Connectionalism

United Methodist leaders often speak of the denomination as “the connection.” This concept has been central to Methodism from its beginning.

The United Methodist structure and organization began as a means of accomplishing the mission of spreading scriptural holiness.  Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, recognized the need for an organized system of communication and accountability and developed what he called the “connexion,” a network of classes, societies, and annual conferences.

Today, our denomination continues to be organized in a “connectional” system, which “enables us to carry out our mission in unity and strength” (Book of Discipline, ¶ 701).  Every local church is linked to an interconnected network of organizations that join together in mission and ministry, allowing us to accomplish far more than any one local church or person could alone.

Within the connectional structure of The United Methodist Church, conferences provide the primary groupings of people and churches for discernment and decision-making.  Wesley described Christian conferencing as a spiritual discipline through which God’s grace may be revealed.  At every level of the connection, church leaders and members come together in conversation, or conferencing, to discuss important issues and discover God’s will for the church.  The word, conference, thus refers to both the assembly and organization of people as well as the process of discerning God’s call together.

The Connectional Table
Dawn Taylor-Storm, Director of Connectional Ministries
Iraida Ruiz de Porras, Chair

The mission of the Connectional Table is the mission of The United Methodist Church, which is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.  The Connectional Table continues to follow the vision and direction of the Council of Bishops.  We believe our mission and vision call us to remain steadfast in our denominational focus on increasing the number of vital congregations worldwide and strengthening ministries in the Four Areas of Focus.

The Connectional Table discerns and articulates the vision for the church, stewarding the mission, ministries, and resources as determined by General Conference and in consultation with the Council of Bishops.

We focus energy and resources on increasing vital congregations by developing principled Christian leaders, creating new places for new people, engaging in ministries with the poor, and improving global health.

Annual Conference responsibilities:

1. The annual conference is responsible for structuring its ministries and administrative procedures to accomplish its purpose.
2. It shall provide for the connectional relationship of the local church, district, and conference with the general agencies.
3. It will monitor to ensure inclusiveness—racial, gender, age, and people with disabilities—in the annual conference.
4. Every board, standing committee, commission, council, and work area of the annual conference shall designate one of its members as its coordinator of witness ministries.
5. These persons shall help the groups of which they are members to engage in witness ministries and to ask, “How are we intentionally reaching new people for Jesus Christ through our ministries?” and “How are we helping new people grow and mature as disciples of Jesus Christ through our ministries and areas of responsibility?”

Annual conferences structure their work and approach to mission differently since every conference is unique in demographics, context, cultures, practices, and mission and ministry, locally and globally.

Greater New Jersey has in place the following agencies, boards, and committees that compose the Connectional Table according to its gifts:

Christian Unity, and Inter-religious Concerns
Javier Barroso-Rodriquez, Chair

The general agency that advocates for and works toward Christian unity in every aspect of the life of The United Methodist Church.  It works to enable ecumenical and interreligious understanding and experience among all United Methodists.  Its offices are in New York City.

Committee on Equitable Compensation
Steven Bechtold, Chair

The procedure for establishing minimum compensation in an annual conference for pastors.  The annual conference commission on equitable compensation is responsible for recommending the base compensation standards to the annual conference.  Local churches not able to pay the full amount of the equitable or minimum compensation may receive supplemental funds from the annual conference.  These funds are provided through the Equitable Compensation Fund, which is apportioned to all the local churches.

Board of Church and Society
Tanya Bennett, Chair

The General Board of Church and Society uses Scripture, The Social Principles and The Book of Resolutions as its core documents.  Through statements and articles, seminars, forums, internships and collaboration, Church and Society leads and challenges United Methodists to pray, study and work in areas of social concern.  Its resources inform, motivate and train United Methodists on issues of social justice in society.

Its mandate is to relate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Church, communities, and the world in which they live, bringing the whole of human life into conformity with the will of God, and showing that reconciliation involves personal, social and civic righteousness.

Committee on Small Church Membership
TBD, Chair

This committee helps create resources for smaller churches.  It provides opportunities and creative solutions for greater collaboration, cutting edge resources, and spiritual growth.  This strengthens and broadens the work smaller churches do in their communities – and supports the people sustaining these special, and often historical, sanctuaries in our region’s landscape.

Commission on Archives and History
John Callanan, Chair

The General Commission on Archives and History (GCAH) is an agency of The United Methodist Church that serves the church through the ministry of memory, allowing United Methodists to learn from our past while envisioning our future.  Its work not only preserves the history of the denomination and its antecedents but makes it accessible.

Board of Pensions and Health Benefits
Chair:  Elouise Hill-Challenger
Vice-chair: Sung Hyuk Kim

The Board of Pension provides an important function by administering retirement plans, investment funds, and health and welfare benefit plans for all conference clergy and staff.

Wespath Benefits and Investments offers a variety of retirement and savings plans to eligible clergy and lay employees.  Investing can be complicated and confusing, but you don’t have to manage your investments alone.  The board provides resources that take your personal circumstances into consideration to help you make informed investment decisions, preparing you financially for a successful retirement.

Parish and Community Development
Deborah Barnett, Interim Chair

Jesus met people where they are.  This committee does just that.  They reach out by participating and contributing to the local community as representatives of the local church.  This involvement can range from attending civic meetings to cleaning a shopkeeper’s gutters; from sponsoring a local charity event to caring for a neighbor when ill.

Committee on Communications
TBD, Chair

The Greater New Jersey message is shaped with guidance and leadership of this commission.  They help navigate the rapidly changing terrain through video and audio, editorial guidance, web expertise, and building a digital presence for local churches.

Board of Trustees
Mathew Enzler, President

The Trustees are the stewards of our conference’s resources, including property, assets, and other real property.

Committee on Disability Concerns
TBD, Chair

The Committee on Disability Concerns ensures all disabled churchgoers are fully included in every aspect of United Methodist life by offering resources, training and networking opportunities.

The Disability Ministries Committee is dedicated to opening hearts, minds, and doors for people of all abilities in the United Methodist Church.  As an agency of the United Methodist Church, we welcome interested people of all backgrounds.  We draw our mandate from the story in Luke, which tells how many people displayed through their actions that the man was part of their community.

Council on Youth Ministries
Eun Young “Rosie” Pang, Chair
Young Adult Ministries
Zachary Holder, Chair

These two groups represent the collective voice of UMC youth.  Their role is centered around connection and making a difference in the world.  They connect adults to youth, youth to each other, and communities to the church.

Committee on Hispanic/Latino Ministries
Cesar Miyares, Chair

The Hispanic/Latino community is a vital part of the tapestry of The United Methodist Church, with an enduring and continuing legacy to the church and their communities.

We support the history, culture, traditions, and contributions of people whose ancestry is rooted in all Latin American countries.

Committee on Native American Ministries
Cynthia Mosley, Acting Chair

The purpose of the committee is to serve as a ministry that gives voice to Native Americans and meets the mandate as outlined in the Book of Discipline which “serves to remind the Church of the gifts and contributions made by Native Americans to our society.”

Ethnic and Local Church Concerns
Latasha Milton, Chair

Greater New Jersey is one of the most diverse conferences of the United Methodist Church.  This committee empowers and encourages these ministries, providing resources to strengthen and support them – while honoring their cultural roots.

• A Journey of Hope Plan
• 10 Year Intercultural Competence Plan

The purpose of the Discipleship Ministries Racial Ethnic Local Church Grants (RELCC) is to provide funding to strengthen the ethnic local church through leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship, and spiritual formation as they engage in developing disciple-making systems inside the church walls as well as in the community.  Priority is given to new programs/ministries that move churches to places where disciples are formed, grow, and make new disciples of Jesus Christ who will transform the world.

Religion and Race
Miso Park, Chair

The United Methodist Church proclaims the value of each person as a unique child of God and commits itself to the healing and wholeness of all persons.

The United Methodist Church recognizes that the sin of racism has been destructive to its unity throughout its history.  Racism continues to cause painful division and marginalization.

The United Methodist Church shall confront and seek to eliminate racism, whether in organizations or in individuals, in every facet of its life and in society at large.

The United Methodist Church shall work collaboratively with others to address concerns that always threaten the cause of racial justice and in all places.

Committee on the Episcopacy
Gina Hendrickson, Chair

The Conference Committee on Episcopacy serves as liaison and wise counsel to the bishop.  They provide the bishop with constructive, honest feedback; the voice and sentiment of the UMC body; while offering guidance and direction to the holder of GNJAC’s highest office.

Board of Higher Ed and Campus Ministries
Catherine Jordan-Latham, Chair

The Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is committed to providing quality educational opportunities for higher learning.  They offer scholarship opportunities through the conference and oversee campus ministries.

As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is preparing global leaders for a global church and the world.  Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs.  Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call on their lives through our leadership and discernment programs.

Board of Global Ministries
Jennifer Cho, Chair

The Board of Global Ministry implements programs and provides support or relief where it’s needed around the globe.  They support missionaries in the field and at home.  They help strengthen Christian communities, alleviate human suffering, and work tirelessly for justice, freedom, and peace everywhere.

Board of Ordained Ministry
Michelle Ryoo, Chair

The Board of Ordained Ministry supports those on the journey towards ordination, coaches those in transition or in changing circumstances and encourages clergy to fulfill their purpose and live their call meaningfully.

Boards of Ordained Ministry (BOMs) are tasked with recruiting and credentialing candidates and clergy, as well as recommending them for licensing and ordination and developing standards for continuing formation and regular evaluation.  GBHEM maintains current resources for Boards of Ordained Ministry and district Committees on Ordained Ministry in the BOM Library.

Each annual conference elects its own board and the exact size and structure varies by region.

Conference UMM
Sugandh Salvi, President

The 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline charges the General Commission on United Methodist Men with the “primary oversight for the coordination and resourcing of men’s ministry with The United Methodist Church.” (paragraph 2302)

To Help Men Grow In Christ, So Others May Know Christ.

Conference Secretary
Shelley Smith      

The Conference Secretary is an officer of the Annual Conference whose primary responsibilities are to:

• Prepare materials to facilitate the work of the Annual Conference Session
• Keep the record of the proceedings of the Annual Conference
• Publish that record in the Annual Conference Yearbook and Journal
• Maintain updated service records of ordained and diaconal ministry personnel.

Board of Discipleship
Anna Thomas, Chair

The agency connects leaders with needed resourcing, training, consulting, and networking that support spiritual formation, new church development, revitalization of local churches, and materials for use in Central Conferences.  GBOD has embarked upon an integrated, strategic direction that serves the church with continuity, based upon basic values and mission.

The GNJ Board of Discipleship supports the local church ministries of receiving, nurturing and caring.  The board uplifts the areas of Christian education, worship, music, evangelism, small-group ministries, devotional life, spiritual formation, and other areas related to the lives of people, church leaders, and the ministries of congregations.  The GNJ Board of Discipleship recognizes clergy, congregations and youth for excellence through the Denman Award and One Matters Award.

Commission on Status and Role of Women
Isabel Quezada, Chair

This committee is an advocate for the full participation of women in the life of the church.  They work to bridge the gap of conflicting viewpoints, eliminate inequities, and monitor the church and its structures for the just and equal participation of women.

Council of Finance and Administration (CF&A)
Clifford Still, Chair

The Council on Finance and Administration cares for the structure and fiscal soundness of our efforts, making us sustainable for the long run.  They protect the church in legal issues, gather and analyze statistics, act as trustees for assets, and maintain the insurance programs for local churches.  Good stewardship is a foundation of a healthy church.

Conference Lay Leader
David Yamoah

Conference and district lay leaders have a role and responsibility to advocate for the laity.  This happens through partnerships with bishops, district superintendents, and local church leaders as we go about equipping the saints for the ministry and mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Conference United Women in Faith
Holly Cyrus, President

United Women in Faith seeks to improve the lives of women, children, and youth in the United States and internationally.  United Women in Faith advocates on peace and justice, economic inequality, education, the rights of children, human rights, and farm workers’ rights.  We support our work on a scriptural basis and adheres to the denominational mandates in The Book of Discipline and The Book of Resolutions.

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Board and Agency Best Practices

1. Start and end every meeting with a devotion, a Scripture reading, a prayer, a witness, or a creative idea. Naming takeaways at the end of each meeting will help shape and form the next.
2. As chair, president, or team leader, know your agency, board, and committee members well. Connect with your predecessor.  Learn and share with agency members the mission, purpose, and responsibilities of your agency.  Remember that the outcome of your work and ideas will come from clergy and laity working together.  The voice of the laity is vital as it represents the diversity of members of congregations serving local communities.
3. Prepare a file or shared folder for the recording of the contact information of all members. Arena is a helpful tool for this.  You may want to include in your contacts other capacities in which your agency members are serving in GNJ.
4. If you can, select the days and times you and your agency members can meet in advance. Determine the frequency of meetings and whether the meetings will be in person, online, or hybrid.  Make a note of deadlines for reimbursements, annual conference reports, award nominations, and leadership nominations in your calendars.
5. Identify and list conference leaders who are a resource or can provide other resources to support the work your agency is responsible for. Conference support staff, district leaders, regional administrators, managers, and agencies your board or committee can connect with, and work together are resources available to you at GNJ.
6. Research the availability of grants, scholarships, or awards that may be available to support the visions and goals of your agency financially. Funds may be available in the GNJ budget.  Some grants are made available at regional and global levels.  Also, identify any awards your agency may offer and require nominations from the annual conference.  GNJ has submission deadlines for such nominations.
7. Research and learn what your agency is accomplishing at other conferences. Connect for ideas and opportunities.  Some agencies hold annual gatherings and conferences that enhance your agency’s work and provide resources and new ideas.  Apply what works for your agency.  Contact the conference treasurer for the availability of funds for this purpose.
8. Nominate a secretary willing to take notes and observe the gifts and talents of members of your agency. Time goes by quickly, and your successor can be among your team.  Be aware of your agency’s members’ term limit on the board.  Be prepared to nominate.  There are also leadership nomination deadlines.
9. As chair of your agency, if you cannot lead your agency due to unforeseen circumstances, do not hesitate to ask one of your team members. Leadership development within your agency is a gift!
10. Remember that each agency is a connectional team serving together in a connectional system within a connectional church.  We are encouraged to work and serve together, to listen to our communities, and to heal our neighbors and neighborhoods across the globe to make disciples for the transformation of the world, one life at a time.

NEXT STEPS

1. Connect with your agency, board, commission, and committee members.
2. Collect contact information from agency members.
3. Determine tentative dates for upcoming meetings.
4. Provide each member with the mission, goals, and responsibilities of your agency.
5. You may want to have a conversation about the goals, strategies, values, and shifts of the GNJ Strategic Direction and ask the following questions:
   1. How do you see your board or agency working toward the GNJ Strategic Direction?
   2. What are 1 or 2 projects or outcomes you want to achieve this year?
   3. “How are we intentionally reaching new people for Jesus Christ through our ministries?”
   4. “How are we helping new people grow and mature as disciples of Jesus Christ through our ministries and areas of responsibility?”

2024 GNJ Leadership Report