It is my joy to welcome you to the 2007 Holston Annual Conference. Conferencing in the United Methodist tradition is not simply a meeting. It is consulting; it is seeking to discern as a body what is the will of God for the area for which we have responsibility. It is an opportunity for us to yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit, that we might be given guidance, direction, and power to accomplish God’s desire, not just in Holston’s congregations and extension ministries, but also where God is working outside our doors to develop new relationships. Therefore, the laity and the clergy members of this conference must come to Lake Junaluska to participate with the Holy Spirit in fulfilling God’s Vision for the world and for us. Yes, this year we will elect delegates to the General and Jurisdictional Conferences. Yes, we will vote on resolutions and petitions, hear reports of how God has been using us to accomplish God’s vision, and vote on a myriad of things from new leadership to money being committed. Yet, as difficult as it is, I believe God is calling us to see all of these activities through new eyes. We must approach this with eyes that see all of these issues as a call to discern God’s will and not as a struggle which we win or lose. I call upon all of us to be clear that our mission is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ by proclaiming the good news of God’s grace and by exemplifying Jesus’ command to love God and neighbor…” Our theme this year is “BOLDLY, PASSIONATELY, AND JOYFULLY MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST!” Our preachers for this annual conference will be Dr. Dorothy Watson-Tatum, Bishop Clay Lee, Bishop Bob Hayes, and Bishop Paulo Lockmann. I ask that when you receive this booklet you begin praying for the preachers as you prayerfully read Acts 2:41-47, the scripture that will be the foundation for our activities. Come let us worship the Lord, discern God’s will, and leave empowered by the Holy Spirit. Yours in Christ, James E. Swanson, Sr. TABLE OF CONTENTS Greetings from Resident Bishop ...................................................... Frontis piece Welcome to Lake Junaluska ............................................................................... 1 Holston’s new Conference Center ...................................................................... 2 Conference Schedule and Agenda ...................................................................... 3 1. Fellowship Schedule ................................................................................... 6 2. Organizing Motions ..................................................................................... 7 3. Nominations for Secretarial Staff ............................................................... 7 4. Nominations for Ushers/Tellers .................................................................. 8 Orientation Guide .............................................................................................. 9 Section I: Reports 1. THE CABINET .............................................................................................. 15 2. COMMISSION ON COMMUNICATIONS ............................................................ 17 3. COMMITTEE ON CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ...................................... 19 4. BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAMPUS MINISTRY ............................. 20 a. Wesley Foundations East Tennessee State University ........................................................ 20 Radford University ............................................................................ 21 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga ............................................ 22 University of Tennessee at Knoxville ................................................ 23 University of Virginia College at Wise / Mountain Empire Community College ................................................................... 23 b. College Chaplains Emory and Henry College ................................................................. 24 Hiwassee College ............................................................................... 25 Tennessee Wesleyan College ............................................................. 26 5. DISCIPLESHIP TEAM .................................................................................... 27 a. Missions Ministry Team ....................................................................... 27 i. Mission Offering 2007 .................................................................... 28 ii. Recommendations for Advance Specials 2008................................ 29 b. Nurture Ministry Team ......................................................................... 33 i. Camp and Retreat Ministries Board ............................................... 34 ii. Children’s Ministries Team ............................................................. 35 iii. Conference Council on Youth Ministries ........................................ 36 iv. Marriage Ministries ........................................................................ 37 v. Older Adult Ministry Team ............................................................. 38 vi. Young Adult Ministry Team ........................................................... 38 c. Outreach/Advocacy Team ..................................................................... 39 d. Stewardship Ministry Team .................................................................. 40 e. Witness Ministry Team ..........................................................................41 i. Churches of Excellence in Evangelism .......................................... 42 6. BOARD OF ORDAINED MINISTRY ................................................................. 45 7. ORDERS STEERING COMMITTEE ................................................................... 45 i. Order of Elders ............................................................................... 46 ii. Order of Deacons ............................................................................ 46 iii. Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members .................... 46 8. HOLSTON CONFERENCE PASTORAL COUNSELING CENTER ............................ 47 9. WESLEY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE ................................................................. 48 10. COUNCIL ON FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION .............................................. 49 a. President’s Report ................................................................................. 49 b. Recommendations and Guidelines ....................................................... 50 c. Report of the Conference Treasurer ...................................................... 53 d. Exhibit A – Proposed 2008 Budget Summary ...................................... 55 e. Exhibit B – Proposed 2008 Budget ...................................................... 56 f. Exhibit C – Benevolent Giving Comparison ........................................ 64 g. Exhibit D – Membership Statistics 2006 .............................................. 65 h. Five Star Churches ................................................................................ 66 11. BOARD OF PENSIONS ................................................................................... 69 a. Exhibit A – Health Insurance Operating Fund ..................................... 83 b. Exhibit B – Blue Cross/Blue Shield Premium Rates ............................ 84 c. Exhibit C – Dental Coverage ................................................................ 85 d. Exhibit D – Schedule of Benefits ......................................................... 86 e. Exhibit E – Reitrees Medical ................................................................ 87 f. Exhibit F – Payments to Anuitants and Beneficiaries .......................... 88 12. BOARD OF TRUSTEES .................................................................................. 89 13. COMMISSION ON ARCHIVES AND HISTORY ................................................... 90 14. COMMISSION ON EQUITABLE COMPENSATION ............................................... 91 a. Equitable Compensation by District ..................................................... 94 b. Equitable Compensation by Recipients ................................................ 96 15. COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS .................................................................... 98 a. District Committees on Ordained Ministry ........................................ 108 b. District Boards of Church Location and Building .............................. 109 c. Trustees and Directors of Conference Related Institutions and Agencies .................................................................... 111 16. COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ORDER ........................................................... 116 a. Proposed Changes .............................................................................. 116 b. Structure and Organization ................................................................. 117 c. Design for Ministry ............................................................................ 121 d. Procedures .......................................................................................... 122 17. PERSONNEL RESOURCES COMMITTEE ........................................................ 129 18. BOARD OF LAY MINISTRY ......................................................................... 129 19. UNITED METHODIST MEN ......................................................................... 132 20. UNITED METHODIST WOMEN ...................................................................