Conference Profile
Desert Southwest Annual Conference - United Methodist Church
2004
a. Geographical Location & description:
Desert Southwest - Arizona, Southern Nevada, Colorado River Border cities
in California. HOT desert, mountains, canyons. Ranching, farming, industry.
b. Demographics:
- Three large metro areas: Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas; rapidly growing
population (two fastest growing counties in the nation)
- Significant growth in Hispanic population
- Large senior adult population
- Large number of high school dropouts
- Large areas of Native American reservation land
c. Conference Mission Statement:
Making disciples for Jesus Christ.
Vision statement: Bold in Christ, abounding in love, grounded in scripture,
disciplined in ministry, together we fan into flames the gifts of God within
every child of God.
d. Political/Social Makeup:
Political makeup:
Historically, area politically conservative, though changing as area grows
- e.g. Arizona has Democratic Governor, Republican legislature
Political issues:
- Funding for quality education
- Growing poverty segment
- Immigrant issues
- Need to develop broader high tech, higher education base for
future.
- Water and land preservation
- Child welfare
Church trends:
- Mega-church influence in cities
- Large Mormon and Roman Catholic influence
- Declining church membership despite
high growth in area
Social environment:
- Multi-cultural influence very strong
- Large population of retirees and winter
visitors
- Wide variation between very rich and very poor; i.e. - much wealth
in area, but much deep poverty
Ecumenical environment:
- Some communities have active interfaith Councils
- Arizona Ecumenical Council influential in Phoenix area
- Despite being major presence in area LDS church does not participate much
in ecumenical endeavors.
e. Financial status:
- Generally good
- Bold in Christ capital campaign raised $8 + million of $11 million goal
- General Church apportionments paid at 100%
- Annual Conference apportionments usually at 90+%
f. Issues:
Clergy issues:
- Not many strong leaders
- Burn-out, stress causing health issues
- Unrealistic congregational expectations
- Isolation
- Need to provide counseling for help exiting ministry
Lay issues:
- Strengthen lay leadership
- Better communication to laity
- Biblical and Theological foundation not strong
- No local seminary or opportunity for educational advancement, e.g. certification
- Conference meetings during daytime encourage participation only from retirees
Conference strengths:
- Sidewalk Sunday School
- Conference Mission program in Mexico
- Support of ethnic congregations
- Commitment to growth
- Financial giving
- Strong staffing at Conference office - good for enabling, resourcing
- Social involvement
Areas for improvement:
- Affirmation of wide range of UM beliefs and practices
- Strengthen youth, young adults
- More ethnic churches, pastors
- Commitment to spiritual growth
- Communication
- Development of effective leadership
g. Conference Episcopal Leader Expectations.
- Strong leadership skills
- Sense of humor
- Spiritual leader
- Pastor's heart
- Acceptance of strong laity involvement
- Ecumenical participation
- Knowledge of Hispanic ministry needs
- Implementation of "team" approach
h. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1= mastered; 2=doing much of the time; 3=mixed results;
4=needs work; 5=no work begun;) what is your conference level of accomplishment
in fulfilling the
"
9 Elements of the Jurisdictional Vision Statement"?
| 1. A multicultural, inclusive church | O O 3 O O
|
| 2. Churches engaged in life of the community | O 2 O O O
|
| 3. Confident, effective leadership | O O 3 O O
|
| 4. Congregations forming disciples | O O 3 O O
|
| 5. Diverse ministry settings | O O 3 4 O
|
| 6. Congregations living as global citizens | O O O 4 O
|
| 7. A church that thinks and acts regionally | O O 3 O O
|
| 8. Fully accessible churches | O O 3 O O
|
| 9. Ministry enhanced by technology | O O 3 O O
|