The Connectional Table of The United Methodist Church is bringing new energy to the denomination’s Four Areas of Focus.
The Connectional Table (CT) of The United Methodist Church issues an annual State of the Church Report.

In his introduction to the 2016 Report–Future Focused > Mission Driven–CT Chairperson Bishop Bruce Ough states:  “The 2013-16 quadrennium has been one of focus, alignment and affirmation. We have remained faithful to our goal to increase the number of vital congregations and to bear fruit in the four areas of missional focus — leadership, new places for new people, ministry with the poor and global health. This work continues to deepen throughout annual conferences, districts and local congregations as we respond to God’s call on each of our lives.”

The combined Michigan Annual Conference heard a report by CT member Rev. Kennetha Bigham Tsai on Sunday, June 12. She explained that the Connectional Table helps discern the vision and steward the resources of The United Methodist Church. Since the 2012 General Conference in Tampa, FL, the Connectional Table has worked closely with the Council of Bishops and the Boards and Agencies of the church. The nature of the worldwide church, a proposal for global Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions, and finding a way through the impasse on human sexuality have all been at the forefront of their work.

Ten year’s ago the Council of Bishops highlighted Four Areas of Focus that define what it means to be a vital church connected in the tradition of the Wesleyan movement. They are: 1) New places for new people;  2) Calling and shaping principled Christian leaders; 3) Abundant health for all; and 4) Ministry with the poor.

During the last decade Annual Conferences, including Detroit and West Michigan, have implemented strategies within those areas to follow the vision and live out the mission of the church.

Bigham Tsai’s report dwelt largely on the Four Areas of Focus, things accomplished and goals for the coming four years:

1. New places for new people: the membership of The United Methodist Church stands at 12.3 million disciples, 24% growth in the last four years, largely in Central Conferences. In the past two years 839 new churches have been planted worldwide, 226 in places where there had been no United Methodist presence. By 2020 the goal is to grow another half million new disciples and increase the number of vital congregations reaching more, younger and diverse people.
2. Calling and shaping principled Christian leaders: equipping lay and clergy leaders through better funding of theological education in Central Conferences is bearing fruit. Creating a “Culture of Call” has been successful in helping people discern and claim their gifts for ministry, particularly young people. By 2020 it is hope that 3 million new lay and clergy leaders will be making a difference for Christ.
3. Abundant health for all: Imagine No Malaria raised $66 million, $1.6 million of that today added by the Michigan Area. While effort continue to wipe out malaria, the church now moves into a strategic focus on children’s health. By 2020 the church hopes to reach 1 million children with life-saving interventions, including children suffering the effects of bad water in Flint.
4. Ministry with the poor: the challenge is not ministry to people or ministry for people. The challenge has been to build relationships and partnerships with people. The building of 400 transformational communities that address the systemic and material issues of poverty is the goal by 2020.

Kennetha finished by saying that the Connectional Table will continue its efforts at collaboration and asked the Michigan Area to become partners in moving into the future by faith.

Read the full report here.

Last Updated on June 28, 2016