2020 PRE-CONFERENCE JOURNAL
The United Methodist Church Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe Presiding Bishop of the NWTX Conference
Northwest Texas Annual Conference One Hundred Eleventh Session
August 15, 2020 | Lubbock, Texas | Overton Hotel www.nwtxconf.org Resources
Event Website: www.nwtxregistration.org MissionInsite: www.missioninsite.com Code: XBCYH Facebook Page: NWTX Conference – United Methodist Church Facebook Groups: United Methodists of Northwest Texas; NWTX Resource Sharing Twitter: @nwtxconference Instagram: @nwtxconference Hash Tag: #NWTX table of contents
Parliamentary Procedures ...... 3 Other Conference Ministries or Agencies ...... 101 Agenda ...... 5 Africa University ...... 101 Maps & Room Assignments ...... 6 Covenant Health ...... 102 ONE Theme Narrative ...... 7 Lydia Patterson Institute ...... 108 Celebration of Saints ...... 8 Methodist Children’s Home ...... 109 2020 Vision For The Orphan ...... 9 Texas Methodist Foundation ...... 110 2020 Lay & Alternate Lay Members ...... 13 Abilene District ...... 13 CONSENT CALENDAR - ACTION Amarillo District ...... 15 Big Spring District ...... 17 ITEMS Lubbock District ...... 19 Resolutions ...... 113 PART ONE - CONSENT CALENDAR Commitment To Creation Care ...... 114 Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits NWTX Alignment of Mission & Structure ...... 23 ...... 115 Investment Committee ...... 29 Resolution I - Adoption of Comprehensive Council on Finance & Administration ...... 31 Funding Plan ...... 125 CF&A Policies ...... 35 Resolution II - Rental/Housing Allowances For Strategic Priority Reports ...... 47 Retired Or Disabled Clergy Persons Of The New Starts Action Team ...... 47 Northwest Texas Conference ...... 126 Innovation & Revitalization ...... 48 Resolution III - Past Service Rate (PSR) For The Hispanic/Latino Initiative ...... 49 Calculation Of Benefits Under The Pre-1982 Pipeline ...... 51 Pension Plan And The Pre-1982 Plan Retiree Treasurer’s Report ...... 53 Grant Program ...... 127 2021 Missional Budget ...... 128 Conference Ministry Reports ...... 67 Archives & History Committee ...... 67 Butman Camp ...... 68 Ceta Canyon Camp ...... 69 Commission on Equitable Compensation ...... 71 Small Church Task Force ...... 74 The Wesley Foundation at Texas Tech University .. 75 West Texas A&M Wesley Foundation ...... 77 United Methodist Women ...... 79
Educational Institution Reports ...... 80 Boston University School of Theology ...... 80 Candler School of Theology ...... 82 Duke Theological Seminary ...... 83 McMurry University ...... 85 Perkins School of Theology ...... 87 Saint Paul Theological Seminary ...... 91 Southern Methodist University ...... 93 Southwestern University ...... 97 TUMCA ...... 99 United Theological Seminary ...... 100
2 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE CHART MOTIONS: RANKING & REQUIREMENTS BY RANKS
3 PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE CHART COMMON MOTIONS: RANKING & REQUIREMENTS BY FUNCTION
4 agenda NWTX ANNUAL CONFERENCE AGENDA Saturday, August 15 | The Overton Hotel
8:30 am: Clergy Session 1:30 pm: Business Session Horizons Ballroom, Second Floor Sunset Ballroom, First Floor
8:30 am: Laity Session 3:00 pm: Break Sunset Ballroom, First Floor 3:30 pm: Closing Worship 9:30 am: Break Sunset Ballroom, First Floor Licensing, Commissioning, Giving and 10:00 am: Conference at Worship Receiving of Appointments Sunset Ballroom, First Floor 5:00 pm: Adjournment 12:00 pm: Lunch Sunset Ballroom, First Floor
5 Room Locations
FIRST FLOOR Sunset Ballroom: Laity Session Opening Worship Business Session Closing Worship SECOND FLOOR Horizons Ballroom: Clergy Session
5 6 One decision can change everything.
One word or phrase can stop you in your tracks: “I do,” “It’s twins,” It’s cancer,” “We’re downsizing,” “You are in remission.”
In one breath, one phrase, God spoke: “Let there be light.” With one breath, God breathed life into Adam. In one choice, Adam and Eve reached for the forbidden tree. In that one moment, the body separated from the Creator. But, in one final breath, Christ redeemed us all through His sacrifice on the cross. So, we can be of ONE body again.
In one word, there is peace – Jesus. In one name, there is hope – Jesus. In one name, there is joy – Jesus. Call on one name, and the darkness trembles – Jesus.
We may not agree, we may not think the same, but we claim one King as Savior.
“12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and all were made to drink of one Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV
You are one piece of the puzzle. Every piece is designed different, unique, but together, it creates the whole picture. Without every piece, it is not complete. A painting is created one stroke at a time, one color at a time transforming a blank canvas into a beautiful masterpiece. In a choir, there are many voices, but one melody. And together, our lives are singing in harmony, in a stunning anthem.
So, bring your melody. Create a beautiful harmony for the world to see. Experience the sweet, sweet sound of one. But remember that harmonies are not always perfect or sweet- sounding. Sometimes they create tension, dissonance, but as a whole, they are beautiful. They are designed to serve a specific purpose. They become one song. Together, as individuals uniquely created in the image of God in union with our Creator, we complete the picture.
7 Celebration of
SaintsClergy Clergy Spouses Larry G. Crumpton Sandi Jean Cheshire December 17, 1937 - July 16, 2019 October 2, 1953 - November 17, 2019
Wylie “Buff” Everitt Hearn Juanita Winfred Hardaway February 4, 1944 - May 11, 2020 May 10, 1920 - October 30, 2019
Travis E. Jordan Edna Audrey Lomax Merrell May 10, 1931 - February 14, 2020 June 1, 1928 - October 10, 2019
Joseph Andrew Walker Martha Frances Quiett October 5, 1933 - June 5, 2019 August 10, 1935 - July 29, 2019
Sarah F. Stamey September 10, 1933 - January 19, 2020
D’Aun Weaver Tavenner March 12, 1935 - November 17, 2019
Patsy J. Walker May 22, 1935 - June 24, 2019
Marydel Watkins September 14, 1924 - August 6, 2019
Mildred Womack July 7, 1923 - January 9, 2020
7 8 2020
for the orphan
NWTX Conference passed legislation at the 2019 Annual Conference to raise awareness of Visionthe orphan crisis and need for care in our region and around the world. Between October 20, 2019 and September 20, 2020, each congregation will observe at least one “Orphan Sunday” to celebrate the spiritual adoption of Christians into the family of God and to spotlight adoption/ foster/kinship families, agencies, and support agencies in its community.
Additionally, a special offering will be taken up over the course of those eleven months from all participating congregations as the initial funding for an endowment with NWTX Conference. Beginning in 2021, the annual interest from this endowment will be awarded to selected applicants in need of financial assistance for foster/adoption costs, as overseen by the NWTX Conference.
7 Steps for Planning Orphan Sunday:
1) Select any Sunday from October 20, 2019 to September 20, 2020 that works for your congregation to set apart as a special Sunday. (Note that November 8, 2020 is National Orphan Sunday, and April 25, 2021 is Blue Sunday.)
2) Study Scripture about our vertical adoption as God’s children through the work of Jesus Christ. (EX: John 1:12-13, Galatians 4:4-5, Romans 8:15) Study Scripture about our horizontal adoption responsibility as God’s people to the fatherless in our society. (EX: Jeremiah 7:1-6, Psalm 82:3, James 1:27)
3) Prepare a Sermon about the grace we receive in vertical adoption and the work of mercy in horizontal adoption in the community (local), conference (ex: 2020 vision), church (ex: Methodist Children’s Home), and around the world.
4) Ask an Orphan Advocate to give a 10 minute presentation during the worship service. If you have a family with adoption/foster kids, ask them to share about how faith played a part in their decision to adopt/foster - and if not, ask someone from a support agency in your community to give a presentation about the work of their organization. (EX: Local Adoption Agency, CASA Advocates, Child Welfare Board members, County Rainbow Room/CPS workers, or anyone locally involved in Orphan care in your community.)
5) Plan the Worship Service to include liturgy, hymns, praise songs, and/or special music which gives worship to God for adopting us!
6) Take up a Special Offering as your Finance Committee sees fit. (From a one-time rail offering, monthly communion offering, Christmas offering, or year-long offering.)
7) Turn in the Offering by writing a check to the Northwest Texas Conference Office on or after September 20, 2020. (with “2020 Vision Offering” in the memo line, and indicate the gift on your EZRA report in January 2021.)
Resources Available At: www.nwtxconf.org/2020-vision 9 Conference Orphan Care Directory
Organization District City Phone Number Ministry Abilene District Centers for Children and Families Abilene Abilene 325-690-0188 Post Adoption New Horizons Ranch and Center Abilene Abilene 325-672-7200 Foster / Adoption Alliance for Women and Children Abilene Abilene 325-677-5321 At Risk Ben Richey Boys Ranch Abilene Abilene 325-692-2500 Adoption / At Risk Hendrick Home for Children Abilene Abilene 325-692-0112 Adoption Harmony Family Services, Inc. Abilene Abilene 325-672-7200 Foster / Adoption Pathways Youth and Family Services Abilene Abilene 325-692-4048 Foster / Adoption Methodist Children’s Home Family Outreach Abilene Abilene 325-672-9398 Adoption Christian Homes and Family Services Abilene Abilene 325-677-2205 Foster / Adoption Child and Family Abilene Abilene Abilene 325-864-9731 Foster / Adoption Taylor County Child Welfare Board Abilene Abilene 325-691-8148 Rainbow Room Arrow Child and Family Ministries Abilene Brownwood 325-646-4141 Foster / Adoption Coleman County Child Welfare Board Abilene Coleman 940-325-1986 Rainbow Room Caring Hearts for Children Abilene Comanche 325-356-3471 Foster / Adoption A World For Children Office Abilene Early 325-641-1055 Foster / Adoption North Star Court Appointed Special Advocate Abilene Graham 940-549-9829 Foster Dept. of Family Protective Services Abilene Haskell 940-864-1101 Foster / Adoption Haskell County Rainbow Room Abilene Haskell 940-203-0370 Rainbow Room Knox County Child Welfare Board Abilene Munday 940-203-0370 Rainbow Room Nolan County Child Welfare Board Abilene Sweetwater 940-325-1986 Rainbow Room Dept. of Family Protective Services Abilene Vernon 940-553-1666 Foster / Adoption A World For Children Office Abilene Wichita Falls 940-228-5227 Foster / Adoption Amarillo District A World For Children -Amarillo Office Amarillo Amarillo 806-358-9117 Foster / Adoption Buckner Foster Care and Adoption Amarillo Amarillo 806-373-1474 Foster / Adoption Panhandle Child Placement Services Amarillo Amarillo 806-342-5550 Foster / Adoption Foster in Texas and Upbring Adoption Amarillo Amarillo 806-351-0168 Foster / Adoption Potter-Randall Child Welfare Board Amarillo Amarillo 806-354-6292 Rainbow Room Little Miracles Amarillo Amarillo 806-351-1100 Adoption Texas Panhandle Community Partners Amarillo Borger 806-354-6286 Rainbow Room Amarillo Angels Amarillo Canyon 806-570-2010 Foster Support Deaf Smith County Rainbow Room Amarillo Hereford 806-354-6286 Rainbow Room Top O’ Texas Community Partners Amarillo Pampa 806-354-6286 Rainbow Room Wellington / Collingsworth County Amarillo Wellington 806-354-6286 Rainbow Room Big Spring District A World For Children -Big Spring Office Big Spring Midland 512-218-4400 Foster / Adoption Arrow Child and Family Ministries Big Spring Lamesa 325-203-8399 Foster / Adoption Howard County Child Welfare Board Big Spring Big Spring 432-368-2605 Rainbow Room Dawson County Child Welfare Board Big Spring Lamesa 432-368-2605 Rainbow Room Buckner Foster Care Big Spring Midland 432-520-5588 Foster / Adoption
9 10 Organization District City Phone Number Ministry High Sky Children’s Ranch Big Spring Midland 432-230-4429 Foster / Adoption Addy’s Hope Adoption Agency Big Spring Midland 432-897-1503 Adoption Midland Community Partners Big Spring Midland 432-368-2605 Rainbow Room CASA of West Texas Big Spring Midland 432-683-1114 Foster Support Permian Basin Rainbow Room Big Spring Midland 432-268-2605 Rainbow Room Care Portal Big Spring Midland 325-262-1987 Foster Support Lubbock District Hockley County Rainbow Room Lubbock Levelland 806-354-6286 Rainbow Room Littlefield / Lamb County Rainbow Room Lubbock Littlefield 806-354-6286 Rainbow Room Buckner Children and Family Services Lubbock Lubbock 806-795-7151 Foster / Adoption De Pelchin Children’s Center Lubbock Lubbock 806-745-3222 Foster / Adoption Children’s Hope Residential Services Lubbock Lubbock 806-441-7362 Foster / Adoption Children’s Home of Lubbock Lubbock Lubbock 806-762-0481 Adoption Texas Boys Ranch Lubbock Lubbock 806-747-3187 Foster / Adoption Foster in Texas and Upbring Adoption Lubbock Lubbock 806-783-8863 Foster / Adoption Arrow Child and Family Ministries Lubbock Lubbock 806-335-9138 Foster Methodist Children’s Home Family Outreach Lubbock Lubbock 806-792-0099 Adoption Foster A Life Lubbock Lubbock 806-792-3181 Foster The Bair Foundation Lubbock Lubbock 806-797-2247 Foster / Adoption Children’s Connections Lubbock Lubbock 806-745-7995 Foster / Adoption Lubbock Area Foster Parent Association Lubbock Lubbock 806-778-8321 Foster / Adoption Dept. of Family Protective Services Lubbock Lubbock 806-470-5197 Foster / Adoption Special Delivery Infant Adoption Agency Lubbock Lubbock 806-793-1115 Adoption The Heart Gallery of the South Plains Lubbock Lubbock 806-762-2680 Foster / Adoption Gladney Center for Adoption Lubbock Lubbock 806-300-8658 Adoption Bailey County Child Welfare Board Lubbock Muleshoe 806-354-6286 Rainbow Room Community Partners of the Central Plains Lubbock Plainview 806-293-2914 Rainbow Room Domestic & International Adoption ADOPTUSKIDS All 888-200-2005 Domestic Adoption CCAI Texas All Houston, TX 713-808-5600 International Adoption Madison Adoption Associates of Delaware All Claymont, DE 302-475-8977 International Adoption No Hands But Ours All www.nohandsbutours.com International Adoption Hand Of Help In Adoption All www.handofhelpinadoption.org International Adoption Top 10 Resources & Books Foundation 4 Orphans All Website f4o.org Lifeline Children’s Services All Website lifeline.org ALL IN Orphan Care, by Jason Johnson All Group Study 2018 Faith, Hope, and Connection, by Melissa Corkum All Devotional 2019 Who Will Care for the Orphan? by Wayne Lavender All Book 2016 Until Every Child is Home, by Todd Chipman All Book 2019 Replanted, by Jenn Ranter Hook All Book 2019 Faith to Foster, by Jenn and T.J. Menn All Book 2017 KnowOrphans, by Rick Morton All Book 2014 Orphanology, by Tony Merida All Book 2011
11 Notes
11 12 Lay and Alternate Lay members to Annual Conference abilene Abilene, Aldersgate Alternate Lay Member to AC Ron Aten
Abilene, Aldersgate Lay Member to AC George Frederick Gardner
Abilene, Aldersgate Lay Member to AC Karen Jean Gardner
Abilene, Aldersgate Lay Member to AC Linda Aten
Abilene, Bethel Lay Member to AC David Luna Garcia, Jr.
Abilene, Elmwood West Alternate Lay Member to AC Elmon Higgs
Abilene, Elmwood West Lay Member to AC James Potter
Abilene, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Kim Mangum
Abilene, First Lay Member to AC Rick Mangum
Abilene, First Lay Member to AC Mike Ammons
Abilene, Potosi Alternate Lay Member to AC Tom Rigsby
Abilene, Potosi Lay Member to AC Linda Rigsby
Abilene, Southwest Drive UMC Alternate Lay Member to AC Fadzai Madyangove
Abilene, Southwest Drive UMC Lay Member to AC Linda Hollowell
Abilene, St. James Alternate Lay Member to AC Sherry Graham
Abilene, St. James Lay Member to AC Paula Hughes
Abilene, St. Paul Alternate Lay Member to AC Jill Atwood
Abilene, St. Paul Lay Member to AC Robert Atwood
Abilene, St. Paul Lay Member to AC Ray Maddox
Abilene, Wylie Lay Member to AC Cindy McCarn
Abilene, Wylie Lay Member to AC Steve McCarn
Albany Lay Member to AC Jim Tom Butler
Albany Lay Member to AC Steven Kayga
Albany Lay Member to AC Lance Thomas
Anson Alternate Lay Member to AC Ron Rice
Anson Lay Member to AC Laura Rice
Aspermont Alternate Lay Member to AC Dana Martin
Aspermont Lay Member to AC Larry Coats
Avoca Lay Member to AC Don Taylor
Baird Lay Member to AC Robert Martin
Benjamin Lay Member to AC Nancy McGreger
Blackwell Alternate Lay Member to AC Karen Walls
Blackwell Lay Member to AC Judy McGlothlin
Childress Lay Member to AC Regina Henley
Childress Lay Member to AC Lila Hoobler
Chillicothe Lay Member to AC Luann Crownover
Elbert Lay Member to AC Beth Frost
Eula Lay Member to AC Nancy Moore
Fargo Lay Member to AC Betsy Smith
Hamby Lay Member to AC Edith Chapman
Hamlin Lay Member to AC Sherman Bates
Hamlin Lay Member to AC Ray Gann
Haskell Alternate Lay Member to AC Marijane Cunningham
Haskell Alternate Lay Member to AC Patricia Shaw
13 Haskell Lay Member to AC Sherry Adams
Haskell Lay Member to AC Cathy Bartley
Jayton Lay Member to AC
Knox City Alternate Lay Member to AC Amy Nicole White
Knox City Lay Member to AC Jinx Shaver
McCaulley Lay Member to AC Monroe Tabb
Merkel Alternate Lay Member to AC Greg Dempsey
Merkel Lay Member to AC Candace Dempsey
Munday Alternate Lay Member to AC Jim Cowsert
Munday Lay Member to AC Jason Young
Paducah Alternate Lay Member to AC Luanne Black
Paducah Lay Member to AC Deaun Fields
Pioneer Memorial Lay Member to AC Monette Scott
Quanah Alternate Lay Member to AC Lou Jaggers
Quanah Lay Member to AC Sherry Pruitt
Quanah Lay Member to AC Tommy Pruitt
Rotan Alternate Lay Member to AC Robin Pruitt
Rotan Lay Member to AC Dorothy Harris
Rule UMC Lay Member to AC Oleta Cornelius
Sagerton Alternate Lay Member to AC Judy New
Sagerton Lay Member to AC Phyllis Letz
Seymour Lay Member to AC James Miller
Stamford, St. John Alternate Lay Member to AC Jim Astin
Stamford, St. John Lay Member to AC Gary Decker
Throckmorton Alternate Lay Member to AC Sandra Redwine
Throckmorton Lay Member to AC Betsy Bellah
Trent Alternate Lay Member to AC Lettie Marie Hamner
Trent Lay Member to AC Robyn Carothers
Tuscola Alternate Lay Member to AC Rosa Lee McClure
Vera Lay Member to AC Harold Beck
Vernon, Faith Lay Member to AC Sandy McCrary
Vernon, First Alternate Lay Member to AC George Daigle
Vernon, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Lujuanna Daigle
13 14 Lay and Alternate Lay members to Annual Conference amarillo Adrian Alternate Lay Member to AC Grady Skaggs
Adrian Lay Member to AC Audrey Gruhlkey
Allison Lay Member to AC Ariel Lohberger
Amarillo, Community of Grace Lay Member to AC Clendell Mallory
Amarillo, Covenant Fellowship Alternate Lay Member to AC Chuck Optebeke
Amarillo, Covenant Fellowship Lay Member to AC Helen Optebeke
Amarillo, Faith Southwest Alternate Lay Member to AC Jennifer Steinman
Amarillo, Faith Southwest Lay Member to AC Kelsey Rachelle Acevedo
Amarillo, Faith Southwest Lay Member to AC Sam Allison
Amarillo, Faith Southwest Lay Member to AC Jennifer Joene Raab
Amarillo, Pleasant Valley Alternate Lay Member to AC Brent Hill
Amarillo, Pleasant Valley Alternate Lay Member to AC David Neeb
Amarillo, Pleasant Valley Lay Member to AC Sandy Matlock
Amarillo, Polk Street Alternate Lay Member to AC Leticia Goodrich
Amarillo, Polk Street Alternate Lay Member to AC Robert William Goodrich
Amarillo, Polk Street Lay Member to AC Cheryl Orman
Amarillo, Polk Street Lay Member to AC Larry Orman
Amarillo, Saint Paul Lay Member to AC John Runezerwa
Amarillo, Saint Stephen Lay Member to AC Shane Ferrell
Amarillo, Saint Stephen Lay Member to AC Harley Reynolds
Amarillo, Saint Stephen Lay Member to AC Dean Sather
Amarillo, St. Matthew Lay Member to AC Juan Cabello
Amarillo, Trinity Alternate Lay Member to AC Glenn Bearden
Amarillo, Trinity Lay Member to AC Carol Graham
Booker Alternate Lay Member to AC Brent Lile
Booker Lay Member to AC Nancy Weinette
Borger, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Ellen Coffman
Borger, First Lay Member to AC Scott Mills
Borger, St. Andrew Lay Member to AC Pamela Shaw
Canadian Lay Member to AC Cory Campbell
Canadian Lay Member to AC Steve Rader
Canyon Alternate Lay Member to AC Galen Chandler
Canyon Alternate Lay Member to AC Tim Gilliland
Canyon Lay Member to AC Darla Nickell
Canyon Lay Member to AC Robin Chandler
Canyon Lay Member to AC Laurie Gilliland
Channing Alternate Lay Member to AC Warren Slaughter
Channing Lay Member to AC Laurel Thomas
Clarendon Alternate Lay Member to AC Jennifer Tubbs
Clarendon Lay Member to AC Troy Monroe
Claude Lay Member to AC Craig Thomas
Claude Lay Member to AC Mark Thomas
Dalhart, Central Lay Member to AC Ron Enns
Dalhart, Central Lay Member to AC Deniece Nicholson
Dalhart, Lakeview Lay Member to AC Anita Ralston
15 Darrouzett Alternate Lay Member to AC Jackie Robins Darrouzett Lay Member to AC Marilyn Robins
Dumas, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Christy Caldwell
Dumas, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Martin Kincannon
Dumas, First Lay Member to AC Mike Caldwell
Dumas, First Lay Member to AC Cindi Kincannon
Dumas, Hunt Memorial Lay Member to AC Deloris Ellibee
Follett Alternate Lay Member to AC Doris Akers
Follett Lay Member to AC Mary Anne Shearer
Fritch Lay Member to AC No Delegate
Groom Lay Member to AC Sue Kuehler
Gruver Alternate Lay Member to AC Debby Mayhew
Gruver Lay Member to AC Roy Mayhew
Gruver Lay Member to AC Lisa Ellis
Heald Alternate Lay Member to AC Michael K. Jackson
Heald Lay Member to AC Janet McCracken
Hedley Lay Member to AC Kathy Spier
Higgins Lay Member to AC Clifford Schwab
McLean Alternate Lay Member to AC Nama Webb
McLean Lay Member to AC Rose Steel
Memphis Alternate Lay Member to AC John Deaver
Memphis Lay Member to AC Dana Hancock
Memphis Lay Member to AC Carol Deaver
Miami Alternate Lay Member to A Barbara Bailey
Miami Lay Member to AC Wiley Bailey
Middlewell Lay Member to AC Joe Ann McFarlin
Pampa, St. Paul Lay Member to AC Michael Lowrey
Panhandle Lay Member to AC Jeannie Cunningham
Panhandle Lay Member to AC Toby Cunningham
Perryton Lay Member to AC Cynthia Shattles
Perryton Lay Member to AC Senn Slemmons
Shamrock Alternate Lay Member to AC Connie Jones
Shamrock Lay Member to AC Lee Bowen
Spearman Alternate Lay Member to AC Betty Womble
Spearman Lay Member to AC Linda Winegarner
Stinnett Lay Member to AC Rene' Avent
Stratford Lay Member to AC R J Chamberlain
Stratford Lay Member to AC Trisha Keener
Sunray Alternate Lay Member to AC Matt David Strickland
Sunray Lay Member to AC Rachal McGaughy
Texline UMC Lay Member to AC Kay Hefley
Vega Alternate Lay Member to AC Frances Kirkland
Vega Lay Member to AC Brenda DeWees
Wellington Lay Member to AC Larry Henard
Wellington Lay Member to AC Nancy Henard
Wheeler Alternate Lay Member to AC Nancy Pierce
Wheeler Alternate Lay Member to AC Jack Helton
Wheeler Lay Member to AC Lyndon Loyd
Wheeler Lay Member to AC Noveline Loyd
White Deer Lay Member to AC Sheila Burke
White Deer Lay Member to AC Connie McGinty 15 16 Lay and Alternate Lay members to Annual Conference big spring
Ackerly Alternate Lay Member to AC Margaret Cates
Ackerly Lay Member to AC Alvin Cates
Andrews, Means Memorial Lay Member to AC James Morgan
Andrews, Wesley Alternate Lay Member to AC Jane Ann Kirby
Andrews, Wesley Lay Member to AC Judy Scarbrough
Andrews, Wesley Lay Member to AC Guy Moore Crawford
Big Spring, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Buddy Logsdon
Big Spring, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Ann Townsend
Big Spring, First Lay Member to AC Paul Townsend
Big Spring, First Lay Member to AC Beverly A. Logsdon
Brownfield Alternate Lay Member to AC Fred Cawthon
Brownfield Lay Member to AC Nonie Cawthon
Coahoma Alternate Lay Member to AC Anna Barr
Coahoma Alternate Lay Member to AC Dutch Barr
Coahoma Lay Member to AC Christin Powell
Colorado City Lay Member to AC Sterling Burleson
Colorado City Lay Member to AC Debbie Escamilla
Colorado City Lay Member to AC Sue Mason
Cooper Alternate Lay Member to AC Cathleen Pollard
Cooper Lay Member to AC Rode Morrow
Denver City Alternate Lay Member to AC Karen McClean
Denver City Lay Member to AC Daniel James Swanson
Denver City Lay Member to AC Paula Swanson
Dorn Chapel Alternate Lay Member to AC Dana Moody
Dorn Chapel Lay Member to AC Brenda Gill
Draw Lay Member to AC Joylene Anderson Roye
First UMC Westbrook Lay Member to AC Datha Johnson
Garden City Alternate Lay Member to AC Penni Kothman
Garden City Lay Member to AC Amy Hoch-Niehues
Graham Chapel Alternate Lay Member to AC Jim Ellis
Graham Chapel Lay Member to AC John Bill Hedrick
Hermleigh Alternate Lay Member to AC Jane Ramey
Hermleigh Lay Member to AC Cheryl Beeks
Ira Alternate Lay Member to AC Thomas Fogleman
Ira Lay Member to AC Sherry Bryant
Lamesa, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Roxy Seymour
Lamesa, First Lay Member to AC Peggy Hughes
Lamesa, Northridge Alternate Lay Member to AC Barbara Gruben
Lamesa, Northridge Lay Member to AC Jeanie Norris
Levelland, Christ Alternate Lay Member to AC Rhonda Giussani
Levelland, Christ Alternate Lay Member to AC Bob Standifer
Levelland, Christ Lay Member to AC Sandra Stephenson
Levelland, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Laurie Williams
Levelland, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Nick Williams
Levelland, First Lay Member to AC Don McCormick 17 Loraine Alternate Lay Member to AC Sheila Womack
Loraine Lay Member to AC Brenda Martin
Midland, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Kerry Kay Cook
Midland, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Melodi Ream
Midland, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Stacey Ream
Midland, First Lay Member to AC Jim Sears
Midland, First Lay Member to AC Carolyn Stroman
Midland, First Lay Member to AC Ron Stroman
Midland, First Lay Member to AC Tom Cook
Midland, St. Luke’s Alternate Lay Member to AC Kent Moss
Midland, St. Luke’s Alternate Lay Member to AC Alison Peeler
Midland, St. Luke’s Lay Member to AC Brandi Wrangham
Midland, St. Luke’s Lay Member to AC Gary Mcmillan
Midland, St. Mark’s Alternate Lay Member to AC Katerina Scott
Midland, St. Mark’s Lay Member to AC James E Fuller
Midland, St. Paul Lay Member to AC Dee Benton
Midland, Visionary Hollowell Community Alternate Lay Member to AC Patricia Fitts
Midland, Visionary Hollowell Community Lay Member to AC Margie Titus
Morton Alternate Lay Member to AC Tom Newton
Morton Lay Member to AC Mack Ashmore
New Home Alternate Lay Member to AC Martha Pritchett
New Home Lay Member to AC Kaye Wolfe
O’Donnell Lay Member to AC Joylene Anderson Roye
Plains Lay Member to AC Brenda Canada
Post Alternate Lay Member to AC Voda Gradine
Post Alternate Lay Member to AC Allen Grisham
Post Lay Member to AC Diann Windham
Ropesville Alternate Lay Member to AC Cathy Mitchell
Ropesville Lay Member to AC Jerry Beth Shannon
Roscoe Lay Member to AC Billy Joe Jay
Seagraves Alternate Lay Member to AC Lloma Melcher
Seagraves Lay Member to AC Lisa Melcher
Seminole Alternate Lay Member to AC Beverly Shortes
Seminole Lay Member to AC Scott Shortes
Seminole Lay Member to AC Beth Hamilton
Slaton Alternate Lay Member to AC Lynn Melton
Slaton Lay Member to AC Sherrell Wilson
Snyder, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Phyllis Smith
Snyder, First Lay Member to AC Kay Hensley
Snyder, First Lay Member to AC Lynda Patterson
Snyder, Trinity Alternate Lay Member to AC Darlene Burk
Snyder, Trinity Lay Member to AC Donnie Burk
Snyder, Union Lay Member to AC Marie Dunkinson
Stanton Alternate Lay Member to AC Kim Baker
Stanton Lay Member to AC Lester Baker
Sweetwater, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Joy Houston
Sweetwater, First Lay Member to AC Steve Houston
Sweetwater, Highland Heights Lay Member to AC Harold Williams
Tahoka Alternate Lay Member to AC LuAnn McGowan
Tahoka Lay Member to AC Tony McGowan 17 18 Lay and Alternate Lay members to Annual Conference lubbock
Abernathy Lay Member to AC Sheree Montgomery
Amherst Lay Member to AC Mary Brownlow
Anton Alternate Lay Member to AC Mike Garrett
Anton Lay Member to AC Martha Huber
Bovina Lay Member to AC Donna Mitchell
Crosbyton Lay Member to AC Bob Adams
Dimmitt Alternate Lay Member to AC Robert Boozer
Dimmitt Alternate Lay Member to AC Lynn Sides
Dimmitt Lay Member to AC Karron Smith
Dimmitt Lay Member to AC Jack Flynt
Earth Alternate Lay Member to AC Elaine Brownd
Earth Lay Member to AC Diane York
First UMC Roaring Springs Lay Member to AC Suzanne Abbott
Floydada Alternate Lay Member to AC John R Hollums
Floydada Alternate Lay Member to AC Teresa Hollums
Floydada Lay Member to AC Trina Wilson
Friona Alternate Lay Member to AC Diedre Osborn
Friona Lay Member to AC Loraine Anthony
Friona Lay Member to AC Kathryn Goddard
Hale Center Alternate Lay Member to AC Karen Boyce
Hale Center Lay Member to AC Johnny Boyce
Happy Alternate Lay Member to AC Susan Brown
Happy Lay Member to AC Wendell Brown
Hart Alternate Lay Member to AC Rhonda Aven
Hart Lay Member to AC Rhonda George
Hereford, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Joanna Carlson
Hereford, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Debbie Tabor
Hereford, First Lay Member to AC Christi Sims
Hereford, First Lay Member to AC Steve Sims
Hereford, San Pablo Lay Member to AC Lesbia Blanco
Hereford, Wesley UMC Alternate Lay Member to AC Gene Scott
Hereford, Wesley UMC Lay Member to AC Charlene Brownlow
Idalou Lay Member to AC Shirley Ramsey
Kress Alternate Lay Member to AC Glenda Mahagan
Kress Lay Member to AC SuDe Street
Littlefield Alternate Lay Member to AC Cindy Muller
Littlefield Lay Member to AC Sheryl Jean Sanders
Littlefield Lay Member to AC Roxanne Brashear
Lockney Alternate Lay Member to AC Gayle Schacht
Lockney Lay Member to AC Paul Schacht
Lorenzo Alternate Lay Member to AC Pat Brown
Lorenzo Lay Member to AC Charles Cate
Lubbock, Agape’ Alternate Lay Member to AC Roy Schuetzeberg
Lubbock, Agape’ Alternate Lay Member to AC Gay Smauley
Lubbock, Agape’ Lay Member to AC Debbie Skeens 19 Lubbock, Aldersgate Alternate Lay Member to AC Glenn Lust
Lubbock, Aldersgate Alternate Lay Member to AC Barbara Lust
Lubbock, Aldersgate Lay Member to AC Jeremy Barbee
Lubbock, Asbury Alternate Lay Member to AC Idelia Wyatt
Lubbock, Asbury Lay Member to AC Esther Lee Moses
Lubbock, Canyon Lay Member to AC Shelley Emery
Lubbock, Canyon Lay Member to AC Virginia McMahan
Lubbock, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Carolyn Neal
Lubbock, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Beryl Waddell
Lubbock, First Lay Member to AC James (Jim) White
Lubbock, First Lay Member to AC Wes Tolley
Lubbock, First Lay Member to AC Ruth Bennett
Lubbock, First Lay Member to AC Brad Bouma
Lubbock, First Lay Member to AC John Dudley
Lubbock, First Lay Member to AC Lloyd Garland
Lubbock, First Lay Member to AC Beverly Henson
Lubbock, Forrest Heights Alternate Lay Member to AC Marijane Wernsmen
Lubbock, Forrest Heights Lay Member to AC Jean Jenkins
Lubbock, Korean Lay Member to AC Jungkyu Kim
Lubbock, La Trinidad Alternate Lay Member to AC Debbie Trigo
Lubbock, La Trinidad Lay Member to AC Becky Ponce
Lubbock, LakeRidge Lay Member to AC Leane Thornberry
Lubbock, LakeRidge Lay Member to AC Morris Wilkes
Lubbock, LakeRidge Lay Member to AC Al Williams
Lubbock, Mt. Vernon Alternate Lay Member to AC Darlyne Chatman
Lubbock, Mt. Vernon Lay Member to AC Ruth Priestly
Lubbock, Oakwood Alternate Lay Member to AC Bill Cohen
Lubbock, Oakwood Lay Member to AC Mark Smith
Lubbock, St. John’s Lay Member to AC Frank Goode
Lubbock, St. John’s Lay Member to AC Shiloh Morris
Lubbock, St. John’s Lay Member to AC Craig Rutherford
Lubbock, St. John’s Lay Member to AC Charlotte Sessom
Lubbock, St. Luke’s Alternate Lay Member to AC Shalan Inmon
Lubbock, St. Luke’s Lay Member to AC Mackey Hancock
Lubbock, St. Luke’s Lay Member to AC Toni Hancock
Lubbock, St. Luke’s Lay Member to AC Clint Inmon
Lubbock, St. Matthew Alternate Lay Member to AC Alisa Dollar
Lubbock, St. Matthew Lay Member to AC Monty Dollar
Lubbock, Templo Nazaret Alternate Lay Member to AC Fernando Ybarra
Lubbock, Templo Nazaret Lay Member to AC Melissa Gonzales
Matador Alternate Lay Member to AC Cynthia Stafford
Matador Lay Member to AC David Stafford
McAdoo Lay Member to AC Gayle Neaves
Muleshoe, El Divino Salvador Alternate Lay Member to AC Noemi Gonzalez
Muleshoe, El Divino Salvador Alternate Lay Member to AC Leticia Granados
Muleshoe, El Divino Salvador Alternate Lay Member to AC Luli Ramirez
Muleshoe, El Divino Salvador Lay Member to AC Jesse Tarango
Muleshoe, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Gayla Gear
Muleshoe, First Lay Member to AC Sally Messenger 19 20 New Deal Lay Member to AC Jana Walkup
Oklahoma Lane Alternate Lay Member to AC Tina Sides
Oklahoma Lane Lay Member to AC Kanetha Foster
Olton Alternate Lay Member to AC Charles Ramage
Olton Lay Member to AC Fran Ramage
Petersburg Alternate Lay Member to AC Kaylene Layton
Petersburg Lay Member to AC Steve Rodgers
Plainview, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Nancy Bowden
Plainview, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Jenny Duncan
Plainview, First Lay Member to AC Bill Duncan
Plainview, First Lay Member to AC Bob Bowden
Plainview, San Juan Alternate Lay Member to AC John Lafuente
Plainview, San Juan Lay Member to AC Israel Rivas
Plainview, San Juan Lay Member to AC Leyanis Castellon
Quitaque Alternate Lay Member to AC Weldon Griffin
Quitaque Lay Member to AC James M. Davidson
Ralls Lay Member to AC Amy Feaster
Shallowater Lay Member to AC Jan Pendleton
Shallowater Alternate Lay Member to AC Mary Ellen Hale
Silverton Alternate Lay Member to AC Lee Smith
Silverton Lay Member to AC Wayne Nance
Spade Lay Member to AC Kathy Gray
Spur Lay Member to AC Barbara Eckles
Spur Alternate Lay Member to AC Michele Jones
Sudan Alternate Lay Member to AC Debbie Ridlon
Sudan Lay Member to AC Al Harrison
Tulia, El Buen Lay Member to AC Eloisa Finch
Tulia, First Alternate Lay Member to AC Cheryl Swinburn
Tulia, First Lay Member to AC Carolyn Cobb
Turkey Alternate Lay Member to AC George Colvin
Turkey Alternate Lay Member to AC Fredia Fuston
Vigo Park Alternate Lay Member to AC Gary Moore
Wolfforth Lay Member to AC Paul Stonum
Wolfforth Lay Member to AC Belinda Arredondo
Wolfforth Lay Member to AC Marisa Scheef
Designated Lay Members Conference Pension and Health Benefits Chair: Deaconess: Margarette Chaney, Joyce Cooper, Kathi Natalie Hermes Edwards Chair of Bylaws, Resolutions, and Rules: Ron Enns Director of Big Spring Wesley Foundation: Beau Niewoehner Conference Lay Leader: Randy Stutes Director of South Plains College Wesley Foundation: Al Abilene District Lay Leader: Susan Mouser Martin Amarillo District Lay Leader: Dean Sather Director of WT Wesley Foundation: Mikey Littau Big Spring District Lay Leader: Dan Swanson Executive Director, Ceta Canyon: Mike Wentz Lubbock District Lay Leader: SuDe Street Executive Director, Butman Methodist Camp and Retreat Diaconal Ministers: Carolyn Belshe, Rita Frankie, Joyce Center: Jeff Robinson Willis, Elayne Shults, Gordon McMillan, Frances Pittman
21 CONSENT CALENDAR
21 22 ourNORTHWEST TEXAS CONFERENCEstructure ALIGNMENT OF MISSION AND STRUCTURE In coordination with the NWTX Cabinet, the Conference Leadership Team, and the Strategic Plan, the following pages describe the alignment of Mission and Structure.
NORTHWEST TEXAS CONFERENCE ALIGNMENT OF MISSION AND STRUCTURE
In 2017 the Northwest Texas Conference (NWTX) adopted the following mission statement: Inspire and empower creative ministries through innovative leadership to make new and deeply rooted disciples of Jesus Christ and approved a strategic plan in 2017 that encompasses the following strategic priorities: • Equip pastoral leaders primarily through peer groups and other means to promote spiritual and leadership transformation. • Launch new churches and new worship communities via church plants or new worship communities within existing congregations. • Inspire revitalization and innovation, i.e. promoting new ideas for how to do ministry and the ways in which those ideas are made available to congregational leaders. • Expand Hispanic/Latino ministry by supporting current programs plus adding new efforts to reach second, third and fourth-generation Hispanic/Latino people. • Grow the pipeline for future leaders through a more sustainable process for bringing new ministry leaders to NWTX and to encourage churches to develop creative ministry roles for those leaders.
In selecting these priorities, the NWTX Conference did not abandon all other programming. Camping and campus ministries, social justice ministries, and other Disciplinary-required ministries will continue. This structure is designed to carry out all the ministries to which God has called the Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.
OVERVIEW
The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (BOD) lays out the purpose, membership and structure of the annual conference (see Chapter 4, Section IX). Accordingly, the structure of the NWTX Conference will include the following boards, committees and commissions: • The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (BOD, Para. 611-619) • Commission on Equitable Compensation (BOD, Para. 620-628) • Conference Board of Ordained Ministry (BOD, Para. 635-636) • Conference Committee on Episcopacy (BOD, Para. 637-638) • Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (BOD, Para. 639, 652-653) • Conference Board of Trustees (BOD, Para. 640) • Conference Commission on Archives (BOD, Para. 641) • Conference Commission on Religion and Race (BOD, Para. 643) • Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women (BOD, Para. 644) • Conference Commission on the Small Membership Church (BOD, Para. 645) • United Methodist Women (BOD, Para. 647) • United Methodist Men (BOD, Para. 648)
23 The Book of Discipline as well as the mission and vision of the NWTX Conference provides for other ministries that shall be incorporated into a structure of the Conference’s choosing and design.
These include: • Board of Church and Society (BOD, Para. 629) • Board of Discipleship (BOD, Para. 630) • Board of Laity (BOD, Para. 631) - Lay session of Annual Conference • Ethnic Local Church Concerns (BOD, Para. 632) • Global Ministries (BOD, Para. 633) • Higher Education and Campus Ministries (BOD, Para. 634) • Christian Unity and Inter-Religious Relationships (BOD, Para. 642) • Communication (BOD, Para. 646) • Youth Ministry (BOD, Para. 649) • Young Adult Ministry (BOD, Para. 650) • Older Adult Ministry (BOD, Para. 651) • Native American Ministry (BOD, Para. 654)
MISSION ADVANCEMENT TEAM (MAT)
While it is the responsibility of all of the Conference committees, boards, commissions and teams to advance the mission of the NWTX Conference and the Kingdom of God, the primary body responsible for coordinating that work is the Conference Mission Advancement Team (MAT). The MAT shall be composed of the following people: Co-Chairs: Director of Mission and Administration Conference Lay Leader Team Members: Heads of Each Strategic Priority Action Team District Lay Leaders Assistant Director of Mission and Administration/Registrar Chief Financial Officer and Conference Benefits Officer Chair Conference Council on Finance and Administration Chair Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits Chair Board of Ordained Ministry Dean of the NWTX Conference Cabinet Bishop Amenable to MAT: Director of Hispanic/Latino Ministries Director of Communications
Responsibilities:
1. Provide focus and accountability for strategic plan initiatives.
2. Monitors the metrics and fruitfulness of mission and ministries.
3. Provide cross-disciplinary and organizational coordination, communication and cooperation.
4. Provide mechanism for undertaking Disciplinary-required ministries where no other board, committee or commission has primary responsibility.
5. Be the point of contact and approval of Conference funds related to the Strategic Plan of 2017, as well as the Disciplinary-required ministries noted in 4 above.
23 24 The MAT should meet at least six (6) times annually. The MAT will meet with those leaders amenable to the MAT to discuss progress, fruitfulness and challenges, as needed, but at least twice each year.
MISSION STRATEGY TEAM (MST)
The Mission Strategy Team (MST) will be composed of the following members: Co-Chairs: Director of Mission and Administration and the Dean of the Northwest Texas Cabinet
Team Members: District Superintendents Conference Staff
Responsibilities: 1. Provide coordination for carrying out the strategic plan and other ministry initiatives in the local church. 2. Provide platform of communication between the district superintendents, the Conference office and local churches. 3. Help determine strategic priorities of the Conference office so as to aid the implementation of ministry strategies in the Conference.
The MST should meet at least quarterly.
CONFERENCE STAFF
The staff of the Northwest Texas Conference is currently composed of the following positions: Director of Mission and Administration Assistant Director Mission and Administration/Registrar Chief Financial Officer and Conference Benefits Officer Director of Communications Director of Discipleship Ministries Director of Hispanic/Latino Movement/Church Development Accountant and Assistant Conference Benefits Officer Digital Media Specialist Office Support Assistant (Part - time) Director of Archives (Part - time)
Detailed job descriptions, enumerating qualifications, duties and responsibilities are available for each position. A brief summary of each position’s responsibilities is provided here to provide context for the ministries of the Conference staff.
Director of Mission and Administration (DMA): All Conference staff report, at least functionally, to the DMA. The DMA serves as the primary liaison between the Episcopal office and the Conference Staff. The DMA serves on the Appointive Cabinet, the Personnel Committee, the Annual Conference planning team, the MAT and the MST. The DMA is an ex-officio member of the Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) and the Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB). The DMA is responsible for coordinating the ministries of the Conference through the work of the Conference staff.
Assistant Director of Mission and Administration and Registrar (ADMA): Reports to the DMA and is the primary point of contact between the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOM) and the Staff. The ADMA serves as the Registrar of the Conference and is responsible for maintaining clergy records, working with Provisional Members of the Annual Conference, assisting the DMA in the execution of the DMA’s responsibilities and serving on the Executive Staff.
25 Chief Financial Officer and Conference Benefits Officer (CFO/CBO): Reports to the Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) but functionally reports to the DMA. The CFO/CBO is responsible for designing and maintaining the financial records, budgets, the system of internal controls of the Conference and the integrity thereof. The CFO/CBO is also responsible for the design and implementation and the various health and welfare plans - pension plans, health plans, post-retirement benefits - of the Conference. The CFO/CBO also serves as the Conference statistician. The CFO/CBO is the primary point of contact between the Staff and CF&A and the CBOPHB. The CFO/CBO is a member of the Appointive Cabinet and the Executive Staff.
Director of Communications (DC): Reports to the DMA. In addition to being a member of the Staff, the DC is also a member of all of the Strategic Priority Action Teams and the Annual Conference planning team. The DC is responsible for designing and implementing a system of communication across multiple platforms to inform and energize the leaders and congregations of the NWTX Conference.
Director of Discipleship Ministries (DDM): Reports to the DMA. The DDM is responsible for many of the Disciplinary-required ministries that are not included under the Strategic Priorities and, hence, the auspices of the MAT. The DDM is the primary point of contact between the Staff and the Camping Task Force. The DDM is the point of contact for disaster recovery ministries. The DDM will also serve on the Annual Conference planning team.
Director of Hispanic/Latino Movement/Church Development (DHM): Reports to the DMA. The DHM is a member of the Hispanic/Latino Ministries Strategic Task Force and is amenable, as required, to the New Church and Worship Communities Strategic Task Force. The DHM is responsible for ministry initiatives in the Hispanic/Latino community.
Accountant and Assistant Conference Benefits Officer (AACBO): The AACBO reports to the CFO/CBO. Primary responsibilities include entry of transactions into the financial system, processing payroll, organizing and entering clergy compensation into various data bases, coordination of benefits for the Staff, overseeing accounts payable, handling benefits billings from Wespath and other duties as assigned by the CFO/CBO.
Digital Media Specialist (MS): The MS reports to the DC. The MS is responsible for the design and maintenance of the Conference website as well as other communication outlets.
Office Support Assistant (OSA): The position is part-time, i.e. less than 30 hours per week. Reports to the CFO/CBO. The primary duties include answering the phone and serving as the initial point of contact between the Staff and guests, entering accounts payable invoices, logging receipts received in the mail, and coordinating meals and other expressions of hospitality for meeting attendees.
Director of Archives (DA): The position is part-time, i.e. less than 30 hours per week. Reports to the Commission on Archives but functionally reports to the DMA. The Archivist is responsible for organizing the archives of the Conference and initiating new methods and introducing new technology for those archived materials.
The Conference Staff shall meet monthly or on a schedule established by the DMA.
Executive Staff: In order to facilitate and coordinate the mission and strategy of the Conference as well as to handle day to-day matters, an Executive Staff group consisting of the DMA, ADMA, and CFO/ CBO an integral part of this structure. The Executive Staff will meet as needed but usually weekly.
See the NWTX Staff Organization and Functional Organization Charts on the next page.
25 26 Staff Organizational Chart
Bishop
Dir. Mission & Adm
Asst. Dir. MIssion & Adm CFO/CBO
Dir. of Archives Dir. of Dir. of Hispanic/ Dir. of Acct. & Asst. CBO Communications Latino Ministries Discipleship MInistries
Digital Media OFFICE support Specialist asst.
27 Functional Organizational Chart
JEsus
Local churches where ministry happens Episcopal leadership
DS & Cabinet Dir. Mission & mission lay leader - mission adm and staff advancement Laity Liaison strategists liaison team - mission, vision and strategic Priorities
mission strategy team Conference Staff - coordination of - Implementation, strategy and mission Coordination and with the staff Communication lay leader - Laity Liaison
BOARDS, COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS - PROVIDE STRUCTURE AND PARAMETERS AND LINK TO WESLEYAN THEOLOGY
27 28 Investment Committee INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
The purpose of the Investment Committee is to provide governance and oversight to investments of Conference funds. The intent is to facilitate and not hinder conference agencies in the execution of their duties related to the management of their investment portfolios and in the use of their funds.
Members of the Investment Committee are: Steve Brooks, FUMC Midland; Robert Cosby, LRUMC; Craig Curry, President CF&A, FUMC Lubbock; Natalie Hermes, Chair CBOPHB, St. James UMC; Bill Pasewark, Jr., FUMC Lubbock; Matt Wolfington, Chair Trustees, St. Luke’s SW; Wendell Horn, DMA; Dave Andersen, CFO/CBO; George Price, Abilene D.S. and Cabinet Representative.
As of December 31, 2019, the Conference had the following investments:
Invested at Amount Wespath $24,473,343 Texas Methodist Foundation 3,602,368 General Board of Higher Education & Ministry 87,808 Prosperity Bank 594,492
At year-end, the distribution of investments was:
US & International Invested at Cash & Bonds Equities Wespath 57.4% 42.6% Texas Methodist Foundation 100% Prosperity Bank 100%
The target allocation of the Wespath accounts is 55% equity and 45% cash and bonds.
The Investment Committee met in May and October 2019 and again in May 2020. At these meetings our investment managers from Wespath reviewed our investment performance compared to standard benchmarks. They also reviewed their performance compared to other investment managers. In all cases, Wespath’s performance has been in the top 25 of over 100 peers over the past 10 years. Accordingly, the Investment Committee is pleased with our investment manager’s performance as well as the mix of investments. We, like Wespath, believe in managing investments for long-term returns and believe our investment mix will achieve reasonable returns with appropriate risk consistent with our social principles.
2020 has been a challenging year. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic disruption sent markets plunging; a bull market became a bear market within just a few days. As of March 31, 2020 the S&P 500 Index was down 19.6% year-to-date while some bond market indices had declined by 9% to 13%. At its low point, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had fallen by 39%.
Even though, as of the date of this report (May 2020), the equity markets have rebounded somewhat, these markets are still down 12% - 18% year-to-date. By contrast, the Conference investment portfolio has performed very well over the last 16 months and has not experienced the extreme market volatility as shown in the following charts: Submitted by, Craig Curry 29 NORTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE INVESTMENT POLICY AMENDED OCTOBER 26, 2018
The market value of the Conference investments managed by Wespath Benefits and Investments as of April 30 is still $2 million higher than it was at the beginning of 2019.
The markets have experienced drastic declines over the past few months due uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the Conference investments have declined by approximately 8% since January 1, 2020 our results have been better than other indices.
Our return on investment was almost 20% for 2019 and we are still up by almost 10% from the base period of 1/1/19. 29 30 Council on Finance & Administration
COUNCIL ON FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Your Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) is composed of pastors and members of Conference churches. Thus, we understand the challenges local churches face, especially in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic.
As of the date of this report (April 2020), we are in a state of stay-at-home orders, social distancing and worshipping virtually. How long it will take to return to “normal” – and what the new normal will look like – is anybody’s guess. It is the discernment of CF&A that the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic will extend throughout 2020 and, perhaps, into 2021. We also know God is faithful and will walk beside us, carrying us through this time.
United Methodists of the Northwest Texas Conference know this as well. As churches worship via Facebook Live or in parking lots or through other innovative means, these congregations have also found innovative ways to worship through their tithes and offerings even if the offering plate cannot literally be passed from person to person.
However, we also realize that the economic impacts of the pandemic have and will continue to impact many people’s ability to give in the generous manner in which they would like and how they have given in the past. People have been laid off, small businesses have shuttered their doors, restaurant owners and workers have experienced substantial declines in business, and oil prices have plummeted. Again, we believe that this, too, shall pass. But, we also believe that restoration will take time.
Accordingly, we have worked on your behalf to encourage and support the Conference ministry teams, boards, commissions and leadership in lowering the Shared Ministries Budget each of the last 9 years. 2021 was no different yet we believed that even a flat or slightly lower budget was not consistent with the current environment. Therefore, CF&A is proposing a budget that is 90% of the amount that would have been proposed in more normal times. For more information, please refer to the 2021 Missional Budget.
31 As Easter people, we look forward with hope as we celebrate what God has done, is doing, and will do in our midst. Our Shared Ministries are a tangible means of thanking God and helping transform lives. SO, THANK YOU FOR SHARING!
Because we receive substantially less than what we budget (75+/-%), we must ask for more money than we need just to make sure we can pay our bills and carry out the ministries to which God has called us.
The Council believes this gap in connectional giving is unfair and unsustainable. Consider these points:
• The Shared Ministries Budget (the amount apportioned) is dependent upon:
1. Conference expenses (the cost of ministries, clergy care, as well as Jurisdictional and General Church apportionments) and
2. The pay-in rate for Shared Ministries.
• CF&A has consistently lowered the Shared Ministries budget. We committed the Conference leadership to do everything possible to restrain costs. But the other part of the equation is to raise the overall pay-in rate for shared ministries.
• Ultimately, CF&A is committed to eliminating this gap between our Shared Ministries budget – what we apportion – and our expense budget – what we plan to spend. Our goal will become reality as we move toward paying 100% of our Shared Ministries and as we continue to align our resources with our priorities.
So how have we done?
The pay-in rate for Shared Ministries has generally improved from 67% in 2011 to a peak of almost 78% in 2015, while the Shared Ministries Budget has declined by $2.6 million. Our costs have been constrained and the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits has decreased the amount needed for post-retirement benefits funding by $1.6 million since 2012.
But cost control, great investment returns and innovative leadership is only part of the answer. Another significant piece of that decrease is due to theincrease is our churches’ participation in our connectional or Shared Ministries.
31 32 While we celebrate our past success, we also realize that our work is not yet complete:
1. Churches currently paying 100% of their Shared Ministries are encouraged to continue doing so.
2. Churches that are not yet giving 100% are challenged to increase giving by at least 10 points annually until reaching 100%.
Many churches have faithfully followed this plan. Shown below is the number of churches paying 100% of their Shared Ministries by district:
Your Council continues to look for ways to encourage churches not fully participating in our connectional ministries to do so, and to provide resources to help them be vital congregations who share in our God-given abundance.
Please also refer to the Treasurer’s report , page 53, and the 2021 Shared Ministries Budget, page 128, for further details.
CHURCHES PAYING 100% IN SHARED MINISTRIES FOR 2019:
ABILENE DISTRICT: FIRST UMC TRENT FIRST UMC VERA FARGO UMC FIRST UMC MUNDAY FIRST UMC PADUCAH NOLAN UMC FIRST UMC VERNON PIONEER MEMORIAL FIRST UMC MERKEL POTOSI UMC FIRST UMC KNOX CITY ST. JAMES UMC ABILENE FIRST UMC ASPERMONT FIRST UMC AVOCA AMARILLO DISTRICT: FIRST UMC BENJAMIN FIRST UMC BLACKWELL FIRST UMC FOLLETT FIRST UMC ELBERT FIRST UMC ADRIAN FIRST UMC MCCAULLEY ALLISON UMC FIRST UMC ROTAN FIRST UMC MOBEETIE FIRST UMC SAGERTON ST. MATTHEW UMC AMARILLO FIRST UMC THROCKMORTON FIRST UMC WHEELER 33 FIRST UMC GRUVER CENTRAL UMC DALHART FAITH SOUTHWEST Churches Paying FIRST UMC BOOKER FIRST UMC CANADIAN FIRST UMC CHANNING FIRST UMC DARROUZETT FIRST UMC FRITCH FIRST UMC GROOM FIRST UMC HEALD FIRST UMC HEDLEY FIRST UMC MCLEAN FIRST UMC MIDDLEWELL FIRST UMC SHAMROCK FIRST UMC SPEARMAN FIRST UMC WELLINGTON GRAHAM CHAPEL FUMC HUNT MEMORIAL UMC DUMAS100%FIRST UMC SEAGRAVES ST. ANDREW BORGER MEANS MEMORIAL UMC ST. PAUL UMC PAMPA ANDREWS FIRST UMC TEXLINE UMC GARDEN CITY FUMC VEGA UMC FIRST UMC PERRYTON LUBBOCK DISTRICT: PLEASANT VALLEY UMC FIRST UMC SUNRAY LAKERIDGE UMC FIRST UMC LUBBOCK BIG SPRING DISTRICT: AGAPE’ UMC CANYON UMC FIRST UMC SLATON CROSBYTON UMC FIRST UMC SEMINOLE EL DIVINO SALVADOR MULESHOE ST. LUKE’S UMC MIDLAND FIRST UMC AMHERST FIRST UMC BIG SPRING FIRST UMC ANTON CHRIST UMC LEVELLAND FIRST UMC BOVINA COOPER UMC FIRST UMC FLOYDADA DORN CHAPEL UMC FIRST UMC HART FIRST UMC COAHOMA FIRST UMC HEREFORD FIRST UMC DRAW FIRST UMC KRESS FIRST UMC HERMLEIGH FIRST UMC LITTLEFIELD FIRST UMC LORAINE FIRST UMC LOCKNEY FIRST UMC MIDLAND FIRST UMC LORENZO FIRST UMC MORTON FIRST UMC MATADOR FIRST UMC NEW HOME FIRST UMC MCADOO FIRST UMC O’DONNELL FIRST UMC OKLAHOMA LANE FIRST UMC PLAINS FIRST UMC SUDAN FIRST UMC POST FIRST UMC TULIA FIRST UMC ROPESVILLE FIRST UMC VIGO PARK FIRST UMC ROSCOE FRIONA UMC FIRST UMC SWEETWATER KOREAN UMC HIGHLAND HEIGHTS UMC LA TRINIDAD UMC LUBBOCK ST. MARK’S UMC MIDLAND MT VERNON UMC VISIONARY HOLLOWELL ST. LUKE’S UMC LUBBOCK 33 34 COUNCIL ON FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION POLICIES
The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CCFA) presents the following policies and procedures for consideration and adoption at the session of Annual Conference meeting at Lubbock, TX, August 15, 2020.
I. FINANCIAL PROCEDURES FOR THE NORTHWEST TEXAS CONFERENCE
A. The Conference Council on Finance and Administration and the Chief Financial Officer will be directed by the requirements of the 2016 Book of Discipline, Paragraphs 611-619, and by actions of the Session of the Annual Conference each year.
B. The Conference Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Office is designated as the Central Accounting Office of the Northwest Texas Conference. All funds received on behalf of the Conference shall be deposited with the CFO for distribution as directed by the Conference.
C. The Conference books will be audited annually. Used in this context, “Audited” means an audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards.
D. Budgeting Process and Procedures:
1. Any auxiliary agency requesting Conference Shared Ministries funding for the year 2019 must present its requests on the forms provided by the CFO. These forms will be available on the Conference website or by contacting the CFO and should be completed according to the accompanying instructions and be submitted to the CFO on or before the dates established in the form instructions and on the Conference website.
2. The 2021 Conference budget will be compiled by the CFO and presented at the Spring 2020 meeting of CCFA. The Conference budget consists of an expense budget and a Shared Ministries budget. The Budget for Shared Ministries is computed based upon the expense budget – what we expect to spend – and the expected pay-in rate of Shared Ministries. The Budget for Shared Ministries is used to calculate each church’s Shared Ministries (apportionments.)
3. Contingency amounts shall not be included in any expense budget. Unbudgeted needs may be made through written requests, no later than November 15, addressed to the President of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) for processing with the Executive Committee or the entire CF&A when in session. Any emergency or special funding granted by the Executive Committee or the CCFA will be taken from the Conference Stabilization Fund.
4. The Council on Finance and Administration will present the budget to Annual Conference at least 24 hours prior to voting on the budget.
E. Shared Ministries:
1. The Budget for Shared Ministries for each church for the Conference year 2021 will be calculated on the Decimals approved by the Annual Conference following the adoption of the 2021 Conference budget at the 2020 Annual Conference Session. These will be given to the district superintendents in late summer to be distributed to the local churches in the fall.
2. The Decimal is determined by each church’s total for Current Program Expense, Other Operating Expense and all Staff Compensation for the three most recent years available (line numbers 41a, 41b, 41c, 42a, 42b, 42c, 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47 of the current statistical report prescribed by the General Council on Finance and Administration divided by the corresponding conference totals for these line numbers for the same period.)
35 3. The Budget for Shared Ministries shall be allocated to local churches on a 100% basis for 2021.
4. A Remittance Form will be provided by the Conference CFO. A generic form will be available on the Conference website but each church is encouraged to use the Shared Ministries monthly report/turn-around document e-mailed each month. Shared Ministries can be paid on-line, via ACH or by check. Please contact the CFO’s office for further information on making payments electronically or on-line. Payments by check should be made payable to: The Northwest Texas Conference Conference Treasurer 1401 Avenue M Lubbock, TX 79401-3939
5. Methodology for Shared Ministries Allocation
a) Background and Rationale
(1) At the June 2017 session of Annual Conference, a Strategic Plan was adopted that had five (5) major strategic priorities for the next five years:
(a) Leadership Development
(b) New Worship Communities
(c) Innovation & Revitalization
(d) Hispanic/Latino Ministries
(e) Future Leadership Pipeline (camping and campus ministries were added to this category in 2020)
(2) The Annual Conference authorized the Conference Leadership Team (CLT) in conjunction with the Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CF&A) to devise a plan and a methodology to align the “old” budget (containing the 25 different ministry funds) into a system of funding ministry that provides flexibility for funding the strategic priorities as well as simplifies the number of funding categories.
(3) Furthermore, it was recognized that there are components of the annual Shared Ministries budget which are explicitly required by The Book of Discipline (BOD) or are fixed and do not change in the short-run and, therefore, fall outside of these priorities. These ministries fall into five (5) broad categories:
(a) Ministry Support & Leadership (District Superintendents, Conference Service Center staff and services)
(b) District Ministries & Services (ministries specific to a given district plus office expense and support)
(c) Clergy Care & Benefit Services (post-retirement benefits – medical and pension – and the administration thereof)
(d) Other Conference Ministries (primarily regional ministries)
(e) Beyond Conference Ministries (connectional ministries apportioned by the General Church and the South Central Jurisdiction)
(4) Within all of these broad categories – both strategic priorities and other – there are individual ministries that fall under the auspices of auxiliary boards and agencies (e.g. camps, Wesley Foundations) that are remitted to them on a dollar-received- dollar-paid basis each month. The same is true of General Church and Jurisdictional Apportionment ministries (e.g. World Service Fund, Lydia Patterson Institute). Therefore, guidelines and methods must be developed to objectively allocate ministry funding between those funds that will be retained by the Annual Conference and those that must be remitted to third parties to fund our connectional ministries. 35 36 (5) After a period of transition (2017-2018) it is the plan to budget the ministry expenses of the Annual Conference in distinct and somewhat historical buckets of costs (e.g. Board of Ordained Ministry, Commission on Equitable Compensation, Communications Department, etc.) However, those cost buckets will then be organized and funded using the six (6) broader categories of ministry, i.e.
(a) 1 - Ministry Support & Leadership,
(b) 2 - District Ministries & Services,
(c) 3 - Clergy Care & Benefit Services,
(d) 4 - Strategic Priorities,
(e) 5 - Other Conference Ministries, and
(f) 6 - Beyond Conference Ministries.
The Shared Ministries (funding) budget will contain just these six categories and will be apportioned to the churches in the Conference accordingly.
b) Methodology
(1) For 2018, the 25 funds that have historically made up the Shared Ministries budget were assigned to one of the six (6) categories noted above. Many of the historical funds translated easily and completely to one of these 6 categories (e.g. Clergy Care/ Benefits, World Service, District Superintendents, etc.) while some of the historical funds (e.g. Path1, Conference Ministries/DINE) were either not continuing or were to be modified to align more closely with the strategic priorities. Plus, there are other strategic priorities for which a structure does not yet exist (e.g. Innovation & Revitalization.)
(2) Once the historical funds (and the underlying departments, boards, agencies and auxiliary entities) were assigned a Shared Ministry category, the proportion of each to the historical Shared Ministries receipts within that category were calculated. Specifically:
(a) Final annual Shared Ministries receipts for the previous 3 years were grouped into the “new” six (6) categories.
(b) The proportion of each fund to the total receipts for that category were computed for each year.
(c) A trend was calculated (using the least squares method) to provide a somewhat forward look or projection for funding.
(d) Specific ministries or funds included in the six (6) buckets described in the Background and Rationale section were listed and designated as either paid to a 3rd party (e.g. South Central Jurisdiction or the General Church) or retained by the Conference.
(3) In each succeeding year after 2018 when Shared Ministries remittances are no longer paid into the historical 25 individual funds, the proportion of Shared Ministries receipts must be allocated in order to be paid to a 3rd party. Such allocation will be calculated as follows:
(a) Within each ministry category (see 5(a)(5) above), the Shared Ministries expense budget/cost centers will be designated as either retained by the Conference or remitted to a 3rd party.
(b) The proportion of the expense budget designated as remitted to 3rd parties to the total Shared Ministries expense budget for that ministry category will be used to determine the amount of Shared Ministries receipts/remittances allocated to Shared Ministries remitted to the 3rd parties.
37 c) Process
(1) For Shared Ministries retained by the Annual Conference, no allocation is necessary. Funds collected will be reported in one of the six (6) broad ministry categories and used to fund the individual ministries (cost buckets) that fall within the purview of that category.
(2) For Shared Ministries that are paid to a 3rd party, the amount to be remitted must be calculated. Using the Methodology above, the percentage of the Shared Ministries received for each of the six (6) broad categories that is applicable to each of the 25 funds is determined using steps (2)(a) through (d) for 2018 and prior. For 2019 and thereafter, the methodology outlined in steps (3)(a) and (b) will be used.
(3) These percentages are input into the Shelby Remittance module such that Shared Ministries received for each of the six broad categories can be distributed into a general ledger accounts which, in turn, can be disbursed to the 3rd party ministry partner.
(4) Churches are encouraged to pay 100% of their Shared Ministries. However, if churches remit Shared Ministries with explicit instructions for funding then the Treasurer’s office will honor those donor designations/restrictions.
6. Clergy Support Budgets (¶614.1.a)-f), 2016 Book of Discipline:
a) District Superintendent Fund.
b) The Episcopal Fund as included in the Conference Budget of Shared Ministries – Ministry Support and Leadership.
c) Amounts necessary for the Bishop’s housing as recommended by the Committee on Episcopacy and as included in the Conference Budget of Shared Ministries – Ministry Support and Leadership.
d) Clergy Care – Post-retirement benefits for retired clergy and/or surviving spouses as approved by the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) and included in the Conference Budget of Shared Ministries.
e) The Equitable Compensation Fund as included in the Conference Budget of Shared Ministries – Strategic Priorities.
7. For Net Assets (funds) with Donor Restrictions (e.g. Equitable Comp, Episcopal Fund, all General Church and Jurisdictional apportionments, etc.) the Conference will remit to the appropriate agency the money received by the Conference. For Net Assets (funds) without Donor Restrictions (e.g. Conference ministry support, conference ministries, etc.) the Conference will fund each area up to the amount of the expense budget.
8. All salaries, payroll taxes, pensions and health insurance will be paid at 100% of the amount set by the personnel committee and included in the expense budget. CF&A hereby reserves the right to adjust other unrestricted budget items to match the amount of expected funding to be received from Shared Ministries or to reflect changes in Conference organization, ministries and priorities.
9. All auxiliary agencies and ministries supported though your Conference Shared Ministries will receive funds monthly as they are remitted to the Conference, except the Wesley Foundations at Texas Tech University, West Texas A & M, and South Plains College, McMurry University, and the four district services and ministry funds. Funding for the Wesley Foundations at Texas Tech, West Texas A&M and South Plains College, McMurry University, and the district services and ministries will be projected at the beginning of the fiscal year and remitted to those entities in equal monthly installments. Any difference between the amounts remitted and the amounts received through Shared Ministries will be used to adjust the subsequent year’s remittance amount.
37 38 10. Money received from all four districts for the financial support of the Wesley Foundations at Texas Tech, West Texas A & M, South Plains College and campus ministries at McMurry University will be divided with each receiving the percentage that their budget is of the total Campus Ministries expense budget (with in the ministry category of Other Conference Ministries).
11. The Shared Ministries receipts allocated for camping ministries (as determined in (5)(b) and (c) above) will be divided among Butman Methodist Camp and Retreat Center, Ceta Canyon Camp and Retreat Center and Camp Programming proportional to the ratio of each budget to the camping ministries expense budget.
F. Disbursements:
1. Any expenditure of $500.00 (five hundred dollars) or more and not meeting one of the exceptions in the Purchasing Policy, must first be requested pursuant to the Purchasing Policy published by the CFO’s office and available on the Conference website.
2. Reimbursement for travel, lodging and incidental expense for unpaid staff and members of Conference committees, boards, councils and agencies conducting business on behalf of the Annual Conference within the bounds of the Annual Conference: committees, boards and agencies shall be authorized to pay up to a maximum of 1000 miles (round trip) travel allowance at a rate of 30₵ per mile, or the lowest airfare rate, and 35₵ per mile allowance when more than one board or agency member travels in the same car. Members of committees, boards, agencies and others conducting conference business shall be reimbursed only for actual ordinary and necessary expenses such as motels, meals, tips, etc., relating to the meeting involved. Members of boards and agencies and others doing conference business shall be allowed, by voucher, up to $40 per night for the fees involved in parking a travel camper or other arrangements. All voucher requests shall be accompanied by receipts for travel, meals, lodging, honorarium and other expenses. Miles claimed are exempt from required receipts. Reimbursements for meals and motel/hotel shall have the following guidelines: Lodging – the current per diem rate established by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for the Continental United States (CONUS) - currently $96 per day; Meals and incidentals – the current per diem rate established by the GSA for CONUS -currently $55 per day. Any exceptions will be reviewed by the Director of Mission and Administration, the chairperson of the involved entity and/or the Conference CFO.
3. Reimbursement for travel, lodging and incidental expense for unpaid staff and members of Conference committees, boards, councils and agencies conducting business on behalf of the Annual Conference outside the bounds of the Annual Conference: Committees, boards, councils and agencies shall be authorized to pay actual ordinary and necessary expenses for lodging, meals and incidentals related to the business involved. All requests for reimbursement shall be accompanied by receipts documenting the expense. Committees, boards and agencies shall be authorized to pay for use of a personal automobile at a rate of 30₵ per mile, but not to exceed the lowest airfare rate, and 35₵ per mile allowance when more than one board or agency member travels in the same car. Any exceptions will be reviewed by the Director of Mission and Administration, the chairperson of the involved entity and/or the Conference CFO.
4. Employees of the Conference, including Conference Service Center Staff and District Superintendents, will be reimbursed for business use of their personal automobiles at the maximum Internal Revenue Service mileage rate. The Conference will also pay actual expenses for ordinary and necessary business expenses – including lodging, meals, incidentals and transportation – upon the submission of a request for reimbursement accompanied by receipts documenting the expense.
5. Lodging is paid for volunteers attending events only. Spouse’s expenses are not covered unless the spouse is a member of that board, committee or commission.
6. All vouchers will be paid by the due date of the invoice or, if no due date, then within normal trade payable terms, usually 30 days.
39 G. Other Financial Policies and Procedures:
1. District Superintendents:
a) The cash salary of each superintendent shall be 180% of the cash portion (excludes value of parsonage or housing allowance) of the Conference Average Compensation (CAC), as determined by the General Board of Pension for the current calendar year. For 2020 the cash salary is $101,091. For 2021 the cash salary shall be $103,717.
b) Professional expenses shall be paid monthly to each District Superintendent, as requisitioned (see H.4. above.)
c) Each district superintendent shall be required to requisition in detail for travel expense moving expense (new district superintendents) and continuing education.
d) Contributions to the Clergy Retirement Security Program defined benefit (CRSP-DB) will be made in accordance with the rules and rates established by the Plan and/or the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) for participants in that plan. Contributions to the Clergy Retirement Security Program defined contribution (CRSP-DC) will be made based on 2% of plan compensation and an additional 1% of plan compensation if the District Superintendent contributes at least 1% of plan compensation to the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) as per the rules established by the Plan and/or the CBOPHB. District Superintendents will also participate in the Clergy Protection Plan (CPP) in accordance to the rules and rates established by the Plan and/or the CBOPHB.
e) Provision of a district office and housing for the district superintendent is the responsibility of the district trustees.
2. Conference-provided automobiles:
a) Operation of a Conference-owned/leased vehicle is both a privilege and a responsibility, not a right. Drivers are responsible for operating the Conference-owned/leased vehicle according to state and federal laws and Conference policy. Violation of these laws and rules will result in removal of driving privileges.
b) Drivers of Conference-owned/leased vehicles certify that their driving records are clear and their licenses are not under revocation or suspension. The driver also certifies that they have not been charged with any major violation including, but not limited to:
(1) DWI in past three years
(2) Failure to stop/report an accident
(3) Reckless or careless driving
(4) Driving while impaired
(5) Making a false accident report
(6) Attempting to elude a police officer
(7) Leaving the scene of an accident
c) No person other than the employee assigned to the vehicle shall operate the vehicle unless that person is an employee or approved driver, the spouse of the employee being an approved driver for those occasional times when the spouse may drive the vehicle while the employee is on Conference business, of the Northwest Texas Conference, or unless in case of emergency.
d) Drivers are responsible for ensuring the vehicle is well maintained. The assigned driver is responsible for taking the vehicle to professional facilities for scheduled fluid changes, break jobs, tire changes and other repairs. All ordinary and necessary repairs and maintenance – other than those covered under the vehicle warranty – should be paid by the driver and then submitted for reimbursement. 39 40 e) The driver is responsible for reporting any damage, faulty equipment or other needed repairs to the CFO/CBO. The driver is also responsible for making sure the equipment is safe to operate on the road. All burned-out bulbs and fuses should be replaced immediately.
f) Other policies related to the use of Conference-owned/leased vehicles:
(1) Possession, transportation or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs by anyone in the vehicle is prohibited.
(2) Driver and all passengers must wear available personal restraints.
(3) Any accident must be reported immediately to the CFO/CBO.
(4) Employees who drive a Conference-owned/leased vehicle are responsible for all fines and penalties.
(5) Drivers are responsible for keeping the vehicle as clean and orderly as conditions permit.
g) Personal use of Conference-owned/leased vehicles:
(1) In general, Conference-owned/leased vehicles are to be used for Conference business.
(2) Commuting and other personal of use of the vehicle should be kept at a reasonable level (not to exceed 30% of the total annual miles on the vehicle’s odometer).
(3) Business use of the vehicle must be documented. The form is at the discretion of the driver but at a minimum must show the date of use, the purpose of use and the miles for each use. Total personal miles, including both commuting and personal use, must be reported separately as to “commuting” and “personal use.” The total of the miles must agree with the mileage shown on the car as determined from the ending and beginning odometer readings for the year.
(4) This documentation should be used to complete the Employer’s Worksheet to Calculate Employee’s Compensation Resulting from Personal Use of a Conference- Provided Vehicle
(5) The employee will be reimbursed for fuel used for the business miles driven. The cost of fuel for personal miles will be reimbursed to the Conference (currently at $0.08 per mile).
h) The employee will provide annual documentation of odometer readings, personal miles driven, business miles and total miles driven on forms provided by the CFO.
3. No member or employee of any Conference agency and no employee, trustee, or director of any agency or institution participating in the funds of any Conference budget shall be eligible for voting membership on the council. (¶612.2b, 2016 Discipline).
4. All institutions and agencies receiving financial support from the Northwest Texas Conference shall forward copies of their audit with the Conference Treasurer for the Conference Council on Finance and Administration. Audits are due by May 31 each year. If audits are not received, funds may be withheld pending receipt of the audit. Used in this context, “Audit” means a compilation, review, or audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant.
a) Compilation Threshold: Any institution and agency which wishes to receive financial support from the Northwest Texas Conference and which has a total annual budget of $100,000 to $249,999 shall submit, at the minimum, a compilation conducted by an independent certified public accountant. If necessary, the Conference will allocate up to $2,500 of the Shared Ministries support to pay for the compilation.
b) Review Threshold: Any institution and agency which wishes to receive financial
41 support from the Northwest Texas Conference and which has a total annual budget of between $250,000 and $499,999 shall submit, at the minimum, a review conducted by an independent certified public accountant. If necessary, the Conference will allocate up to $5,000 of the Shared Ministries support to pay for the review.
c) Audit Threshold: Any institution and agency which wishes to receive financial support from the Northwest Texas Conference and which has a total annual budget of $500,000 or more, shall submit an audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant. If necessary, the Conference will allocate up to $10,000 of the Shared Ministries support to pay for the audit.
d) When it is not practical to engage an independent certified public accountant, a “review” may be conducted by qualified person or entity not involved in the day-to-day accounting processes of the church, institution or agency. For example, a church could make an agreement with another church to “swap” their financial reviews. If a financial review is conducted by someone other than an independent certified public accountant, then the review must undertaken using the Questionnaire for Examiner of Conference Auxiliary Agency Financial Records.
5. The Northwest Texas Conference, in keeping with ¶258.4(b) 2016 Book of Discipline, provides Commercial Blanket Bond Coverage of local church treasurers, up to $100,000.
6. The CFO is required to retain all documents or electronic facsimiles thereof in retrievable form following appropriate disaster recovery procedures including off-site storage of computer files.
7. Designated or net assets with donor restrictions will be considered active so long as reasonable progress continues with respect to the project or ministry. The fund may be assigned inactive status when all money is disbursed from the fund, when the CFO’s office determines the fund is no longer active, when the CFO’s office determines that the fund is no longer being utilized or when the project or purpose for the fund is completed.
8. A Designated or Net Asset with Donor Restrictions fund will be dissolved by the CFO’s office with the approval of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration when the fund is assigned inactive status (as described above) or upon the direction of the CCFA, if the purpose of the fund becomes impossible or impracticable to perform.
9. All contributions received by the Conference for a duly inactivated or dissolved Designated/ Net Asset with Donor Restrictions Fund will be treated as a contribution to the Conference and any remaining balance will be added to the Stabilization fund of the Conference. The CCFA reserves the right to make exceptions on where these balances are channeled.
II. CONFERENCE GENERAL (STABILIZATION) FUND
A. The Conference General (Stabilization) Fund is to assure a reasonable reserve to be used for the operation of the Annual Conference. The adequacy of the Fund, and all reserves of the Annual Conference, is reviewed at least annually by CF&A in consultation with the CFO and the Director of Missions and Administration.
B. After all revenue and contributions have been received and all expense vouchers have been paid or accrued at the close of the fiscal year, any increase or decrease in unrestricted net assets shall be transferred to the Conference General (Stabilization) Fund, unless restricted by The Book of Discipline or otherwise excluded by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration.
C. The CFO and president of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration are authorized to borrow funds, when necessary, on a short-term basis from the Conference Depository of Funds to meet the demands made on the Conference Stabilization Fund. Such loans shall be retired with funds received from the churches in the year in which the loan is made.
D. In keeping with the recommendations of the General Council on Finance and Administration, the Conference General (Stabilization) Fund should be maintained within a range set by the 41 42 Council on Finance and Administration. Any monies of the Conference Stabilization Fund not in demand shall be invested with other Conference funds according to the investment policies adopted by the Conference Council on Finance and Administration and the Conference Investment Committee. Earnings from investments shall be credited to and become a part of the Conference Stabilization Fund, unless exempted by the Council on Finance and Administration.
III. INVESTMENT OF CONFERENCE FUNDS
A. The CFO shall execute the policies established by the Conference Investment Committee in conjunction with the Council on Finance and Administration, the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits and the Conference Board of Trustees, all of which have responsibilities related to governing investments of Conference funds and regulating cash flow.
B. All funds shall be invested following the guidelines of the Investment Policy as approved by the Council on Finance and Administration, the Board of Trustees and the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits. (See ¶613.5, 2016 Book of Discipline.) A listing of investments shall be reported annually in the Conference Journal.
C. The CFO shall report annually to the Conference Council on Finance and Administration the amounts invested and the earnings gained from the investments.
D. The CFO shall seek approval annually from the Conference Council on Finance and Administration of the depository or depositories of Conference funds. The Council can authorize the CFO to make any changes it deems appropriate.
IV. GENERAL POLICIES
A. We recommend that all councils, boards, commissions and committees attempt to reduce the number of persons attending any one meeting. Furthermore, we encourage the use of telephone and video conferencing whenever this is practical.
B. Conference special days and offerings:
1. We approve the following special days with offerings:
a) Fall - Christian Education Sunday
b) Third Sunday in September - Wesley Community Center, Amarillo
c) November – Providence Place (formerly Methodist Mission Home) Sunday
d) Last Sunday in October or first Sunday in November - Retired Ministers Sunday
e) Sunday closest to October 20 – Vision 2020 for the Orphan
f) Second Sunday in May - Homes for the Aging
g) December Christmas Offering – Methodist Children’s Home, Waco
2. We recommend that Special Sundays be observed in our local churches as designated by the General Conference and in the various reports to the Annual Conference.
C. When an automobile is furnished for a pastor, it shall be valued as specified in IRS regulations. The utilities for the parsonage should be paid by the church and we encourage churches to pay the pastor’s continuing education expense.
D. Financial projects and campaigns of the Conference shall be governed as follows:
1. All financial projects and campaigns that involve soliciting funds from all churches in the Conference shall be approved by the agency involved, the Council on Finance and Administration and the Annual Conference before the beginning of the said financial campaign or project; provided, however, that this bylaw shall not apply to those projects or campaigns having the approval of the general church or Council of Bishops.
43 2. Any financial project or campaign so approved shall state a duration (how long the project or campaign will run) and termination date. These shall be strictly observed.
3. All requests for funds, special days, or authorization of appeals for funds shall be submitted to the Council on Finance and Administration no later than January 31 of each year. The Council on Finance and Administration shall make its recommendations concerning such requests before they are submitted to a business meeting of the Annual Conference.
4. When quotas or apportionments are established to individual churches for a special project or campaign, said quotas shall continue unchanged through the duration of the campaign.
5. All projects of Conference-owned institutions and agencies which will result in the incurring of indebtedness against Conference-owned property shall be submitted to the Conference institution or agency involved. These projects also shall be submitted per the policies of the Council on Finance and Administration, and shall be approved by a business meeting of the Annual Conference before the beginning of the project. Between sessions of the Annual Conference, the Council on Finance and Administration shall have authority to grant the required approval if
a) the institution or agency involved presents satisfactory evidence that means of repayment of the indebtedness is adequately committed.
b) the project has been presented per the policies of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration.
6. We recommend the following institutions be granted permission to solicit funds within the Conference without a campaign for the year 2021 (A campaign is interpreted as when an institution or agency sets fair share goals for the churches of the Northwest Texas Conference and the churches are expected to meet these goals.):
a) Wesley Community Center for the operation budget and special needs.
b) McMurry University for wills and special gifts.
c) Butman Methodist Camp and Retreat Center and Ceta Canyon Camp and Retreat Center for capital development plans.
d) King’s Manor Methodist Retirement System, Inc. for operation budgets and special needs.
e) Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry at Texas Tech University, West Texas A & M, South Plains College and campus ministries in the Big Spring District.
E. In each district, there shall be a District Finance Committee. The Finance Committee of each district shall be governed as follows:
1. The responsibilities of the Finance Committee shall include:
a) Recommending to the District Conference for its action and determining a budget of anticipated income and proposed expenditures for the district.
b) Reviewing, at least, semiannually and accounting to the District Conference for the disbursement of funds in accordance with the budget approved by the District Conference.
c) Providing for an audit of the accounts of the District Treasurer(s) for the preceding fiscal year within 120 days after the close of the Conference fiscal year and receiving, reviewing and reporting such audit to the District Conference.
43 44 2. The Finance Committee shall have the following members:
a) The chairperson, elected by the District Conference
b) District Superintendent
c) District Treasurer(s)
d) Chair of the District Ministry Team
e) Chair of the District Committee on Ordained Ministry
f) Chair of the Committee on District Superintendency
g) Chair of the District Board of Trustees
h) Additional members as may be determined by the District Nominations Committee or the District Conference
3. The election of District Finance Committee members shall be as follows:
a) The District Nominations Committee shall make nominations for the District Finance Committee.
b) The District Finance Committee shall be elected at a District Conference session.
4. The District Finance Committee shall meet at least two (2) times a year and, additionally, at the call of the District Superintendent or a District Treasurer.
F. In accordance with 2016 Book of Discipline, Paragraphs 2518.2, each district should be incorporated.
Submitted by, Craig Curry
45 Notes
45 46 Strategic Plan Reports
NEW STARTS ACTION TEAM
Greetings from the New Start Action Team. Our team consists of the following persons: Lyndol Loyd, Andy Hurst, Ryan Smallwood, Jorge Jorge Riano, Rick Enns, Steve Brooks, Don Boren, Wendell Horn, Jaime Montgomery and myself.
One of the five strategic priorities that the NWTX Conference adopted is to launch new churches and new worship communities. Such communities can be a church plant or a new worshipping community within an existing congregation that is designed to reach a different population.
We have been given the goal of resourcing the conference to start 15 new faith communities by 2023, with the expectation that at least ten of such communities are viable after five years of existing. In line with the strategic plan, our focus is primarily on resourcing “mother churches” to start new faith communities. Thus, our primary funding model will be to make grants to churches who have the vision and fittedness to plant new communities / worship services. These one-time grants will primarily be used to get efforts off the ground and will not be for ongoing support. However, we acknowledge that in cases where no suitable mother church is identified, the need may arise for a new church to be overseen by the conference in general. Even though such models require more funding and oversight, we are still open to such models as a secondary option.
This past year we have made grants to the following projects: • Gloo - a data company that will coach churches to interpret data. • First UMC Canyon - launching a new campus at the former site of Westover Fellowship. • Lubbock District Young Adult Cooperative Ministry - financial assistance for a ministry to new groups of people in Floydada and surrounding towns. • Mount Vernon UMC - financial assistance as they revitalize. • Matt Engel - Large Church Pastor’s Gathering training with an emphasis on birthing new ministries.
In addition to equipping churches to plant new worshipping / faith communities, we continue to steward the current “Path 1” funds that support existing newer churches.
We are excited about the possibilities of renewal that such services and faith communities will bring! Please see any of the members of our team if you have any questions or ideas.
Submitted by, Bailey Barkley
47 Strategic Plan Reports
INNOVATION & REVITALIZATION ACTION TEAM
The Innovation and Revitalization (I&R) Team has been hard at work in 2019 and 2020. Our purpose is to help our local churches dream of innovative ideas for ministry that help lead to congregational revitalization.
The I&R Team accomplished two important things this year. First, the I&R Team planned to host the Connect Event at CO-OP Church in Lubbock. Due to COVID-19, the event will be rescheduled either in the fall of 2020 or the spring of 2021. Connect will be led by Dr. Lovett Weems from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. The two day event will help pastors and laity learn to discern God’s future for their church and how to help their church connect with their community.
Second, I&R helped CO-OP Church become missional partners with Forge America. Forge America partners with the local church to mobilize the people of God to participate in the everyday mission of God. The team also provided grants to one local church and to pastors to attend Fresh Expressions training events.
The I&R Team is developing partnerships with missional organizations that can help our local churches with developing and implementing innovative ideas for ministry that become the catalysts for revitalization. We’re seeking a partnership with Fresh Expressions US. We are hoping to continue the momentum gained from Clergy Retreat.
Looking forward, I&R plans to send team members, pastors, and other leaders to training events so they can bring their learning back to the conference and share it among other pastors and leaders. Our goal is for the Innovation and Revitalization Team to become a hub of ideas and support that spill out into the local churches of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference.
Our biggest goal for 2021 is to host a missional conference headlined by Alan Hirsch or another Forge America team member. The vision for this conference is that it reaches an ecumenical audience and would be the beginning of creating partnership between the churches in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference and churches in other denominations in our communities.
Submitted by, Bobby Wilson
47 48 Strategic Plan Reports
HISPANIC/LATINO ACTION TEAM
Team Members: T.C. Broom; Don Boren; Wendell Horn; Frank Aguilera; Gilbert Bela; Sammy Espinosa; Raul Garcia
To the One Hundred Eleventh Session of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. Grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
In this time of transition, we must continue to move forward while being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and being flexible as we follow His lead. As we seek to understand, who we are called by God to be today? Who is the neighbor God calls to love? What is God calling us to do to continue building His kingdom here on Earth?
We are continuing on in the areas if strategic planning as the Hispanic/Latino Action Team in support of the Hispanic/Latino Movement in the fallowing ways:
1) Funding to help strengthen the growing work that the Hispanic/Latino Movement has been developing in recent years. a) Certificate of Church Planting Coaches and Mentors: This pilot program offers training and certification for equipping church planters with the tools to dedicate themselves contextually in their mission fields. The program focuses on Hispanic/Latino church leaders who have an interest in receiving more training as coaches and mentors to be able to effectively invest in equipping leaders to plant new churches. The Northwest Texas Conference is collaborating with United Theological Seminary of Dayton, OH to offer this program. This program lasts for 1 year (2 semesters) for coaches and a half year (1 semester) for Mentors. b) Operation 4: This year our evangelistic strategy is known as Operation 4. Operation 4 is the most radical and effective evangelistic strategy that the Hispanic/Latino Movement of the NWTX has performed over the last three years. Reaching 254 through baptisms, developing 168 adult members and 86 catechumens in the Hispanic/Latino movement. These three years included Operation 100, 200, 300 and Operation 4 will be rescheduled due to COVID-19. We conclude that it has been a great effect on the conference in our mission; “To inspire and empower creative ministries through innovative leadership to make new and deeply rooted disciples of Jesus Christ.”
Our strategy continues to expand Hispanic/Latino Ministry by supporting current programs plus adding new efforts to reach second, third and fourth-generation Hispanic/Latino people and support organic Hispanic/Latino ministry’s where they are developing on their own.
Our Strategic Priorities for 2021 will continue to focus on the following: 1) Identifying and training Hispanic/Latino leaders and planting congregations. 2) Continue to develop the new leadership tracks to identify and develop pastors for congregations or worship communities that will reach English speaking Hispanics. 3) Coordination between the Hispanic/Latino Movement and other strategic priorities is needed to avoid duplication of efforts and to maximize synergies/learnings. 4) Seek to accelerate and broaden the growth of this ministry by doing more of what is currently working well and discovering other ways of doing ministry that reach the Hispanic/ Latino population.
49 Currently the Northwest Texas Annual Conference has 22 Hispanic/Latino Pastors serving in various ministries through the Conference in areas such as pastors of Anglo churches, Hispanic/Latino Churches and other Hispanic/Latino areas of ministry. There are 4 Hispanic/ Latino candidates for ministry seeking to become Licensed Local Pastors this year. The NWTX Conference currently has 10 standalone Hispanic/Latino Churches and 4 organic ministries occurring through the Conference. There have been 18 graduates from the Christian Academy including the three this year. The current enrollment is 16. We also have had 4 pastors enrolled in the License to Preach School.
We still need your help, the members of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference, in obtaining these goals in “Making Disciples for the Transformation of the World.” You can help us by entertaining ideas and inviting Hispanic/Latino ministries into your churches. We continue to covet your prayers and you support in this mission.
Submitted by, T.C. Broom
49 50 Strategic Plan Reports
PIPELINE ACTION TEAM
As of January 1, 2019, I became the chairperson for the 5th Priority, in short known as, “The Pipeline.” Our 1st step in the Pipeline happened to be the “further development of the Wesley Academy (WA).” We’d planned on making contact with various other groups doing similar things as the Wesley Academy and we accomplished the first steps to that goal this year.
Ben Nabours was our Academy Director from 2017-2019 but did not feel it was a good fit after 2 years, so we hired Desha Hooks over the 2019-2020 school year, but she too is now feeling a call into ministry with seminary being her next step. This is a good thing and what we are trying to accomplish through the Academy; however, we will have to start over again with our next director. We are hoping to provide some more stability to this position over the next few years.
Our next Academy Director is Kayla Moody, a 3rd year graduate of the Wesley Academy. The Wesley Academy (WA) at WT is a program that takes college graduates who are either: 1. Discerning a call into ministry, but don’t know what that looks like for them; or 2. Want to learn practical ministry skills before going to seminary; or 3. Want to tithe a year or two of their lives to God as missionaries to WT.
The WA was designed to be one of the many answers to the clergy shortage coming in the next decade. Our goal is to train up the next generation of Christian leaders. These college graduates are paired up with local UMCs within an hour’s drive to help with youth, children, media, or worship ministry. Churches pay them $500 a month and they raise the other half of their salary like missionaries do. At WT they fill roles such as mentors, small group leaders or running one of our ministries called Resource Teams. Wednesday mornings we bring in local UMC pastors to train them in areas like theology, missiology, hermeneutics, homiletics, administration, pastoral care, practical youth ministry, etc.
Desha and I started the 2nd step this year. We feel that the WT version of the Wesley Academy is fairly well developed and ready to replicate if other places are willing to take that opportunity. Desha and I began to make contact with and travel to other groups doing similar things that the WA is doing around the conference, including TTU Wesley Foundation and Aldersgate in Lubbock, to see how we could synergize and leverage the youth in our conference.
Our 3rd Step will be to connect with another “pond” for future leaders we’ve found in the NWTX youth camps. I believe one of the purposes of the Pipeline is to make sure that these vital “ponds” of potential future vocational ministers do not fall through the cracks. Our next step with this area of the Pipeline is to make contact with the head directors of each camp and start a relationship with them. We hope to coordinate with them to develop a way to cast the vision of vocational ministry to the campers and then gather that information so that it doesn’t get lost. After that, we’ll develop a way to start the conversation with these youth about accepting a call into vocational ministry and possible pathways to get there from where they are to pursue that call.
A future 4th Step could be to go on a “fact finding” mission to other conferences and see what they are doing with their CLM programs (Certified Lay Ministers). The first one we are looking at is New Mexico’s Conference. They have what looks like a strong program that contains 4 modules, and with it, have unleashed over 100 CLMs to lead in various ways in their conference. We have decided to look more into this and meet with them to see how their CLM program works and if it might be worth talking to our Board of Ordained Ministry about.
51 Our 5th Step includes getting some young leaders from our conference on the team. We’ve tried to keep the team nimble enough to move quickly and not get bogged down in committee, but we’ve also tried to get the young people who are youth pastors and leading the NWTX camps to join the team. Many youth directors are a bit spooked from the UMC because of the upcoming General Conference. So, a big part of the 5th Step is to find the right young influencers in the conference who are also passionate about the future of the UMC in NWTX and get them on the team.
Submitted by, Mikey Littau
51 52 Treasurer's Report TREASURER’S REPORT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS FOR 2018 1) Financial Statements 53 2) Statements of Financial Position 54 3) Statement of Activities 55 4) Statements of Cash Flows 56 5) Statement of Support and Revenue 57 1Notes to Financial Statements 58
See accompanying notes to the financial statement Unaudited and Preliminary - for internal use only
53 Treasurer's Report 2
See accompanying notes to the financial statement Unaudited and Preliminary - for internal use only
53 54 3 Treasurer's Report
See accompanying notes to the financial statement Unaudited and Preliminary - for internal use only 55 Treasurer's Report 4
See accompanying notes to the financial statement Unaudited and Preliminary - for internal use only 55 56 Treasurer's Report 5
See accompanying notes to the financial statement Unaudited and Preliminary - for internal use only 57 Treasurer's Report
1. NATURE OF ACTIVITIES AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Activities The purpose of the Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church (the Conference) is to inspire and empower creative ministries through innovative leadership to make new and deeply rooted disciples of Jesus Christ. The Conference fulfills that mission by providing leadership and resources to the local churches in the Conference, providing care and benefits for the clergy and by funding ministries in and beyond the Conference through the extended connection of The United Methodist Church.
The financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting which recognizes income when earned and expenses when incurred.
All assets of the Conference reported in these financial statements - with the exception of the Conference’s equity in the episcopal residence of the area bishop - are held in trust by the Board of Trustees of the Conference, incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas. The episcopal residence of the area bishop is located in Albuquerque, NM and by operation of church policy is held in trust by the Board of Trustees of the New Mexico Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church, incorporated under the laws of the State of New Mexico.
Basis of Accounting The financial statements are presented on the accrual basis. Revenues are recognized when earned, and expenses are recognized when the benefit is received.
Financial Statement Presentation The Conference is required to classify net assets and revenues, expenses gains and losses based on the existence or absence of donor-imposed restrictions. Accordingly, net assets and changes therein are classified as follows:
Net assets with donor restrictions: Net assets subject to donor - (or certain grantor) - imposed restrictions. Some donor-imposed restrictions are temporary in nature, such as those that will be met by the passage of time or other events specified by the donor. Other donor- imposed restrictions are perpetual in nature, where the donor stipulates that resources be maintained in perpetuity. Donor-imposed restrictions are released when a restriction expires, that is, when stipulated time has elapsed, when the stipulated purpose for which the resource was restricted has been fulfilled or both.
Net assets without donor restrictions: Net assets not subject to donor-imposed restrictions. Net assets without donor restrictions are currently available for operating purposes under the direction of the board, designated by the board for specific use or invested in property and equipment. Support that is restricted by the donor is reported as an increase in net assets without donor restrictions if the restriction expires in the reporting period in which the support is recognized. All other donor restricted support is reported as an increase in net assets with donor restrictions. When a restriction expires, restricted net assets are reclassified to net assets without donor restrictions.
Functional Allocation of Expenses The costs of providing programs and activities have been summarized on a functional basis in the statement of activities. Accordingly, certain costs have been allocated among the programs and supporting services benefited. Therefore, these expenses require allocation on a reasonable basis that is consistently applied. The expenses that are allocated include depreciation and various conference expenses, which are based on utilization, as well as salaries and related expenses, supplies, telephone, postage and shipping, occupancy, repairs, printing, insurance, marketing, website expenses and other expenses which are allocated on estimates of time and effort. Further information is contained in Note 12 to the financial statements. 57 58 Treasurer's Report
Concentration of Credit Risk The Conference maintains its cash balances in institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000. At times during the year, the balance in these accounts exceeded the insured limits.
The Conference also has investments with the Texas Methodist Foundation’s Methodist Loan Fund and with Wespath Investment Management, a part of the Wespath Benefits and Investments, a general agency of The United Methodist Church. These investments are not insured by the FDIC.
Property and Equipment Property and equipment are carried at cost or, if donated, at the approximate fair value at the date of donation. All land and buildings are capitalized. Equipment is capitalized if it has a cost of $100 or more and a useful life of more than one year when acquired. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred, additions and improvements that significantly extend the lives of assets are capitalized at cost. All assets are depreciated on the straight-line basis. Equipment, computers and furnishings are depreciated over lives of 3 to 5 years and the Conference building is depreciated over 40 years. Depreciation expense and amortization of Right of Use Assets for the year ended on December 31, 2019 and was $66,833.
Leases The Conference has adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Section 842, Leases (FASB ASC 842). The Conference has entered into leases for vehicles which are accounted for as finance leases. Further information is contained in Note 5 to the financial statements.
Collections The Conference owns and maintains a collection of historic documents and artifacts housed in the Archives Center. The collections which were acquired primarily through contributions since the Conference’s inception are not recognized as assets on the Statements of Financial Position. Proceeds from deaccessions or insurance recoveries, if any, will be reflected as increases in the appropriate net asset classes.
Postretirement Benefit Cost The Conference has early adopted the provision of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Section 715, Retirement Benefits (FASB ASC 842) for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Conference will report the service cost component of net benefits cost in the same line item under expenses. The other components of net benefit costs will be separately presented from the service cost component. Further information is contained in Note 7 to the financial statements.
Shared Ministries and Accounts Receivable The Conference records Shared Ministries and other church giving actually received on or before January 14, 2020 but intended as Support and Revenue for those years by the remitting church, as revenue and receivables as of December 31, 2019. Therefore, an allowance for uncollectible accounts is not required.
Cash Equivalents For purposes of the Statements of Cash Flows and the Statements of Financial Position, the Conference considers all investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
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Income Tax Status The Conference is exempt from income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and, therefore, has no provision for federal or state income or franchise taxes.
Comparative Totals The financial information for the year ended December 31, 2018. It is presented for comparative purposes only and is not meant to be a complete financial statement presentation.
Estimates The Conference uses estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported revenues and expenses.
2. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following as of December 31, 2019: Insured Accounts Prosperity Bank, Lubbock $860,528 Uninsured Accounts Texas Methodist Foundation $2,384,557 Wespath $1,476,894 General Board of Higher Education $87,808 Petty Cash Imprest Account $400 Purchasing Cards Virtual Account $3,600
Total Uninsured $3,953,259
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents $4,813,787
Of the total cash and cash equivalents, a portion of the total is restricted for donor-designated uses. On the Statements of Financial Position, cash and cash equivalents are shown as follows:
Cash and Cash Equivalents Without Donor Restrictions $3,417,773
Cash and Cash Equivalents – Without Donor Restrictions Designated For Post-Retirement Benefits $190,782
Cash and Cash Equivalents With Donor Restrictions $1,205,232
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents $4,813,787
3. ACCOUNTS, NOTES AND LOANS RECEIVABLE
As disclosed in Note 1, the Conference recorded Shared Ministries, benefits payments and other church giving actually received on or before January 14, 2020, but intended as Support and Revenue for 2018 by the remitting church, as revenue and receivables as of December 31, 2019.
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Total Accounts Receivable at December 31, 2019, was composed of:
Summary of Accounts Receivable – Shared Ministries
Accounts Receivable – 2019 Shared Ministries Payments Received in 2020 $425,279
Accounts Receivable – 2019 Benefits Payments Received in 2020 $58,231
Accounts Receivable – Other Past-due Benefits Billed to Churches $72,571 Past-due Camp Volunteer Registrations ($270) Software License Fees $3,070 Advance for church repairs $5,500 Rent $4,000 $568,381 Less: Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts $0
Net Accounts Receivable $568,381
In addition, the Conference has made loans (but no longer does so) to students for education loans. Most of the student loans are currently with a collection agency. As of December 31, 2019, all student loans have either been collected or allowed for.
As of December 31, 2019, notes and loans receivable consisted of: Summary of Notes and Loans Receivable Student Loans Receivable $50,096 Less: Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts ($50,096)
Total Notes and Loans Receivable $0
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The following is a summary of property and equipment as of December 31, 2019: Land $247,033 Buildings $1,562,630 Furnishings, Equipment and Other Assets $190,940
$2,000,603 Less: Accumulated Depreciation ($517,767) Total Property and Equipment $1,482,836
The Conference has an equity interest in the area episcopal residence located in Albuquerque, NM. The current episcopal residence was acquired in January 2013 at a cost of $322,560. This cost is shared between the Northwest Texas Conference and the New Mexico Annual Conference on a 60%/40% basis, respectively. Accordingly, the Conference capitalized $193,536 (60% of $322,560) as its equity share of the new residence which is included in the Buildings total above.
5. LEASES
As noted in Note 1, the Conference has adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 842, Leases, to reflect its investment in Right-of-use assets and the corresponding lease liability. Beginning in June 61 Treasurer's Report
2017, the Conference entered into financing leases for three (3) automobiles which are used by Conference employees in the performance of their duties.
The autos are leased through Toyota Financial Services for a 36-month term. Each lease allows for a total of 90,000 miles over that lease term. There is a penalty charge for excess mileage but is the opinion of Conference management that the mileage penalties will not accrue and have, therefore, not been included in the guaranteed payments under the lease. There is no guarantee of residual value at the end of the lease and there are no restrictions imposed on the lessee (the Conference) in the leases.
The right-of-use asset and the lease liability were calculated at the net present value of the guaranteed lease payments over the term of each lease (36 months) using the discount rate implicit in the lease. The annual discount rate (or imputed interest rate) varies between 0.9% and 1.4%.
Below is a summary of the significant balances related to these leases as of December 31, 2019:
Right-of-use asset – financing leases $42,977 Accumulated amortization ($34,562) Right-of-use assets, net of amortization $8,415 Lease liability – financing leases - at lease inception $42,977 Lease payments ($32,543)
Total Lease liability $10,434 Less: Amount classified as current (payments due in the next 12 months ($10,434) Lease Liability $0
The following amounts are reflected in the Statement of Activities for 2019:
Lease amortization $14,326 Property tax payments $765 Interest payments $175
6. POST-RETIREMENT PENSION BENEFITS
The Conference is responsible for pensions for two classes of persons – clergy appointed to the Conference and lay employees. Pensions for clergy currently serving churches in the Conference are billed to and paid directly by their respective churches. For clergy assigned to the Conference and lay employees employed by the Conference, the Conference makes contributions to the pension plan maintained by Wespath Benefits & Investments, an agency of The United Methodist Church. The net cost for all current funding of these pension benefits in 2019 was $146,267.
Prior to 1982 the Northwest Texas Conference participated in a defined benefit program for clergy appointed to local churches of the Conference. The financial liability for that service still exists for the Conference and will until the last clergy person with service prior to 1982 – including surviving spouses - dies. The Conference makes the annual required contribution to amortize its liability but invests all excess assets with Wespath Benefits & Investments.
From 1982 through 2006, clergy participated the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP), a defined contribution plan. When a participant retires with service under MPP, that clergy-person’s pension is annuitized and, therefore, guaranteed for life. If the plan assets drop below the annuitized liability, the Conference would be responsible for its share of the unfunded liability. However, as of December 31, 2019, there was no unfunded MPP liability.
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As of December 31, 2019, the market value of assets designated for post-retirement benefits invested but, as yet not contributed to the plan, was $19.1 million, which exceeded the unfunded liability of the pension plans.
Accumulated Post-retirement Benefit Obligation (APBO) $53,633,195 Plan Assets invested with Wespath per Actuarial Valuations ($57,103,644) Investments with Wespath Outside of Plan ($22,941,615)
Assets in Excess of Pension Plans – Invested with Wespath ($26,412,064)
The assets in excess of the pension plan obligation were used to offset the health benefits obligation. See Note 7. However as disclosed in Note 13, Subsequent Events, $5 million in assets invested with Wespath outside of the pension plan were re-designated and transferred to a quasi-endowment fund on January 1, 2020.
7. POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATION
The Conference provides post-retirement health benefits for clergy and surviving spouses. The conference provides Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) contributions for each eligible clergy participant (retiree, spouse or dependent child). The Conference’s annual contribution to the HRA is currently set at a maximum of $1,200 (but increasing to $1,800 in 2020) per clergy-person and/or surviving spouse but is dependent upon the years of denominational service of the clergy person. In 2019, the net expense to the Conference to fund the health reimbursement accounts and for administration of those accounts was $166,793.
As of December 31, 2019, the Conference has an excess of plan assets over the accumulated post- retirement benefit obligation of $15.7 million as follows:
Accumulated Post-retirement Benefit Obligation (APBO) $5,835,406 Plan Assets invested with Texas Methodist Foundation (TMF) ($1,217,811) Assets in Excess of Pension Plans (see Note 6) ($26,412,064)
Plan Assets in Excess of APBO at December 31, 2019 ($21,794,469)
The actuarial valuation date is December 31, 2019. Other key actuarial assumptions include: • Discount rate of 3.05% • Mortality: RP-2014 Generational White Collar mortality table for annuitants and non-annuitants (male and female) with projected mortality improvements under Scale MP-2016. • Assumed increase in HRA is 4.0% every four years beginning in 2010.
Per ASU 715, as described in Note 1, the Conference reported the service cost component of net benefit cost as of December 31, 2019 $128,969. The remaining outside component ofnet benefits cost (benefit), Change in Funding, has been separately reported as of December 31, 2019 ($3,633,285).
Estimated future benefit payments for the next five years are as follows: 2020 $239,351 2021 $252,485 2022 $261,287 2023 $265,772 2024 $280,111
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8. PLEDGES RECEIVABLE
“Build, Renew, Rejoice!” is a campaign that started in 2007 to raise funds to help start or re-start churches in the Conference as well as to help build a new Conference Service Center. Pledges were scheduled to be paid by the end of 2013. The Conference believes that collection of the remaining balance of pledges at December 31, 2019 is doubtful. During 2018, $0 in pledges and other related gifts were collected. The remaining open pledges total $105,164 and have a corresponding allowance in the amount of $105,164 as of December 31, 2019.
9. NET ASSETS WITHOUT DONOR RESTRICTIONS
Net assets without donor restrictions represent revenues and expenses related to the operations and management of the Conference’s primary and supporting services. Depending on Board action, net assets without donor restrictions may be Board designated or undesignated. As of December 31, 2019, the Board designated $21,285,199 for Post-Retirement Benefit Obligation and $1,482,836 for Investment in Land, Building and Equipment. The undesignated funds for 2019 were ($71,685).
However, as more fully explained in Note 13, Subsequent Events, the Annual Conference at its June 2019 meeting, voted to designate $5,000,000 as a quasi-endowment. The endowment earnings will be used to fund the Conference’s strategic priority ministries.
10. NET ASSETS WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS
During 2019, the Conference transferred funds into Net Assets with Donor Restrictions from Net Assets without Donor Restrictions. These funds consist of the following: Transfer balances into Donor Restrictions Balance Strategic Priorities Fund Balance 1/1/2019 $0 Transfers $500,000 Adjusted Balance 1/31/19 $495,812
Net Assets with Donor Restrictions consists of the following as of December 31, 2019: Net Assets with Donor Restrictions Ward Estate Trust Fund- Missions $25,680 Youth Service Fund 5,342 District Superintendents 1,390 Equitable Compensation Endowment 185,582 Ministerial Education Fund 121,548 Ministerial Education Wilson Fund 113,430 Board of Ministry 55,539 New Clergy Initiative 616,470 Strategic Priorities Fund 495,812 Cabinet Emergency Fund 1,457 Trustee Fund 15,549 Leadership Pipeline 19,068 Conference Special Offerings 12,588 Advance for Christ Offerings 2,602 Conference Local Disaster Fund 45,966 Vision 2020 – Orphans 683 Golden Cross 12,175 Jewel Posey Archives Fund 13,859 District Services 7,607 Build, Renew, Rejoice 765,847 Build, Renew, Rejoice – Path1 39 Build, Renew, Rejoice – Conference Service Center 858,705 New Church Action Fund 1,665,847 Church Development Fund 96,523 Ethnic Ministries 434 New Dawn Camp Scholarship Fund 4,448 Grace Camp Scholarship Fund 600 63 64 Treasurer's Report
11. LIQUIDITY AND AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL ASSETS
The following reflects the Conference’s financial assets as of December 31, 2019, reduced by amounts not available for general use within one year of the balance sheet date because of contractual or donor-imposed restrictions or internal designations.
2019 Cash and Cash Equivalents $4,813,787 Accounts Receivable (Net) $568,381 Prepaid Expenses $26,171 Fixed Assets (Net) $1,482,836 Other Assets $21,802,884 $28,694,060 Less contractual or donor-imposed restrictions: Cash and Cash Equivalents ($1,205,232) Accounts Receivable (Net) ($321,891) Prepaid Expenses ($10,281) Net Investment in Fixed Assets ($1,482,836) Board Designated Assets ($21,794,469) Financial Assets Available to Meet Cash Needs for Expenditures within One Year $3,879,351
The Conference is supported by contributions from member churches of the Conference as well as through fees for services provided, primarily for clergy health and pension benefits.
The fees for clergy health and pension benefits are billed to the churches served by the clergy participants and there is an equivalency between the amount billed and the expense incurred to provide those benefits by the Conference.
Some of the contributions have donor restrictions in that the Conference serves as an intermediary between the church and the ultimate recipient of the contribution. For these contributions there is an equivalency between the receipt of the contribution and the payment, usually in the month following the receipt of the contribution, to the ultimate recipient or provider of the ministry involved.
Contributions without donor-imposed restrictions are used to fund ministries provided directly by the Conference and to cover administrative costs.
The Conference structures its financial assets such that it maintains a minimum cash reserve of $500,000 plus one-year advance funding (approximately $800,000) for the Conference-provided ministries. As part of the Conference’s liquidity management, it has a policy to invest excess cash in overnight repurchase agreements, as well as, short-term investment funds at Texas Methodist Foundation and Wespath Benefits & Investments.
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12. FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES
The following reflects the Conference’s functional expenses as of December 31, 2019:
Program Supporting Services services Total Salaries and wages $799,032 $256,379 $1,055,411 Fringe benefits $261,204 $71,005 $332,209 Clergy Care and Post-Retirement Benefits $457,190 $457,190 Service Cost – Conference $128,969 $128,969 Total Personnel Expenses $1,646,395 $327,384 $1,973,779
Office expense $751 $11,315 $12,065 Supplies and expendable equipment $5,013 $7,088 $12,101 Services and professional fees $42,206 $20,688 $62,894 Training and Ministry Development $79,741 $1,008 $80,749 Travel, meals and lodging $79,168 $15,409 $94,577 Occupancy $7,924 $81,954 $89,878 Conferences, meetings and retreats $85,000 $527 $85,527 Remitted to other agencies $1,638,748 $1,638,748 Grants to local church ministries $604,127 $604,127 Costs of services provided on a fee basis $717,970 $717,970 Insurance $747 $14,872 $15,618 Other expense $248 $248
Total Expenses before Depreciation $4,907,790 $480,493 $5,388,283
Depreciation and Amortization $66,833 $66,833
Total Expenses $4,907,790 $547,326 $5,455,116
13. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management has evaluated subsequent events through April 30, 2020, which the financial statements were available to be issued.
The Annual Conference at its meeting in June 2019 established a quasi-endowment by transferring $5,000,000 of reserves previously designated for post-retirement benefits effective January 1, 2020. The account which funds this quasi-endowment is invested through Wespath Benefits & Investments. Endowment earning, computed at 4% of corpus, will be used to fund the Conference’s strategic priorities ministries. Submitted by, 65 Dave Andersen 66 Conference Ministry Reports
ARCHIVES AND HISTORY
The Commission on Archives and History continues its mission to collect, preserve and celebrate the heritage of the Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. It is perhaps even more important during this time of uncertainty that we remember our foundation and the importance of documenting our path forward. Fred Day, who heads the General Commission on Archives and History, has noted that, “at GCAH, we believe and experience every day the power of history not merely as remembrance but active engagement, the past pointing to purpose, the DNA that makes us who we are, forming how we live into the future.”
The Conference Archives is the official depository of the church’s historically significant materials. Among the collections are the records of the conference agencies, district offices and closed churches, along with local church histories, interviews and retired ministers’ papers. The Commission encourages local churches to celebrate their heritage, update their histories and to gather and preserve the stories of clergy and laity. Pastors, administrators, church historians and others interested in the history of The United Methodist Church are invited to utilize the resources of the archives for research purposes.
Please consider adding the history of your local church to the archives – whether it’s a story, a great photograph, an oral history, information on a special event, a history done through a website, or an entire book. The Texas United Methodist Historical Society presents the Kate Warnick Awards each year and we encourage you to consider a submission.
Conference Archivist Cindy Martin is excited to announce that we have received a small grant from the University of North Texas Libraries and a $7,500 grant from the Summerlee Foundation to digitize the Northwest Texas Conference Journals from 1910-2019 and make them available through the Portal to Texas History. The project is underway and should be complete by the end of 2020.
The Commission had an exhibit and booth with historical photographs at the 2019 Annual Conference with the theme of look back with pride and look forward with hope. The Commission plans to also exhibit at the next Annual Conference.
Submitted by, Zandra Luttrell
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BUTMAN METHODIST CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
We were blessed again in 2019 with an awesome ministry team. We have a new Maintenance Manager that hit the ground running on Memorial Day, and we witnessed so many kids give their lives to Jesus.
On Sunday, May 19th, 2019, we hosted our Open House from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. We had 115 people here and several braved the trail to the Chapel on the Hill and did the zip line; plus, we had lots of Slip-n-Sliders and several of our guests managed to build a hamburger or a hot dog just the way they wanted it!
Tuesday morning, May 28th, we started our Summer Staff Orientation & Training Week. We also were blessed to get the opportunity to try out the new zip line. It was a hit!
We had 565 NWTX Campers and volunteers for the 2019 summer and 812 campers and volunteers from other denominational Camps. We had 6,648 total guests last year and served around 28,700 delicious meals.
Unfortunately, giving was down last year by around $25,000 from the annual average. This has made it difficult on our camp staff as we try to do all things with excellence with very little funds to help. Please consider how you can help us this year. Bring your church retreats, bring more campers down our way, pray for us and donations are nice too!
Please keep our staff, our campers and each other in your prayers. The Butman staff cherishes your prayers for us because your prayers make a difference!
Submitted by, Jeff Robinson
Board of Trustees for 2020-2021 Voting Members: At-Large Members: Aleta Alexander - Merkel Kitten Arthur - Abilene Tom Hawkins - Abilene Mark Merrell - Colorado City Ken Becker - Sweetwater, chair Dr. Jerry Marshall - Rotan Jody Holland - Amarillo Open Will Duniven - Sweetwater Paul Jones - Snyder Ex-Officio Members: Bob Gillette - Abilene, vice chair Rev. Wendell Horn - Conference Director of Steve McCarn - Abilene Missions Jeff Graham - Baird Rev. George Price - Abilene District Superintendent Richard Petree - Abilene Rev. Wesley Holland - NWTX Conference Russell Graham - Merkel Camping Task Force Interim Chair Mac Sipe - Merkel Jeff Robinson - Executive Director Butman Rev. Marvin Gregory - Abilene, secretary Methodist Camp Tom K. Smith - Abilene Roy Glenn Knowles - Merkel Dale White - Sweetwater 67 68 Conference Camping
CETA CANYON CAMP & RETREAT CENTER
2019 NWTX Conference Summer Camps - Total 1990 * • Campers - 1,643 – enrollment increased in 2019 for One Way 7-9, One Way 10-12, One Way 4-6 and Camp NOVA. * • Volunteers - 347 – Thank you to the leadership of dedicated Camp Directors and hundreds of Volunteers.
Ceta Canyon Programs - Total 504 • Lil Ceta - 2nd-3rd grade * • Restore Winter Youth Retreat * • Mother/Daughter Retreat * • Young Men’s Mentor Retreat in collaboration with Ceta Canyon Camp & Retreat Center, Bushland ISD, River Road ISD and the Potter County Sheriff’s Office. ** • Family Camp * • Wesley Community Center - Day Camp Ministry **
*Scholarships provided as needed through Friends of Ceta Dinners/Annual Support Donations. **These programs are offered through Friends of Ceta Dinners/Annual Support Donations.
Guests in 2019: Ceta Canyon Served 8,618 youth and adults throughout the year: Church Retreats, Summer Camps, Leadership groups, Schools-Outdoor Education, University/Colleges and Other Community Organizations. • United Methodist Church Retreats: 384 guests - Faith Southwest UMC, FUMC Happy Picnic, Happy Senior Picnic, Hereford FUMC Confirmation Class, Hereford FUMC Work Group, Kress Confirmation and Picnic, Midland FUMC Youth Work Group, Northwest Hills UMC Youth Retreat, NWTX UMW Spiritual Growth Retreat, Plainview FUMC, St. Luke’s UMC Hispanic Family Outing, Wolfforth Confirmation Class. • Leadership Groups: Community Organizations, Churches and Chamber of Commerce Leadership Groups from the Panhandle Region bring over 2,546 guests. • Specialty Camps: 542 guests - Diabetic Camp - Diabetic children and youth - ages 6-14, New Dawn - Mentally Challenged - adults 18 and up, Sky Camp - Grief Camp - children and youth, Camp Alphie - Cancer Camp children and youth - ages 6-14. • Outdoor Education: We served 1,476 students and teachers for their Outdoor Education and/or Leadership Development programs for the 2018 Spring and Fall School Year. • University/Colleges: 713 students – Amarillo College, Texas Tech, WTAMU. • Family Reunions: 831 guests
Volunteer Work Groups: We are very grateful for the volunteers that helped with a variety of important projects this past year! Your hard work and extra efforts are appreciated! • Hereford FUMC: April 12, 2019 – 5 guests, Darrin Gilley, Mark Landrum, John and Nancy Jacobs, assembled 5 swings for the swing haven group site, replacing the roof on the pump house and repairs on the metal roof at the Water Slide Pergolas. • Midland FUMC: July 19-20, 2019 - 12 guests - Ty Lust brought the youth group to work on maintenance projects.
69 • Volunteer Workday - Nov 8-9, 2019 - Painted at Ceta Lodge and helped put new beds together. • Volunteer Workday Event – March 13-15, 2020 - Postponed due to COVID-19.
Annual Support/Friends of Ceta Dinners and Shared Ministry: Your generous contributions through shared ministry offerings and annual support gifts allow us to put our Mission into Action, through a variety of Camp Ministry Programs. Annual Support contributions provide the important financial resources necessary to expand new outreach opportunities and provide scholarship funds to those in need, with a goal that no one would be turned away because of their inability to pay. • 2019 Shared Ministry: $74,104 • 2019 Annual Support/Friends of Ceta Dinners: $265,749 o Annual Support donations come from three Friends of Ceta Dinners Lubbock, Amarillo, Canadian and other annual support gifts throughout the year.
Thank you for providing Shared Ministry Funding and Annual Support Gifts to support Ceta Canyon’s Ministry, “A Special Place where God is Experienced and Lives are Changed.”
The heartfelt stories below confirm how important your partnership is for the ministry of Ceta Canyon through gifts received from Annual Support/Friends of Ceta Dinners.
Submitted by, Mike Wentz
Camper, Abby, shares: “Where do I even start on telling you my great experience this year? It was so fun! I loved the labs, the sermons, especially the meals and free time. I got to make and see so many friends and the scavenger hunt was the best. I also thought the schedule was good. I also am thankful to who paid the rest of the money for me to go. I hope I am able to attend next year! Also, I liked small groups. Thank you for letting me get an opportunity to grow closer with God and allowing me to be moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Parent, Stacey, shares: “I want to express my sincere gratitude for the scholarship. Thank you so much! As a foster family, my children have often seen the worst the world has to offer. My daughter said she loves God more than anything in the world because He gave her so much love at Ceta Canyon. She came back filled with hope for the future and the knowledge that she is never alone. My son said Ceta Canyon was the most fun he has ever had. My kids were in the process of reunification when the bottom fell out. They were comforted by the fact that they will get to be with me for family camp. You are all such a blessing to our family and all the kids you help. From the bottom of my heart I thank you! In Jesus Love, Stacey.”
NEW - Outdoor Learning Center – Special Dedication April 26th, 2019 With the partnership of generous donors and foundations we have completed the fundraising of $419,000 for the Outdoor Learning Center. Thank you to all of the faithful donors who have been committed to seeing this dream become a reality. This is an exciting opportunity for the students of area schools and guests to have a hands-on education experience. We will also be able to use this as a meeting and program area for Summer Camps and Weekend Groups.
Underway – NEW Welcome Center/Office to better serve our guests and donors. YTD $383,000 raised towards the goal of $415,000. Thank you to our generous donors and foundations!
Board Members or 2020 - 2021 Chairperson - Adam Cope - Amarillo Brent Barker - Lockney Vice-Chairperson - Brian Thomas - Amarillo Ronee’ Patton – Lubbock Secretary/Treasurer - Joe Dan Wilson - Amarillo Brian Stater - Amarillo Reverend Mark Welshimer - Amarillo NWTX Conference Amarillo District Superintendent David Baum - Canyon Reverend Felicia Hopkins - Amarillo Jody Irwin - Gruver NWTX Conference Director of Mission and Administration Amy Carlson - Hereford Reverend Wendell Horn - Lubbock John Jacobs - Hereford NWTX Conference Camping Task Force Interim Chairman J. Dale Butler – Hereford Reverend Wesley Holland - Spearman Josh Damron - Idalou Ex. Officio Faron Walker - Amarillo 69 70 Conference Ministry Reports
COMMISSION ON EQUITABLE COMPENSATION
The purpose of the Commission on Equitable Compensation (COEC) is to support clergy under appointment in the Annual Conference by 1) recommending Conference standards for clergy support, 2) administering funds to be used in base compensation supplementation, and 3) providing counsel and advisory material on clergy support to district superintendents and Pastor-Parish Relations Committees. (Discipline 2016, ¶625.5)
Primary responsibility for pastoral base compensation belongs to the individual pastoral charges (Discipline 2016, ¶625.5). The COEC provides supplements when support from the appointment must fall below the minimum established by the Annual Conference consistent with the provisions cited above. The Northwest Texas Annual Conference Commission on Equitable Compensation works towards the realization of the following goals: 1. To establish a reasonable minimum compensation for pastors, considering their relationship to the Annual Conference (Members in full connection, provisional members, associate members and full-time local pastors.) 2. To request and distribute the United Methodist Shared Ministries to the local churches that is sufficient to guarantee the minimum level of compensation for pastors appointed to full time service. 3. To be stewards of funds derived from the Northwest Texas Annual Conference Shared Ministries to local churches. 4. To assist pastors in development of ministerial skills through continuing education grants where they have demonstrated need, opportunity and potential for growth.
With the above considerations we present the following:
Minimum Compensation Scale for 2021
Minimum compensation refers to line 13 of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference Pastor’s Compensation Form. The minimum figure is based on the rate of inflation of the previous year as determined by the Federal Government. That rate this past year was 1.6%. Below are the recommended Minimum Compensation for 2021: 1. Full Connection (Elders and permanent Deacons) and Provisional Members: $38,215 2. Associate Members of the Annual Conference: $35,274 (This is the basis for ordained clergy serving less than full time. 3/4, ½, or ¼ time; see E below.) 3. Full-time local pastors: $31,822
Operating Procedures A. The Pastor-Parish Relations Committee and the Church Council of the local church are responsible for ensuring the pastor’s salary is in line with the Minimum Compensation scales set by the Annual Conference. In the event the salary does not meet minimum requirements, the Church Council should submit an application to the chairperson of the COEC or the proper Conference Staff and send a copy to the district superintendent. B. Each pastor is responsible for reporting to their District Superintendent when the charge they are appointed to can no longer meet minimum salary requirements. C. Deadlines for submission of requests are November 1st for a January 1st start date and May 1st for changes to be made following the session of the Annual Conference. D. COEC support is intended to be a temporary provision for proper pastoral compensation. The local charges in consultation with the district superintendent are expected to determine the changes the church or charge need to make in order to either raise sufficient funds for pastoral support in the future or to change the appointment status of the church.
71 E. A church/charge appointment served by clergy appointed to less than “full-time” is eligible to receive equitable compensation support according to the percent of “full time” devoted to the work. The Cabinet, in consultation with the local charge, determines, in quarter time increments, the percent of full-time service. It is the opinion of the Commission on Equitable Compensation that a church needs an average attendance of at least fifty or more to justify being a full time charge. F. The COEC pays for each eligible participant that part of the required contribution to the Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) and the Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) that relates to the salary benefits. G. Pastors receiving COEC support while serving multiple point charge appointments receive an additional mileage reimbursement at the rate set by the IRS (57.5 for 2020) on fifty round trips annually. The mileage rate will automatically be adjusted based on the changes to the federal business travel reimbursement rates. Some business travel and professional expenses may not be reimbursed by the charge or the Conference. Documentation of non-reimbursed expenses for tax purposes is the responsibility of the person incurring the expense. H. Churches with multiple clergy staff must ensure that all ordained clergy under appointment to the charge receive at least minimum compensation as established by the Annual Conference. COEC does not help multiple staff churches. I. Equitable compensation is distributed monthly to the participating charges by the Conference through the Service Center. J. There shall be an annual meeting with the Bishop and the Cabinet or their representative at a date announced by the Bishop. Members of COEC may attend meetings by electronic means. (Zoom or other electronic platform that allows full participation) K. The names of the charges receiving equitable compensation support and the amount received shall be published in the Conference Journal as part of the COEC report. L. In consultation with the District Superintendents it is recommended churches receiving Equitable Compensation Funds should have their charge conference prior to October 15th of each year. Requests for COEC support are due to the COEC chairperson by November 1st for the upcoming year. Requests for support may be made any time circumstance warrant. M. The pastor is expected to send a written statement requesting COEC funds with supporting application, stewardship and budget information and the reason s/he believes this church needs to receive assistance from the COEC. Progress toward achieving goals should be included in the letter. The statement and application should be made in full consultation with the District Superintendent. N. Grants: 1. Grants provide support for compensation related items. 2. The purpose of the request must be stated clearly. The terms of the grant are negotiated at the beginning of the grant and will be reviewed for compliance annually by the COEC and District Superintendent. 3. Salaries are not limited to the minimum compensation level established by the Annual Conference. 4. Because limited funds are available for grants, it is necessary that District Superintendents apply for grants and have the approval of the COEC before making appointments based on grant funds.
Submitted by, Scott Richards
71 72 Equitable Compensation Fund Disbursement to Churches
Equitable Compensation Request Form and Required Documentation.
In order to apply for funds from COEC please include the following form with your request along with the attachments listed below the form.
Pastor: ______Church/Charge: ______Amount requested from COEC: ______
Item Detail Status
Is the charge current on all shared Equitable Compensation: ___Yes ___ No ministry items? Episcopal Fund: ___ Yes ___No District Superintendents Fund: ___ Yes ___No Board of Pensions: ___ Yes ___No Insurance for Retirees: ___ Yes ___ No Benefits Insurance Payments for Pastor: ___ Yes ___ No CPP, CRSP Current for Pastor: ___ Yes ___ No Worship Attendance Average Worship Attendance this Year: ______District Superintendent Has your district superintendent been informed and approved of your ___Yes ___ No request? Current Budget Summary Total Expected Revenue for This Year (excluding COEC funds) $______Total Operating Expenses $______Total Debt Expenses $______Other Expenses $______Total Basis for Appointment (Line 13 from Pastor’s Compensation and $______Expense Form) Pastor’s Insurance Amount $______Budget Net Surplus (Deficit) $______Stewardship Campaign What is the date of the last stewardship campaign? / / What was the total of the net pledges received? $______Total Request from COEC Pastor’s Salary $______Other (detail in pastor’s letter) $______
Attach the following documentation to your request:
1. Current Budget 2. Year End Financial Statement 3. Pastor’s Compensation and Expense Form (including all churches of the charge as approved at charge conference) 4. List of debts and unpaid financial responsibilities including amounts and time unpaid 5. Worship Attendance report detailing weekly worship attendance throughout the year (per Sunday) 6. Goals and Mission Statement for the charge and the churches of the Charge; Congregational Goals 7. Pastor’s statement of need for COEC request (See L. above)
73 Conference Ministry Reports
SMALL CHURCH TASK FORCE
The Small Church Taskforce (SCTF) of the NWTX Annual Conference is a group of clergy and lay persons who have a great love for Christ’s Church, especially the smaller churches. By definition, the small church in the NWTX Annual Conference is any congregation that is worshiping 80 people or less during their weekly worship service(s). These congregations are in no way small in ministry or heart, they just happen to not worship hundred(s) of people on a weekly basis. This group of churches comprises 75% of the churches in the NWTX Annual Conference and are served by Ordained Elders, Licensed Local Pastors, Certified Lay Ministers and Supply Pastors.
This year the SCTF undertook a project to increase our “connectiveness” and attempt to identify areas where clergy could help other clergy and churches could help other churches. This project was designed to have clergy contact clergy and lay persons contact other laity to have a conversation around some key questions. Those questions for the lay persons as related to their churches were: 1. What are the top two or three strengths of your church? 2. What are the needs or growing edges of your church? 3. What are your greatest fears for your church? 4. What are your dreams for your church? 5. Are you aware of the NWTX Resource Sharing page on Facebook?
Clergy were approached in a similar way with the following questions: 1. What are the top two or three strengths you possess for ministry? 2. What are the needs or growing edges you might have for your ministry? 3. What are your greatest fears for your ministry? 4. What are your dreams for your ministry? 5. Are you aware of the NWTX Resource Sharing page on Facebook?
The information from these conversations is accumulated into an on-line resource where it can be utilized by the SCTF to make what we are calling “pairings.” These parings are intended to take the gifts and talents of a church or clergy and pair them with the needs or growing edges of churches or clergy that need them. These pairings will be done by SCTF members as they see gifts that match growing edges. The SCTF will contact both parties (churches or clergy) and let them know that we feel like we have a pairing that could be beneficial to them. By doing this churches and clergy share their gifts with others for the building of God’s Kingdom. These conversations and pairings also have the secondary effect of increasing our communication and connectiveness to our fellow disciples in other communities and congregations. Our hope is that this sharing will aid Christ’s Churches and Pastors in their efforts to be the best version of themselves that God has called them to be.
As a Taskforce, the SCTF, will circle back to the paired churches and clergy to follow up with them to see how the pairing is working (have they been able to communicate, have they been able to put together a plan for moving forward, has there been any plan for implementation of the proposed activity, has there been implementation, what has been the outcome?). This will give us information to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of our project as well as aiding in the connectiveness of churches to churches and clergy to clergy. As we visit with churches and with clergy we intend to inquire about growth, challenges, struggles, and benefits that have been born from this connection of churches to churches and clergy to clergy. This information gathered will help us evaluate our project as well as give us more information to be able to aid churches and clergy for the making of deeply rooted disciples. Submitted by, 73 Kirk Watson 74 Campus Ministries
THE WESLEY FOUNDATION AT TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
We live in a world that is changing at an exponential rate. The technology alone has changed so much in the last five years much less the last twenty-five years. Our young people are having to navigate things that we never dreamt of encountering. I know that I have stated this before but on average out of ten high school graduates that would consider themselves active in their local church, seven of them abandon their faith in college. That really is a shocking statistic. But if you think about the people that you know, doesn’t that ring true? I have been involved in camping and campus ministry for over 25 years and I am constantly running into former campers that just aren’t “into church or religion” anymore. These are good kids that went to good churches and went to good camps! The main common denominator as to why they drifted away is because they didn’t plug into a local body of Christ once they left home, whether that be at college or wherever they landed with their career. Our children need solid places to land when the go off to college. They need their parents and church families to strongly encourage them to get plugged in. Don’t let them “figure it out on their own.” They need direction. Campus ministry is a place that is designed to help young people navigate this ever-changing world.
“We exist to raise up a generation of Christians that lead.” That has been the mission statement of the Wesley Foundation at Texas Tech for decades. As we are entering our 86th year on the campus of Texas Tech, we can faithfully report that the mission of the Wesley is still the focus of all that we do. As we strive to raise up Christian leaders, those leaders in turn are making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
It has been a good year at the Wesley Foundation. We have had many new students get involved. Our numbers are up across the board and God just seems to be on the move. While that is incredible, I’ve had some really encouraging moments over the year. I’ll share some of them. First, we just got back from taking seven students to explore the possibility of attending seminary and entering full-time ministry. That is a good group of students that feel a calling to serve in very set apart ways. They will soon be joining the eight students that have recently began their seminary education and the literally hundreds that have gone on before them. Second, our freshman ministry, Freshley, has really become an evangelistic tool. In the past, our freshman ministry consisted of students that primarily came from Christian backgrounds now the majority of our students in the ministry are very new in their faith journey. We have seen tremendous growth as these students grow into who God designed them to be.
I, Al Martin, manage the staff and oversee the ministry as the Director. Scott Latham, Hanna Waldo, Misty Peden, Zack Esgar and Brad Shine make up the Ministry Director’s Team. Penny Wilson is the Director of Development and Administration. Drew Parker is a fulltime intern. Misty Peden is also our bookkeeper. Dallas Stevens leads the worship team and Michael Wilson is back and does a great job keeping the building clean. We have an excellent staff that works hard and I am proud to have them on my team. Our staff has experienced some significant things this past year. From the birth of babies to the loss of loved ones, it has been a journey. Please keep us in your prayers.
Underground, our Thursday night worship gathering, is consistently a place where students encounter the presence of God. Great messages are shared and the students are challenged with the truths of God. In the fall semester, the theme was Formation: How God Changes Us Through the Disciplines. This spring we looked at being missional and the tension between trusting God and trying to please God. We started the year with 27 students in LEAC, our leadership academy. They have done a great job leading our ministry.
75 Some highlights of the Wesley this year: • We took mission trips to Haiti and Mexico. We had other students serve abroad in various capacities. • A couple of the students that went on our Mexico trip have since organized and led their own trips back to Mexico with their own churches. • We are praying about where the Lord will lead us next year but are confident that we will go back to Haiti, Mexico and India. • Our Global Christian Fellowship is still very strong under the leadership of Hanna. o Several people have accepted Christ and been baptized in the years through the ministry, most of them are from China. o Several people have gone back to their home countries as “missionaries”. o Weekly about 20-30 international students gather at the Wesley for food, fellowship and Bible study. o We had to decrease the number of groups this semester due to lack of volunteers, time and energy. Ministry with international students is very taxing. Pray for our leaders. • We reintroduced, Hardcore BS, an in-depth Bible study on Tuesday night. This year we went through the letter to the Philippians. It was great. Some nights we actually only covered 2 words because we were digging in so deep. • All of our student interns are required to meet in a discipleship relationship with staff and is encouraged to go and do likewise. • The intern academy has been a tremendous blessing to our interns. Scott Latham oversees the academy. • Lunch and Last Lecture has been temporally been put on hold. • We have “blitzed” over 40 churches within the past year. We love to come and share what God is doing at the Wesley and how churches can partner with us! • Our worship team has really done a great job under the leadership of Dallas. Several of our students help lead worship at local congregations and gatherings. • Freshley, our freshmen ministry, has flourished under the leadership of Zack Esgar. • We have students working and volunteering at over a dozen local churches. I love when there are large youth gatherings in the area because I get to see how many of the Wesley students are pouring back into our churches right now! • We have written several grants this past year with some success. Pray that we can find great foundations to partner with us. Penny is doing a great job leading our efforts in development. Please consider supporting this great ministry monthly, annually or by estate planning. • We are being very intentional on encouraging our students to pursue further theological education and consider working in full-time ministry. We are working in partnership with the Lilly Foundation on some neat things. 7 students took a seminary exploration trip this Spring.
As always, we had a great time with these wonderful students. Many lives were changed because of what God is doing at the Wesley. There were retreats, lock-ins, dances and fellowship time as well. The community at the Wesley is as strong as ever. Keep us in your prayers and let us know if anyone in your community will be joining us at Tech. We would love to connect with them. In closing, thank you for supporting our ministry with your prayers and financial gifts. You really don’t understand the difference they make in the kingdom. Those churches that paid 100% of their shared ministries, we notice. Thanks for all you do.
Submitted by, Al Martin
75 76 Campus Ministries
WEST TEXAS A&M WESLEY FOUNDATION
“Raising up the Next Generation of Christian Leaders”
This year we have seen record breaking numbers at the WT Wesley Foundation and there are so many exciting things to report. Here are some basic stats!
Since 2010: 9,244 students have signed into our system.
This school year: 1,062 have signed into our system (that’s 10% of WT students), and of those: • 783 signed in at a fall outreach • 322 have come to a 5th Quarter after a football game • 150 students come to Free lunch on Tuesdays (provided by a local UMCs) • 382 came to our weekly worship service called Tupos (144 AWA) • 206 have come to Small Groups • 143 are in GROW (our discipleship program) • 35 Mentors who disciple groups of 4 students in GROW • 16 went on a mission trip to Peru with contacts from UM based missions
We are in our 5th year of the Wesley Academy Internship Program. It was designed to be one of the many answers to the clergy shortage coming in the next decade. Our goal is to train up the next generation of Christian leaders. These college graduates are paired up with local UMCs within an hour’s drive to help with youth, children, media, administration or worship ministry.
Churches pay them $500 a month and they raise the other half of their salary like missionaries do. At WT they fill roles such as mentors, small group leaders or running one of our ministries called Resource Teams. Wednesday mornings we bring in local UMC pastors to train them in areas like theology, missiology, hermeneutics, homiletics, administration, pastoral care, practical youth ministry, etc. We interviewed the following 5 candidates who are discerning a calling into vocational ministry, and they have chosen these specialized tracks to study!
Projected WT Wesley Academy Mission Staff for 2020-2021: - Hayden Hensley: Pastoral Track - Tanner Boman: Church Administration and Worship Track - Sabrina Manix: Worship Track - Sarah Mercer: Church Administration and Pastor/Youth Minister Track - Lissy Barber: Pastoral Track
I want to give a picture of what this looks like. We interviewed these 5 candidates who will be raising funds like missionaries do, so that they can serve on the WT campus as missionaries half- time, while serving local churches around the NWTX conference the other half.
To put this into perspective, they have bachelor’s degrees, but they have felt the calling of God on their lives to explore what it would look like to go into the ministry in some way instead. By faith, they are jumping into the unknown of ministry.
77 Several candidates were a part of youth groups, like Tanner Boman (of FUMC, Happy) and Hayden Hensley (of Lakeridge UMC, Lubbock). Years ago, we sent some of our strongest student leaders to intern at these churches as summer youth pastors. They took these kids to camp at Ceta Canyon for One Way and Nova. These kids gave their hearts to the Lord at camp and then when they graduated, they came to WT (because of the United Methodist Wesley Foundation). They spent time as leaders, leading small groups, discipling younger students and playing on worship teams, etc. Now that they are graduating, they are considering a calling into the ministry...many of them as pastors in NWTX.
We have been focused on resourcing the NWTX conference with leaders over the last decade. Our desire is to send out youth and children’s interns to area churches. Below is where we currently have students and alumni serving who have graduated WT in the last decade.
Full Time Serving in the NWTX Conference: 7 - Beau Niewoehner: Big Spring (Youth Director/Wesley Director) - Amanda Brookheart: St. Stephen UMC (Adult Discipleship Director) - David Pruitt: Snyder UMC (Youth Director) - Lupe Acevedo: Faith Southwest (Wesley Academy Graduate) - Jonathan Davis: St. Stephen UMC (Media Director & Wesley Academy Graduate) - Liz Hensley: St. Paul Amarillo (Youth Ministry) - Charlie Keys: Canyon FUMC (Associate Pastor)
Part Time Serving in the NWTX Conference: 12 - David Cochran: Happy UMC (Youth) - Karis Carstensen: Happy UMC (Youth) - Raymon Mendoza: Canyon FUMC (Youth) - Chase Nabours: Canyon FUMC (Media) - Matthew Winton: Canyon FUMC (Youth) - Suzanne Buck: Canyon FUMC (Youth) - Kayla Moody: Earth UMC youth (Wesley Academy 3rd Year Intern) - Kristin Hickmott: Faith Southwest UMC (Children) - Kaitlyn Davidson: St. Stephen UMC (Worship/Media intern and 1st Year Academy) - Cameron Smith: Borger FUMC (Worship Leader) - Lissy Barber: Sunray UMC (Youth) - Jessica Bivona: Canyon FUMC (Children)
Attending Asbury Seminary: 4 - Lupe Acevedo - Ivan Ramirez - Ben Allen - Chaney Allen
Submitted by, Mikey Littau
77 78 Conference Ministry Reports
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
In 2019, United Methodist Women all around the world celebrated 150 years as a women’s organization for mission. Throughout the year, we celebrated our history and looked for continuing and new ways to serve the needs of women, children and youth in meaningful ways.
In the Northwest Texas Conference, it was a year of celebration. Local units throughout the conference set aside special days to honor the past, present and future of United Methodist Women. Many cakes were eaten, photos shared and stories told of those who shaped us.
Each of our 2019 events had a theme of celebration. We met in Lubbock in February to train leaders and to find new ways to reach new generations. In April, we greatly enjoyed spending time with Dr. Pug Parris as she led us through a time of spiritual renewal by reminding us of the good things of our childhoods.
In June, we enjoyed the annual UMW and Friends Dinner at Annual Conference. At that time, Rev. Dot Lea had us up on our feet, singing, dancing and celebrating the fun of being in the United Methodist Women. At that same dinner, Rev. Robert Lindley was recognized as the Most Supportive Pastor for his work with UMW.
July was the month for Mission u at McMurry University. We met together and studied the history of United Methodist Women and Practicing Resurrection, the Gospel of Mark. Both studies were well received. Mission u is more than study. We take time to fellowship, to relax, to play, to sing, to work together on mission projects. In 2019, we cut hundreds of plastic bags to be woven into sleeping mats for the homeless in our conference. Of course, a highlight every year is unlimited ice cream.
The culmination of our year of celebration was in September during our Annual Celebration in Amarillo. Each person attending received a book of stories of the women of the Northwest Texas Conference. This book was a five-year project and reflected the histories of women who had worked together for the goal of mission.
Now, in 2020, we have a new theme: Step Out in Faith. As we work together in changing times, we are sure that God still has big plans for our church and for the work of United Methodist Women at home and all around the world.
Submitted by, Pam Zwickey
79 Educational Institution Reports
BOSTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
I am grateful to have one last opportunity to thank you for your moral, prayerful and material support of the Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH), and also to highlight the promising future of the School as a new Dean joins our stellar faculty, staff and students in summer 2020 to carry on the mission of the School in partnership with all of you.
BREAKING NEWS: • Students: We continue to increase and celebrate diversity in our student body, creating opportunities for in-depth exchanges and a rich community life. • Faculty: We welcomed two faculty this year: Filipe Maia as Assistant Professor of Theology, and Luis Menéndez-Antuña as Assistant Professor of New Testament. Both are extraordinary teachers who delight in working with students. • Scholarships: We continue to offer free tuition to UMC registered candidates for ordained ministry and to build student scholarships and housing as key priorities. BUSTH also offers leadership fellowships to support students in ethnic, gender and sexuality studies: Raíces Latinas, Sacred Worth, Howard Thurman, Indigenous Studies, Korean Studies, Women in Leadership and African Studies. • Two New Programs: Faith and Ecological Justice (FEJ) and Raíces Latinas Program in Theology, Leadership and Research (RL). FEJ leads programs to build ecological awareness, theological research, church collaborations and community activism in ecological justice. RL sponsors programs to expand Latin American and Latinx theological study, research and to enhance the leadership of students, young people and leaders in Latino/Latina communities. • Online Lifelong Learning: We have launched an exciting new program, offering online mini- courses, workshops and reading groups for professional and spiritual enrichment. • Theology and the Arts Initiatives: Exhibits highlight sacred spaces in Boston; wilderness photography; a 1619 visual lament of 400+ years of slavery; voices and faces of Colombia; and paintings of a gay man struggling with the church. • Campaign: Our BUSTH development campaign concluded with the raising of $29.4 million to support students, faculty and vital programs. • Website and Viewbook: Check out our new BUSTH website (www.bu.edu/sth) and Viewbook.
PARTNERING FOR MINISTRY AND TRANSFORMATION: • Creative Callings: In partnership with local churches, we seek to create “a culture of call.” • Engagement with the UMC: Many of our students are delegates, volunteers and singers in General Conference 2020. • Continuing Scholar Program: BUSTH courses are open to alums and local clergy for small lifelong learning fees. • Doctor of Ministry: The DMin in Transformational Leadership flourishes with lively student cohorts that are broadly ecumenical, culturally diverse and global. The model includes intensives, online courses and faculty mentoring. • Religion and Conflict Transformation Clinic: The Clinic provides internships in local churches and organizations that foster just peacebuilding. • Travel Seminars: Immersion journeys open worlds to students in the borderlands of Arizona and Mexico, Cuba, Peru, Israel-Palestine, Civil Rights landmarks and centers for ecological- spiritual renewal.
79 80 • Ecumenical Partnerships: We now have four denominational Communities of Learning: Wesleyan/Methodist, Episcopal/Anglican, United Church of Christ,and Unitarian Universalist. • Partnership with Hebrew College: Together we are able to enrich interreligious learning through joint courses, public events, also co-sponsoring The Journal of Interreligious Studies and the State of Formation for emerging leaders.
TAKING ACTION GLOBALLY AND LOCALLY: • Campus Action: Work to improve accessibility and sustainability. BUSTH is the first certified Green School in BU and is active in the Green Seminary Initiative. We have also been named as one of the “Seminaries that Change the World.” • Internships in Global Service and Peacemaking: Students participate in apprenticeship ministries across the world.
COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE: • Faculty and students have been active in UMCOR efforts to support victims of hurricanes and fires, and in collaborative services to support people suffering the consequences of immigration practices, disability inequities or racial violence. • In Town Hall meetings, the community has deep conversations on issues that divide, seeking to develop capacities for relating across differences and to create a community based on the dignity of all.
BUSTH looks to the future. We celebrate transformational leaders of The United Methodist Church, who love with their whole hearts and follow Jesus Christ with their whole lives. Your legacy and witness give us hope and courage for the future.
Submitted by, Mary Elizabeth Moore
81 Educational Institution Reports
CANDLER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Since our founding in 1914, Candler School of Theology at Emory University has educated more than 10,000 students, shaping thoughtful, principled, and courageous leaders who are dedicated to transforming the world in the name of Jesus Christ.
This is especially important to note amid the current shifts in our denomination. It is an honor and a privilege for Candler to be one of 13 official seminaries of The United Methodist Church. Yet, true to the Methodist tradition of ecumenical openness, Candler has enthusiastically welcomed the entire Wesleyan family to our community for generations. Faculty, staff and students from the AME Church, the AMEZ Church, the CME Church, Free Methodists, Nazarenes and others have worked, worshiped, learned and prayed alongside United Methodists, and have been a vital part of shaping Candler and our mission. This diversity has been a wonderful gift and a rich blessing. As we move forward, we will continue to invite and welcome those from all expressions of the Wesleyan tradition. Indeed, we will continue to welcome all those who follow Jesus Christ.
This year, Candler has continued to strengthen our deep commitment to alleviating student debt and promoting financial literacy. In 2018-2019, we awarded $6.3 million in financial aid, with 100 percent of master of divinity (MDiv) students receiving support and financial coaching. In fall 2019, we announced a major expansion of our financial aid program to include full-tuition scholarships for all MDiv students who are certified candidates for ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church and new merit scholarships covering 75% of tuition for qualifying MDiv students who identify as pan-Wesleyan and those pursuing chaplaincy through Candler’s new chaplaincy concentration. In addition, all incoming students in the master of divinity, master of theological studies and master of religious leadership programs will receive awards covering at least 50% of tuition.
This year also saw the launch of two pilot “formation communities,” off-campus student housing that focuses on intentional living and spiritual formation. Students from multiple degree programs applied to take part in these pilot groups. At the start of the year, the housemates created a “rule of life” to guide their days together, emphasizing prayer, fellowship and celebration. A house chaplain—a Candler faculty member or church leader—supports them and shares in the journey. The ten students who took part this year describe feeling a richer sense of community and deeper connections to God and one another in the midst of their busy lives. It is clear that this fulfills a need for our seminarians and we eagerly anticipate the program’s growth in the coming years.
Candler’s student body continues to reflect the diversity and breadth of the Christian faithful, with an enrollment of 470 from 12 countries and 38 states, with 40 percent people of color (U.S.) and a median age of 27 among MDivs. Students represent 42 denominations, with 45% of all students and 50% of MDivs coming from the Methodist family.
We offer six single degrees and ten dual degrees pairing theology with bioethics, business, international development, law, public health and social work. Our Doctor of Ministry degree is 90 percent online, so students can remain in their places of ministry while completing their degrees.
Candler draws strength and inspiration from its relationship with The United Methodist Church. Our ability to fulfill our mission of educating faithful and creative leaders for the church’s ministries throughout the world depends upon your prayers, partnership and support. Thank you for the countless ways you advance this vital ministry in the life of our denomination. We invite you to visit us in person or online at candler.emory.edu. Submitted by, Jan Love, Mary Lee Hardin Willard 81 82 Educational Institution Reports
DUKE UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL
Dean L. Gregory Jones, Dean of the Divinity School and Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams Jr. Distinguished Professor of Theology and Christian Ministry, had his term as dean extended for a full five years through 2023.
The Duke Endowment awarded Duke Divinity School a $12 million grant in support of DDS’s three core priorities and traditions: Thriving communities enlivened by healthy congregations and gifted pastors, embodied wisdom through rigorous intellectual vitality and creative institutions that inspire imaginative and transformative leadership including the Thriving Communities Fellowship program, which will provide 52 new full-tuition scholarships over the next four years.
Duke Divinity School launched the Duke Divinity: Black Pastoral Leadership Collaboration which will draw on original research in Black church traditions and historical examples of effective Black church leadership to train and build networks of effective leaders for the Black church of today and the future. The collaboration will be led by the Rev. David Emmanuel Goatley, research professor of theology and Black church studies and director of the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke Divinity School.
In 2019, Duke Divinity School welcomed 215 new students from 33 different states and seven other countries, including Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Zimbabwe. The Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) and Master of Arts in Christian Practice (M.A.C.P.) degree programs received record enrollments of 35 students and 22 students, respectively. The Master of Theology (Th.M., 14 students), Doctor of Ministry (D.Min., 20 students), and Doctor of Theology (Th.D., 4 students) all had strong enrollment. The D.Min. program was named the top online program by TheBestSchools.org. Duke Divinity’s new Certificate in Theology and Health Care will enroll 8 students, all of whom are fellows with the Theology, Medicine and Culture (T.M.C.) initiative at the school. The M.T.S. program also includes 8 students who are T.M.C. fellows, for a record year of 16 total fellows. The M.Div. degree program gained 110 new students, with minority students comprising more than 32 percent of the incoming M.Div. class and Black students comprising 18 percent of the incoming M.Div. class. Female students made up 44 percent of incoming M.Div. students, while males were 56 percent. There were 24 denominations represented in the M.Div. entering class, with 42 percent affiliated with The United Methodist Church.
Two new faculty members, Brent Strawn and Brett McCarty, joined the DDS faculty in July 2019. Strawn, Professor of Old Testament, is an ordained elder in the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church. Strawn has a secondary appointment as a Professor of Law at Duke University School of Law. Prior to joining the Duke faculty, Strawn taught at Candler School of Theology at Emory University for 18 years.
McCarty, Assistant Research Professor of Theological Ethics, is a theological ethicist whose work centers on questions of faithful action within health care. He is associate director of the Theology, Medicine and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School and he holds a joint appointment in the School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health Sciences.
Randy Maddox, William Kellon Quick Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies, general editor of the Wesley Works Editorial Project and elder in the Dakotas Conference, retires at the end of the 2019-2020 academic year.
United Methodist faculty member Brittany Wilson received tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor.
83 Tito Madrazo joined the administrative leadership of the Divinity School as Senior Strategist for the Hispanic House of Studies. He will also serve as a consulting faculty member.
The Hispanic-Latino/a Preaching Initiative is currently in its fifth year of providing high quality theological education to current and aspiring Hispanic-Latino/a ministers. 21 students from multiple denominations are taking courses with us this year.
The Duke Endowment has also awarded Duke Divinity School a grant of $5.5 million over five years to cultivate meaning and purpose across diverse professional schools at Duke. The Lilly Endowment has also awarded grants to Duke Divinity School to coordinate initiatives on “Thriving in Ministry” and “Thriving Congregations” across the United States.
Duke Divinity School has a partnership with Huntingdon College and Virginia Wesleyan University to create streamlined admissions process and private campus events in order to better equip students from those institutions with a calling to serve the church. In an effort to expand access for quality theological formation to students, pastors and lay leaders in the Nashville Episcopal Area, DDS is also partnering with the Turner Center at Martin Methodist College to offer theological training for innovative and entrepreneurial ministries.
Submitted by, L. Gregory Jones
83 84 Educational Institution Reports
MCMURRY UNIVERSITY
McMurry University continues to build momentum toward the 2023 Centennial with the theme, Create. Creation is a critical story throughout the Bible as we know that God created and God will create all things new one day.
When we think about creating, it places the focus on bringing something into existence, the message is timely in so many ways this year. The Fall Messenger showcased creating new experiences and new learning opportunities for our students. In performing and visual arts, McMurry continues to see growth in the theatre program with the relaunch of the homecoming and summer musicals. The art department continues to cultivate artists who are going on to study in graduate programs. This spring, McMurry hosted the regional TAEA Visual Arts Scholarship Event with more 350 high school students from throughout the Big Country coming to McMurry to have their artwork judged.
McMurry is also working on the launch of its new brand campaign after a year of listening and learning. The featured brand is based on the idea of authenticity and reality. During internal listening sessions, we heard a familiar message describing the people, relationships and the learning experiences at McMurry as authentic. Authenticity is often heard today in corporations and institutions of learning to describe positive character traits in people. For Gen Z, authenticity is a critical quality in people…and brands. It is about being true to personal values and beliefs. McMurry’s mission and values are grounded in the attributes that align with authenticity. After deconstructing the meaning of authentic – REAL became a common word used to describe McMurry people…the McMurry educational experience. Identifying that REAL things happen at McMurry for students every day. The University is launching the campaign Where REAL Happens in the months to come.
McMurry’s successes this past year include: • Received 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC, next survey will come in 2029. McMurry has been accredited by SACSCOC since 1949). • Continued growth in University enrollment with a freshmen class of 255. This reflects five concurrent years of enrollment growth. • Achieved a retention rate of 70 percent. • Opened softball’s Edwards Field, thanks to a gift from Kathi and Murray Edwards, and now the softball team is able to play on campus. • Announced new degree in human health science with three areas of concentration including medical and research, allied health professions and public health and wellness. • Enrolled first cohort for the Master of Accountancy graduate program. • Granted Dr. Robert Monk, professor emeritus in religion, and Dr. Robert Sledge, professor emeritus in history, honorary Doctor of Education degrees for their lifetime of service in higher education and to The United Methodist Church. Both Monk and Sledge joined the McMurry College faculty in 1964.
85 Religious and spiritual life and servant leadership highlights include: • Bishop James “Jimmy” Nunn received the Outstanding Alumni in Religious and Spiritual Life award at Baccalaureate in May 2019. • The Rev. Dr. Clifford and Mrs. Irene Trotter fountain/water feature was dedicated on campus in the fall. • A generous grant from a trustee has enabled the division to provide student leaders to visit youth groups and Sunday schools in the conference to share their McMurry stories. • Two mission teams worked at Lydia Patterson Institute in May and December. • The University welcomed three new graduates of Lydia Patterson Institute to campus for the fall and spring semesters. • The University responded to the hurricane season with a fundraising effort for flood/hygiene buckets and is completing their assembly this spring. • Dr. Robert Monk was honored by the University in an early 90th birthday celebration and with the Bennett-Wilson Lecture on March 30-31. • A one-day nationwide event, McMurry Serves, brought students, alumni, faculty and staff, along with their family members to give back to the community in the form of community services.
As McMurry celebrates creative achievements, we must embrace creativity differently throughout the stages in our life. At McMurry, we rejoice in inspiring and bringing opportunity to life for our students, faculty, and staff, as well as in our churches and community connections.
Submitted by, Robin Daniels
MCMURRY UNIVERSITY CLASSES OF TRUSTEES FOR 2020-2021
Ex-Officio: Trustees at Large: Bishop Earl W. Bledsoe - Albuquerque, NM Sandy Maddox, Class of 2021 - Dallas, TX NWTX & NM Conference Rick Quy, Class of 2021 - Spicewood, TX Kim Tate - Midlothian, TX Steve Sundby, Class of 2021 - Bourne, TX AABOD President: 2-year term/2nd year David Bailey, Class of 2022 - Eastland, TX Sandra Harper - Abilene, TX Elaine Harmon, Class of 2022 - Colleyville, TX President John Hendrick, Class of 2022 - La Jolla, CA Richard Edwards, Class of 2022 - Ft. Worth, TX Northwest Texas Conference: Art Pertile, Class of 2022 - Katy, TX Mike Bennett, Class of 2021 - Lubbock, TX Carl Hubbard, Class of 2023 - San Antonio, TX George Price, Class of 2022 - Abilene, TX Austin Pittman, Class of 2023 - Edina, MN Kathi Edwards, Class of 2023 - Clyde, TX ***Jorge Solis, Class of 2023 - Dallas, TX ***Russell Hall, Class of 2023 - Midland, TX ***Chuck Fallon, Class of 2023 - Pinecrest, FL Jack Reed, Class of 2023 - Midland, TX ***New Trustees New Mexico Conference: David Osborn, Class of 2021 - El Paso, TX Kay Younggren, Class of 2023 - Artesia, NM
85 86 Educational Institution Reports
PERKINS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Perkins celebrates our vital connections with the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Continued Enrollment Increase
Overall enrollment for 2019-20 at Perkins School of Theology reflects a 6.6% increase from 2018- 19. The Office of Enrollment Management also reported three consecutive years of significant growth in new student totals—with 2019 reflecting a more than doubled increase over 2016— contrasting with the trend of decline in schools of theology nationally.
Enrollment at Perkins for the 2019-20 academic year totaled 343 students, including 27 enrolled in the Ph.D. program. Fall 2019 statistics reflect the following: 63.3% of the entire student population are United Methodist and 37% are ethnic minority students. Master’s degree programs comprise approximately 46% male and 54% female students. The Doctor of Pastoral Music (D.P.M.) program includes students from southern Asia taking classes in Dallas.
The hybrid Houston-Galveston Extension Program, in its third year of providing a combination of online and residential classes leading to the M.Div. and M.A.M. degrees, totaled 94 students during the 2019-20 academic year.
2019-20 Highlights • Mary White of the New Mexico Annual Conference was chosen to receive the 2020 Woodrow B. Seals Laity Award. This award is presented annually to a layperson in the United States who embodies the Christian faith and commitment of service to Christ in the church, community and world as exemplified by Judge Woodrow B. Seals, a distinguished layperson whose interest and energy were instrumental in establishing the Perkins Summit for Faith and Learning (formerly the Perkins Theological School for the Laity). Selection for the Seals Award is made by the Perkins Lay Advisory Board. • “Reboot: The Congregation as Youth Worker,” an initiative of Perkins School of Theology designed to equip entire congregations to serve in ministry with youth, held its first retreat in September 2019 with representatives of the 18 diverse congregations selected to form its initial (starter) cohort. They include two African Methodist Episcopal churches, three Baptist churches, two Presbyterian (PC USA) churches, an Episcopal church and 10 United Methodist churches of varying ethnic backgrounds — including First United Methodist Church of Mont Belview, Texas (Texas Annual Conference) — all without a full-time, paid youth worker and within a 300-mile radius of Dallas. The initiative co-directed by the Rev. Bart Patton, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Education and Dr. Priscilla Pope-Levison, Associate Dean, Office of External Programs, is funded by a five-year, $1 million grant awarded to Perkins School of Theology in late 2018 by the Lilly Endowment Inc. • The Certification in Spiritual Direction Program at Perkins, launched in 2010, welcomed its largest cohort to-date in August 2019. The 26th cohort, with 17 members, includes clergy and laity from across the U.S. During the three-year, noncredit continuing education course, participants are trained in the art of accompanying and guiding others in their spiritual journeys. • In 2019, Perkins opened its new Baptist House of Studies (BHS) which fosters community for ministerial students, faculty and staff who identify with the Baptist and Free Church traditions. The BHS is a spiritual, rather than a physical, house that especially supports and encourages students as they pursue their academic and ecclesial training in an ecumenical and university-based seminary. In October of 2019, BHS hosted Amanda Tyler, Executive
87 Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, for two events on the Perkins campus. And in March 2020, BHS — with the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty — co-sponsored the Walter B. and Kay W. Shurden Lectures on Religious Liberty and Separation of Church and State with keynote speaker and national interfaith leader Eboo Patel. • More than 200 theologians, artists, musicians, scholars and community members gathered for a two-day conference Sept. 20-21, 2019, entitled “The Art of Resilience – Latinx Public Witness in Troubled Times.” The sold-out event, sponsored by The Center for the Study of Latino/a Christianity and Religions at Perkins, Ignite/Arts Dallas: A Center for People, Purpose, Place at SMU Meadows School of the Arts and the SMU Meadows Division of Theatre, gave participants the opportunity to interact with outstanding Latinx scholars, local artists, and religious and community leaders to reflect deeply on race, gender and immigration as matters of moral and faith concerns. As part of the program, the Meadows School of the Arts hosted an art exhibit and a performance by New York Latina playwright Jessica Carmona of her original work, “Elvira: The Immigration Play.” Special music performed during the weekend was composed by Ars lubilorum, a Latin-American collective of composers — including Marcell Silva Steuernagel, director of Perkins’ Master of Sacred Music Program — who research the intersection of Christian liturgical traditions and new music. • “Hong Kong Protests: A Messianic Movement?,” a panel discussion focused on the 2019 Hong Kong student protests, drew participants from across SMU and the Dallas area on Oct. 22, 2019. Sponsored by SMU Perkins School of Theology, the Tower Center’s Sun & Star Program on Japan and East Asia and SMU’s Center for Faith and Learning and the Embrey Human Rights Program, the event—one of the first of its kind in the U.S. to examine the protests— featured Dr. Lap Yan Kung, professor of Theology, The Divinity School, The Chinese University of Hong Kong as the keynote speaker. A panel discussion—which examined the religious and secular issues underlying the protests and the implications for religious communities in Hong Kong and around the world—followed. The panel moderator was Dr. Sze-kar Wan, Professor of New Testament at Perkins, who organized the event. • The globe came to Perkins during the 2019 Fall Convocation, held Nov. 12. “Mission Quest: Finding Your Place in God’s World,” featured travel guide and activist Rick Steves, who headlined an opening event with 1,200 participants at SMU’s McFarlin Auditorium. Sharing the stage with Steves during the two-day event, also held at Highland Park United Methodist Church, were the Rev. Dr. Samira Izadi Page, a native of Iran who leads a ministry to refugees in Dallas, and the Reverend Dr. Célestin Musekura, a Rwandan and founder of African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries (ALARM). In addition to hearing speakers from three continents, attendees heard praise music in 17 different languages and human stories of hope and struggle from around the world. • The 2019 Advent Worship Service, held Dec. 5, marked three milestones: the 60th anniversary of Perkins’ Master of Sacred Music (MSM) program, the 80th anniversary of the Seminary Singers and the 60th anniversary of the Advent service itself. Advent was first celebrated in Perkins Chapel in 1959, a tradition continued every year since. Three guest choirs from Dallas- area churches, led by alumni of the M.S.M. program, performed an anthem and all three choirs performed Jane Marshall’s “Song of Simeon.” Worship followed the classic “Lessons and Carols” format, plus a reading by Dr. Ted Campbell, Professor of Church History, of one of Martin Luther’s sermons. • Thanks to a partnership initiated with Cliff College in the U.K. and the Methodist Church of Great Britain, a Perkins intern was placed in England for the 2019-20 academic year. Third- year student Cori Clevenger — whose home church is First UMC in Liberty, Texas — interned in a three-point charge of Methodist churches in the Midlands area. Her internship is part of a pilot program that organizers hope will become ongoing. Internships give M.Div. students at Perkins an opportunity to integrate coursework of Bible, theology and ethics with ministry practice in the real world. Now, Perkins students have the chance to do this in another culture, broadening their understanding of Christian expressions from those found in the U.S. • Two new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed during 2019-20, including the first with an international school of theology, as part of the ongoing initiative to deepen relationships between Perkins and undergraduate colleges, universities and international seminaries. A formal agreement was reached with Project Transformation National, which sponsors a summer intensive for undergraduate college students who lead summer day
87 88 camp programs for children and youth at urban United Methodist churches across the U.S. and who also explore vocations in ministry and service. In addition, the agreement with Bishop Han Theological School (BHTS) in Mindanao, Philippines, will promote collaboration and intercultural activities among theology faculty and students from the two institutions. Previous MOUs have been formalized with historically United Methodist institutions including Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana; Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas; McMurry University in Abilene, Texas; Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas; Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas; Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas; Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas; Wylie College in Marshall, Texas; and Presbyterian-related Austin College in Sherman, Texas. • The Bolin Family 2020 Perkins Scholarship Luncheon was held Wednesday, February 5, with New York Times columnist and best-selling author, David Brooks as guest speaker. The luncheon, inaugurated in 2010, serves as a major fundraiser for student scholarships. This year’s luncheon, which highlighted the 2019-20 Perkins Scholars, netted approximately $75,000 for new scholarships. • A two-day conference, “In the Face of Barbarism: ”Dietrich Bonhoeffer on Culture, Humanity and the Importance of Ordinary Life,” was held Feb. 13-14, 2020, and included noted lecturers Victoria Barnett, Michael DeJonge, and Natalie Carnes. Supported by the Robinson Fund at Perkins, which encourages work at the intersection of theology and the arts, the event focused on the importance of everyday life in Bonhoeffer’s theology and ethics. The conference concluded with a one-person play on the legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as adapted and performed by Al Staggs. • Dr. Theodore Walker, Associate Professor of Ethics and Society at Perkins, discovered a lost manuscript—written 77 years ago—by Ernest E. Just, with an important message for modern readers. The unpublished book presents a cell biology-rooted theory of the origin and evolution of ethical behaviors. Dr. Walker and his team are now in the process of editing the manuscript to submit for publication. • Dr. Evelyn Parker, Susanna Wesley Centennial Professor of Practical Theology, was in South Africa as a 2019-2020 U.S. Fulbright Scholar. Based at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion and Social Justice and the Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Western Cape in Cape Town, she worked on a project titled “Role of Religious Leaders in Preventing and Intervening in Teen Dating Violence in South Africa.” • The Rev. Dr. Rebekah Miles, Professor of Ethics and Practical Theology at Perkins, was named one of three Odyssey Medal Recipients by Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas. The medals are presented annually by the Hendrix College Board of Trustees to individuals whose life achievements exemplify the Hendrix Odyssey Program. Miles, a 1982 Hendrix graduate, was honored for her research. A reception and medal presentation with Hendrix President William M. Tsutsui took place on November 14 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. • Dr. Ángel J. Gallardo joined the Perkins faculty and staff as Associate Director of the Intern Program in summer 2019. Dr. Gallardo, who earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU in 2018, previously served as a teaching assistant at Perkins and taught in the Regional Course of Study School. He holds leadership positions in various professional and Latino/a organizations, and has worked with faith- leaders, activists, and scholars both locally and internationally, including during an internship in Brazil. • The Rev. Katherine Glaze Lyle of Dallas was named recipient of the 2019 Perkins Distinguished Alumnus/a Award by the Perkins School of Theology Alumni/ae Council. She was honored during a special banquet held Nov. 12 at Perkins or her effectiveness and integrity in service to the church, continuing support for the goals of Perkins and Southern Methodist University, outstanding service to the community and exemplary character. • The Houston-Galveston Extension Program will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2020. The original program, which launched in fall 1995, enabled students to take initial portions of their work toward Perkins degrees in Houston-Galveston and to complete their work on the Dallas campus. Key leadership (in their roles at that time) included Perkins Dean Robin Lovin, Dr. James Moore, pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Houston and Dr. Charles Millikan, pastor of Moody Memorial United Methodist Church in Galveston, in addition to other 89 leaders within the Texas Annual Conference. Over the years, many outstanding students, including Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey, have attended Perkins through the Houston- Galveston Extension Program — also known as “Perkins South.”
The highlights listed above are reflective of the vibrant engagement of Perkins faculty, staff and students during the 2019-20 academic year.
Perkins School of Theology is committed to those called to serve so that they might be empowered to lead. We thank our many colleagues, friends and alumni/ae in the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church for your generous support, including referrals of prospective students, as we continue our vital mission of preparing women and men for faithful leadership in Christian ministry.
Submitted by, Craig C. Hill
89 90 Educational Institution Reports
SAINT PAUL SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Saint Paul School of Theology, a seminary of The United Methodist Church, is committed to the formation of people for innovative, creative ministry. We are one institution with campuses in Kansas and Oklahoma. During the 2019-2020 academic year, the seminary enrollment in master and doctoral degree programs increased by 11%.
Saint Paul School of Theology began the 2019-2020 academic year with the addition of Dr. Casey Sigmon in her new role as Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship and Director of Contextual Education. Dr. Sigmon has also made innovative changes to the weekly worship service as Chapel Coordinator. Saint Paul also welcomed Dr. Anne Walker as the new Executive Director of the Oklahoma Campus.
With the addition of Dr. Walker to Saint Paul came a new webinar offering titled, “Explore Calling: A Guide to Helping Others Answer the Call.” Offered complimentary, the webinar provides a resource for anyone looking to nurture a culture of call in their congregation; including meeting one-on-one with congregations looking to reach out to their community. Dr. Walker also launched the Vision OK Advisory Committee to serve the purpose of gaining support for and assisting in the development of the Oklahoma Campus. Similarly new this year, Dr. Melissa Pearce along with Dr. Walker hosted Listening Sessions to learn more about the challenges pastoral leaders face and dream together about how theological education might meet the changing demands of their ministry.
This March, Saint Paul marked its 60th anniversary with a celebration featuring keynote speaker past President Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr. honoring 60+ years of theological education. Students, alumni, faculty, and the entire Saint Paul community came together for dinner, reminiscing and looking towards the future. During the celebration, Rev. Dr. Lois V. Glory-Neal was recognized as the 2020 Distinguished Graduate Award winner. In 1989, Rev. Dr. Glory-Neal of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference became the first Native American woman to be an ordained elder. She became the first Native American district superintendent in 1992. Saint Paul also presented Ms. Sally Firestone with the Board Lifetime Achievement award for her years of service.
Saint Paul’s staff and faculty continue to contribute to the academy, church and society. Dr. Anne Walker worked along with co-writer Dori Grinenko Baker on Tru Colors, a guide for assisting young adults in exploring ministry as a career. Tru Colors, from Discipleship Ministry, was published in March 2020. Dr. Casey Sigmon wrote the sermon “The Fruit of Self-Control” in the published book, “Preaching to Teach: Inspire People to Think and Act”. Additionally, as part of the 2019 Lectionary Commentaries on the website workingpreacher.org, Dr. Sigmon and Dr. Israel Kamudzandu contributed commentaries. In addition, Dr. Sigmon recently published “Homiletical Possibilities and Challenges in Colossians” in The Review & Expositor journal from November 2019.
In September 2019, Saint Paul Board of Trustees added four new members to their ranks: alumna Rev. Jennifer Ahrens-Sims of St. Stephen’s UMC, Mrs. Dana Aldridge of SS&C Technologies, Mrs. Linda Shipman with Dairy Famers of America Inc. and alumnus Rev. David Wiggs with Boston Avenue UMC. In addition, earlier in the year faculty emeritus Rev. Dr. Tex Sample became Board Chair. Saint Paul is financially sound and is operating with a balanced budget. The changes made throughout the past few years have established a solid financial foundation for years of sustainability. With the Board’s assistance, the seminary continues to focus on its mission and works to continuously enhance and evaluate the strategic plans in place to guide us into the future.
91 Saint Paul held several events and forums this year beginning with hosting an Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Wednesday Wake-up where Overland Park business members and community leaders started their day on the Kansas Campus with coffee, networking, and learning more about the seminary’s mission. In November, Saint Paul was the host location for the Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2) Faith and Democracy Prayer Breakfast. MORE2 and Church of the Resurrection are partnering with Saint Paul in the recently launched Doctor of Ministry focus, “Spiritual Leadership in Unsettled Times.” Throughout the year, students on both campuses participated in educational forums with discussions on a myriad of topics such as, “Sustaining Pastoral Leadership Through Personal Wellness”, “Transgender Day of Remembrance” and “The Enneagram and Your Spiritual Growth.” Saint Paul was blessed to have many alumni return to lead worship in the weekly chapel services. Rev. Shannon Hancock, alumna and Director of Admissions, brought the message on the Kansas Campus during the MLK Jr Worship Celebration while alumnus Rev. Bryan Lampkins preached on the Oklahoma Campus. This past January, Saint Paul was proud to host the United Methodist Theological Field Educators Meeting on the Kansas Campus. This year’s theme was “Vicissitude: Navigating Call and Mission as Contextual Educators in 2020.” In April, the Evangelical Society hosted a lecture featuring Dr. Kimberly Alexander, author of Pentecostal Healing: Models of Theology and Practice and co-author of “Women in Leadership: A Pentecostal Perspective” and “What Women Want: Pentecostal Women Ministers Speak for Themselves.”
Honoring Saint Paul’s longstanding commitment to praxis learning and ministry, part of the 2019-2020 curriculum, included practicums which are workshop-style seminars that teach ministry skills. For Spring 2020 FOCUS Week, Alumnus Rev. Dr. Emanuel Cleaver III, Senior Pastor of St. James UMC, taught the course Urban Church in the 21st century which explores the Urban Church and its context in relation to ministerial practices and theological understandings.
For the 2019-2020 fiscal year, Saint Paul Course of Study (COS) School educated 265 individual students with a total registration of 650 classes; offering a total of 53 courses located in Leawood, KS; Hays, KS; Oklahoma City, OK; Columbia, MO; and Springfield, MO. Saint Paul is in the second year of offering a hybrid (online and on-campus) schedule for six courses during the Winter term. Plans to increase the number of hybrid course offerings are in development. Saint Paul launched a part-time, accelerated pilot COS satellite program (PML) in Columbia, MO in 2018 and added a second track in 2019. Comprised of nine courses in practical theology, this COS option is designed specifically for part-time local pastors or certified lay ministers entering ministry following completion of the Missouri Conference Licensing School. The PML satellite program is a collaborative program of Saint Paul Course of Study Regional School with the Missouri Conference. Since September 2018, COS has offered six courses and enrolled 30 individual students in the PML satellite program.
Saint Paul School of Theology is blessed to be in ministry in the name of Jesus Christ and to help others respond to God’s call. We are a seminary that offers classes and experiences to folks from many denominations and faith walks. Our work as faculty and staff is to provide excellence in theological and practical education for ALL persons called and capable to attend. Remember: “Where two or more are gathered” Christ is there with us.
President Neil Blair, Saint Paul trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and students thank you for your interest, prayers and support.
Submitted by, Tiana Gatewood
91 92 Educational Institution Reports
SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY
Since its founding in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Southern Methodist University has served as a nonsectarian institution of higher learning. Our mission is to expand knowledge through research and teaching and serve as a powerful catalyst for the growth and development of Dallas and the broader North Texas region. With continued representation from The United Methodist Church, and welcoming students of all faiths, the University is reaching a higher level of accomplishment and global recognition in our second century of shaping world changers – for today and tomorrow.
SMU Update
Students, Faculty and Staff Fall 2019 enrollment totaled 11,824, including 6,710 undergraduates and 5,114 graduates. Ethnic minority students made up 29 percent of total enrollment. An international enrollment of 1,417 (approximately 12 percent of total enrollment) represented 84 countries. Our impressive class of 2023 was chosen from a pool of more than 15,000 applicants. This cohort’s average ACT score is 30.8, and the average SAT score is 1377 – both an increase from last year – making it the most academically qualified and diverse in SMU history.
Rankings The University’s reputation is strong and growing. SMU is ranked No. 64 among national universities by U.S. News & World Report. We are pleased that presidents, provosts and chief admissions officers at the nation’s universities are beginning to recognize our strengths, as evidenced by two consecutive years of rising expert opinion scores within the U.S. News rankings. • The Cox School of Business full-time M.B.A. ranks No. 43, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Business Schools, up from 48th in the previous year’s rankings; the SMU Cox Executive M.B.A. ranks No. 23 in the nation. • Dedman School of Law was ranked No. 52 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. • The Center for World University Rankings 2019 placed SMU at No. 315 out of 20,000 universities worldwide, No. 133 nationally and No. 27 for alumni employment, placing the institution in the top 1.6% worldwide. Universities are ranked for their quality of education, alumni employment, quality of faculty and research performance. • SMU ranked No. 16 in a Forbes list of top Southern colleges and universities. • College Factual rankings (published by USA Today), highly focused on outcomes, including graduation rates, high salaries for graduates and low student loan default rates, ranked SMU at No. 3 among Best Texas Colleges; No. 92 among Best Nationwide Colleges; and No. 1 in its list of “Highest Paid Music Graduates” in 2019. • The Princeton Review ranks SMU Guildhall No. 2 for the best graduate game-design program.
Funding In FY 2019, SMU received $31.8 million in external funding for research conducted in the United States and worldwide, representing a $5.2 million increase over the previous year. Current funding agencies include National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Defense and Toyota Foundation. Regarding private fundraising, SMU finished FY 2019 strong thanks to the generosity of our entire donor family who made more than $118 million in gifts, making it a record year for giving. That generosity includes exceeding our second-year Pony Power goal by $2 million with $52 million in gifts received to fund our most pressing current needs.
93 2019 Highlights Significant Gifts and Grants
$100 Million Gift Establishes New Graduate School In 2019 SMU celebrated the largest gift in its history – an unprecedented investment of $100 million from the Moody Foundation to create the eighth named school at SMU: the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. This new school supports the University’s graduate programs in education, engineering, the arts, humanities, sciences and social studies, as well as faculty research and interdisciplinary programs across the University. It will enable SMU to graduate higher numbers of doctoral students and strengthen collaborations with other universities, major corporations and other entities in producing high-impact research projects.
Visionary Impact With Miller Family $50 Million Gift Carolyn and David Miller ’72, ’73 made the largest single gift by an alumnus and his family in SMU’s 108-year history. The Millers’ latest $50 million commitment will support the Edwin L. Cox School of Business’ strategic plan to modernize its curriculum; offer more and broader scholarships to attract the world’s best business students; collaborate across the SMU campus on new interdisciplinary programs and enhance the school’s facilities. It also aspires for the school to extend community outreach to develop corporate partnerships and expand inclusivity.
Owen Arts Center Renovation Kickoff Inspires a New Challenge and Additional Gifts Last fall, as the Meadows School of the Arts celebrated the 50th anniversary of its naming, we kicked off the renovation of Owen Arts Center, a $34 million initiative to improve academic spaces in the north wing for visual arts, art history, and creative computation, while creating welcoming and accessible entrances to the building. During the celebration, we announced a new $1.8 million challenge gift from Indianapolis philanthropist and former Meadows School parent G. Marlyne Sexton. This latest gift brings her total commitment to OAC to $5 million and creates an incentive for others to join in and help the Meadows School reach the remaining $4 million needed to revitalize the arts hub.
A $5 million gift from Dallas art collectors and patrons Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers extends their long-standing support of artists by establishing a vibrant hub for the visual arts at SMU. The new Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers Center for Visual Arts in the Owen Arts Center will provide a physical space that expands academic and artistic opportunities for students and faculty to propel them to the forefront of their fields. It is part of a $34 million initiative to modernize the 250,000-square-foot building’s north wing. Gifts to the project are supported by a grant from The Meadows Foundation.
Game Changer Opens on the Boulevard Last year, we celebrated the dedication of the Indoor Performance Center, featuring Armstrong Fieldhouse, which marked a new era in athletics preparation and training for SMU Mustangs. The technologically equipped, multiuse facility also offers a significant expansion of possibilities for campus and community participation. Many generous donors made the Indoor Performance Center possible. In addition to Liz Armstrong ’82 and Bill Armstrong ’82, donors of more than $1 million are Gary T. Crum ’69 and Sylvie P. Crum; Paul B. Loyd, Jr. ’68 and Penny R. Loyd; David B. Miller ’72, ’73 and Carolyn L. Miller and the David B. Miller Family Foundation; and Garry A. Weber ’58. There were also 17 donors of $100,000 and higher, with eight making gifts of $1 million each and nine making six-figure commitments.
New Home For Digital Explorers SMU took a giant leap forward in the rapidly shifting digital frontier with the groundbreaking of the Gerald J. Ford Hall for Research and Innovation at the corner of McFarlin Boulevard and Airline Road. SMU Trustee Gerald J. Ford ’66, ’69, his wife, Kelli O. Ford, and the Gerald J. Ford Family Foundation provided a $15 million lead gift to help fund construction of the building. The new 50,000-square-foot interdisciplinary research hub will serve as home to SMU’s AT&T Center for Virtualization, the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute, high-performance computing and data science, the new Visualization Lab and the Guildhall, the Hart eCenter’s top-ranked digital game-design program.
93 94 High Tech, High Impact from Bobby B. Lyle Dallas entrepreneur, industry leader and educator Bobby B. Lyle ’67 built on the farsighted generosity that named the Lyle School of Engineering 11 years ago by designating $10 million to power a new strategic vision for the school. The future-focused model will combine innovation, agility, and swift responses to shifts in technological capabilities with enduring institutional support. His investment will support the school’s Future Fund by establishing endowments for Accelerating Emerging Research and Accelerating High Tech Business Innovations. The fund also will support two additional strategic portfolios: Transforming the Engineering Education Experience and Transformative Technology for Social Good.
Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Prominent Dallas business leaders Linda Wertheimer Hart ’65 and Milledge (Mitch) A. Hart, III are among SMU’s most generous donors and they made another major investment. The Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship merges the wisdom of the Cox School of Business with the knowledge of the Lyle School of Engineering to develop the tools entrepreneurs need to bring their concepts to life. In addition, Mrs. Hart honored her husband on his 85th birthday with the Milledge A. Hart, III Scholarship Fund for Veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Program Highlights
Elizabeth Loboa named Provost Elizabeth Loboa, appointed as SMU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs in December, will join the University on July 6, 2020. As chief academic officer for SMU, she will be responsible for the overall quality of teaching, scholarships, research and all aspects of academic life, ranging from admissions and faculty development to supervision of SMU’s eight schools, library system and international programs. Loboa, a biomedical engineer, is currently vice chancellor for strategic partnerships and dean and Ketchum Professor of the College of Engineering at the University of Missouri. She brings to SMU a distinguished academic record and broad university leadership experience.
Academic Deans Reappointed The academic deans leading SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering, Dedman School of Law and Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences have been reappointed to serve in their positions for an additional five years: Marc Christensen, dean of the Lyle School and Lyle Professor of Engineering Innovation, who has served as dean since 2013; Jennifer Collins, Judge James Noel Dean and professor of law at Dedman Law, who has served as dean since 2014; and Thomas DiPiero, dean of Dedman College and professor in the departments of English and World Languages and Literatures, who has served as dean since 2014.
Meadows School of the Arts celebrates 50th Anniversary Meadows School kicked off a yearlong celebration of the 50th anniversary of its naming, staging three premieres by internationally recognized choreographers at its 26th annual benefit concert, “Meadows at the Winspear.” The concert featured the critically acclaimed Meadows Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Paul Phillips, and the students of the Meadows Dance Ensemble. It also honored community leader The Meadows Foundation, which has supported SMU and Dallas for more than five decades. It was in 1969 that SMU’s School of the Arts was renamed Meadows School of the Arts in honor of Algur H. Meadows.
Gift Expands Dedman Law’s Tsai Center for Law, Science and Innovation The Tsai Center for Law, Science and Innovation, launched in 2015 in Dedman Law, received an additional $2 million gift to expand its profile as a leader in multidisciplinary research and scholarly debate surrounding new technologies. The academic center brings together experts from the legal, scientific and business communities to explore the complex challenges presented by the evolving innovation ecosystem. Current research projects supported by the Tsai Center include studies of fingerprint technology and tax implications of artificial intelligence, as well as a digital tool for keeping track of litigation involving government watch lists. The Tsai Center also has funded new courses, including one in which law students create web-based legal apps for Texas legal-aid organizations.
95 $1.5 Million NSF Grant Helps Fund Minecraft SMU’s Lyle School, Guildhall and the Simmons School of Education and Human Development will use a $1,521,615 grant from the National Science Foundation to research teaching computer science and computational thinking through the popular video game Minecraft. Research will span the fields of game design, human-computer interaction, machine learning, curriculum design and education assessment by integrating STEM+C (computing) curriculum directly into Minecraft. The game and infrastructure produced through the research will serve as a vital computing resource for middle and high school educators. The grant was awarded to Corey Clark, deputy director of research at SMU Guildhall and an assistant professor of Computer Science at Lyle School; Eric Larson, associate professor in Computer Science at Lyle School; and Leanne Ketterlin Geller, professor and Texas Instrument Endowed Chair in Education at Simmons School.
Professor Brings People Together for Conversations on Tough Topics Jill DeTemple, associate professor of religious studies in Dedman College, has developed a discussion tool – reflective structured dialogue – that she is using in her own classrooms and sharing with professors at SMU and nationwide. The idea is to take topics that drive people apart – gun rights, abortion, the death penalty, the existence of God – and reframe the conversation around personal experiences. At its core is curiosity about another person’s life and values.
SMU Scientists Identify New Texas Dinosaur SMU postdoctoral fellow Kate Andrzejewski, along with University paleontologists Dale Winkler and Louis Jacobs, have identified Convolosaurus marri from fossils collected at Proctor Lake, southwest of Fort Worth. Remnants of several dinosaurs were first found at the Comanche County lake site in 1985 and most of the fossils had been stored for years in the Shuler Museum of Paleontology at SMU. But it wasn’t until Andrzejewski, Winkler and Jacobs examined the fossils more recently that the new dinosaur was identified. Convolosaurus marri is on view at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in the T. Boone Pickens Life Then and Now Hall as “Proctor Lake Ornithopod.” The newly identified dinosaur was named in honor of Ray H. Marr ’51, an SMU alumnus who is president of Marr Oil & Gas LTD and a strong supporter of SMU students.
SMU Study Finds Possible New Way to Treat Virus “Cousin” of HIV A study led by SMU suggests that oleandrin – a drug derived from the Nerium oleander plant – could prevent the HTLV-1 virus from spreading by targeting a stage of the reproduction process that is not currently targeted by existing drugs. That is significant because there is currently no cure or treatment for the virus – a lesser-known “cousin” of HIV that affects an estimated 10 to 15 million people worldwide. “Our research findings suggest that oleandrin could possibly limit the transmission and spread of HTLV-1 by targeting a unique stage in the retroviral life cycle,” said Robert Harrod, associate professor and director of graduate studies in SMU’s Department of Biological Sciences. Harrod is a co-author of the study, published in the Journal of Antivirals & Antiretrovirals.
DART Station Renamed SMU/Mockingbird Station Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Mockingbird Station was renamed SMU/Mockingbird Station after the DART Board approved a naming-rights agreement with SMU, making it easier for visitors to find the campus and cementing the rail station’s role as a gateway to the University. Opened in 1997, Mockingbird Station quickly became an important transportation resource for SMU students, faculty, staff and visitors. The Mustang Express shuttle service connects the DART station to the University campus a short distance away.
We are excited about the impact our University and its programs continue to have on the world around us and we are grateful to continue our work through the Perkins School of Theology in the education and training of all branches of the Wesleyan Tradition. We request your continued prayers and support.
Submitted by, R. Gerald Turner
95 96 Educational Institution Reports
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Southwestern University celebrated a number of notable achievements this past year. For the third year in a row, a record-breaking number of students applied for admission and in August, we welcomed 444 first-year and 56 transfer students, the second largest class in our institution’s history. We implemented the Residential Experience Initiative, in which university staff bring resources directly to the students, thereby raising the intellectual climate of the residence halls. And the university celebrated the grand opening of the new Fondren–Jones Science Center— our commitment in stone to interdisciplinary collaboration, learning and research. With an unprecedented commitment to inquiry- and discovery-based learning, Southwestern continues to craft distinctive programming that focuses on the life of the mind.
Our 2019 accolades include Forbes ranking Southwestern the #1 small private nonprofit liberal arts and sciences college in Texas and #1 in that category in the Grateful Graduates Index (#86 nationally). U.S. News and World Report and Washington Monthly both rank Southwestern as the top national liberal arts college in Texas. The University’s Center for Career & Professional Development ranks #6 in the nation and #1 in Texas, according to The Princeton Review, which also ranked Southwestern third in the nation and first in Texas among its Impact Schools for the second year in a row.
In academics, for the 19th consecutive year, the King Creativity Fund supported significant, innovative, and visionary student projects across the disciplines. Thirty-one students participated in 13 different SCOPE research projects as part of a student–faculty collaborative summer program. Southwestern added one new major, financial economics and one new minor, early modern studies, in fall 2019. These additions bring the total number of majors and minors offered to 37 and 41, respectively.
Among our internationally recognized scholar–teachers, three faculty and one coach published books. Dr. Erika Berroth (German) was honored with the Outstanding German Educator Award, her field’s most prestigious form of recognition. Dr. Lois Ferrari (music) was awarded second place for the 2019 American Prize in community orchestra conducting for her work with the Austin Civic Orchestra. Dr. Barbara Anthony (computer science) was awarded a $5,000 grant from the National Science Foundation–supported Center for Parallel and Distributed Computing Curriculum Development and Educational Resources. Jethro Hernández Berrones (history) was one of the 11% of applicants awarded a prestigious summer stipend by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Katherine Grooms received a competitive National Institutes of Health (NIH) two-year grant for her research titled “Drinking Water and Infant Health: Evidence from Contaminant Levels in California.”
Among student achievements, 31 students were inducted into Southwestern’s chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Caroline Haywood ’18, Camille Martin ’19, Teresa Cropper ’20 and Laura Rativa ’20 developed and implemented get-out-the-vote programming that helped boost Southwestern’s voting rate 33% since 2014. Madeline Carrola ’19 won the Mid-South Sociological Association’s Undergraduate Paper Competition for her capstone project, “Performing the Handmaid’s Tale: The Use of Dystopian Literature at Political Protests.” Five environmental studies and feminist studies students, along with Dr. Joshua Long (environmental studies), published an article in the Journal of Education, Citizenship, and Social Justice titled “Intersectional Sustainability and Student Activism: A Framework for Achieving Social Sustainability on University Campuses.” Eight biology and molecular ecology students presented their research at the annual Texas Academy of Science meeting. Computer science major Sara Boyd ’20 was selected as a finalist for the Computing Research Association’s (CRA) Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Award for 2020.
97 In athletics, Southwestern finished second for the SCAC President’s Trophy and garnered 112 All-Conference honors, including 46 First Team selections, 30 Second Team selections, 8 Third Team selections and 28 Honorable Mention selections. Seven different teams advanced in the SCAC Tournament to the championship, two teams won SCAC Championships and one team won the SCAC regular season title. Two teams and one player earned NCAA Tournament berths. Southwestern coaches earned four SCAC Coach of the Year awards and seven Pirates earned SCAC Player of the Year awards. In 2018–2019, Southwestern was home to four All-Americans and 12 All-Region selections. Five programs entered the national rankings, with one team breaking into the top 10.
In 2019, Southwestern hosted renowned political strategists Donna Brazile and Mary Matalin as guest speakers at the biennial Roy and Margaret Shilling Lecture. The University’s biennial Brown Symposium featured experts on the Anthropocene including Andrew Revkin, strategic adviser for environmental and science journalism at the National Geographic Society; Carol Adams, author of The Sexual Politics of Meat; Dr. Robert Bullard, the father of environmental justice; and Dr. Christopher Carter, a theology professor specializing in environmental ethics. The 20th annual Research and Creative Works Symposium took place on April 10, 2019 and featured more than 230 student presenters mentored by 43 faculty and staff from across the University. Southwestern celebrated its 175th Commencement Convocation in May 2019 with Dr. Tim Boone, professor and chair of the Urology Department and codirector of the Institute for Academic Medicine at Houston Methodist Hospital, as the keynote speaker. Throughout fall 2019, the President’s Thinking Symposium on Living, Learning and Leading hosted eight guests from various fields.
In Conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to personally invite you to visit Southwestern and experience, in person, our vibrant intellectual community.
Submitted by, Dale T. Knobel
97 98 Educational Institution Reports
TEXAS UNITED METHODIST COLLEGE ASSOCIATION During this time of significant change in our church, the Texas United Methodist College Association continues on its more than seventy-year course of serving the scholarship needs of Methodist students who wish to attend one of our Methodist institutions of higher learning in Texas. We continue to believe that the support of our churches and conferences is essential in continuing the Wesleyan tradition of education. It is an education well suited to the challenges and changes in modern life.
The TUMCA funds granted to Southwestern University, Southern Methodist University, McMurry University and Texas Wesleyan University are restricted to scholarships for deserving students from United Methodist congregations in Texas. During the fall of their academic year, students representing all five of the Texas United Methodist Conferences have received TUMCA scholarships this academic year (2019-2020). They join thousands of others who have been helped through the years by the support of our United Methodist family. As always, funds cannot be used for endowment or capital projects. All support goes to fund scholarships at our Texas United Methodist colleges.
TUMCA scholars, both past and present, receive both intellectual and spiritual development that prepares them to address the important issues of both church and society. We believe that those who become clergy, laity, teachers and societal leaders will help chart the course of our church.
We are both proud and humbled by our partnership that reflects the great commission and helps create disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We thank God for the ministry we share with the Northwest Texas Conference. Together, in service to future generations, we keep open the doors of learning to many students that make up our diverse church family. We appreciate this opportunity to serve.
Sumbitted by, Dr. Darrell M. Loyless
99 Educational Institution Reports
UNITED THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
For nearly 150 years, United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH has been preparing faithful, fruitful leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
Students In the Fall 2019 semester, United equipped 459 women and men for leadership in the Church, including 272 masters’ students and 187 doctoral students. An ecumenical community of many denominations, races and nationalities. United welcomed students from 11 countries, 42 states and 37 denominations, with the student body comprised of 49% African American, 42% Caucasian, and 10% ethnic/racial minorities.1 The Seminary prepared 165 Course of Study students and served 36 students through the Hispanic Christian Academy, a 3-year Spanish online course of ministry program for Hispanic/Latino lay pastors and leaders2. Altogether, approximately 660 students followed God’s call through United Theological Seminary.
Alumni/ae United graduates are making an impact in their communities as they spread the Good News. • 88% of alumni/ae are currently employed in or retired from ministry3 • 70% serve in local parishes4 • Rev. Dr. Brad Kalajainen (DMin ’99) received the 2019 Effective Ministry Award for his transformative leadership of Cornerstone UMC in Grand Rapids, MI. • Rev. Dr. James Bushfield(MDiv ’79, DMin ’92) received the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Award for his leadership and ministry in the Indiana Conference of The UMC. • Rev. Dr. Sandra Coley (DMin ’14) received the Outstanding Doctor of Ministry Award for her advocacy of organ donation among African American communities.
New At United United introduced a 36-hour Master of Arts (MA) degree, designed for those who wish to earn a degree while completing the requirements for Advanced Course of Study in pursuit of ordination in The United Methodist Church. The MA program is available fully online, on-campus or in a combination.
United continues to offer innovative learning through its Live Interactive Virtual Education (LIVE) environment introduced in 2018. In the first year, 59 students participated in LIVE courses, connecting with classmates on campus in Dayton, OH and across the country by attending classes in real-time via simultaneous webcast.
Becoming Debt-Free United remains committed to becoming debt-free by the seminary’s 150th anniversary on October 11, 2021. Thanks to the support of generous donors, United has received more than $2.5 million toward its goal of raising $4 million to “burn the mortgage.” Becoming debt-free as an institution will enable United to focus on generating income for scholarships that lighten the load of student debt for seminarians.
In Romans 10:14, St. Paul writes: “How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? AND HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER?” For 150 years, United has been preparing faithful and fruitful Christian preachers and leaders who proclaim the Good News of God’s unconditional love which has come to us in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God!
Submitted by, 1Data represents Fall 2019 headcount enrollment, unless otherwise specified. Kent Millard 2Data represents unduplicated headcount enrollment in the 2018-19 academic year. 3United Theological Seminary 2019 Alumni/ae Survey, sent in April 2019 to alumni/ae who graduated with a degree or certificate from United in years ranging from the 1940s to 2018, for whom the seminary had email contact information. Data collected represents a 25% response rate (520 respondents) of the 2,043 alumni/ae contacted. 4Or if retired, were serving in this capacity at time of retirement. United Theological Seminary 2019 Alumni/ae Survey. 99 100 Other Conference Ministries
AFRICA UNIVERSITY
In 2019, Africa University’s story was one of resourcefulness, steadfast investment and ministry growth.
Thank you to Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, the Extended Cabinet and the faithful lay and clergy leaders who nurture vitality within the local congregations of the Northwest Texas Conference. Each of you, through your commitment, is a vital part of the Africa University story.
The gracious support of United Methodists in the Northwest Texas Conference resulted in a 66.99 percent investment in the Africa University Fund apportionment in 2019. Thank you, Northwest Texas Conference, for continuing to invest in our connection and shared mission.
Africa University educates and equips leaders who think for themselves, are contextually relevant and have a passion to serve. Since opening in 1992, Africa University has trained more than 9,000 graduates who lead and serve across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. These young people are nurtured to be ethical, responsible and responsive leaders. They can discern their calling and determine how best to serve the needs of their communities.
Institutional Update: • Africa University has an annual enrollment of more than 2,800 students, with 25-30 African nations represented in the student body each year. • The university’s three colleges operate as centers for teaching, research, innovation, community engagement and enterprise development. By embracing and leveraging new technology, Africa University leads as the only university in Zimbabwe accredited to offer online degree programs. • Students, faculty and alumni contribute ground-breaking responses to Africa’s current challenges with interventions that include graduate programs in migrant and refugee protection, articulated by refugee students, as well as doctoral level training for military chaplains in Africa. • Infrastructure improvements include increasing the use of solar energy with the help of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church. A residence hall for women and a new wing of the student union building—gifted to the university by the Dallas, TX-based Highland Park United Methodist Church—will be the first solar- powered facilities on the campus.
Africa University affirms its commitment to The United Methodist Church, its Cross and Flame and the denomination’s global mission. The Africa University community is immensely grateful to Northwest Texas United Methodists and to the general church for staying the course in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Through Africa University, Northwest Texas United Methodists touch countless lives. By giving freely, local church members walk alongside their neighbors and help to shape an abundant present and future for more of God’s people.
Together with the Northwest Texas Conference, the Africa University community continues to celebrate God’s amazing grace. Thanks to your stewardship of God’s blessings, Africa University has gone beyond what some thought was possible. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27 NKJV
Submitted by, James H. Salley
101 Other Conference Ministries
LUBBOCK METHODIST HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND COVENANT HEALTH Covenant Health (Covenant) was created in 1998 through the merger of Lubbock Methodist Hospital System (LMHS) and St. Mary of the Plains Hospital. Covenant has two corporate members – LMHS and St. Joseph Health System (SJHS), the former parent company of St. Mary of the Plains Hospital. Covenant operates under the directives of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church and the Ethical and Religious Directives of the Catholic Church.
In 2017, a combination between Providence Health & Services and St. Joseph Health resulted in a new entity – Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH). PSJH, a diverse family of organizations with over 100,000 employees serving hospitals, clinics, other programs across Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington, now controls SJHS.
Following that combination, PSJH, SJHS, and Covenant adopted a unified mission statement, which reads: “As expressions of God’s healing love, witnessed through the ministry of Jesus, we are steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.” Covenant lives out that statement daily through the kindness and compassion of its caregivers.
Operationally, Covenant Health continues to move from a strategic model focused on treating acute illness to a population health model. Population health is a proactive, patient-centric approach to health care that promotes prevention, wellness, care coordination and care management. The goal is to provide higher quality and better patient experience while reducing costs.
Covenant currently operates six (6) hospitals across Lubbock, Hockley and Hale Counties, in addition to a robust network of clinics, urgent care sites and free-standing emergency rooms throughout the region. Covenant’s infrastructure also includes two physician medical groups, Hospice of Lubbock, an accountable care organization and the Covenant Foundation. Joint ventures include the Covenant High Plains Surgery Center, Covenant Specialty Hospital and Trustpoint, a rehabilitation hospital. Recent acquisitions of Grace Health System and West Texas ER in 2018 enhanced Covenant’s reach in the region, providing several additional points of access for the medically underserved in our community. Future plans for 2020 and 2021 include expanded service offerings in a new short-stay surgical hospital in southwest Lubbock, a new smart-sized hospital in Hobbs, New Mexico and the planned establishment of a dedicated behavioral health facility in Lubbock.
Board Relationships and Information The Covenant Board of Directors is comprised of 19 members, selected and appointed as follows: • eight (8) by the Lubbock Methodist Hospital System Board with approval from the Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church • eight (8) by the St. Joseph corporate member • the Covenant Health Regional Chief Executive • the Chief of Staff of Covenant Medical Center • the Chief of Staff of Covenant Children’s Hospital
The Lubbock Methodist Hospital System (LMHS) Board of Directors is comprised of 23 members, selected by the Board and approved by the Northwest Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Current members of the Lubbock Methodist Hospital System (LMHS) Board include: David Bayouth, Sarah Bevers, Rev. Don Boren, Brian Bruening, M.D., Val Cochran, Lindsay Cooper, Robert Craig, Mike Cunningham, Terry Dane, Jim Gilbreath, Christine Haggard, Mary Ellen Hale;
101 102 Kerry Hendershot, M.D.; Keith Mann, Jessie Mendoza, Brian Nicholson, M.D., Jay Norton; Eddie Owens, Bryan Reaves, Robert Salem, M.D., Paige Siege, Elise White and Carolyn Wilkerson. As required by the bylaws, the LMHS Board remains more than 60% Methodist.
Val Cochran, Mike Cunningham, Kathy Curry and Terry Dane will be ending their service on the LMHS Board as of December 2020. Those nominated to fill empty Board positions for initial three-year terms beginning in January 2020 include Kevin Atkins, Phoebe Ellis-Roach, Heather Hocker, and Jorge Ramirez. Additionally, Keith Mann has agreed to extend his Board service for an additional year. Board members whose first three-year terms expire December 2020 include Mary Ellen Hale, Kerry Hendershot, M.D., Jay Norton and Carolyn Wilkerson. The LMHS Board is recommending each of the aforementioned for a second three-year term.
The LMHS Board reviews the work of the Covenant Health System Board through two committees: Operating and Oversight. The Operating Committee oversees the financial business of the Board while the Oversight Committee is charged with the responsibility of assuring compliance with the definitive agreement between Methodist and St. Joseph Health. In addition, the LMHS Board has a Nominating Committee who recommends candidates for membership on the Lubbock Methodist Hospital Board as well as the Covenant Board, along with recommending officers for the Lubbock Methodist Hospital System Board. The LMHS Board has also recently engaged in philanthropic efforts, making charitable donations to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, the Keeping the Covenant Campaign, and through its annual support of the DeBakey Lectureship series.
Community Benefit During 2019, Covenant’s community benefit expenditures for the service area totaled $74 million, inclusive of financial assistance., charity care, unpaid cost of Medicaid, community services for the poor and other community service projects.
As you are likely aware, Covenant donates 10% of its annual net income to fund outreach services to the poor and underserved in Lubbock and regional communities. A board-appointed committee comprised of Covenant Board and community members oversees Community Benefit programs and expenditures. Those serving on the Committee during 2019 included the following: Jorge Sanchez, Chris Moore, Michelle Hunter, Christine Allen, Aaron Dawson, Sr. Marian Schubert, Val Cochran, Eddie McBride, Sr. Christine Ray, Karen Worley, David Bayouth, Dr. Amy Thompson and Walt Cathey.
During 2019, more than $3 million was budgeted for community outreach programs and grant support. The funds are expended based on the needs of the community, as indicated by our Community Needs survey, which is conducted every three (3) years. Covenant last completed a Community Health Needs Assessment in 2017, which prioritized outreach focus areas of: mental health, dental outreach and wellness programs, with a specific emphasis on diabetes. Covenant community outreach currently offers dental services for adults and children, counseling, diabetes education, low income patient navigation services, a collaborative at-risk youth intervention program with Texas Tech University, Go Noodle programming for area schools and general health and nutrition education for adults and children.
Covenant additionally lives out its Mission by funding other local non-profits through Wellness and Prevention grants funded through Care for the Poor dollars, which are managed by Covenant Health Community Outreach. During FY19 grants were awarded to Lubbock Children’s Health Clinic, Catholic Charities, South Plains Community Action Association Head Start, The Texas Boys Ranch, The Lubbock Dream Center, The Fair Food Network, Open Door, Texas Tech Center for Adolescent Resiliency, YWCA and Family Guidance and Outreach Center. In addition, we collaborate with local organization(s) and local Federally Qualified Health Clinics to address identified community needs and coordinate care.
Spiritual Services Spiritual Care services and programs at Covenant have been impacted by numerous changes as a result of the continued integration of St. Joseph Health and Providence Health and Services. One of the more visible changes has been the appointment of Dougal Hewitt as EVP and Chief Mission Integration Officer of Providence St. Joseph Health in October of 2018. Mr. Hewitt has lead an analysis of the structures and best practices of traditional mission integration departments 103 which include spiritual care, ethics, community benefit and mission services. Covenant Health is well represented in these restructuring decisions by mission vice president Lee Turner, who represents the Texas and New Mexico region, as well as by staff chaplain manager Bary Moynihan and staff chaplain Tara Williams.
Staff chaplains continue to supply spiritual ministry at Covenant Medical Center, Covenant Children’s Hospital and Covenant Specialty Hospital. A night staff chaplain services all Lubbock campuses. Grace Medical Center has volunteer chaplains as do Plainview and Levelland Hospitals. Due to federal changes regarding exempt workers, our year-long residents have restricted hours, resulting in some coverage gaps. Covenant is currently discussing options to restore 24/7 spiritual care availability across all hospital campuses. Despite challenges, Covenant Health continues to effectively respond to the spiritual needs of our patients, families and caregivers. The Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program provides multiple opportunities for regional clergy, as well as student residents. A summer program makes and provides seminarians a chance to experience hospital ministry. The CPE program represents 12- 18 persons over any given 12-month period. MICAH Ministry, an outreach service of the spiritual care department, will be hosting a series of Mental Health First Aid workshops in 2020 for pastors and church leaders. This is in response to requests for assistance from the faith community. MICAH Ministry is continuing partnerships in East Lubbock’s faith community, with a diverse advisory board representing several denominations.
Meeting the spiritual needs of our caregivers remains an import focus. To that end, leadership is exploring the formation of a spiritual health institute. The intention is to meld best practices of caregiver engagement and development with our inherent strengths as a Christian Ministry. A business plan, charter and budget are under development.
Patient Experience Covenant strives to remain the premier place in our communities for patients to receive care. The Covenant Service Promise guides us in delivering excellence that honors the dignity of every patient and family we serve. The Service Promise is simple - “Know me, Care for me, Ease my way.” As we continue the journey toward delivering excellence at the bedside, incorporating our patient promise into our daily work remains at the heart of our compassionate caregivers. To that end, Covenant offers an array of holistic therapies and services to assist with the overall healing experience by reducing anxiety and stress for patients, families and staff:
Unit Champion Program: A member of the Care Experience team is assigned to every unit at CMC and to each ministry in the Texas Region to help champion patient and caregiver experience initiatives. The goal is to help influence patient perception of care, address patient concerns in- house, and to know and recognize caregivers on a more personal level. This program includes weekly visits from the designated Unit Champion to units at CMC, while remote locations will receive weekly calls and monthly in-person visits, providing more consistent and targeted caregiver recognition. It also allows quarterly patient and caregiver experience initiatives to not only be presented but implemented and personally supported by the Care Experience team.
Pet Therapy: Research shows animals have the power to de-stress and therefore heal us. Covenant is proud to partner with Therapy Dogs Incorporated to offer therapy dog visits to hospital units, creating a brief break from stressors for caregivers, patients, and families. Weekly visits take place with care teams consisting of pet therapists, caregivers, and/or Care Experience coordinators. Also, patients and caregivers may request special visits with the dog of their choice.
Caregiver Recognition: To provide the best patient experience, Covenant engages caregivers and ensure their overall happiness first. When caregivers are happy and engaged, they serve our patients with the highest level of care, connecting with patients on both a professional and personal level. Covenant equips leaders with a wide array of tools to regularly recognize and show gratitude to their staff. With recognition options such as dynamic reward points program, sincere thank you notes, Heroes cards,and DAISY awards, Covenant fosters a culture in which caregivers know that they are valued, cared for and supported.
Honoring Veterans Task Force: With the spirit of uniting Veterans across the community, Covenant’s Veteran’s Task Force hosted members of the Texas Tech Military & Veterans National 103 104 Alumni Chapter in April of 2019. Members were treated to tours of Covenant Medical Center, Covenant Children’s and Joe Arrington Cancer Research and Treatment Center, as well as a luncheon and a presentation that highlighted some of Covenant’s programs and involvement in the community. Additionally, the Veteran’s Task Force has plans to identify Veterans in the hospital to recognize them for their service. Patients will be recognized with a military branch specific flag that will hang in their room, while caregivers will be identified by a service branch sticker on their name badge.
Patient Family Advisory Council and Other Teams: Covenant maintains a Patient-Family Advisory Council consisting of previous patients and/ or family members that have had direct care experiences at Covenant. Members are given the opportunity to give input on new policies, programs and services with the intent of making Covenant the best place to receive care. This program allows Covenant to keep its finger on the pulse of care, ensuring that they remain engaged and informed about the patient care experience. In addition to the Patient-Family Advisory Council, other internal teams such as the Experience Steering Council and High Five have been developed to help guide and implement change across the system. The Experience Steering Council meets monthly and it is made up of leaders who work together to take away the barriers and develop plans around implementing change.
Master Facility Plan Covenant’s $450 Million capital improvement project, referred to as the “Keeping the Covenant” campaign, celebrated its fifth anniversary in March 2020. Since the project was announced in 2015, almost all planned projects have been completed or are currently underway. Specific project updates include:
Covenant Medical Center - Construction on the new six-story Hope Tower is well underway and is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2021.
Covenant Hospital - Plainview - Relocation and expansion of the pharmacy is complete, construction of a new Sterile Processing Department is currently underway, the renovation of all the patient rooms on the 3rd floor is underway and construction on the first floor to update the chapel and gift shop will soon begin.
Covenant Children’s Hospital – Expansion and upgrade of the pharmacy is almost complete, and planning is well underway on multiple interior and exterior renovation projects.
Auxiliary Covenant Volunteers continue to meet great needs all over the hospital, providing services that would otherwise not be provided to patients, visitors and staff. During 2019, volunteers contributed more than 30,000 hours of service to patients and family members at Covenant Health, alleviating the need for paid positions within the hospitals. These volunteers are especially important now, as new construction and renovation creates the need for wayfinding and patient/family assistance. The “welcome desk” at the entrance of Covenant Medical Center is staffed daily with Auxiliary members working alongside health care interns. Volunteers distribute refreshments to patients who are receiving chemotherapy at Joe Arrington Cancer Center. Other areas of the hospital utilizing auxiliary members include, but are not limited to, Waiting Rooms (surgery waiting rooms at both Covenant Children’s and Covenant Medical Center); Information Desks; Gift Shops; Lobby Greeters; Surgery Center; Medical Office Building; and Delivery. The Escort/ Messenger team at Covenant Children’s has taken on additional transportation duties following changes to the transportation department at Covenant Children’s. In 2019, the Auxiliary were able to recruit more student volunteers, allowing students to give back while also learning about hospital operations. The Auxiliary hopes to establish a more organized program for student volunteers in 2020.
SeniorCare The SeniorCare program allows Covenant the opportunity to partner with regional senior populations to facilitate lifestyle changes and transitions. This complementary program for anyone 60 years of age or older provides many benefits both at Covenant and around the community, including educational workshops, social and wellness events, and discounts at
105 Covenant and other sponsors around the community. Since a total restructure of the program in 2019, membership has risen to 3,600 members. Highlight events of 2019 included a Silver Bells Ball Christmas Event and a Texas Tech Basketball Tailgate. Additionally, the program brings in speakers from the medical field on subjects such as Alzheimer’s, bone health, nutrition and meal planning, diabetes, fall prevention, and stroke. Through a program called “SeniorCare Gives Back”, Covenant organizes opportunities for SeniorCare members to go into the community and volunteer with SeniorCare friends.
Summary Covenant’s commitment to the health of the community remains strong and steadfast. We continue to look at the determinants of health, realizing that social economic status, education, employment and housing play an important part in the health of individuals and the community as a whole. Covenant treasures it’s collaboration with the Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church and looks forward to a continuing partnership with the Conference and others in our community.
Submitted by, Jessie Mendoza, James Kelly
ITEMS FOR APPROVAL
• Confirmation of the following individuals as LMHS Board Members for an initial three - year term beginning in January 2021:
• Kevin Atkins
• Phoebe Ellis-Roach o Heather Hocker
• Jorge Ramirez
• Confirmation of reappointment for the following LMHS Board members for a second three - year term beginning in January 2021:
• Mary Ann Hale
• Jay Norton
• Carolyn Wilkerson
• Confirmation of reappointment for the following LMHS Board members for a one - year term beginning in January 2021:
• Keith Mann
105 106 Lubbock Methodist Hospital System Board of Directors 2020
Name 1st Term End of Term 2nd Term Eligibility Religious Expries Affiliaton ** David Bayouth 2016 2018 2019 2021 M Sarah Bevers 2019 2021 M * Rev. Don Boren 2016 No Term M Limit ** Brian Bruening,MD 2016 2018 2019 2021 M ** Val Cochran 2014 2016 2017 2020 M Lindsay Cooper 2019 2021 NM Robert Craig 2016 2018 2019 2021 M ** Mike Cunningham 2015 2017 2018 2020 NM Kathy Curry 2015 2017 2018 2020 M Terry Dane 2015 2017 2018 2020 M ** Jim Gilbreath 2016 2018 2019 2021 NM Christine Haggard 2017 2019 M *** Mary Ellen Hale 2018 2020 M ** Kerry Hendershot, 2018 2020 NM M.D. ** Keith Mann 2015 2017 2018 2020 NM ** Jessie Mendoza 2016 2018 2019 2021 NM Brian Nicholson, 2017 2019 NM MD Jay Norton 2018 2020 M Eddie Owens 2016 2018 2019 2021 M Carolyn Wilkerson 2018 2020 M Paige Siege 2020 2022 M Bryan Reeves 2020 2022 M Elise White 2020 2022 M Robert Salem, M.D. M-Honorary
*District Superintendent - NW Texas Conference
**Members of CHS Board of Trustees will remain on LMHS Board until completion of term on CHS Board. Val Cochran served on LMHS prior to Covenant Board appointment. Her 2nd term on the Covenant Board ends December 2020; Dr. Bruening served an unexpired term for 1 year prior to 1st term appointment
***Auxiliary Representative – fulfilling unexpired term
107 Other Conference Ministries
LYDIA PATTERSON INSTITUTE
Lydia Patterson Institute, better known as “La Lydia”, is an institution that has encountered and survived numerous challenges throughout its 107 years of its existence. In 1913, the school was established in part by Methodist ministers and missionaries fleeing from a Mexican revolution and answering their call to ministry on the US-Mexico border. Since its origin, the school has suffered the effects of two world wars, the great depression, numerous peso devaluations, and presently, the violence and drug wars on the border. La Lydia has survived and flourished in the midst of all.
On August 3, 2019, our faith was challenged when an outsider traveled more than 600 miles to El Paso to eradicate Mexicans in the worst massacre in modern history. El Paso is a city with a population of more than 80% Hispanics. That is not to mention the number of Mexicans that cross daily from our sister city of Juarez, Mexico. In the shooting, we lost the father of three of our former students.
For generations, Lydia Patterson has been committed to teach English to non-English speaking students predominately of Hispanic background. Obviously, the incident caused panic and stress in El Paso and Lydia Patterson was no exception. We were to start school the Monday following and parents were apprehensive and scared. For the first time in the history of La Lydia, we were forced to hire security to patrol our campus. It was heartbreaking, but students and parents were assured that the evil actions of a demented racist would not define us. We reminded them that the power of prayer and the hand of God would not forsake us.
On a positive note, Lydia Patterson moves forward with its commitment to provide a quality education to its students and provide opportunities otherwise nonexistent. My appreciation goes out to the colleges and universities of The United Methodist Church for continuing our ministry by providing scholarships so that 100% of our students attend college.
As the church struggles with certain identities, Lydia Patterson remains faithful to all in its principles and journey to change lives regardless of color, national origin, economic positions and any other God given preferences. We aim to be the bridge that unites all Methodists in ministry as mandated by our God and make disciples of every one of its students for the transformation of the world.
We appeal to every church in your conference and this jurisdiction to remain faithful to the ministry of Lydia Patterson and continue to partner with us in doing the work of God at its best. Every day, the lives of young men and women are being changed. Perhaps, in one of our classrooms is sitting that one person who will make the difference in our world.
Submitted by, Socorro de Anda
107 108 Other Conference Ministries
METHODIST CHILDREN’S HOME
Greetings from Methodist Children’s Home (MCH) and the more than 5,000 children, youth and families we serve across Texas and New Mexico. I am honored to report MCH continues to be in compliance with and exceed best practice standards for childcare established by the states of Texas and New Mexico and the Council on Accreditation (COA, an international accrediting organization of child welfare, behavioral health and community-based social services).
I invite each member of the annual conference to visit our website at MCH.org. There you can explore in more detail the services we offer. You can also download stories, identify resources to help educate your congregation on our ministry, view a transparent listing of our financial resources and services delivered, find out how you can refer a child for placement, or learn more about a call to join our ministry as a home parent, foster parent, or in another capacity.
This summer will mark the end of my first year as president of this wonderful ministry. I reflect often on the amazing opportunities given to me when I was named the 11th president of MCH in July 2019. At that time, I received the privilege of leading an agency that was already strong in its governance, financial practices, outcome measurements and overall transparency and accountability. Based on my experiences overseeing the MCH fundraising efforts for the past 17 years before becoming president, I know how important these things are for benefactors and supporting churches as they evaluate potential beneficiaries of their financial support.
As you read this report, our hope is that you will celebrate the proven ways MCH has positively influenced lives this past year. We also ask you to join with us in thinking about how we can continue to expand the impact of our ministry throughout Texas and New Mexico. I am grateful for the many prayers, gifts and actions that brought about these great accomplishments for those in our care.
These areas of strength speak to the current health of the organization and also provide MCH with the foundation to immediately begin exploring ways to increase the effectiveness and reach of services and programs that can make a difference in the lives of children, youth and families. I see the task of leading this effort as a personal calling and a responsibility of this ministry based on the level of faithful support we receive from our supporters. I commit to you that this endeavor will receive my best effort and involve many diverse voices, all of which will be committed to reaching the high standards of our legacy and mission.
This year, we launched a new strategic plan that is appropriately named, “Building on a Strong Foundation.” I look forward to how this plan will affirm, challenge and move us forward. I know that it is possible because of the great work that has occurred at MCH since 1890 and because of the promise God offers to equip MCH to do more for those we serve in Texas and New Mexico. Guided by our core values of Christian Principles, Relationships, Responsibility, Growth, Service, and Hope, MCH provides the care, programs and talented individuals needed to positively impact the lives of children, youth, and families. This is happening every day in residential programs as well as through 13 MCH Family Outreach offices, including Abilene and Lubbock.
Here are some of the things you helped MCH accomplish for God’s glory and those we serve: • Completed construction of the fourth and fifth new homes on our Waco campus as part of the Building Hope campaign. The Nancy R. Bowen and B.R. & Helen Greathouse homes are new state-of-the-art homes designed with the unique needs of the children we serve today in mind coupled with our trauma-informed research and modern efficiencies. Additionally, we have completed funding that will build the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth homes.
109 • Served 205 children and youth through our campus programs in Waco; 5,684 children and their families through MCH Family Outreach programs; and 174 young adults through Transition Services. • Students participated in multiple mission trips, including U.M. ARMY in partnership with Kingwood UMC, leadership camps and other community service projects. These activities give opportunities for our youth to show Christ’s love and to learn selflessness by sharing their time and talents to meet the needs of others. • Achieved designations of the Gold Seal of Transparency from Guidestar and a four-star charity rating from Charity Navigator. Less than 1 percent of nonprofits listed on Guidestar have achieved the Gold level. These designations recognize our commitment to excellence and efforts to conduct our work with the utmost integrity and transparency. • Graduated 25 seniors from high school and supported 85 MCH alumni pursuing higher education at community colleges, trade schools or four-year institutions. At the writing of this report, we are preparing for seven MCH Alumni to graduate with a degree or certificate from an institute of higher learning in the spring of 2020.
Our achievements in the past and those yet to come are directly related to the men and women who give their time, talents and resources to bless our children.
The following from the Northwest Texas Annual Conference serve on the MCH Board of Directors: Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, Lubbock/Albuquerque Dr. Shera Atkinson, Lubbock Mrs. Barbara Bauernfeind, Amarillo
Thank you in advance for your ongoing prayers, gifts and actions that empower MCH to find effective and innovative ways to fulfill our mission to offer hope to children, youth and families through a nurturing, Christian community. I am excited for what is next for MCH and trust that the future for our ministry is bright. May God continue to bless MCH and the ministries of the Northwest Texas Annual Conference.
Submitted by, Trey Oakley
109 110 Other Conference Ministries
TEXAS METHODIST FOUNDATION
Relationships are at the center of TMF’s ministry. Whether we are gathering resources through philanthropy and investments or stewarding resources though loans, grants, leadership ministry, or Holy Conversations discernment, we believe the relationships we form are transformational for all involved – and lead to purposeful change. During 2019, TMF continued to build relationships with former Heartspring constituents, United Methodist Development Fund constituents and new clergy and lay leaders participating in our Courageous Leadership Imperative Initiative. We are committed to building new partnerships, collaborations and connections to support our goal of helping congregations unite their leadership and financial resources into a purposeful plan for living out God’s unique call for them to serve their communities.
Richard Edwards, TMF Senior Area Representative for the Northwest Texas Conference, is the primary point of engagement between congregations (clergy and laity) and TMF. He connects Northwest Texas Conference constituents to resources relevant to their unique goals for missional growth in their congregations and communities.
TMF, headquartered in Austin, serves United Methodist individuals, churches and agencies within the six annual conferences in Texas and New Mexico. We appreciate the opportunity to report some of the ways we served United Methodists last year.
Within the Northwest Texas Conference: • Loans to churches in the Northwest Texas Conference totaled $2.9 million at the end of 2019. • Churches and agencies, not including individuals, within the Northwest Texas Conference had $14.5 million invested in the Methodist Loan Fund. Throughout Texas and New Mexico: • As of December 31, 2019, total assets under management by TMF were $672.9 million. • Methodist Loan Fund investments ended the year at $340.1 million and our loan portfolio at $317.7 million. • TMF’s Undesignated Endowment ended the year at $58.1 million. • Our Leadership Ministry Endowment was $9.1 million at the close of 2019. • Highlighting a significant year of financial support for TMF was a gift of $6 million from the Estate of Lemuel Richard Keller: $500,000 of the estate gift was directed to TMF’s Leadership Ministry Endowment, a portion fully funded Launch 2.0, a joint clergy and laity learning forum in Little Rock, AR, and the balance was directed to TMF’s Undesignated Endowment. Additionally, TMF received a $250,000 challenge grant to endow the John Thornburg Innovation Fund. The fund was created to help launch new ministries emerging from the hearts and minds of clergy participating in TMF’s Leadership Ministry. As of 12/31/19, TMF had received $225K in gifts and pledges towards the challenge grant. • During 2019, the TMF Grants Ministry awarded $1.4 million in support of 28 churches and not-for-profits. Of that total, an estimated $704,000 came from restricted endowments, and $725,000 from TMF operations. We awarded approximately $125,000 to churches and non-profits providing relief to those impacted by Tropical Storm Imelda, immigration and fires. The Grants Committee of the TMF Board of Directors determines distribution decisions for the discretionary funds. In 2019, grant funds were distributed as follows: 48% to outreach ministries and evangelism targeting systemic change; 37% to ministries which systemically benefit families living in poverty; 15% for scholarships.
111 • TMF continued its work with individuals and families to support their philanthropic goals. In 2019, TMF received $4.2 million in gifts (endowments, donor-advised funds, charitable gift annuities and trusts) to support ministries and causes. • TMF distributed approximately $2.4 million from 405 permanent endowments during 2019. • During 2019, TMF’s Leadership Ministry hosted 14 peer-learning groups and a large innovation gathering, involving nearly 300 clergy and lay leaders from across Texas and New Mexico as well as drawing from the other conferences of the South Central Jurisdiction and beyond. TMF remains deeply committed to creating space for leaders to discover, explore, question and learn with peers so that they might expand their capacity to lead in this time of deep change. Among those groups were two new cohorts launched through the Courageous Leadership Imperative (CLI). CLI seeks to gather courageous leaders from throughout the SCJ for the sake of networking these courageous leaders, strengthening their leadership and building on their capacity for courage, resilience, adaptive leadership, learning agility and innovation. CLI also hosted Launch 2.0 in Little Rock which offered teams of leaders, lay and clergy, the space and tools to take an idea from the brainstorm stage to an actual prototype which had form and plans for initial steps to implementation. • Throughout this year of change in the denomination, the TMF Area Representative team maintained focus on their central purpose: empowering congregations to claim and live into their distinctive, God-appointed missions. The eight representatives traveled Texas and New Mexico, making over 2500 visits. The team does the work of both improvement and innovation. The improvement work includes financial best practices, developing year-round stewardship plans and end-of-life generosity planning. The innovation work centers on the question, “God, what difference are you calling us to make in the coming season of the church’s life?” They explore that question with clergy and lay leaders, both in informal conversation and in contracted services called Holy Conversations (6-9 months with a team of 7-9) and Holy Excavations (one-day workshop with 20-25 people).
TMF Board members
TMF has submitted the following candidate for re-election to the TMF Board of Directors from the Northwest Texas Conference: • Judge Ron Enns, Layperson, 3-year term (Dalhart)
TMF Board members previously elected by the Northwest Texas Conference include: • Rev. Dr. Craig Curry, Clergy, currently serving through 2021 (Lubbock) • Dr. Jim Hunt, Layperson, currently serving through 2020 (Abilene)
TMF Board member from within the Northwest Texas Conference who currently serves in an otherwise elected or advisory capacity: • Bishop W. Earl Bledsoe, Advisory Member (Albuquerque)
Submitted by, Laura Fuqua
111 112 CONSENT CALENDAR action items
113 Resolutions
RESOLUTION FOR COMMITMENT TO CREATION CARE - NORTHWEST TEXAS 2020 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Whereas, God not humanity, is the owner of creation (Psalm 24:1);
Whereas, God created humans to care for creation on God’s behalf (Genesis 2:15);
Whereas, Climate change is unequivocally and primarily human-induced;
Whereas, The United Methodist Social Principles of The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church supports Climate Justice;
Whereas, The Pastoral Letter of the Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action (2009) states that God’s creation is in crisis and pledges nine ways they are willing to help; and
Whereas, Styrofoam is a product that will never biodegrade in landfills;
Now, therefore, be it resolved: That each congregation in the Northwest Texas Conference be encouraged to conduct an energy audit of their buildings to identify sources of energy waste and the potential financial savings of energy-related improvements and make the needed energy upgrades;
That each congregation in the Northwest Texas Conference be encouraged to form a Green Team to plan and monitor creation care improvements within their congregation;
That all members of the Northwest Texas Conference be encouraged to respect God’s earth and become a Styrofoam-free facility by using more non-disposable products and if using disposable products, taking steps to use only earth-friendly products that are sustainable, biodegradable and compostable.
Submitted by: Northwest Texas Conference United Methodist Women: Pam Zwickey, President, Northwest Texas Conference United Methodist Women; Green Team for Creation Care, Northwest Texas Conference United Methodist Women; Becky Harp, Earthkeeper, United Methodist Church; Carolyn Cobb, Mission Action & Interpretation Coordinator, Northwest Texas Conference United Methodist Women; Ellen Lipsey, Be Just Be Green Guide, South Central Jurisdiction United Methodist Women
113 114 Conference Board of Pensions & Heath Benefits
PENSIONS & HEALTH BENEFITS
We care for those who serve by providing investment and benefit services that honor the mission and principles of The United Methodist Church
Wespath Mission Statement – 2017 Annual Report
We are in uncertain times. In a March 2020 letter to participants, Wespath’s General Secretary Barbara Boigegrain and the Chairperson of Wespath’s Board of Directors Bishop Robert Schnase, state the obvious:
“We are in uncertain times. The evolving spread of the Coronavirus Disease, turmoil in financial markets and the denominational discussions about the future of The United Methodist Church leave much to be concerned about. At times it may feel a bit overwhelming.”
As they note in the letter – and as we echo –
“In our more than 110 years, Wespath has weathered change and challenges, and we expect we will do the same [now] – standing as a neutral, non-anxious and ever vigilant servant. We remain committed to protecting your benefits entrusted to this agency.”
Your Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) likewise remain committed to being your servant in these uncertain times.
COVID-19 RELIEF FOR CHURCHES
As of the date of this report (April 2020), the Coronavirus Pandemic has radically changed the way of life of everyone in the world. Stay-at-home orders (and common-sense) that mandate gatherings of any group of unrelated people be suspended until, with the help of God, the COVID-19 pandemic is under control are in place. Thus, congregations are no longer gathering in person. Social distancing may be the “new normal” for the foreseeable future.
Many churches are moving to live-streaming worship services. Many churches that did not have any form of on-line or electronic giving, have moved rapidly to catch up. Undoubtedly, it is expected that many churches will experience a drop in giving while congregations are meeting and worshipping in a virtual environment.
Therefore, the CBOPHB has extended a 3-month moratorium on billings for the church portion of health insurance (the flat rate of $1,490 per month per clergy person under full-time appointment), as well as billings for clergy pension benefits (CRSP and CPP). Any amounts withheld from the clergy or layperson’s salary (e.g. flexible spending contributions, contributions to Health Savings Accounts, premiums owed for vision and/or dental insurance) will continue to be billed. The moratorium represents a forgiveness – not a deferral – of these obligations. The total cost of this moratorium will be approximately $1 million and will be funded from the Conference’s reserves.
The CBOPHB will review this program in June and determine what, if any, further relief efforts may be needed and the Conference’s ability to extend such relief.
115 COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS FUNDING PLAN
The 2016 Book of Discipline ¶ 1506.6 requires that each annual conference develop, adopt and implement a formal comprehensive funding plan for funding all of its benefit obligations. The funding plan shall be submitted annually to Wespath for review and be approved annually by the annual conference, following the receipt and inclusion of a favorable written opinion from the Wespath. Wespath has approved and certified that the 2020 Comprehensive Benefits Funding Plan (CBFP) is adequate and sustainable. A copy of the complete CBFP and certification is available on the Conference web site or upon request.
SUMMARY OF PLANS
Pension Plans Overview: The Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP) is an Internal Revenue Code, section 403(b), retirement program providing lifetime income and account flexibility designed for those who serve as clergy of The United Methodist Church. The program is designed to provide participants with one portion of their overall retirement benefits. CRSP replaced the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP), effective January 1, 2007, which had previously replaced the Pre-82 Plan for service rendered prior to January 1, 1982. CRSP consists of both a defined benefit (DB) plan, which provides a monthly benefit at retirement based upon years of credited service to The United Methodist Church, and a defined contribution (DC) plan, which provides a retirement account balance established and funded by the annual conferences.
The assets, liabilities and corresponding funding status for the Pre-82 Plan is determined on a conference-by-conference basis. For the CRSP and MPP plans, assets and liabilities are determined at a denominational level with each conference allocated a percentage of any current funding requirement based upon that conference’s proportional share of the benefit obligation. The requirement for any current funding for the MPP plan is actuarially determined by combining the plan assets and liabilities for the CRSP and MPP plans (referred to as Corridor Funding). This approach results in a smoother, less volatile funding approach.
CRSP Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC): The Clergy Retirement Security Program (CRSP-DB) annuities total liability as of January 1, 2019 is $1.913 billion, while total plan assets are $2.049 billion, resulting in a current plan funded ratio of 107%. The Northwest Texas Conference portion of the liability is 0.7356% with a 2020 contribution of $765,808 and a 2021 contribution of $744,051.
At retirement, CRSP-DB pension benefits are determined as follows:
Provision CRSP (1/1/07-12/31/13) Modified CRSP (Effective 1/1/14)
Defined benefit formula 1.25% of DAC per year of service 1.00% of DAC per year of service
DC non-matching contribution 3% of participant compensation 2% of participant compensation
DC matching contribution N/A 100% of participant UMPIP contributions up to a maximum 1% of participant compensation
In the above table, DAC refers to Denominational Average Compensation.
Clergy have the opportunity to earn up to an additional 1% CRSP-DC contribution by contributing at least 1% of their plan compensation to the United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP); therefore, if a participant contributes at least 1% of plan compensation to UMPIP, the individual will receive a contribution of 3%. The 2020 CRSP-DC contribution is anticipated to be $319,255 while the 2021 CRSP-DC contribution is projected to be $285,000. The CBOPHB has elected to bill each church 3% of plan compensation regardless of the clergy-person’s participation in UMPIP. Any such funds collected will be used to offset administrative costs.
115 116 A summary of the direct billing rates for CRSP-DB, CRSP-DC and CPP (discussed later) follows:
Rates CRSP Defined Benefit 9% CRSP Defined Contribution 3% CPP 3% Total 15%
These mandatory plan contributions will be funded by direct billing to each church with clergy serving at 50%+ appointments.
Ministerial Pension Plan: Supplement Three to the CRSP, also known as the Ministerial Pension Plan (MPP), provides clergy with a pension benefit for their years of ministry with The United Methodist Church from 1982 through 2006. MPP is an Internal Revenue Code section 403(b) retirement plan. The plan provides that 65% of the account balance must be annuitized when the funds are to be distributed. The remainder may be rolled over to UMPIP, into an IRA or another qualified plan, or it may be paid out as a lump sum.
The MPP annuities’ total liability as of January 1, 2019, is $3.718 billion, while total plan assets are $3.998 billion, resulting in a current plan funded ratio of 107%. The Northwest Texas Conference’s portion of the total liability is 0.6811%.
The MPP Plan is a “closed” plan in that no participants are earning additional benefits in this plan. However, future contributions to this plan could be possible if plan assets depreciate or actuarial valuations result in an increase in the liability. As noted previously, MPP funding requirements are determined using a Corridor Funding approach whereby assets and liabilities for both the CRSP-DB and MPP plans are combined. The combined funding ratio for CRSP-DB and MPP is 108% and, accordingly, no additional funding is required for MPP. The only required funding for the CRSP-DB plan is the “normal” cost, or the cost of benefits being earned by current participants this year as noted previously.
Pre-1982 Plan: Supplement One to the CRSP, also known as the Pre-1982 Plan, provides clergy with a pension benefit for their years of ministry with The United Methodist Church prior to 1982. ThePre- 1982 Plan was replaced by MPP effective January 1, 1982. If a clergy person retires within the Conference (and does not terminate), the minimum benefit payable is based on two factors: 1) years of service with pension credit and 2) the Conference Past Service Rate (PSR). Years of service with pension credit are approved by each Conference on the recommendation of the Conference Board of Pensions (CBOP) in accordance with plan provisions and The Book of Discipline. The PSR is the dollar amount chosen by the Conference as the amount payable for each approved year of service with pension credit. The PSR may change from year to year but never decrease. The number of years of service with pension credit is multiplied by the PSR, and the product is the minimum annual benefit payable to those clergy eligible for Pre-1982 Plan benefits. In certain situations, the benefit received from the Pre-1982 plan may vary based on the applicability of what is referred to as Defined Benefit Service Money (DBSM), which is the defined contribution feature of the Pre-1982 Plan. At the time that a participant retires, the DBSM account is converted to a life-based benefit and, at that point, the clergy’s benefit is the greater of the PSR or DBSM benefit. If the conference increases the PSR, the clergy’s benefit is recalculated; but the DBSM based benefit does not change.
Surviving spouses all receive a portion (contingent annuitant percentage) of the clergy-person’s Pre-82 pension if the clergy person predeceases the spouse. The contingent annuitant percentage is recommended to remain at the 75% level.
Current funding plan information: The recommended 2021 PSR is $654.00, an increase of 1% ($7) from 2020. This strategy results from the recognition by the CBOPHB that annual increase in the PSR has a limited impact on clergy who have relatively few years of service under that plan such that their Pre-82 benefits 117 are a relatively small portion of the clergy per-son’s overall retirement benefits. Therefore, the CBOPHB has implemented a program of increasing the PSR periodically and combining that with one-time grants in 2018, 2019 and 2020 that are specifically targeted for current retirees receiving Pre-82 Plan benefits.
Based on the final actuarial valuations from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, as of January 1, 2019 for 2021, the portion of the Pre-1982 liability and assets attributable to the Northwest Texas Conference and its related funded status are as follows:
Funding Plan Liability ...... $(14,233,255) Assets held in trust inside the plan ...... 14,801,290 Funded Ratio ...... 104%
The Conference has additional reserves invested with Wespath totaling $22,941,615 at December 31, 2019. However, $5.5 million of those reserves have been re-designated for the Conference’s strategic priorities with $5 million of that re-designation put in a revocable quasi-endowment account. Of the remaining reserves of $16.8 million, $239,000 is designated to help fund the post-retirement medical plan described below. After this designation, the Conference has $16.1 million in reserves designated for post-retirement pension benefits.
Comprehensive Protection Plan Overview: The Comprehensive Protection Plan (CPP) provides death, long-term disability and other welfare benefits for eligible clergy of The United Methodist Church and their families. It is an Internal Revenue Code 414(e) “church plan” funded by plan sponsor insurance premiums. Generally, clergy are eligible to participate in CPP if the conference or salary-paying unit sponsors the plan and they are able to satisfy the eligibility requirements which include full-time appointment with plan compensation equal to or greater than 60% of the Denominational Average Compensation (DAC) or the Conference Average Compensation (CAC), whichever is less.
United Methodist Personal Investment Plan (UMPIP) Overview: UMPIP is an Internal Revenue Code section 403(b) defined contribution retirement savings plan for clergy and lay employees of The United Methodist Church and affiliated organizations. Participants may make before-tax, Roth and/or after-tax contributions through payroll deductions. Participant contributions, various optional plan sponsor contributions and investment earnings comprise the individual’s retirement account balance.
As noted above, clergy have the opportunity to earn up to an additional 1% CRSP-DC contribution by contributing at least 1% of their plan compensation to UMPIP; therefore, if a participant contributes at least 1% of plan compensation to UMPIP, the individual will receive a contribution of 3%.
Conference office lay employees working an average of 30 hours per week or more are eligible for a plan sponsor funded pension contribution of 6% of salary. Lay employees are encouraged to make contributions toward their retirement through payroll deductions to the UMPIP. The estimated contribution for the Northwest Texas Conference in 2021 is anticipated to be $16,236 and will be funded via Shared Ministries.
SUMMARY OF HEALTH PLANS
Health Plan for Active Clergy Overview: The Northwest Texas Conference offers the HealthFlex Exchange benefit plan through Wespath– a self-funded plan - to its active eligible participants. Eligibility is limited to full-time (100% appointment) clergy under Episcopal appointment in the Northwest Texas Conference and in extension ministries beyond the local church and Conference.
Under the HealthFlex Exchange (HFE), each participant receives a Defined Contribution (DC) which is used as a credit toward the cost of various plans offered in the HFE (refer to the Health Insurance section later in this report). The DC amount varies depending upon whether the participant is covering only himself/herself or whether a spouse or other family members are also covered. 117 118 The total cost of the program for 2021 is anticipated to be $2,621,000 and will be funded by direct billing to the salary-paying units of the eligible participants (local churches and extension ministries). Each salary-paying unit is billed a flat rate for each full-time clergy under appointment.
As noted in the Post-Retirement Medical Benefits portion of this report, clergy who retire prior to age 65 can remain on the “active” health plan until they are 65. Retirees (and their spouses) who remain on the active plan are billed the actual premium costs less any health reimbursement account benefit to which they may be entitled.
2020 Census – Active Clergy
HealthFlex Participant + Exchange Medical Participant Participant +1 Total by Plan Family Enrollment PPO B1000 14 25 27 66 CDH C2000 4 13 18 35 CDH C3000 2 0 4 6 HDH H1500 2 6 3 11 HDH H2000 0 1 2 3 HDH H3000 1 0 4 5 Total Active & Early 23 45 58 126 Retiree Enrollment
PPO - Preferred Provider Organization | CDH – Consumer Driven Health plan | HDH – High-deductible Health plan
2021 Participant Defined Contribution and Salary-Paying Unit Billing Rates: Each participant receives a Defined Contribution (DC) which is used as a credit toward the cost of various plans offered in the HealthFlex Exchange (HFE). The DC amount varies depending upon whether the participant is covering only himself/herself or whether a spouse or other family members are also covered.
As noted above, total health care premiums for 2021 are projected to be $2,621,000 and will be funded by direct billing to the salary-paying units of the eligible participants (local churches and extension ministries). Each salary-paying unit is billed a flat rate for each full-time clergy under appointment.
In 2020 the flat-rate for each full-time clergy under appointment is $17,880 per year (or $1,490 per month), and the 2021 flat rate will be $18,480 per year (or $1,540 per month).
Under the HealthFlex Exchange (HFE), each participant receives a Defined Contribution (DC) which is used as a credit toward the cost of various plans offered in the HFE. For 2020 and 2021 the monthly DC amounts are:
Participant Participant +1 Participant + Family 2020 830 1,526 2,107 2021 843 1,551 2,141
119 The monthly premium rates – what the participant pays - not what is billed to the church - for the various HFE plans for 2020 and 2021 are:
HealthFlex Participant Participant Participant Participant Participant Participant Ex-change +1 +1 +Family +Family 2020 2021 Premi-ums 2020 2021 2020 -2021 PPO B1000 830 878 1,576 1,668 2,157 2,283 CDH C2000 788 843 1,497 1,601 2,049 2,191 CDH C3000 669 734 1,270 1,395 1,739 1,908 HDH H1500 767 821 1,458 1,560 1,995 2,134 HDH H2000 703 744 1,335 1,413 1,827 1,934 HDH H3000 612 648 1,163 1,231 1,592 1,685
Administrative Requirements The following administrative procedures and requirements of the group insurance program, as published in the current report of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits, shall be observed as a rule of the conference and will be the official policy for the ensuing year.
Interpretation Questions of interpretation of official policy coverage and limitations shall be decided by the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits. The executive committee may act for and on behalf of the Board in emergency situations by conference calls.
Mandatory Participation Mandatory participation in the insurance program shall include clergy persons appointed to full-time service to a local church or within the connectional structure of the conference who are: • a provisional member • a local pastor • a retired clergy appointed as full-time retired supply unless the clergy person is on Medicare • an ordained clergy person from another annual conference or another Methodist denomination • an ordained clergy person from another denomination, unless such clergy person is covered through the group health plan of the denomination to which he or she belongs • An associate member or clergy member in full connection granted sabbatical leave **Please note: When a member of annual conference is no longer in a mandatory category but does not fit in one of the optional categories as described below, they can choose to participate in continuation coverage for 12 months.
Mandatory Coverage Every church with a full-time pastor is billed the identical, blended rate regardless of whether the clergy person falls outside the mandatory coverage provisions (see above).
The district superintendent shall inform all clergy of the provisions of the rule and shall notify the office of the Conference Benefits Officer of changes in status of clergy immediately before or immediately after such change becomes effective. Enrollment shall be completed within thirty (30) days of admission on provision, as associates, or by transfer into the conference.
Medical Leave When members of the Annual Conference are granted medical leave, such member may continue in the insurance program, provided the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits receives written assurance that the current guidelines in The Book of Discipline have been followed, to be received prior to the effective date of the leave. He/She is required to pay ½ of the total premium and the balance will come from the Shared Ministries. If the member does not return to full active service by the end of the twelve (12) month period, he/she will be terminated from the plan. If the member applies for social security disability the conference will cover them for up to twenty-four (24) additional months if necessary or until they are old enough to apply for retired status. 119 120 Payments Payments of the blended billing rate (see above) for active clergy participants are the financial responsibility of the salary-paying unit. Payment must be remitted monthly by the salary-paying unit (e.g. the local church) or the individual participant continuing on the “active plan” (see above), to the office of the Conference Benefits Officer. Premiums shall be due by the twentieth calendar day of the month and coverage may terminate as of the first day of the subsequent month unless premiums are received on or before the 30th day of the month.
POST-RETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Program Overview: The Northwest Texas Conference offers post-retirement medical benefits through ViaBenefits. The Conference offers a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) funded up to a maximum of $1,800 per retiree through a $60 contribution for each year of denominational service up to 30 years to the HRA.
With this change, the service cost (benefits earned in the current year) for 2021 is anticipated to be $128,969 and will be funded through Shared Ministries (apportionments).
Based on the most recent PRM valuation dated 12/31/2019, the following is the funded position of the post-retirement medical benefits with the changes in the HRA contribution noted above:
Expected Post Retirement Obligation (EPBO) or net conference cost ...... $6,784,655 Accumulated Post Retirement Obligation (APBO) or net conference cost ...... $5,835,406 Assets designated for PRM ...... $1,217,811 Overfunding from Pension Plans to be used for PRM ...... $4,617,595 Reserves designated for PRM ...... $359,204
2020 Census
Plan Types Enrollment Medicare Advantage 24 Medicare Supplement 115 Part D 88 Dental 9 Vision 11
Total enrollment in 2020 was 142, or 85% of the number of people eligible. Many participants have multiple plans (e.g. Medicare Supplement and Part D). Thus, the total of the enrollment in the above chart exceeds the total participant census. It is assumed that 97% of eligible active participants will elect coverage in this plan upon reaching age 65.
Rules for HRA eligibility include: • Must be eligible for Medicare Parts A & B due to age (at least age 65) or a Medicare eligible participant on Social Security Disability • Must enroll in a medical plan with ViaBenefits and remain enrolled. • If the retiree enrolls in a plan outside of ViaBenefits, s/he loses HRA eligibility. • If the retiree’s policy through ViaBenefits is cancelled for any reason, or is in arrears on premium, s/he loses HRA eligibility.
Retirees and spouses who are under age 65 and not Medicare-eligible, may remain on the “active” health insurance plan until they reach Medicare eligibility. Any pastor who retired on or before June 30, 2013, and is under the age of 65 and therefore, still on our active plan, will be grandfathered under the old plan and will continue to receive a subsidy of ½ of the active premium between the ages of 62 and 65.
121 For persons retiring on or after July 1, 2013, each retiree and or spouse will be eligible for the HRA according to the following schedule and age brackets: • Under age 62: retired participant may remain on the active plan and pay 100% of the premium (see below) and the conference pays 0% • Age 62 to 65: retired participant may remain on the active plan and pay the difference between the active premium and the HRA funding set for retirees based on years of service in any United Methodist conference at the time of retirement. The rate for the spouse under age 65 of a retired clergy shall be the actual premium cost of the plan chosen in the HealthFlex Exchange (see below), reduced by the monthly amount of the HRA, based on the clergy person’s years of service (see HRA contribution provisions above). • Age 65 and older: retired participant will be offered the opportunity to enroll in an open-market Medicare plan through ViaBenefits.
The “active plan” will be whatever plan is adopted by the Annual Conference. Under the HealthFlex Exchange (HFE), each active-plan retiree will be able to choose from the plans offered under the HFE. Each retiree on the active plan will be billed the actual cost of the premium for the plan chosen subject to the rules above.
If a retired participant is appointed to serve a local church as full-time retired supply, and therefore falls under the mandatory participation rule in our active insurance plan, the retiree will not be required to enroll through ViaBenefits during such appointment. However, if the retired participant is already enrolled in Medicare and has a Medicare Supplement/Advantage Plan through ViaBenefits, they will not be required to terminate their Medicare and Medicare Supplement/Advantage coverage.
If, at the time of retirement, the member has other group insurance coverage, s/he may opt out of the conference health insurance plan and retain the right to rejoin the plan whenever they lose the other coverage. This is a one-time option at the time of retirement, only.
Those who choose to opt out at any other time must request withdrawal in writing by the 15th of the month prior to the date of termination. PLEASE REALIZE that persons who choose to opt out of the Plan will not be able to re-enroll in the Retired Clergy Medical Benefits Program at a later date.
Surviving Spouses A surviving spouse of a participant may continue in the insurance program. The surviving spouse of an active participant will pay 50% of the actual premium rate for the plan chosen. The surviving spouse of a retired participant, who is under the age of 65, will pay the same premium as before the clergy person’s death, according to the vesting schedule (see above), as calculated at the time of retirement. At age 65, the surviving spouse will be enrolled in ViaBenefits and receive an HRA contribution based on years of service as calculated at the time of the death of the participant.
Retired Lay Employees Retired lay employees (as verified by the local church or salary paying unit) may continue in the Conference Insurance program until age 65 provided: 1. The participant has been on the insurance program for the past five (5) years. 2. The participant will pay the full-retired premium rate based upon the plan chosen.
After the retired lay employee reaches Medicare-eligibility, they will be dropped from the active plan and may purchase an individual plan through ViaBenefits, but no contribution to an HRA account will be provided for lay employees.
121 122 Lay Employee Health Insurance
Eligibility The following are eligible for the Conference health insurance program: a. Full-time Lay Employees (including lay speakers and consecrated diaconal ministers) b. Full-time Lay Conference Staff
Conditions for eligibility: • Employed for 30 or more hours per week. • The salary-paying unit must offer the Conference Insurance Program to all full-time employees. • 75% of all persons eligible to participate must participate. Each salary-paying unit is a separate group and will have its plan reviewed for lay coverage as permitted by state law. • The salary-paying unit must offer a defined contribution (DC) equal to at least ½ of the most expensive plan offered (or larger percentage as required by law) on a uniform non-discriminatory basis with the employee or staff person responsible for payment of the balance.
Coverage is offered through the Northwest Texas Conference group health plan HFE. The local church or other Conference entity must adopt the group health insurance plan as a plan sponsor. The Northwest Texas Conference will bill each salary-paying unit the premiums and these premiums will be remitted to the Conference office within 20 days of the billing date. The salary-paying unit is responsible for administering the amount of the DC offered and employee contributions, if any.
Administrative Responsibilities It is the responsibility of the local church or director of the employing agency to notify the Conference Benefits Officer of newly eligible employees and dependents wanting to join the Conference insurance plan. Failure to notify the Conference Benefits Officer within thirty (30) days of employment will result in the employee not having coverage until the next election period.
It is also the responsibility of the local church or director of the employing agency to notify the Conference Benefits Officer of terminations of employment. Notifications are required by the 20th of the month to become effective the 1st of the following month. Failure to inform the Conference Benefits Officer of termination makes the employing agency liable for premiums due for both clergy and lay persons enrolled in the Conference insurance program.
OTHER BENEFITS
Emergency Grant Program The Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits (CBOPHB) has established an Emergency Grant Program to provide financial assistance to retired United Methodist clergy who are without resources for a one-time unexpected expense. Eligibility for these grants is limited to retired clergy with at least ten (10) years of service in the Northwest Texas Conference. Examples of emergencies qualifying for the grants include, but are not limited to: • Uninsured medical expenses (excluding expenses that should have been covered by insurance that the retiree waived) • Funeral expenses for retired clergy member or immediate family members • Travel expenses for medical treatment or to attend a funeral of an immediate family member • One month of assisted living or nursing home expense following an illness • Major, uninsured home repair (limited to 50% of expense)
Application for grants should be made to the Conference Benefits Officer (CBO). Grants up to $1,000 can be approved by the Chief Financial Officer and Conference Benefits Officer (CFO/ CBO), or in his/her absence, the Director of Mission and Administration (DMA). Grants over $1,000 and up to $3,000 must be approved by at least three of the following persons: CFO/CBO, DMA, Chair of the Board of Ministry, Chair of the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits 123 (CBOPHB). Grants over $3,000 must be approved by a vote of the CBOPHB. Pre-1982 Grant Program In most years, the CBOPHB has recommended increases in the Past Service Rate (PSR) of approximately 1% - 2% annually. The PSR is multiplied times the number of years of service in the Pre-82 Plan to arrive at the annual pension benefit. However, the impact of an increase in the PSR has limited impact on clergy who have relatively few years of service under that plan relative to the cost of providing an increase in the PSR. Therefore, the CBOPHB has in 2018, 2019 and 2020 made one-time grants that are specifically targeted for current retirees receiving Pre- 82 Plan benefits.
For 2020, all recipients of Pre-82 pension benefits from the Northwest Texas Conference and who retired from this Conference, regardless of their service in or outside of the Conference, will receive a payment of $1,500 in each year. The CBOPHB is proposing a payment of $1,000 for 2021 using the same criteria – all recipients of Pre-82 pension benefits from the Northwest Texas Conference and who retired from this Conference – in 2021. See Resolution III.
The Conference Benefits Office (CBO) will notify grant recipients no later than November 1 of the year in which the grant will be paid. Eligible grant recipients may waive these grants by notifying the Conference Benefits office by November 30.
Past Service Rate (PSR) As noted in the preceding section, the CBOPHB seeks to provide meaningful benefits to retirees, particularly those receiving pension payments under the Pre-82 Plan. In many years, the CBOPHB has recommended increases in the Past Service Rate (PSR) of approximately 2% annually (refer to Resolution III). The PSR is multiplied times the number of years of service in the Pre-82 Plan to arrive at the annual pension benefit.
For 2021, the CBOPHB is recommending the PSR be increased to $654 (see Resolution III). As noted in the previous section, the CBOPHB is also recommending a modification of the grant program previously approved for 2019 and an extension of the grant program (as modified) into 2020 as described above. The CBOPHB will continue to assess the efficacy of the Pre-82 grant programs and then determine when, or if, future grants may be made, or whether the PSR will be increased, or both.
SHARED MINISTRIES
There will be apportioned to the pastoral charges for the period January 1 - December 31, 2021, the sum of $150,000, which together with income from other sources, will fund post-retirement benefits for the year of 2021.
The Shared Ministries for Clergy Care apportioned to the local churches shall be considered a mandatory clergy support item related to the full payment of the salary of the pastor(s) regardless of whether the pastor(s) is enrolled in the conference pension or insurance programs. The Clergy Benefits and Services Shared Ministries pays the HRA contributions for retired clergy, their spouses and surviving spouses, a percentage of the HealthFlex plans for all retirees/spouses still on the “active plan” due to age, and surviving spouses according to the vesting schedule above, ½ of the premiums for evangelists appointed by the conference, ½ of the premiums for those on incapacity leave, pension contributions for the Conference staff and administrative expenses of the Conference Benefits office.
The Conference depository for Clergy Care funds will be the Prosperity Bank of Lubbock, Texas, the Texas Methodist Foundation and Wespath, Glenview, Illinois. However, the Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits, upon the advice of the Investment Committee, may change depositories and report such changes to the next session of the Annual Conference.
123 124 OTHER POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Annual Conference Expense for Retired Clergy: The Conference will subsidize the cost of Annual Conference for retired clergy or surviving spouses at the following per diem rates (maximum of 3 days): • Lodging (General Services Administration [GSA] rate for Continental U.S. [CONUS]) - $96.00 per day (individual or couple) • Meals and incidentals (50% of GSA rate for CONUS) – $27.50 per day per person
Those persons living within the metropolitan area of where Annual Conference is being held will not be paid Annual Conference Expense nor will retired persons serving appointments or persons on disability leave.
Retiree Moving Expense: When a clergy person of the Annual Conference, serving under Episcopal appointment at the time of retirement or disability, becomes a recipient of pension or disability benefits, the Conference Board of Pensions may pay the actual moving expenses within six months of the final appointment prior to entering a retired relationship, as a one time reimbursement, provided however, that such payment shall not exceed the conference approved moving rate.
A surviving spouse of a deceased active or retired clergy person may also receive a one-time reimbursement, at the time of the clergy person’s death, provided however that such payment shall not exceed the conference approved moving rate.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION I. ADOPTION OF COMPREHENSIVE FUNDING PLAN
The Northwest Texas Conference (the “Conference”) adopts the following resolution related to the Comprehensive Funding Plan for the Conference for 2021: WHEREAS, The United Methodist Church, of which the Conference is a part, maintains pension plans and health and welfare plans administered through Wespath (formerly the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits) and in which clergy serving in and lay employees of the Conference participate either as active participants or retired participants; WHEREAS, the Conference is the sponsor or plan administrator or health and welfare and other defined contribution plans; WHEREAS, by virtue of the Conference’s participation, administration and adoption of the pension and health and welfare plans, a covenant is made with active and retired participants to provide pension benefits, health and welfare benefits, moving reimbursement, annual conference expense reimbursement and other benefits to them both during their active careers as well as in retirement; WHEREAS, such a covenant produces a financial obligation to fulfill this covenant that is ethically and legally binding such that the development of a Comprehensive Funding Plan is a necessary and prudent step to determine financial viability at the Conference level and at denominational level where benefit plan liabilities are concerned; WHEREAS, Wespath has been tasked with compiling conference information regarding funding for long-term obligations for clergy and staff across the denomination; WHEREAS, each conference is required to obtain a favorable opinion letter from Wespath and approval from its respective Annual Conference of its Comprehensive Funding Plan; WHEREAS, the CBOPHB has reviewed this plan in detail and the plan has been submitted to, reviewed and approved by Wespath; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The 2021 Comprehensive Funding plan (summarized in this report and available in its entirety on the Conference website (www.nwtxconf.org) or by contacting the Conference Benefit Officer, is hereby approved.
125 RESOLUTION II: RENTAL/HOUSING ALLOWANCES FOR RETIRED OR DISABLED CLERGY PERSONS OF THE NORTHWEST TEXAS CONFERENCE
The Northwest Texas Conference (the “Conference”) adopts the following resolutions relating to rental/housing allowances for retired or disabled clergy persons of the Conference: WHEREAS, the religious denomination known as The United Methodist Church (the “Church”), of which this Conference is a part, has in the past functioned and continues to function through ministers of the gospel (with-in the meaning of Internal Revenue Code section 107) who were or are duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of the Church (“Clergy persons”); WHEREAS, the practice of the Church and of this Conference was and is to provide active Clergy persons with a parsonage or a rental/housing allowance as part of their gross compensation; WHEREAS, pensions or other amounts paid to active, retired and disabled Clergy persons are considered to be deferred compensation and are paid to active, retired and disabled Clergy persons in consideration of previous active service; and WHEREAS, the Internal Revenue Service has recognized the Conference (or its predecessors) as the appropriate organization to designate a rental/housing allowance for retired and disabled Clergy persons who are or were members of this Conference and are eligible to receive such deferred compensation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: THAT an amount equal to 100% of the pension or disability payments received from plans authorized under The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church (the “Discipline”), which includes all such payments from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (“GBOPHB”), during the year 2021 by each active, retired or disabled Clergy person who is or was a member of the Conference, or its predecessors, be and hereby is designated as a rental/housing allowance for each such Clergy person; and THAT the pension or disability payments to which this rental/housing allowance applies will be any pension or disability payments from plans, annuities, or funds authorized under the Discipline, including such payments from the GBOPHB and from a commercial annuity company that provides an annuity arising from benefits accrued under a GBOPHB plan, annuity, or fund authorized under the Discipline, that result from any service a Clergy person rendered to this Conference or that an active, retired or disabled Clergy person of this Conference rendered to any local church, annual conference of the Church, general agency of the Church, other institution of the Church, former denomination that is now a part of the Church, or any other employer that employed the Clergy person to perform services related to the ministry of the Church, or its predecessors, and that elected to make contributions to, or accrue a benefit under, such a plan, annuity, or fund for such active, retired or disabled Clergy person’s pension or disability as part of his or her gross compensation. NOTE: The rental/housing allowance that may be excluded from a Clergy person’s gross income in any year for federal income tax purposes is limited under Internal Revenue Code section 107(2) and regulations thereunder to the least of: (1) the amount of the rental/housing allowance designated by the Clergy person’s employer or other appropriate body of the Church (such as this Conference in the foregoing resolutions) for such year; (2) the amount actually expended by the Clergy person to rent or provide a home in such year; or (3) the fair rental value of the home, including furnishings and appurtenances (such as a garage), plus the cost of utilities in such year.
125 126 RESOLUTION III: PAST SERVICE RATE (PSR) FOR THE CALCULATION OF BENEFITS UNDER THE PRE-1982 PENSION PLAN AND THE PRE-1982 PLAN RETIREE GRANT PROGRAM:
The Northwest Texas Conference (the “Conference”) adopts the following resolution relating to the Past Service Rate (PSR) for the Pre-1982 Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“Pre-82 Plan”): WHEREAS, Clergy members and full-time local pastors who received pension credit under the Pre-82 Plan prior to January 1, 1982, are receiving, or will receive an annual pension benefit computed by taking the years of credited service times the PSR; WHEREAS, the current PSR is $647.00; WHEREAS, in accordance with legislation passed by General Conference 2012, the actuarial cost of any increase in the PSR must be funded before the increase can take effect but, because the Pre-1982 Pension Plan is fully funded therefore no advance payment is required; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: THAT the Past Service Rate (PSR) for the Pre-1982 Defined Benefit Pension Plan (Pre-82 Plan) be in-creased to $654.00; AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: THAT one-time payments be made to Pre-82 Plan participants in December 2021, as follows: All retirees receiving Pre-1982 Plan benefits from the Northwest Texas Conference and who retired from the Northwest Texas Conference, regardless of the years of service in the Northwest Texas Conference or how much of their pension comes from the Pre-1982 Plan, receive a grant of $1,000.
Submitted by, Natalie Hermes
127 2021 Missional Budget
NORTHWEST TEXAS CONFERENCE 2021 SHARED MINISTRIES
HIGHLIGHTS
(000) 2018 2019 2020 2021
Ministry Support & Leadership $2,165 $2,136 $2,173 $1,996
Clergy Care & Services 550 250 175 150
Strategic Priorities 925 852 1,558 1,369
Regional Conference Ministries 834 730 137 104
Beyond Conference Ministries 906 904 845 796
Total $5,380 $4,872 $4,888 $4,415
Excludes District Services and Ministries.
The proposed budget of $4.4 million is $400 thousand lower than the 2020 budget and $2.8 million lower than 9 years ago.
This budget recognizes the reality of living in a “new normal,” post COVID-19. The 2021 assumes that life within and without our churches will slowly – but not completely – return to 2019 levels during 2021. Consequently, the 2021 budget is approximately 10% lower than the 2019 budget and 20% lower than the pre-COVID-19 2020 budget.
As always, this budget challenges us to carefully and intelligently use the resources with which God has entrusted us to undertake the ministries to which God has called us. The 2021 Shared Ministry Plan has been constructed to align our Conference Ministries with the strategic plan adopted at our 2017 Annual Conference while fulfilling our commitments to the connectional structure and our retirees.
Our 2021 Shared Ministries budget is computed using two factors: 1) the underlying costs, and 2) the Shared Ministries pay-in rate. Budgeted expenses in 2021 are projected to be $200 thousand lower than in 2019 and the pre-COVID-19 2020 levels. The Shared Ministries pay-in rate has been projected at 90% of the pay-in for 2019.
OUR PLAN FOR 2021
127 128 Fully 81% of our Shared Ministries budget directly funds the ministries to which God is calling us in our mission fields. The remaining 19% supports functions which are necessary to facilitate the ministries of the local church, the Conference and our world-wide connection.
We have identified five (5) strategic initiatives or priorities on which we will focus: • Equip pastoral leaders primarily through peer groups and other means to promote spiritual and leadership transformation. • Launch new churches and new worship communities via church plants or new worship communities within existing congregations. • Inspire revitalization and innovation, i.e. promoting new ideas for how to do ministry and the ways in which those ideas are made available to congregational leaders. • Expand Hispanic/Latino ministry by supporting current programs plus adding new efforts to reach second, third and fourth-generation Hispanic/Latino people. • Grow the pipeline for future leaders through a more sustainable process for bringing new ministry leaders to NWTX and to encourage churches to develop creative ministry roles for those leaders.
The 2021 Shared Ministries Budget provides a laser focus on these priorities and our overarching mission to inspire and empower creative ministries through innovative leadership to make new and deeply-rooted disciples of Jesus Christ.
A CLOSER LOOK
Ministry Support and Leadership - 2021 Budget = $1.996 million
Included in this budget category are:
Percent of This Budget Ministry Area Category Funding for District Superintendents who serve as mission strategists for the local church, the district 37% and the Conference Ministry support and leadership in the Conference 53% Service Center Funding for Bishop Bledsoe’s salary and benefits, 10% travel and related expenses of the Episcopal office
129 Clergy Care and Benefits – 2021 Budget = $150 thousand We provide these benefits out of love and respect, caring for those who cared for us.
Actual costs to provide these post-retirement legacy costs is approximately $0.4 million but, due to prudent investments and responsible stewardship, Shared Ministry funding necessary to assure these benefits is approximately a fraction of that amount, a decline of $1.6 million since 2011.
Strategic Priorities – 2021 Budget = $1.369 million
As previously noted, the NWTX Conference adopted a Strategic Plan in 2017 that established ministry priorities and goals through 2022: • Equip pastoral leaders primarily through peer groups and other means to promote spiritual and leadership transformation. • Launch new churches and new worship communities via church plants or new worship communities within existing congregations. • Inspire revitalization and innovation, i.e. promoting new ideas for how to do ministry and the ways in which those ideas are made available to congregational leaders. • Expand Hispanic/Latino ministry by supporting current programs plus adding new efforts to reach second, third and fourth-generation Hispanic/Latino people. • Grow the pipeline for future leaders through a more sustainable process for bringing new ministry leaders to NWTX and to encourage churches to develop creative ministry roles for those leaders. 129 130 Approximately 31% of our missional budget is directed toward these strategic priorities. Examples of ministry initiatives funded by this portion of the budget include new ministries college- age ministries in our churches, new initiatives in southwest Amarillo, as well as new worship communities for the Texas Tech student population and the central residential neighborhoods in Lubbock. Lives are being changed through these new worship communities. Further, the EPL (Equipping Pastoral Leaders) program continues to provide opportunities for leadership development and growth both for clergy and laity.
The Wesley Academy is one of our primary means of growing the pipeline for future leaders. One intern is on the ordination track. An additional five participants are serving full-time in the Northwest Texas Conference and twelve are serving in part-time positions within churches in the Northwest Texas Conference. Seven Wesley Academy graduates are in seminary.
Also included in our strategic priorities are a camp and campus ministries. At the Wesley Foundation at West Texas A&M (Canyon), over 9 thousand students have been through the system. In 2019, almost 1,100 have participated in WT Wesley outreach programs, discipleship programs, small groups and mission trips. At the Texas Tech Wesley, students participate in a three-year curriculum focusing on Wesleyan theology. This theology of grace is taken into the mission field, both at Texas Tech as well as mission trips, both within the U.S. and to other countries. Alumni of TTU Wesley are currently serving in seven conference churches.
The Conference partners with two camp and retreat centers: Ceta Canyon Camp and Retreat Center, and Butman Methodist Camp and Retreat Center. In addition to offering year-round programming for church retreats, Walk to Emmaus groups, school programs, family reunions outdoor education, leadership development, ecological appreciation and many other retreats, each camp offers six (6) summer camps for children and young adults. During the 2019 summer camping season, Butman camps saw 62 first-time salvations and another 101 lives dedicated to ministry. Ceta Canyon annually serves 9,000 guests. The Conference summer camps attract almost 2,000 campers and volunteers. Over the years hundreds of campers have been called to youth ministry and pastoral ministry, including Bishop Earl Bledsoe.
Strategies, especially in today’s environment of rapid change, must be flexible and fluid. Therefore, funding for this area of ministry is continuing to develop. Thus, the composition of this category of the budget is intended to be flexible and adaptable and, accordingly, the use of Shared Ministries resources may, ultimately, vary somewhat from the percentages noted below:
Percent of This Budget Ministry Area Category Leadership Development of Clergy and Laity and pastoral support 7% through Equitable Compensation
Funding for New Worship Communities 5%
Promotion of Innovative Ministries 4%
Support for Hispanic/Latino Ministries, especially to the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th 25% generations Ministerial Education of which 25% is retained by the Conference to pro- vide support for pastoral education and 75% for support of denominational 15% education and our seminaries
Camping and Youth Ministry 16%
Campus Ministries 28%
Included in this budget category as a reduction of funding required is $191 thousand of earnings from the re-designation of reserves.
131 Other Conference Ministries – 2021 Budget = $104 thousand
These regional ministries include the Wesley Community Center in Amarillo, King’s Manor Retirement System in Hereford, and the spiritual care ministries at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock.
These regional ministries go hand-in-hand with our strategic priorities. For example, the Wesley Community Center along with their affiliate civic organization Los Barrios de Amarillo helps support third and fourth generation Hispanics through child care, mentoring, wrestling, after- school programs and summer camps.
The Spiritual Care department at Covenant Hospital helps train our clergy in pastoral care. Many of the clergy serving in the Conference have participated in Covenant’s program of clinical pastoral education.
Beyond Conference Ministries – 2021 Budget = $796 thousand
Ministries resourced by this portion of our Shared Ministries budget are mostly located beyond the geographic borders of the NWTX Conference, yet the impact of these ministries occurs locally as well as around the world.
131 132 Percent of This Budget Ministry Area Category World Service which helps fund our missionary and evangelistic work 73% throughout the world
Funding for Africa University in Zimbabwe 2%
Funding for historically Black Colleges 11%
The Lydia Patterson Institute, El Paso, TX, is an accredited high school with a reputation for providing an excellent education for the whole person 3% - intellectual, physical, moral, and spiritual in a cross-cultural, bilingual learning environment
Denominational and Jurisdictional Mission and Administration 11%
Through our support of the World Service Fund, we join with other United Methodist churches in undergirding a network of over 300 missionaries and others who serve in the name of Christ and The United Methodist Church in over 60 countries around the world. Our Shared Ministries contributed here help strengthen evangelism efforts, stimulate church growth, expand Bible studies, nurture spiritual development plus support and enrich local congregational life with worship, retreat and camping resources, leader training and stewardship development work. The general church also provides resources for our work with children, youth, singles, students, persons who are mentally and physically challenged, adults and older persons.
Furthermore, we continue a proud history of interdenominational and ecumenical work. Your gifts help assure United Methodists speak and work to help build a more ethical, just and humane world. Through these Shared Ministries we can express our commitment to God’s reign through ministries of peace and justice, and efforts to build a church and a society truly inclusive of all persons regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or handicapping condition.
THESE ARE YOUR SHARED MINISTRIES Through our Shared Ministries we are feeding hungry mouths and filling hungry minds. We are rebuilding broken walls and reviving broken souls. We are raising up tomorrow’s church leaders and tearing down cultural barriers. These are ministries that no one congregation could accomplish alone. That’s the strength of our Conference and the mission of our calling.
Together, we can… inspire and empower creative ministries through innovative leadership to make new and deeply rooted disciples of Jesus Christ.
Submitted by, Dave Andersen
133 Notes
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