1. Looking ahead to the 2009 – 2012 triennium Ideas that constitute a vision

2. MCCA = 8 District Conferences

3. A THEOLOGICALLY SOUND CHURCH Members are effectively nurtured in the Christian faith Members are adequately educated in its doctrines and duties. Support the work being done to develop Church School Curriculum Materials A definite revival within the Church School system.

4. A KNOWLEDGEABLE CHURCH The Methodist Publishing House - an incentive for ministers and theologians, poets and hymn composers to produce. An increase in our ability to respond to Faith and Order questions, moral and ethical concerns and topical issues Offer scholarships to promising young writers, theologians and musicians.

5. A CHURCH INTERESTED IN EDUCATION Start schools where there are none Explore the possibility of expanding into tertiary education Pay attention to chaplaincy to tertiary institutions Continued credibility attached to our Church’s interest in education.

6. A CHURCH WITH A YOUTH FOCUS Interest not limited to Church Schools, primary, secondary and tertiary education. There are too few surviving uniformed youth groups within Methodism. Help youth to channel their energies away from gang warfare, domestic violence and other antisocial behaviour. Work towards a formal MCCA Youth and Young Adults umbrella organization

7. A CHURCH THAT CATERS FOR SEVERAL GROUPINGS Critique of the class meeting system = workable units that can meet the needs of a variety of groups = ministering to persons of all ages and stages of life = a most effective way of ensuring that pastoral care is on offer for all.

8. A CHURCH THAT IS MISSION MINDED Prior to 1967 MCCA = “a mission field of British Methodism” MCCA committed to spreading scriptural holiness across these lands and reforming of the nations Every communicant member to evangelize at least one person per year. Target every new housing area

9. A CHURCH THAT EMPHASIZES STEWARDSHIP Stewards of time, talents and treasure All must be practically involved with none sitting on the sidelines We encourage tithing but will not enforce it as the law of the Medes and the Persians Much more than ten percent is in reality due to God for everything belongs to God

10. A CHURCH THAT CARES ABOUT ITS RESOURCES OF PROPERTY Develop the Nathaniel Gilbert Estate Refurbish the Ecumenical Centre building Involve the Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Centre (GARDC) Restore old churches and other property in need of repairs Address issues affecting MCCA ownership of property

11. A CHURCH THAT EVALUATES ITS MINISTRY Alternative schemes for ministerial training The role and status of the diaconate The ministry of the episcopate The type of “bishop” envisaged for the MCCA Various aspects of local presbytery

12. A CHURCH THAT IS COMMITTED TO ITINERANCY Encourage more young men and women to commit themselves to a lifetime within the itinerant ministry Consider carefully the effects of itinerancy upon spouses and families Examine the promises of a Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME)

13. A CHURCH COMMITTED TO FINANCING ITS MINISTRY Ministers’ financial contributions towards the cost of their training Provision of funds on a regular basis for the training and upkeep of the Ministry October, Ministries’ month, as an opportunity to receive from members sufficient resources towards the Ministerial Training Fund.

14. A CULTURALLY RELEVANT CHURCH Every minister graduating from UTCWI to be equipped to serve anywhere in the Connexional Conference area. Cultural relevance reflected in worship Opportunities presented with the new hymnbook Cultural relevance as it pertains to liturgy

15. A CHURCH WITH GREATER VISIBILITY IN THE WORLD World Methodist Evangelism Institute World Methodist Council World Methodist Conference Oxford Institute WCC Continuation Committee Caribbean Conference of Churches

16. A CHURCH THAT CHERISHES PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS The Methodist Church in Britain The United Methodist Church The United Church of Canada Spanish speaking Churches – CIEMAL The Caribbean Leadership Forum Methodist Churches in Africa Churches in Asia and the Pacific

17. A CHURCH THAT IS FINANCIALLY PREPARED Develop projects that generate income Cut costs where feasible Maximize use of available technology Manage the Superannuation Fund Consider schemes such as retirement homes for clergy Set up a Disaster Relief Fund Explore the possibility of disaster relief centres

18. A CHURCH THAT SERVES A RISEN SAVIOUR Work towards achieving the various aspects of this vision “Oh, yes! We can!” Be of service to the present age “With God’s help, we will!”

19. The Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas

20. A Vision PLEASE DISCUSS IN COMMISSIONS THE PARTS THAT ARE OF RELEVANCE TO YOUR WORK