Mike Ford Central Texas Conference Lay Leader Laity Address Mike Ford Central Texas Conference Lay Leader

To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the world

Committed to Making New Disciples of Jesus

Committed to Making New Disciples of Jesus Creating Vital Congregations

Growth of Average Worship Attendance and Professions of Faith

Growth of Average Worship Attendance and Professions of Faith 141 Churches with Increase in AWA

Growth of Average Worship Attendance and Professions of Faith 141 Churches with Increase in AWA 55 Churches with Increase in POF

Growing Congregations Changing Congregations Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. - John C. Maxwell

Growing Congregations Changing Congregations “Anyone who has NEVER made a MISTAKE, has never tried anything NEW.” - Albert Einstein “FAILURE IS JUST PART OF SUCCESS”

“Offer Them CHRIST !”

Denominational Change

LGBTQ Ordination

LGBTQ Ordination Same Sex Marriage

Final Report to Council of Bishops One Church Plan

Final Report to Council of Bishops One Church Plan Traditional Plan

Final Report to Council of Bishops One Church Plan Traditional Plan Connectional Conference Plan

One Church Plan Allows conferences, local churches and clergy to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons

One Church Plan Allows conferences, local churches and clergy to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons Congregations control how facilities are used

One Church Plan Allows conferences, local churches and clergy to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons Congregations control how facilities are used Pastors retain the right to decide for whom they will or will not officiate a wedding

One Church Plan Allows conferences, local churches and clergy to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons Congregations control how facilities are used Pastors retain the right to decide for whom they will or will not officiate a wedding Bishops retain the right to decide who they will or will not ordain

One Church Plan Allows conferences, local churches and clergy to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons Congregations control how facilities are used Pastors retain the right to decide for whom they will or will not officiate a wedding Bishops retain the right to decide who they will or will not ordain Clergy Session still determines who will or will not get ordained

One Church Plan Allows conferences, local churches and clergy to make different decisions regarding ministry with or by LGBTQ persons Congregations control how facilities are used Pastors retain the right to decide for whom they will or will not officiate a wedding Bishops retain the right to decide who they will or will not ordain Clergy Session still determines who will or will not get ordained Definition of “marriage” changes from “a man and a woman” to “two adults”

Traditional Plan Would retain the current UMC Book of Discipline Language regarding human sexuality and add enhanced levels of accountability and enforcement

Connectional Conference Plan Create three (3) Connectional Conferences, each with clearly defined values and/or theology

Connectional Conference Plan Create three (3) Connectional Conferences, each with clearly defined values and/or theology Eliminates the five (5) U.S. Jurisdictions

Connectional Conference Plan Create three (3) Connectional Conferences, each with clearly defined values and/or theology Eliminates the five (5) U.S. Jurisdictions Each Conference determines its affiliation with one of the three Connectional Conferences

Connectional Conference Plan Create three (3) Connectional Conferences, each with clearly defined values and/or theology Eliminates the five (5) U.S. Jurisdictions Each Conference determines its affiliation with one of the three Connectional Conferences Local Churches have the option to join a Connectional Conference different from the one chosen by the Annual Conference

Connectional Conference Plan Create three (3) Connectional Conferences, each with clearly defined values and/or theology Eliminates the five (5) U.S. Jurisdictions Each Conference determines its affiliation with one of the three Connectional Conferences Local Churches have the option to join a Connectional Conference different from the one chosen by the Annual Conference Clergy may choose to join another Connectional Conference

Connectional Conference Plan Create three (3) Connectional Conferences, each with clearly defined values and/or theology Eliminates the five (5) U.S. Jurisdictions Each Conference determines its affiliation with one of the three Connectional Conferences Local Churches have the option to join a Connectional Conference different from the one chosen by the Annual Conference Clergy may choose to join another Connectional Conference Requires multiple amendments to the existing UMC Constitution

Christ’s Church Will Stand But in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will raise up an everlasting kingdom that will be indestructible. Its rule will never pass to another people. It will shatter other kingdoms. It will put an end to all of them. It will stand firm forever -Daniel 2:44 CEB Christ’s Church Will Stand

Christ’s Church Will Stand