Report to the Board
Conference Minister, Walter John Boris * March 10, 2012
The Board of Directors of the Central Pacific Conference asked me to present my vision for the work of the CPC in the coming year. I presented the following document, in the context of the Essential Functions conversation. This document will now be discussed by each of the ministry teams of the CPC before the Board votes to accept this vision as our roadmap. You are invited to be part of the conversation.
Most organizations spend time and energy worrying about what they are not doing – the guilt of “should.” Few celebrate what they are doing well. Together we have identified the essential functions of the CPC. If we do these things well, we will fulfill our unique role in the United Church of Christ. We can celebrate our contribution to the whole – to the body of Christ.
Many of the vision elements below are already in progress – often the result of collaboration between Conference Minister and the Ministry Teams. It’s valuable to see these efforts listed together, and set in the context of the functions we’re called to fulfill as a Conference in the UCC.
I recommend that this document be the guide for CPC ministry from March of 2012 through Annual Gathering in the fall of 2013.
Essential Functions of the Central Pacific Conference
1) Authorization for Ministry Covenants Ministry Team
* Work with CPC office staff to establish a data base to track ministerial standing and boundary training.
* Launch the program of Period Reviews of authorized clergy utilizing retired ministers.
* Establish a date for yearly boundary training workshop for authorized clergy.
* Develop a Lay Boundary Training for local churches.
2) Search and Call Conference Minister
* Develop a checklist to track resources/support given to search committees.
* Develop form to be used for evaluating CM/Staff support for search committees.
3) Covenant Connection Administration Ministry Team
* plan/promote Annual Gathering – Sept. 2012 in Pendleton OR with theme of UCC Identity.
* begin planning for Annual Gathering – Sept. 2013 no later than Oct. 2012 – deciding on theme and speakers early enough to achieve commitments.
* establish a new timeline for building the CPC budget which acknowledges the move from Spring Assembly to an Annual Gathering in the fall.
Whole Central Pacific Conference
* All Ministry Teams will communicate with one or more technological vehicles: blog, e-newsletter, or facebook.
* The Board and all Ministry Teams will share documents online (Google docs?). The CM office will work with Teams to establish venue.
Nominating Committee
* begin meeting 6 months before the 2013 Annual Gathering.
3) Covenant Connection (continued)
* include biographical information (including local church membership) in the 2013 CPC Annual Report for all CPC officers, Board members, and Ministry Team members.
* include biographical information (including local church membership) as part of the presentation of the slate for elections at Spring Assembly 2012 and Annual Gathering 2013.
4) Conference Outdoor Ministries and Youth Program Education Ministry Team
* plan/promote youth gatherings, re-establishing the pattern of 2 Sr. Hi, 1 Jr. Hi. With promotion beginning 6 months in advance.
* plan Christian Education event in spring 2013 for local church educators, or host West Region AUCE (Association of United Church Educators) meeting.
* reorganize Partners in Education (consultants) and promote in CPC
* set timeline for summer camp dates/promotion/planning, allowing ample time to recruit staff and campers.
* establishing a marking plan for 2013 CPC camp sessions.
5) Prophetic Ministry Justice and Witness Ministry Team
* plan an interfaith gathering in Portland, OR. Theme: “So we are ONA – no what?”
Event could also have a multi-cultural/multi-racial focus.
* establish a yearly retreat for social justice activists in the CPC focusing on spiritual foundation for our justice witness.
* explore/promote “green church” designation in the CPC.
6) Mission and Service Wider Church Ministry Team
* carry out Spring Assembly 2012 with global mission focus.
* continue development of partnership with UCC/Philippines and plan a CPC mission trip to meet our partners.
* plan an annual CPC mission trip in the US.
* establish service relationship/project with Celilo Indian Village.
* determine if “Water for Life” will be a CPC Mission focus.
7) Congregational Vitality Local Church Ministry Team
* Spring 2013 – host event with the Center for Progressive Renewal.
* May 2012 – announce book title for “CPC Reads” – contact publisher to arrange bulk purchase discount.
* Contract with author of “CPC Reads” book to do mini-keynote and workshops at fall Annual Gathering in Pendleton 2012.
8) Pastoral Care Conference Minister
* recruit conveners for each clergy cluster. Establish pattern of a minimum of quarterly gatherings.
* meet with Annuitant Visitors and give higher visibility to their work of providing pastoral care for retired clergy.
As the new annuitant visitor (following Lou’s death), it has been my/our understanding that pastoral care for retired clergy is NOT our role. We are to encourage involvement in the local church. Mostly, we are to thank our retired clergy/spouses, assess any monetary needs they may have and be a resource for them if they have questions or concerns about their annuity or health insurance. We also encourage our conferences to give generously to the Christmas Fund. Additionlly, Lou & I have had various social events so that retirees can meet each other, as they often have moved upon retirement and don’t know that many people. In past training events our role has been clearly spelled out. It may be in the past year or so, the UCC ministerial assistance program has changed, if that is so, the annuitant visitors will need to be made aware of this. I do realize there is often a fine line between our called roles and the individual needs of retirees. So…let’s keep the conversation going.
Per my earlier comments, this document plans out several worthy tasks, but does not meet the test of “visionary” leadership. Toward what end do all these tasks aim? How do we hope that checking these boxes will ignite the Spirit’s power to birth in us a new church?
These are the discussions that will bring new life.
Jennifer Yocum