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

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

7. Committed to Making New Disciples
of Jesus

8. Committed to Making New Disciples
of Jesus
Creating Vital Congregations

9. Growth of Average Worship Attendance and Professions of Faith

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

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

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

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

14. “Offer Them CHRIST !”

15. Denominational Change

16. LGBTQ Ordination

17. LGBTQ Ordination
Same Sex Marriage

19. Final Report to Council of Bishops
One Church Plan

20. Final Report to Council of Bishops
One Church Plan Traditional Plan

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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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”

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

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

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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

36. 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

37. Christ’s Church Will Stand