing is under the former national division," said the Rev. David
Wu, assistant general secretary of connectional relations for global
ministries.  "We are just beginning to look into this," and agency officials 
are working directly with the plan.
In other actions, task force members set their agenda for 1998.  The
leadership development component of the plan will sponsor a conference on 
"Pastoral Care for AIDS patients," in Oklahoma City, Okla., in October.  The
Native American spirituality committee is planning a dialogue at the end of
1997 with indigenous people of Hawaii.  The congregational development
committee is planning a training event in spring 1998 focusing on two
components: prison ministry and health care. 
The next NACP meeting is scheduled for Jan. 23-25, 1998, in Oklahoma City. 
#  #  #

	* Underwood is coordinator of the Native American Communications Office of
United Methodist Communication.
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