Charge Conference 2007

A funny thing happened on the way to the First UMC Charge Conference. We discovered a lot of faithful church members don’t have any idea what this is. Someone decided to invite everyone that has a leadership role in the church instead of only the Administrative Board members. Subsequently, I got the opportunity to explain to many of these folks what a charge conference is when they called to say they couldn’t attend. What I have discovered is that this is a teachable moment and one that we need to use next year for lessons in Methodist history, polity and even theology. As I put this on my 2008 calendar, I will share this definition of a charge conference:

Charge Conference is the local church administrative body to which clergy (elders and deacons) report; also an annual meeting in which local church officers are elected, reports are received, and the mission and ministry of the local church are reviewed. The Charge Conference recommends candidates for ordained ministry. Members of the Charge Conference include members of the local church’s Administrative Council (or Board) and all clergy appointed to the church. Clergy appointed beyond the local church and/or those appointed outside of their own Annual Conferences relate to Charge Conferences in the areas in which they are serving. The District Superintendent or his/her appointee presides.

Observations from our 2007 Charge Conference:
- Thanks to the efforts of those in our business office almost everything was in order.
- One thing always seems to be overlooked and this year it was naming an Epworth representative. We will do this at our next Administrative Board and be back in the good graces of the powers that be. In other words, no big deal.
- Although this can be a burdensome event each year, it is good to have this opportunity to review our ministries and feel this sense of connection with other United Methodists and to tradition.
- This year each church was asked to report on its Safe Sanctuary policy. We can celebrate that not only do we have a policy, but we adhere to it.
- Although we had not conferred with each other, it was interesting to note that each of the clergy spoke of the need for First UMC to look and be beyond our doors. The 2008 reports could be very interesting if we take this seriously.
- It is sad to think that Rowan Crews and Mike Black were the last clergy who have been ordained from this church. However, Danny Chamblee and George Olive are serving as local pastors. We need to pay more attention to supporting those among us who may be hearing a call to ordained ministry.