The Design Team proposals for a new Michigan Annual Conference are now online.

In just six short weeks members of the Detroit and West Michigan Annual Conferences will gather at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan.

Once there, members will vote on some traditional items … budgets, clergy benefits, lay leadership, and social action. But there are also some matters to be considered that are more transformational in nature … 15 business items that will reorder the lives of Michigan United Methodists into one annual conference. Five amendments to the Constitution of The United Methodist Church also are coming to the floor by action of the 2016 General Conference.

The 2017 Legislation Booklet is now online. Of particular interest are pages 3-6. There Design Team Co-Chairs —  the Rev. Marsha Woolley and the Rev. Dr. Glenn Wagner — provide a helpful overview of the 130 pages that follow.

In the introductory paragraphs, these Design Team leaders say this:

This work represents over two years of prayerful discernment and hundreds of hours listening to clergy and laity across the state, via email, web and 13 different listening sessions with hundreds of United Methodists participating. The Design Team proposes a new structure that provides a clear vision for Michigan United Methodists to move in a common, more focused direction.

The 45-page Plan of Organization document in the Legislation Book lays out the vision for the new conference. It offers a more flexible and nimble structure that aligns resources and focuses on equipping the local church. The plan will create vibrant congregations that have a transformational impact on the communities in which they live and serve.

In the weeks ahead, MIConnect will publish a series of articles focusing on the why-what-how-who that lie in various key aspects of the legislation. Stay tuned.

 

 

Last Updated on January 11, 2023