Beyond the Walls—Restructuring of the Conference Council on Connectional Ministries (CCOCM)
By Loyd Mabry
Director of Connectional Ministries
Our theme for the 2008 Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference is Beyond the Walls. This concept is taken from Adam Hamilton’s book entitled, Leading Beyond the Walls. He will be a guest speaker and presenter on Tuesday of Annual Conference. The emphasis in his book is developing congregations with a heart for the unchurched. It is my hope that this theme and emphasis, Beyond the Walls, will become a driving force for us in the Tennessee Conference.
In 2007 the Annual Conference approved the report of the CCOCM Task Force. The Task Force presented a change in the way the CCOCM functions. The new model is based in four words—Engage, Receive, Equip, and Send. We are called to engage the community around us. We are called to offer them Christ and receive them into our midst. Our calling continues as we equip persons for the ongoing ministry of the church and theses equipped persons are sent out to engage their communities. The cycle is to continue.
To pursue this direction, a restructuring of the CCOCM staff resulted. For the conference to change direction, to reach different people, to minister in different ways, to reach out beyond the walls changes in job descriptions became evident. The result is restructuring of the CCOCM staff and the way it functions. These changes in staff are not related to job performance. The CCOCM program staff fulfills their present job descriptions. With a changing job description and direction, it was felt that staff changes were necessary. The infusion of new ideas, methods, and styles of ministry is needed for us to fully engage the world around us. Again, let me say that the change in staffing is a result of changes in job descriptions not job performance.
Our calling as God’s people is to make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Connectional Ministries is charged with the responsibility to empower, equip, and enable local churches, districts, and the annual conference in fulfilling this calling.
To accomplish this calling we must go beyond the walls and reach out to the people around us. Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with your always to the end of the age.”
Director of Connectional Ministries
Our theme for the 2008 Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference is Beyond the Walls. This concept is taken from Adam Hamilton’s book entitled, Leading Beyond the Walls. He will be a guest speaker and presenter on Tuesday of Annual Conference. The emphasis in his book is developing congregations with a heart for the unchurched. It is my hope that this theme and emphasis, Beyond the Walls, will become a driving force for us in the Tennessee Conference.
In 2007 the Annual Conference approved the report of the CCOCM Task Force. The Task Force presented a change in the way the CCOCM functions. The new model is based in four words—Engage, Receive, Equip, and Send. We are called to engage the community around us. We are called to offer them Christ and receive them into our midst. Our calling continues as we equip persons for the ongoing ministry of the church and theses equipped persons are sent out to engage their communities. The cycle is to continue.
To pursue this direction, a restructuring of the CCOCM staff resulted. For the conference to change direction, to reach different people, to minister in different ways, to reach out beyond the walls changes in job descriptions became evident. The result is restructuring of the CCOCM staff and the way it functions. These changes in staff are not related to job performance. The CCOCM program staff fulfills their present job descriptions. With a changing job description and direction, it was felt that staff changes were necessary. The infusion of new ideas, methods, and styles of ministry is needed for us to fully engage the world around us. Again, let me say that the change in staffing is a result of changes in job descriptions not job performance.
Our calling as God’s people is to make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Connectional Ministries is charged with the responsibility to empower, equip, and enable local churches, districts, and the annual conference in fulfilling this calling.
To accomplish this calling we must go beyond the walls and reach out to the people around us. Jesus said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with your always to the end of the age.”
