Creating Connectionalism, Supporting Spiritual Growth Part 3: The Center for Connectional Ministries By Amy Ezell Director, Center for Communication
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he word “connection” is defined as a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. John Wesley recognized the need for an organized system of communication and accountability and developed what he called the “connexion,” a network of classes, societies, and, in our modern context, annual conferences. The Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church provides the Center for Connectional Ministry with 13 very important ministry areas that create connectionalism while supporting spiritual growth. The Rev. Jim Polk is the director of the Center for Connectional Ministries and has been with the conference for four years. Before this appointment, Polk was at Arkadelphia FUMC, El Dorado FUMC and Nashville FUMC. Rebecca Davis is the Administrative Assistant for the Center and has served in this position for three years. The 200,000 Reasons initiative, led by Mary Lewis Dassinger, is an effort to reduce childhood hunger in Arkansas. This ministry works with other churches, hunger agencies, local food pantries and feeding programs, community gardens, and gleaning projects and has a goal of 100% support from Arkansas United Methodist churches. Ingathering is an annual event that supports the 200K initiative. The Conference Board of Laity, chaired by Karon Mann, is the elected lay leadership of the Annual Conference. This board represents, and is accountable to, the Annual Conference. The 2016 Book of Discipline (Paragraph 631) is clear that the Board of Lay shall have responsibility for the following: • Fostering an awareness of the role of the laity • Developing the advocacy role for laity • Increasing the participation of laity in the life of the church • Encouraging laypersons in the general ministry of the church • Developing and promoting programs to cultivate an adequate understanding of the theological and biblical basis for lay life and work • Developing and promoting stewardship of time, talent and possessions • Providing for the training of lay members to Annual Conference • Providing support and direction for such lay programs as lay 29
speaking, the observance of Laity Sunday, and the work of lay leaders on the local and district levels • Organizing a conference committee on lay speaking ministries Campus Ministry is the missional presence of the United Methodist Church on college and university campuses across Arkansas. The purpose of this ministry is to make disciples of
ARKANSAS UNITED METHODIST
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