On June 19, 2010 - one year from tomorrow - we become a new conference and area. Twelve months, 365 days, 8760 hours...okay, you get the point. On June 19 we will "gather together to ask the Lord's blessing" on a new conference and a new area.
So here's what's ahead from New ACT's perspective. The good news is we've organized most (but not all) of our Planning Teams and given them authority to develop the structures needed for the first couple years of our life together. These teams are working diligently and purposefully and will begin to funnel proposal to New ACT as early as this summer.
New ACT is also about ready to authorize six Critical Question Teams to begin working. (There's still time to join one of these teams. Please think and pray about doing so!). These teams will begin to tackle the "big picture" issues our new conference will face over the next several years:
- Spiritual Formation: How shall we grow in our relationship with God?
- Ministry: How shall we be the body of Christ within the world?
- Discipleship: How shall we live in accordance with the example of Jesus Christ?
- Local Church: How shall we engage, equip and empower?
- Leadership: How shall we encourage and develop leadership?
- Outreach: How shall we build and sustain relationships with our neighbors?
In the months ahead I see New ACT focusing on two crucial strategic tasks:
1. helping Planning Teams align their work with the New Conference's Vision and Purpose.
2. developing some principles to guide the creation of the "Plan of Union" legislation New ACT is charged to submit to the June 19, 2010 organizing session of our new conference. This document will contain enabling resolutions creating initial conference structures, staffing and policies.
One more area New ACT will be looking at is how to help us both grieve the loss of our current annual conferences and begin building new relationships. More about these issues in a future posting.
As always, your comments are welcome and helpful.
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