The Conference has accepted a gracious invitation from Collierville United Methodist Church to host the 2010 Session of the Memphis Annual Conference.
MTS Greeting
Jun 2
Dr. Jay Earheart-Brown
Dr. Jay Earheart-Brown brought greetings from Memphis Theological Seminary.
Amendment Voting Results
Jun 2
These results represent the results of our Conference’s tally of votes, but mean nothing by themselves. Only after being added to the results from the various other Annual Conferences across the country will the final result be known.
The results are found by following the link. Read the rest of this entry »
Report of the Cabinet
Jun 2
Dr. Rick Dye and Rev. Barry Henson
Dr. Rick Dye and Rev. Barry Henson presented on behalf of the cabinet.
All motions and resolutions were adopted by the Annual Conference.
NOTE: These realignments are not official and are subject to correction by the Cabinet.
CF&A
Jun 2
Jerry Severns, CF&A Chair (and all-around nice guy)
Jerry Severns returned to the podium to present the CF&A report that has been before the conference since the opening session.
He thanked the workers in the Finance office: James Finger, Shelia Owens, and Alea Morris. He also thanked the members of the committee.
Report
Detailed Budget Proposal
Summary Budget Proposal
Jerry explained the Disciplinary paragraphs for proportional payment (paying pastors in the same percentage of salary as the percentage of the clergy support line items in the apportionments that church is paying).
Rev. Scottie Brafford asked if proportional payment would be affected by the covenant nature of our relationship. Would this affect the Bishop? The Cabinet? The Bishop’s Assistant?
Jerry pointed out that these paragraphs are about covenant. Churches agree to pay pastors and the connection when they receive a pastor.
Scottie stated that this has to be discovered as a spiritual issue, or we’ll fall apart under a system that comes at the pastors.
Jerry concurred. The issue remains that there are churches that are not paying and there are shortfalls in the apportionment payout for connectional salaries.
A procedural motion was ruled out of order, and Jerry continued.
We’ve reduced the dollar amounts–not just percentages–over the last few years with one notable exception. Costs have continued to rise in spite of this effort of fiscal responsibility.
In the finance report, you can compare the recommended apportionment method with the current method.
There was a de facto amendment based on the Conference’s approval of the Equitable Salary report which requested $275,000.00 as opposed to the CF&A line item that reflected $270,000.00. This raises the bottom line by five thousand dollars.
Rev. Gary Lawson moved, on behalf of the Lakeshore Trustees, that the Lakeshore line item be paid out at the 2010 figure ($287,015.00) from the comparison report so that Lakeshore can work towards decreasing their requests over the next few years.
After spirited debate, a close voted revealed that the motion…passed.
That brings the new total to $9,527,104.00.
The budget passes.
Rev. Vin Walkup, President, Nashville Area Foundation
The Nashville Area Foundation’s report was presented by Rev. Vin Walkup.
Of great interest to the Conference was the fact that Tootsie Rolls are smaller these days–a sign of the economy. Furthermore, the Conference has devoured three bags of said Tootsie Rolls and is working dilligently on a fourth.
Thanks Vin! We love our treats. 
Conference Youth
Jun 2
Conference Youth President Colby Napper
Conference Youth President Colby Napper presented the stark facts that the Conference Youth Council is in a rebuilding mode. Napper thanked the body for affirming, by their vote, the real and present need for full-time clergy leadership at the conference level for Youth Ministry in our conference.
Lakeshore UMA
Jun 2
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Rev. Gary Lawson
Rev. Gary Lawson shared a Powerpoint presentation to aid in the description of Lakeshore’s ministry to the Annual Conference.
We’ll get a few details from that file to share here.
For more information, visit www.lakeshoreuma.com.
Women in Mission, UMW leaders, clergy, and laity alike were serenaded by Rev. Charles Overton.
The ladies were asked to stand as Charlie sang. It was a moving sight, as you can see for yourself. Read the rest of this entry »
