Connectional Table meets to strategize for new quadrennium

The Western North Carolina Conference Connectional Table met on Thursday, November 10^th at the Memorial Conference Center to begin its work for the new quadrennium. Bishop Paul Leeland began the meeting with a devotion and prayer, then moved into a time of vision casting with the group. Leeland stated the Connectional Table is the way our diverse teams and ministry areas of the conference can come together and focus on the common mission of the conference.  It is our hope that by coming together with a common mission, all of our churches and leadership might “burst with pride about the ministries offered in our conference as represented by our missional giving and apportionments.” The vision discussed in the meeting was one of partnerships: Partnerships between laity and clergy in the local church, as well as churches and the conference leadership, with a common mission of making disciples for the transformation of the world. The Connectional Table is joined by a common understanding of commitment to personal and social holiness; to the three simple rules of “doing no harm, doing good and staying in love with God”; and to the four areas of focus.  These four areas developing leadership, creating new places for new people, ministry with the poor, and improving global health currently guide the entire denomination in missional outreach. Bishop Leeland reiterated the theme that he has shared with the cabinet, extended cabinet, and other groups, by sharing his hope that “Every congregation, no matter the location or size, can be missional and invitational.”  Leeland emphasized that “Congregational vitality is not about getting people to show up, it is about allowing us to respond to God’s Presence; a Presence which honors obedience.” Focusing on the basic functions of the Connectional Table, there was a common consensus the needs of our conference could best be served by 1) Leading our conference into new and emerging ministries that keep faith with our Kingdom journey; 2) Evaluating and reflecting on our work regularly for the purpose of readjusting the path forward; and 3) Aligning our resources in a way that allow for realistic recommendations related to our ministry. The Connectional Table further agreed to include an annual strategic meeting focused primarily on the direction and purpose of their ministry, planning on new and emerging ministries, annual reflection on conference ministries already identified to strengthen the local church, and confirming the needed resources for such ministries. The proposed schedule for 2017 includes meeting s designated on January 21^st, April 8^th, July 22^nd and October 21^st and calendared in a way that can increase the partnership of lay leadership within our conference. List of the Members of the Connectional Table