The Clergy Services Connexion Fall 2019
Volume 1: Number 1
“Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” -Mark 1:17, NKJV
Table of Contents
Click on the boxes below to be taken to the respective stories, or simply go page to page through the magazine!
New Beginnings: A Word from the Editor Fresh Expressions A brief introduction to the concept. Board of Ordained Ministry Events Candidacy Summit Information Commission on Archives – The Archives are ready to be accessed. Update on the 2019 Local Pastor’s Licensing School By Rev. Terry Goodman
Holston Mission Hubs by Rev. Susan Groseclose
Residency in Ministry Report Welcome to the New Format Camp and Retreat Ministries by Rev. Mary Thompson
From the Chairperson Rev. Mickey Rainwater, Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministry shares some thoughts.
Partner in Crisis: Please share this information with clergy spouses having marital issues.
Finance Corner The Church Budget Process by Rev. Terry Goodman
The Back Page: Future Columns and Topics
The Clergy Services Connexion is a quarterly publication of the Office of Clergy Services of the Holston Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The editor is Reverend Terry Goodman, Director of Clergy Services. All comments and correspondence should be addressed to him at terrygoodman@holston.org.
New Beginnings... Welcome to the first edition of a quarterly newsletter for the ministers of the Holston Annual Conference.
within the annual conference. This newsletter will be about all these things...and maybe even more.
When you think about ministry in Holston Annual Conference, it comes in lots of shapes and sizes. On the one hand, there are the classifications of ministers from Full Elders to Local Pastors. There are lay ministries such a Supply Pastors and Certified Lay Ministers.
If it has to do with ministers and how they can become more effective in their ministry, then you can bet, that eventually, you might read about it in the pages of this magazine.
The more will include regular articles on As an annual conference there are a lot of discipleship as well as sharing some Fresh things going on of which our ministers should be Expressions of our faith at work in the annual aware. I hope to use this newsletter to keep us conference. I hope to include regular updates on better informed about some of those items, our missional hubs and the ministries that flow events, and/or activities. This will not be an from these hubs. Be prepared for articles on exhaustive source of information, but it should be personal and church finances. You might see a fresh look at the process and expectations of some items related to youth and young adults serving God’s Kingdom, through the local church. that we as ministers need to be thinking about.
My prayer is that as you read this magazine you will learn something about how our annual Then there is the structure that holds it all conference strives to create ministers capable together. From the Board of Ordained Ministry to and ready to serve our churches and the people the District Committee on Ordained Ministry. around those churches as we share the love of These groups help to interview and challenge and God through his Son Jesus Christ. ultimately approve the men and women that will serve the churches of our annual conference. On the Board or Ordained Ministry, you have Divisions of Elders, Deacons, and Local Pastors and Associate Members. Then there are the Orders, Residency in Ministry, Conference Relations Committee, Psychological Assessment Team, and Vocational Discernment and Recruitment. All of these groups work together so that the Board or Ordained Ministry is able to do its job
UPCOMING Board of Ordained Ministry Events
LPLS—Weekend 3 Oct 11-13, 2019
Full Connection-Interviews Mon Oct 28, 2019
All those pastors that attend the Local Pastor Licensing School, first have to attend the yearly Candidacy Summit that will be held at the Conference Center in Alcoa, Tennessee. At the Summit, prospective candidates learn about the various forms of ministry within the UMC and begin the candidacy process by taking their psychologicals and being assigned to a mentoring group that will meet over the next 3-5 months. The Candidacy Summit is a part of our Vocational Discernment Process and the Rev. Brad Hyde is the person that is in charge of the process. The deadline for applying is Monday December 2, 2019. You can visit the web site or talk with your District Superintendent for more information.
Board of Ordained Ministry Fall Meeting Thur Nov 7, 2019
REGISTRATION DEADLINE for 2020 Candidacy Summit Mon Dec 2, 2019
Full Connection Rewrites Due Mon Jan 6, 2020
2020 Candidacy Summit
Friday January 10, 2020
Materials Due for Provisionals and Associates Mon Jan 6, 2020
Candidacy Summit Friday Jan 10, 2020
Alcoa, Tennessee Conference Center
Provisional/Associate Interviews Mon Feb 10, 2020 Alcoa, First UMC
For More Info on the 2020 Candidacy Summit
Update on in the Local Pastor Licensing School Residency Ministry Each year, Led Holston Annual Conference hosts a Local Pastor Licensing School (LPLS). The General Board of by Higher Education andHumphrey Ministries (GBHEM) mandates an 80 hour curriculum centered around 8 major areas. Rev. Dennie Each area contains specific knowledge and skill sets to help prepare persons for ministry as a local pastor. It is not a seminary education, but it does provide solid training for men and women just beginning ministry in the local church. This year, we have a total of 21 students. Three of them are students from North Georgia that have come to take part in our school. The Dean of the school is the Rev. Kathie Wilson Parker. She guides the sessions that are held Friday through Saturday over three separate weekends in August through October of each year. Upon completion of the school, the students are eligible to receive a license to preach and be assigned to a local United Methodist Church. The first weekend was held at the Annual Conference Center, but, due to motel scheduling (UT Football weekends), we moved the remaining two weekends to a hotel with meeting facilities in Oak Ridge. Having everything under one roof all weekend actually seemed to make our weekend go more smoothly
Rev. Susan Groseclose teaches at the September Local Pastor Licensing School held in Oak Ridge.
As part of the process of becoming a United Methodist Elder, Deacon or Associate persons enter into a three year Residency inmember, Ministry Provisional membership process. During that time, provisional Led by members are part of a cohort of individuals that gathers on a regular Rev. Dennie Humphrey basis. We refer to this process as the Residency in Ministry (RIM) program.
Residency in Ministry
During the various meetings, cohort members will gather for day long and overnight retreats to better equip them for the ministry roles that they seek to enter. Guidance will be given during the process to help them prepare for the questions, interview, and project that will be required before they are able to become full or associate members of the annual conference. Typically, this is a three year process. However, Provisional members have a total of eight years to complete the necessary steps before full or associate membership. They will remain a part of a RIM cohort until they become a full or associate member, or until they time out at the end of the eight year process and are removed from the provisional process. Currently, we have a retreat scheduled for Friday-Saturday: November 8-9, 2019 at Camp Wesley Woods. More information on this retreat should be forthcoming in a couple of weeks.
Welcome to a new way of sharing information! I hope that you are finding this digital format a good way to receive information. The days of printing and distributing via snail mail are pretty much something seen in the rearview mirror. This digital format allows the annual conference to share: words, pictures, video, audio. All in the same document at virtually no cost, other than our yearly fee to have this service hosted. Think about the possibilities...I already have been. At our ISSUU hosted site, you can already find:
Volume 2: The 2019 Statistical Tables
Coming soon: Volume 1: 2019 Journal of the Holston Annual Conference
Guidelines for the DCOM/BOM—a massive book to help DCOM’s work more consistently
The Wesley Leadership Institute CEU News is about to be published in this format
Local Pastor Licensing School Worship Resources Magazine
We will also be using this type of publication as a way to standardize forms and processes related to the Board of Ordained Ministry. Once we create a form and share the link, then you will always have the most up to date form, because as we make changes, your link will always bring you to the most recent version of a form or document. I hope you can see the possibilities
For the last few years, every Annual Conference has been trying to find ways to live Rev. Mickey Rainwater into legislation passed by the 2016 General Board of Ordained Ministry Conference requiring a six-month evaluation of clergy every eight years beginning in 2020. This legislation is to be found in the 2016 Book of Discipline, Paragraph 349.3. We are calling Holston Conference’s proposal “The Flourishing in Ministry” process using the 3Rs of REVIEW, RENEW, and RETOOL. It is a pastor-driven, bottom-up process intended to resource both full and part-time clergy in becoming the person God is calling them to be in their next eight years of ministry—and for a lifetime. The process is designed to help each pastor focus on their spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, social, and ministry health—a process of total wellbeing. The process has been developed around readily available and affordable assessments for six aspects of wellness. In addition, we will identify a cadre of trained mentors and certified coaches— both within Holston and from other annual conferences—who are called to walk alongside pastors throughout the Flourishing in Ministry process. We believe engaging a mentor, coach or counselor will be crucial in assisting the pastor to develop a realistic and healthy Retooling Plan. The Flourishing in Ministry Retooling Plan that is the culmination of this process can potentially replace the old Continuing Education Report and Plan included in the Charge Conference and Annual Consultation reports. However, the Flourishing in Ministry Process will allow the pastor to be focused, realistic, and, therefore, healthier in not only their continuing education, but all other aspects of their personal wellbeing. The Retooling Plan is the only component of the process that shall be shared with the pastor’s S/PPRC or DS— unless the pastor chooses to share significant findings in the Review or Renew steps. (The process itself is not designed as a tool for supervision but is driven by each pastor!) In the coming months clergy members of the Board of Ordained Ministry, and the Cabinet will serve as a pilot group before rolling it out to all clergy. We will continue to provide you information as it becomes available. Mickey Rainwater Chair, Holston Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
It is the time of year when churches are beginning (or at least they should be) thinking about the budget for the upcoming year. At the basic level, the budget is like a roadmap to help a church get from point A to point B. The budget helps us to see the major attractions along the way. For instance, how much are we going to spend on ministries? What are those ministries? Are they ongoing or are they going to be developed? Another area would be staffing costs. How much are we going to pay our staff: pastor, choir director, janitor, etc.? What are the benefit costs related to the staffing: insurance, pensions, reimbursable accounts. In addition, what are some employee costs such as church matching portion of FICA and Medicare. Then there are the costs associated with the church building itself. How much are we going to have to pay for utilities? How much are we going to have to pay for renovations or repairs? Don’t forget, the parsonage is one of those buildings that has costs associated with it—think about how much that might cost. Don’t forget, that there is insurance on the buildings, and if you have them, on church vans and buses. You also need to consider the tithe to the annual conference. We are a connectional ministry and for several years, our annual conference has asked each church to give 10% of its offering to the annual conference for its ministries.
Finance Corner The Church Budget Process
with and empty tank. There are going to be some funds on hand, carried over from the previous year. Another thing to consider is what the church brought in during the previous 12 months. That is a good gauge as to what you could consider you will bring in during the new year. Another source of fuel on this ministry trip is new gifts. Do you anticipate brining new people into the church? What will they add financially? Do you expect your members to increase their level of giving—if so, then by how much? Some churches support their ministries through events: apple butter, church yard sales, etc. How much do you plan will come from these sources? Within many churches, there are groups: United Methodist Men, Women, Sunday school classes. Many of these groups often contribute to certain parts of the budget.
So far, I have only talked about ways that you might be spending the money along the way. However, the church must also consider how money is going to be added to the coffers. Keeping with the road map analogy, there will have to be stops along the way to fill up the gas tank (bank account).
Finally, the budget is a road map...it is not set in stone. It is there to help a church accomplish its ministry and mission not to lock a church into a fixed pathway. There will be things that happen along the way that require you to change course. Things may breakdown and need to be repaired. Enjoy the journey and go where God leads.
As you think about those fueling sources, consider these things. You are most likely not going to start
—Rev. Terry Goodman
Click on Picture to Learn the answer to the question:
What is Fresh Expressions?
“A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church. Fresh Expressions is an international movement of missionary disciples cultivating new kinds of church alongside existing congregations to more effectively engage our growing post-Christian society. Beginning in 2004 as an initiative of the Church of England and the British Methodist Church, the movement has resulted in the birth of thousands of new communities in the UK alone and brought renewal to scores of established churches. The movement has spread to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Germany. In 2010, the movement began taking shape in the US through the vision and generosity of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and a growing number of partners committed to a new era of missional ecumenism, a unity around the mission of God the Father through the resurrected Son in the power of the Holy Spirit.”
As found at: https://freshexpressionsus.org/about/ #what
As part of my role as the Director of Clergy Services, I meet annually with my counter parts from around the denomination. It is an opportunity to share ideas of what is working and not working in our respective annual conferences. One of the things that I continue to hear about, especially from the Florida Annual Conference is the idea called Fresh Expressions. To be honest I am still trying to wrap my head around the concept. I recently discovered that I am not the only one trying to figure out how to make this concept a reality. I had a conversation with Ann Robins, the District Superintendent of Tennessee Valley District. She said that she and Jason Gattis, the District Superintendent of Smoky Moutain District, had been talking about finding ways to help their pastors understand this Fresh Expressions idea. As she explained it to me, she described a church making a difference in its community by reaching out in new and perhaps unexpected ways to share the love of Jesus Christ with the community. As I thought about this, I liked that concept. Too often, churches simply get stuck within the four walls of the building...but the church is not a building...the church is the body of Christ-people like you and me—that are called to reach out and make a difference. In future editions of this magazine, I hope to devote a couple of pages to some of the Fresh Expressions happening around our annual conference. For more information, I encourage you to watch to video and to click on the link to your left.
—-Rev. Terry Goodman
Conference Commission on Archives and History Has Good News to Share! Since the late spring of 2016, our Conference Archives has been in search of a home. Well, that search is over. The collection is now housed at Tennessee Wesleyan University in a room in Sherman Hall. Daniel Ferkin (L) newly hired Holston Conference Archivist, shows the collection to the Rev. David St. Clair (center) and the Rev. Charles Maynard (right). In the foreground is Ms. Julie Adams, Director of Library and Information Services for Tennessee Wesleyan University.
Harold Hartman (Left) and the Rev. Roy Howard (center) examine the collection with Daniel Ferkin (right) looking on.
At a meeting of the Commission on September 26th, we learned that an archivist, Daniel Ferkin, has been hired to catalog and oversee the collection. At that meeting we also learned that Mr. Ferkin is ready to start taking requests from persons that have questions about material that might be housed within the collection. In addition, he is also able to supply limited access to the collection. Things are still in boxes and shelves have yet to be installed, but things are progressing. You may contact him at:
This picture depicts about one third of the total collection.
Daniel Ferkin Tennessee Wesleyan University 204 E College Street Athens, TN 37303 Phone: (423) 746-5226 Email: dferkin@tnwesleyan.edu
Missional Hub Documentary: The Beginning Months Mike Eastridge, Chairperson of the Holston Conference Strategy Team and Susan Groseclose, Associate Director of Connectional Ministries for Discipleship will share an ongoing documentary of one of the missional hubs in the annual conference through this Clergy Services Connexion. column. Our purpose is to share an “inside” perspective as the churches in the hub connect with one another and their communities; birth and nurture mission ideas; and engage in relationship-building ministries for the transformation of the community and the world.
CLICK PICTURE BELOW TO VIEW VIDEO
See the story of Mission Hubs in Holston Annual Conference as presented at the 2018 Annual Conference.
We recognize that each Missional Hub has its own unique journey. This documentary is not a blueprint to follow nor is it a prescriptive outline depicting a step-by-step method to work together as a Missional Hub. In fact, we recognize that the work of Missional Hub requires adaptive leaders who are willing to open themselves to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and to be willing to move into the unknown future ready to attempt and learn from their failings or attempt and succeed as we strive together to be fruitful and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This documentary is a story – a documentation - of one Missional Hub’s journey together. As you read this documentary each quarter, you might find yourself in the same struggles, you might be asking some of the same questions, or you might glean insights or ideas that might be useful in the work of your own hub. We are also open to hearing your ponderings, struggles, questions, and joys that you are experiencing in your own hub. Feel free to share your thoughts with Susan Groseclose at susangroseclose@holston.org or 865-690-4080. We will be following and documenting the work of the Blount West Missional Hub in the Smoky Mountain District. This hub was chosen because of its close proximity to Susan Groseclose, the writer of this documentary; her friendship with the hub leader Reverend Ginger Isom; her first-hand experience of being part of the worshiping life of one of the
churches in the hub – Fairview UMC; and the fact that she attended the first meeting of the hub and plans to attend subsequent meetings of the hub going forward. The Smoky Mountain District Missional Hub Leadership Team initially organized churches into hubs based on their geographical location within the district and the most effective way to cluster together as Charge Conferences. Each hub was assigned a leader who has the responsibility to further facilitate the organization and the work of the hub. The Blount West Missional Hub includes Binfield UMC, Carpenters UMC, Fairview UMC, Friendsville UMC, Green Meadow UMC, Immanuel UMC, Middlesettlements UMC, St. Mark’s (Blount) UMC, Sycamore Tree UMC, Union Grove (Blount) UMC, and Williamson Chapel UMC. Clergy and at least one interested lay person from each congregation have met for the past three months. Even though not every church has been able to be represented at each meeting the group continues conversation and decisions as they move forward. The laity who have been part of this hub leadership are definitely a gift! First and foremost, they bring a passion for building relationships and serving within their communities. In the Blount West Missional Hub the laity often relate and connect with their communities on a daily basis; they work and network with key community leaders; and they have knowledge of emerging, innovative resources. It became evident at the first meeting, ways that congregations in the hub already naturally relate to one another. The group also quickly realized that relationships among all the congregations need to intentionally be developed and enhanced. In conversation, one of the first decisions made to enhance the relationships between the churches is to have a dessert social after Charge Conference. Another way relationships are built among congregations is through their common focus. The Blount West Missional Hub is focused at this point in time on building relationships within the larger community. These include relationships within their neighborhoods, places of work, and schools in their neighborhoods as they build trust and learn the needs of their neighbors. The plan is to use the web-based resources, The Art of Neighboring and The Neighboring Life. While plans are still being finalized the group is considering how to use the 3-week sermon series and the 6-week small group study from these resources in each congregation. Beyond this, there is continued conversation around Trauma Informed Community Building and doing church differently through Fresh Expressions. Their journey and story continues….watch this column for next quarter’s chronicle…
Although it’s fall, those of us in Holston Camp & Retreat Ministries are still rejoicing in God’s work this summer. We would like to celebrate this year’s summer camp season with you all and share some of the many ways God worked through our camps this year. Camp and Retreat Ministries
Rev. Mary Thompson Executive Director of Camp & Retreat Ministries POB 850 Alcoa, TN 37701 (423) 667-8269 marythompson@holston.org
To support our camps with camper scholarships, annual campaigns, or capital campaigns please click on this logo.
Once again we had a record-breaking number this year with 3,308 campers!!! Of those campers, 541 made first time faith commitments and 672 rededicated their lives to Christ. 2,233 out of 3,308 campers (about 68%) were able to attend camp because of a scholarship. 52% of our campers were United Methodist. 648 of our camper parental guardians (about 20%) reported they do not attend any church. 240 UMCs from Holston sent children from their congregation to one of our five camps. 105 Holston UMCs sponsored 794 campers to attend camp this summer providing over $222,000 in scholarship funds. Additionally, the 4 camp properties sponsored 272 campers this summer providing over $66,000 in scholarships. With the help of host churches, partner churches, and grant funds, Camp in the Community provided camp to 1,204 campers at no cost to their families. Our theme this summer was ‘Rooted in Christ’ based on the Colossians 2:6-7 verse, which says: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” We had over 75 pastors and ministry leaders volunteer to lead worship and devotion at our camps this summer. We are so appreciative of this wonderful group of people that brought this Scripture to life and witnessed to all of our campers and staff. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you Holston Conference for supporting our Camp & Retreat Ministries every year. Because of your love, 3,308 campers and 152 staff lives will forever be impacted. Registration for summer 2020 opens January 1st.
SUMMER 2019
Stresses impact all marriages: illness, death, care of children/aging parents, schedules, bills, personal growth, and so on. However, the spouse of a clergy person may be uniquely vulnerable when a separation, divorce, or other complex crisis occurs. The spouse traditionally loses the most: best friends, church (that they did not choose in the first place), pastoral/ spiritual leader, his/her home and furnishings; many spouses also lose a trusted counselor, a career/job, and financial/social status. Furthermore, the tendency for the spouse to conceal domestic problems in a clergy marriage, including violence such as physical, emotional, and spiritual abuse, neglect, incest, gender bias and substance/alcohol abuse by the partner, often traps the spouse of a clergy person into denial and powerlessness. During such crises, spouses often lack information about counseling services, the pension program, availability of emergency funds, temporary housing, legal, and financial counsel. In 1995, a group of concerned spouses of clergy in Holston Conference, with the support of former episcopal spouse, Mrs. Dot Lee, formed Partners in Crisis. This response grew out of concern for the spouse in such tragic circumstances, and a growing awareness of increasing numbers of separations and divorces among the clergy, now equal to that of the general population. Since its inception, both male and female spouses have received support in a variety of ways, including immediate short-term housing,
emergency needs like food and transportation, and miscellaneous needs such as medicine, childcare etc. Limited support toward utility and housing deposits may also be met. Partners in Crisis can be considered the “emergency room� for the clergy spouse who is in a marital crisis. This ministry is funded totally through private gifts, special offerings, and the earnings of The Partners in Crisis Endowment Fund established through the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church Foundation. For more information, please contact your District Superintendent or the Foundation at (865) 690-4080.
Future Columns/Topics Rev. Jason Roe — On Evangelism Paul Bowman — Church and Personal Finances
Rev. Susan Groseclose—On Discipleship Laura McLean—On Youth and Children Rev. Mike Sluder—On Connectional Ministries
I hope you have enjoyed our inaugural issue. The goal is to make this publication one that helps ministers succeed in their ministry by keeping them attuned to topics and activities that can help them succeed.
I would like to hear from you regarding topics or ideas that you would like to see covered in future editions. Please take a moment to suggest persons that might be willing to write a column or a topic that you feel needs to be addressed. I’ll do my best to make it possible. Thanks for all that you do for the annual conference. Rev. Terry Goodman Director of Clergy Services terrygoodman@holston.org
