Conference Profile

Rocky Mountain Conference - United Methodist Church

a. Geographical location &description:
Colorado, Utah, and southern and eastern (about 2/3 of) Wyoming
The primary geographic obstacle for the conference leadership is to overcome the vastness of distance

b. Demographics:
Clergy members - active elders &deacons = 310
Clergy members - probationers and licensed local pastors = 61
Clergy members - retired = 218
Lay members - 73,072
Churches - 262

c. Conference Mission Statement:
The Mission of the Rocky Mountain Conference is to invite, form and send the best possible spiritual leaders to our ministry settings so that in every place, persons are empowered in their ministry. (currently under review and possible revision)

d. Political/Social Makeup:
Political makeup:
There is a theological diversity that has added to the richness of the United Methodist Church here. While there are wide differences and approaches to ministry, and to the critical issues of our day, there is also an understanding that our differences will not divide us.

Political issues:

• growth management in urban areas
• water/drought management in rural areas
• public education systems - vouchers, quality, etc.

Church trends:

• increasing use of less-than-full-time spiritual leadership, deacons and local pastors
• Increasing financial struggles in churches with small membership to "keep the doors open" and meet congregational needs
• Increasing financial struggles as churches with large membership work to meet congregational growth expectations

Social environment:

• rapid increase in immigrant populations
• much ethnic diversity in our communities, particularly Hispanic/Latino
• strong influence in our communities and life-styles by young adults
• very large portion of our area is unchurched
• great need for affordable housing (and related homelessness issues)

Ecumenical environment:

• very significant influence from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons)
• some, but limited, interaction within ecumenical agencies of the three states
• little connection between "church" and community outreach organizations
• some strong, local church ecumenical connections that don't flow up into conference life
• strong connection in the Emmaus community
  

• clergy minimum cash compensation: For 2004 it is $25,501 plus either a parsonage or adequate additional cash to afford adequate housing in their community.
• conference average compensation: For 2004, it is $43,991
• apportionment collections averaging 85%-90% over the last five years

f. Issues:

Clergy issues:

• clergy health (physical, emotional, mental, spiritual) and self-care
• balancing traditional worship with trends toward more contemporary styles
• trust of the leadership and "the system" - often spoken about as a morale problem
• lack of clarity about expectations - also often spoken about as a morale problem

Lay issues:

• a sense that our connectional relationships are often defined by only two things – appointments and apportionments
• conference committee structure favors clergy participation and leadership
• church’s avoidance of discussing key issues

Conference strengths:

• many good and dedicated people (lay and clergy)
• theological diversity
• lay speakers program
• conference administrative services
• youth programming

Areas for improvement:

• we need to be better equipped to respond to our communities' ethnic diversity
• we need to be better equipped to respond to our communities' young adult populations
• conference wide communications vehicle

g. Conference Episcopal Leader Expectations:

• to be a visible presence in our churches and in our conference
• to be a mentor, a visionary leader, and a friend
• to inspire clergy and laity to take hold of the church and run with it
• to put the right people in the right places through the appointive process so that the church becomes an alive and viable force established to transform society
• to help show the church in other parts of the country what it means to be progressively available to the future, and yet steadfastly faithful to Gospel of Jesus Christ

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 O 3 O O
3. Confident, effective leadership O 2 O O O
4. Congregations forming disciples O O 3 O O
5. Diverse ministry settings O O 3 O O
6. Congregations living as global citizens O 2 O O O
7. A church that thinks and acts regionally O 2 O O O
8. Fully accessible churches O 2 O O O
9. Ministry enhanced by technology O O 3 O O