Unification Consultation Process for Central, North and Northwest Texas Conferences
Unification Consultation Process Underway in Central, North & Northwest Texas Conferences
As Bishop Saenz outlined in his 2023 Episcopal Address, a consultation process is underway to work toward unifying the Central, North and Northwest Texas Conferences so that we are prepared and well-positioned to move forward in our disciple-making mission as a unified conference following the widely anticipated adoption of new conference boundaries by the 2024 South Central Jurisdictional Conference. In the following video (released July 10), Bishop Saenz provides an update on the Unification Consultation Process and his excitement for what it means to our collective missional impact.
(Please visit the CTC Vimeo page to download the video, or go to the CTC Facebook page and share with your friends.)
The first phase of the process, which began in mid-June with more than 60 hours of interviews of the lay and clergy Conference staff members, is now complete. Phase II will seek input from lay and clergy Conference members via Zoom Focus Groups facilitated by consultant Dr. John Wimberly. John is a member of the Unification Consultation Team announced by Bishop Saenz to make recommendations to Conference leaders regarding the organizational design of a new Conference. Dr. Wimberly brings more than a decade of consultation experience along with 40 years of experience as a local church pastor.
The three Central Texas Conference Unification Focus Groups are scheduled for Thursday, July 20 at 7 p.m., Tuesday July 25 @ 10 a.m., and Saturday July 29 at 10 a.m. Each of the Focus Group Zooms will be 60- to 90-minutes in length, and will focus on the following two questions:
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What do you appreciate most about your Conference?
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How would you like to see a new Conference carry out its mission in the future (staffing, programs, budget, etc.)
The goal of unification is to build a new, more adaptive, agile, faithful and fruitful way to do ministry that will accelerate our growth and collective missional impact. Our 21-century organizational design will provide the structure and foundation of the churches we serve today and for those churches future generations will receive, value and grow. Bishop Saenz and all of the CTC leadership hope you will participate in these important conversations about the future of the UMC in our region – the fastest growing population-wise region in the U.S.
The Unification Consultation Team will conduct interviews, focus groups, town halls, etc. throughout the summer and into the fall of 2023 as they prepare their reports and recommendations to the conferences, which are expected by October 1. Once the recommendations are received, the conferences will evaluate and share the information and conclusions. Each of the Annual Conferences must first approve the unification proposal before it is presented to the Jurisdictional Boundaries Committee in 2024.
Please watch this page and the CTC social media platforms for updates as they are available.