Conference ProfileConference Profile266 United Methodist churches in Washington and northern Idaho in partnership with a wide variety of related institutions and extension ministries make up the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference. This region of oceans, mountains deserts, wheat fields, orchards, lakes and rivers was first home to Native American people. European settlers began to immigrate during the 19th century. Immigration continued and continues today to bring people to the northwest from around the world. Today the northwest is home to a widely diverse population including Native Americans, Euro Americans, African Americans. Asians Americans. Pacific Islanders and Hispanics, including recent immigrants from many language groups. The United Methodist churches of the region strive to reflect the diversity of the population but fall short. Many area churches do not adequately reflect or serve the variety of ethnic persons in their communities, nor do they effectively engage younger generations. There are some congregations who effectively are engaging their communities in vital ministry and are thriving.
While the population has grown consistently for decades, most United Methodist Churches have experienced decline in participation over the past 30 years. The conference developed an innovative program of training capable laypersons to lead small churches in areas of declining population. The northwest is known historically for its low rate of church religious affiliation compared with other regions of the country. Still, theologically conservative churches have been planted and flourished during this same period at a much higher rate than United Methodists churches have.
The United Methodist Church in the northwest is theologically diverse, socially progressive, yet spiritually expressive. Recent annual conference action advocates change in the Book of Discipline to open the church to full participation of homosexuals. There is a lively spirit of ecumenical and interfaith cooperation in the region, both at the grass roots and among denominational leaders.
The mission of the church is to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Consistent with this mission, the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference “is called to be a community, diverse and united in God’s saving love, engaged in vital ministry for Jesus Christ.” The purpose of the Annual Conference “is to make disciples for Jesus Christ by equipping local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church, all to the glory of God.
Broad multi-cultural mission opportunities, rapid population growth, church decline and the Council on Finance and Administration report to the 2001 Annual Conference Session speaking to increasing costs making it difficulty for local churches to remain full time, combine to produce anxiety among clergy and laity. Congregations need to change rapidly to respond to changing circumstances and reconnect to their communities. Pastors are asked to lead in ways for which they often do not feel equipped and supported. Conflicting definitions of the “problem” prescribe widely varying solutions. Inherited, unwritten rules about clergy deployment fail to serve current needs but new practices and experimentation contribute to a sense of uncertainty and lack of confidence in the appointment process.
Recognizing the challenges described above, the annual conference entered in to intentional listening processes with local churches. A Task Force of 14 persons was organized, to interview a cadre of churches and produced a report outlining a course of action. After two years of study the Leadership Team of the Annual conference has been empowered to implement the report. A second listening process in the spring of 2004 was aimed at prioritizing the areas of disciple making where local churches needed assistance. The Annual Conference will then aim staff and resources to provide what is needed by churches in their role as disciple making center in their communities. Also worth noting.
For the quadrennium 2004-2008 the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference needs the following qualities in its Episcopal leader.