wfn.org | Missouri annual conferences move to become one

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

June 16, 1999 News media contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{334}

By Laura Marconette*

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (UMNS) --  Two United Methodist annual conferences in
Missouri have voted to move toward becoming one. 

After much planning, deliberation and prayers, the East and West conferences
voted  June 14 on a proposal to move toward merger by the year 2004.  The
proposal passed the West  by a wide margin (432-214) but only by  two-votes
in the East (333-331). 

The proposal invites each annual conference to enter into a covenant that
would not be completed until January 2005.  However,  the covenant calls for
a second vote on merger in the year 2004.  Before that vote, various teams
that have similar responsibilities in the two annual conferences will work
out differences that exist. 

"Some have misunderstood our rationale for having votes in 1999 and 2004,"
said the Rev. Steve Cox, co-chair of the joint committee from the Missouri
West Conference. "They think we are putting off the vote for five years.
Actually, we are calling for a decision this year but leaving a security
door in case things don't work out.  We want it to be clear that we believe
merger is right for Missouri United Methodism, and we are asking people to
vote their conscience this year." 

The proposal was presented as two motions.  One  calling for the merging of
area staffs passed in both conferences: East, 377-287; West 501-142. The
second called for union by 2005 and reduction of district superintendents
from 15 to 12 by July 1, 2000. 

In light of the action by both conferences, Bishop Ann B. Sherer announced
that an area staff will be created, effective September 1, 1999.  

"One of the key elements in this proposal," said Cox, "is creating the
opportunity to refocus resources toward local congregations." 

By reducing the number of superintendents, he said, more resources can be
channeled  toward district support and programming. 

Reducing the number of superintendents and realign districts without having
a line down the middle of Missouri is a challenge, Cox admits.  "It is a
little like playing the children's game of 'connect the dots.' One piece of
the proposal requires the other to make sense."

Some conference members have questioned how fewer superintendents serving
the same area can result in better service to congregations. 

How fewer superintendents can result in better services to congregations has
been hard  for some to comprehend, said Cox.  "Even though we have fewer
superintendents, we are not reducing resources. We are rechanneling them so
those superintendents focus their time on their pastors and congregations
while additional support staff focuses on office and clerical work."

Cox said superintendents can help more congregations when their work is more
focused on that task. In some cases, he said,  there will also be additional
program staff to work in areas that are not in the superintendent's realm of
expertise.

# # #
*Laura Marconette is editor of The Compass newspaper of the Missouri West
Annual Conference.

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