A Proposal for a Transitional Organization for Salem

I am proposing a new, transitional organization for Salem for 2009. This information has been shared with the Executive Leadership team as well as the congregational Q&A session on December 17. The decision will be made by the Ad Council at the January 20 meeting (our Charge Conference in November gave the Ad Council authority to make this decision).

The Book of Discipline 2004. The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world (¶ 120). The Book of Discipline requires that a local congregation be organized so that it can pursue its primary task and mission in the context of its own community…In doing so it shall be organized so that adequate provision is made for these basic responsibilities:
1. planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach, and witness for persons and families within and without the congregation;
2. providing for effective pastoral and lay leadership;
3. providing for financial support, physical facilities, and the legal obligations of the church;
4. utilizing the appropriate relationships and resources of the district and annual conference;
5. providing for the proper creation, maintenance, and disposition of documentary record material of the local church;
6. seeking inclusiveness in all aspects of its life (¶ 243).

The basic organizational plan for a local United Methodist congregation includes a charge conference, a church council, a committee on pastor-parish relations, a board of trustees, a committee on finance, a committee on lay leadership (¶ 244). However, alternative plans may be developed in accordance with the provisions of ¶ 247.2. (¶ 244.2).

When we look ¶ 247.2 it says when the membership size, program scope, mission resources, or other circumstances so require, the charge conference may, in consultation with and upon the approval of the district superintendent, modify the organizational plans; provided that the provisions of ¶ 243 are observed. Therefore, we look back to ¶ 243 once again and see that we may organize however we wish as long as we pursue the mission of the Church in our local context and provide for the six basic responsibilities listed above. The district superintendent has already indicated he will grant his approval.

Proposal. That Salem adopt a transitional organization in 2009 for a simpler and more efficient system while we discern and implement our future. Rather than the current organization of Administrative Council, SPRC, Trustees, Finance, and Lay Leadership, we would have one Salem Church Leadership Board, comprised of 12 persons and the pastor. The current Lay Leadership Committee would nominate the 12 persons and present them to the administrative council for election. The 12 nominated would be representative of Salem members, mature Christians, and good leaders.

Practice. The Salem congregation would be under the authority of the one Salem Church Leadership Board. This Board would provide all of the oversight required by the United Methodist Book of Discipline. The Leadership Board would function as the executive agency of the charge conference, to which it is amenable (¶ 244.1). The Board would help create the mission, vision, practices, and policies for the congregation.

Church members would be encouraged to share their input, feedback and wisdom with the pastor, staff, and Leadership Board through a variety of forums. Regular decisions about ministry and mission would be made by the pastor, staff, and leadership team as directed by the Holy Spirit. Major decisions (as determined by the Book of Discipline) would continue to be made by a church/charge conference.

The Outreaching Missions Team would continue. Other positions such as Treasurer and Financial Secretary would continue as well. These (along with other positions and teams) would be considered ministries and/or would be further developed into systems. Necessary systems include Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism, Mission, Finance, Assimilation, etc. They are vital ministries of the congregation but do not need to be part of the Leadership Board. All church members are called into ministry, serving as God has gifted them. We will work on creating an environment of permission, equipping and empowering all to be in ministry.

The Salem Church Leadership Board would function for 2009 as a transitional, organizational structure. During that time, it is possible Salem could come together with another congregation. If so, we would need to make changes again in order to create the best organizational structure for the new merger. If Salem continues on its own, the one Leadership Board could be continued, modified, or replaced.

Salem Church Leadership Board Members. The pastor plus 12 people: Chair, Lay Leader, SPRC, SPRC, Finance, Finance, Trustees, Trustees, Lay Leadership, Nurture, Outreach, Witness. Because the Board would provide all of the oversight required by the United Methodist Book of Discipline, two members would be designated to have specific responsibility for SPRC, two for Finance, two for Trustees, and one would be responsible to work with the pastor on Lay Leadership. There would also be three persons responsible for Nurture, Outreach, and Witness. The entire Board, however, would work together on these and all other responsibilities. The Board would be led by a Chairperson and the congregation’s Lay Leader.