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Imagine Indiana is the forming on one, new, state-wide Annual Conference out of the North Indiana Conference and the South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bishop Michael Coyner is the resident Bishop for the entire state of Indiana, even though there are now two separate Annual Conferences.
The creating of one new Annual Conference will mean our Bishop will lead only one Annual Conference session each year, will have only one set of Conference-level meetings, and will work with only one group of District Superintendents in appointing pastors to churches for the whole state. That will allow our Bishop to spend more time leading us, and less time in meetings.
Imagine Indiana means pastors will be chosen from across the whole state, instead of half the state.
The number of Districts in the state will be reduced and realigned.
Churches will be urged to work with other churches in geographic clusters to reach communities together in ways an individual church cannot alone. (St. Luke’s, Main Street and Grace United Methodist Churches have had a pulpit exchange, and are already exploring the possibility of a joint, city-wide Vacation Bible School next summer! The three Sr. Pastors continue to have conversations about how we might effectively minister together to make an impact in Kokomo.)
Pastors will be required to participate in support and accountability groups with other pastors.
Initially, Imagine Indiana will mean spending some extra money on transition – moving offices, creating one computer system from two, etc. The long-term effect should be cost saving by reducing duplication, etc.
Two pensions and health insurance plans will have to be merged into one.
The United Methodists of Indiana will have one united voice in speaking to issues in our state like gambling or child abuse, or others.
For more information, go to the Indiana Area United Methodist web site:
http://inareaumc.org/Imagine-Indiana/imagine_indiana_design_team.htm |
Send mail to mike@stlukesumc.net with questions or comments about this web site. |
IMAGINE INDIANA