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March 2006 |
From the Bishop
To merge or not to merge, that is not the question
"We believe that God is calling us to create a new Indiana Conference." - Indiana Area Episcopacy Committee |
You may have heard the rumor that a merger vote is coming to both North and South Indiana Annual Conferences this June. That rumor is almost true. The Area Committee on Episcopacy met last week and approved a proposal from the Merger Task Force that a proposal be brought to each of our Indiana Conferences during their 2006 sessions to vote for a plan for merger to be brought back and voted upon in 2007.
Here is the actual motion coming to each Annual Conference.
"Whereas the Merger Task Force formed by the Area Episcopacy Committee has been working to explore the possibilities of creating a new conference for the United Methodist Church in Indiana;
"Whereas the process of creating a new conference requires a vote of permission by the North Central Jurisdictional Conference which meets next in 2008;
"Whereas a vote for the creation of a new conference can only come after continued study and consideration in preparation for such a vote in 2008;
"Therefore, be it resolved that both the North Indiana and the South Indiana Conferences meeting in their 2006 Sessions affirm their desire to have this study of the creation of a new conference for the UMC in Indiana be continued, with a proposal brought back to both conferences for a vote in their 2007 Sessions (as well as an opportunity for further revisions and votes in their 2008 Sessions), with the understanding that the actual creation of a new conference would not commence until after the 2008 vote of the North Central Jurisdictional Conference."
So, it sounds like we are going to have a kind of "test vote" on merger at our Annual Conference Sessions this year. But to merge or not to merge is NOT the question. The real question we are seeking to answer is this: What is God's will for the United Methodist Church in Indiana?
Many on the Merger Task Force have found energy around this answer: "We believe that God is calling us to create a new Indiana Conference, not just a merging of our two existing conferences, but a whole new Conference." Part of this answer would mean starting with a blank page and designing the best possible structure to accomplish our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ from the transformation of the world.
Frankly, I am not very excited about a merger if that just means combining our current structures. But if we are ready to talk about designing a whole new Indiana Conference, that is exciting. Whatever the two Conferences vote in June is OK with me, as long as we are answering the right question and are seeking God's will and direction for our future. Please join the Area Committee and me in praying for God's guidance as we try to answer the right question.
from Bishop Michael J. Coyner
Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church
"Making a Difference ... in Indiana
and around the world"
Last updated on 25 Apr 2008