Annual Conference 2012 Session
JUNE 6-9, 2012
Gordon College, Wenham, MA
2012 Conference Theme: Ports of Call: Launching God's Ministry
The preparatory work for Annual Conference June 6-9, 2012 is underway! Preliminary information for leadership, agencies, boards and committees is available here.
Presentations: If your group anticipates presenting legislation or would like to request presentation time, please describe the topic and general concept on the Response form provided below even if your plans are still developing. We are requesting preliminary information by December 15, 2011, for planning purposes.
If your group has information that can be put in writing or video format, we strongly encourage you to consider those options. A PowerPoint template will be provided, and slides need to be submitted two months before Conference for pre-testing. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us or to add to the form below.
For many groups, Annual Conference plenary offers only a brief witness or advertisement and we encourage groups to sign up for a display table and workshops (Learning Centers) for ministry communications. In order to ensure good stewardship of conferencing time, we are available to support your presentation preparation. We thank you in advance for your cooperation as we seek to creatively respond to the schedule logistics of Annual Conference.
Reports and Resolutions: As the Chair or head of a Conference Committee or Agency, you may be required to submit an Annual Conference report. Each Conference Agency is required to submit a report.
- Reports for publication shall not exceed 700 words, (note that recommendations to be placed before the Conference for action must be by a majority of the members of the respective agency or committee).
- If you wish to submit a resolution for Annual Conference action, it should be included in the Pre-Conference booklet. Submit to the Conference Secretary by email per deadline.
- When preparing a document for submission to the Conference Secretary, please finalize ALL edits before submission. A document submitted and received by the Secretary may not be amended or changed by the submitter prior to its inclusion in the Pre-Conference booklet. If you must change or amend such a document, please see the procedure in “4” below.
- Any material not included in the booklet, or changes or amendments to documents already submitted to the Secretary, which are required to be submitted to members, are reproduced and circulated to all Annual Conference members at least 24 hours prior to the time of Conference action, by the Committee, Agency, or individual, using their own resources.
- Hear the Parable of the Ten Virgins, Matthew 25:1-13, on YouTube Video at: http://endtimepilgrim.org/tenvirg.htm, or read it below in “The Message”: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025:%201-13&version=MSG
2012 Theme: Reports and presentations are encouraged to integrate the Conference theme into your materials. The description below is provided to spark your creativity. Thanks!
In addition, please note that the Disciplinary purpose of Annual Conference is “to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church, all to the glory of God.” And, our Conference Vision is: Transformed by the Holy Spirit, uniting in trust, we will proclaim Christ boldly to the world.
Ports of Call: Launching God’s MinistryIs your church or ministry a life-saving station? As we explore the fourth quadrennial priority, congregational development and vital ministries, presenters are encouraged to focus on ways their ministry strengthens congregations and outreach ministries.
How is your area of ministry launching, setting sail, seeking new horizons or rolling with the waves of change? Is your ministry more like a safe harbor or a boat charting a new course for the future? Are we willing to be blown by the Holy Spirit winds?
Congregations and the Annual Conference will move through a number of changes in 2012. We will celebrate Bishop Pete Weaver’s eight year cruise in New England.
As we continue to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, we are invited and challenged to look forward, to sail into new and vital congregational and community ministries, and to trust the Holy Spirit winds to be our guide.
“If anyone is in Christ there is a new creation…” II Cor. 5:17
|
For additional details, please see the "Dates and Deadlines" page.
We praise God for the blessing we all receive by virtue of our partnership, and thank you immensely for your understanding! It is in this spirit that we ask for your help once more, and look forward to hearing from you, in preparation for holy conferencing!
Yours in Christ!
For the full printable letter, schedule, and report/presentation request form, CLICK HERE. This document includes the Annual Conference Dates and Deadlines for 2012.