Conference News & Views

To: All Clergy and Laity of the Tennessee Conference
From: Conference Council on Connectional Ministries

God calls us to move forward into the future. One of the keys to moving forward is leadership. As we move forward, leadership development is at the forefront. This letter begins a process to help identify and nurture leaders in our conference, both lay and clergy. God has much kingdom work for us to do. Now is the time!

Acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior is an essential requirement for all leaders in the Tennessee Conference. Spiritual leadership must be built upon this foundation. What are the characteristics needed in leaders of the Tennessee Conference? The following is a list of some characteristics expected of spiritual leaders:

+ Willingness to be held accountable and hold others accountable
+ Passion for God’s kingdom
+ Willingness to risk for God and lead
+ Trust and respect
+ Confidentiality
+ Spiritual disciplines
+ Willingness to learn and open to change
+ Good listener
+ Self-awareness
+ Team player
+ Vulnerability

No one person possesses all the gifts and graces needed to effectively lead. Team leadership produces greater results, thus the ability to work on a team is essential. In addition to the above mentioned characteristics, certain gifts are needed for a team to function effectively. Some of these gifts are

+Administration—gives attention to detail and organization
+ Discernment—is guided by prayer, possesses wisdom
+ People skills—is a good listener, relates well, compassionate, likeable, possesses personal charisma
+ Strategic thinking—navigates, plans, processes, and orders things for progress and movement
+ Communication—has clarity in speech and writing, motivates
+ Vision—sees big picture, future orientated, “Caleb spirit”
+ Self-starting—takes initiative, action orientated, focused on the results.

We are asking you to help identify persons who possess the above characteristics and gifts. It is our hope to develop a pool of persons who can help transform our conference and our community.

We would appreciate your completing the enclosed application form. Persons may nominate themselves or others who possess the desired characteristics and gifts.

Send the competed forms to: Leadership Pool 304 S. Perimeter Park Drive Suite 1 Nashville, TN 37211 or email to vsharber@tnumc.org. To expedite the process the deadline is January 5, 2007.


Leadership Application Form


Name: ___________________________________

Mailing Address: ________________________________________

_________________________________________

City: ________________________ Zip: _____________________

Home Phone: _________________ Office Phone: ___________________

Mobile Phone: ________________

Email: _____________________________

Church you are attending: ________________________________________

Please provide the following information. Use additional sheets as needed.

1. Share your vision for ministry in and through the Tennessee Conference.

2. Identify your leadership gifts and characteristics. Include examples of how you are using these gifts and characteristics.

3. Share why you feel called to leadership in the Tennessee Conference.

4. Share where and how you feel you can best serve.

Hermitage, TN – Every Christmas tree is special, but the three trees that will go up in early December at McKendree Village, a continuing care retirement community in Hermitage, are unique. Each bell and angel decorating the trees represents a donation given in honor or memory of a family member or friend. In addition, every donation benefits the Golden Cross benevolent care fund at McKendree Village, which helps to finance care for several hundred elderly residents, particularly those who live in the Health Care and Alzheimer’s Centers.

There are many levels of participation in the Bell Trees of Christmas program. Bells can be reserved for $25, $50 and $100. An angel can be placed on a tree for $500. An entire tree can be fully decorated and dedicated for $2,500. The Bell Trees of Christmas will be on display from December 4 through the end of December.

To reserve bells, angels or an entire tree, or to make a contribution to the benevolent care fund of McKendree Village Foundation, please call Martha Woodfin at 871-8236. Bell Trees of Christmas reservations will be accepted through December 15 and donations through mid-January.

“Participation in this program benefits so many people,” said Kent McNish, executive director of McKendree Village Foundation, “It blesses the many people who remember loved ones in this wonderful way through financial donations that add bells and angels to the trees. It blesses everyone who enjoys the beautiful trees, and it certainly blesses hundreds of senior adults who no longer have the monetary resources to care for themselves.”

McKendree Village, Inc. is located at 4343 Lebanon Road in Hermitage, Tennessee. Established in 1963, McKendree Village provides a continuum of retirement living options and health care services to senior adults in a secure, Christian environment. Its services include independent living, assisted living, nursing home care and Alzheimer’s care. The McKendree Village Foundation was founded in 1998 to provide philanthropic support for the work of McKendree Village, Inc. McKendree Village is affiliated with The United Methodist Church and is in partnership with Vanderbilt University Medical Center.