Change Agenda

First, if you don't know the history... "Militant Methodist" was a phrase used
to describe an informal cabal to create change in the Southwest Texas Annual
Conference. The original agenda was a critique of the new offices of ministry
planned by the commission created by General Conference 2004. The commission
decided to study more before pressing on with legislation. At that point, most of
the group members pursued other interests. It takes a lot of effort to maintain a
cabal, and without the big issue, there seemed little point. Before folding we
produced one report on age trends in ministry title "Are We Really Running Out of
Ministers?" and produced some good conversation. But after the 2007 annual
conference, I was on my own as the militant Methodist.

For 2008, my "militant" agenda at annual conference was two-fold: first, I
wanted to get the standing rules changed so we'd legally elect our lay
delegation (somehow, over the years, SWTX Annual Conference managed to
cross the line and stay over the line.) This was accomplished. A second issue
was to gather age data from all of our churches - conference secretary David
Seilheimer bravely forged ahead with this effort and so I count that one as a
"win" as well. Most importantly to me, all of this was influenced from the sidelines
with a few e-mails, face-to-face and no floor time on my part. This isn't an ego
trip (I have one, I just don't want to show it off!)

For 2009, my agenda is simple: first, get the amount compensated for childcare
raised from a maximum of $22 per day to something a little more realistic (hasn't
been raised in over a decade!) A second goal is to start the annual conference
paying student loans of commissioned ministers. This will aid recruiting and
directly effect take-home compensation for our newest ordination candidates.

For General Conference 2012, I have much bigger plans: First, I want to attend
as a clergy delegate so I can influence the Commision of Ministry vote. It's
gonna be historic, and I want to influence it. In the interim, I want to build and
support the role of local pastors so that if/when the General Conference grants
bishops the authority to ordain local elders, we have a qualified, trained, eager
class of local ordinands ready to step-up and serve!