2. Conference Mission Energize & Equip Local Congregations to Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

3. Conference Vision Vital Congregations all across the Central Texas Conference who Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

4. Conference Biblical Foundation  Choose today whom you will serve. … The LORD is the one we will serve. (Joshua 24:15,21)  16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18 Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)  You are the body of Christ and parts of each other. (I Corinthians 12:27)  So, brothers and sisters, because of God’s mercies, I encourage you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God. This is your appropriate priestly service. 2 Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature. (Romans 12:1-3)

5. Conference Linkage to and with Call to Action “ The adaptive challenge for The United Methodist Church is: To redirect the flow of attention, energy, and resources to an intense concentration on fostering and sustaining an increase in the number of vital congregations effective in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

6. Conference Leadership Teams Shift thinking from programing & management to:  Direction  Guidance  Oversight  Policy

7. One Example: Conference Core Leadership Team Responsibilities Keeps CTC Mission, Vision and Values out front Recommends policies and direction based on Annual Conference actions Leads/Coordinates CTC long-range planning Provides critical review (from a big picture perspective) on the alignment of budget, deployment of resources, major policy issues and outcomes of the centers Creates a culture of accountability Seeks and Identifies emerging missional needs

8. Conference Core Strategies To energize and equip local congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world through the engagement and development of the following: Wesleyan Spirituality and Theology Transformation of Local Churches Clergy and Lay Leadership Ministry with the Poor New Churches Accountability Extravagant Generosity

9. Conference Vital Signs Metrics The Five Practices Vital Sign Metrics Membership Vows Passionate Worship Average Weekly Worship Attendance Presence Radical Hospitality Professions of Faith Reaffirmations of Faith Witness Intentional Faith Development Involvement in Small Discipling Groups Prayers Risk-Taking Mission & Service Involvement in Service Beyond the Congregation Service Extravagant Generosity Total Giving Gifts

10. The Fifth Crucial Element: From Gospel Story to Conference Story The Importance of Narrative  stories often change before metrics  Sightings! – God in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit in action  what we measure we pay attention to  metrics are at best proximate measurements

11. Conference Vital Congregation Scorecard 2010 DATA2012201320142015 Percentage of Highly Vital Cong. (as compared to total # of congregations) 21.8%25%27%29%31% Worship (Average worship attendance) 44,86247,82549,26050,24551,075 Evangelism (Total people who will join by profession of faith) 1,9962,2322,3442,4682,525 Spiritual Formation (Total of small groups, Sunday school classes and Bible studies.) 5,0405,2755,5385,7605,971 Missions (Total of people from the congregation engaged in local, national and international mission/outreach) 8,75111,23511,79712,26912,718 Stewardship (The total amount given by your congregation to other organizations for support of benevolent and charitable ministries, including connectional mission giving and support for all UMC and non-UMC organizations active in work such as advocacy, education, health, justice, mercy, outreach and welfare anywhere in the world) $15,759,484$16,124,834$16,660,859$16,940,751$17,220,697

12. Conference Vital Congregation Historical Data 2006200720082009 Worship 47,11746,19246,63945,860 Evangelism 2,1951,9462,2232,085 Spiritual Formation 5,054 Missions 2,2652,5672,0697,063 Stewardship $13,522,046$14,704,138$15,474,712$14,704,048

13. Conference Transition Timeline Nov. 13, 2010 Adoption of Plan Dec. 15, 2010 Naming of Center Directors Jan. 15, 2011 Naming of District Superintendents Jan-April, 2011 Plan Centers/Teams & Best Practices May 1, 2011 Staffing June 2011 Implementation/ vote on Best Practices June – Dec 2011 Transition and Learning Jan. 1, 2012 Fine Tuning June 2012 Forward-Adjustment Post June 2014 Review by outside consultant