Mayodan Moravian Church

Regional Council of Churches

In September of last year, our Province had a special Synod to consider a proposal which resulted in a major re-structuring of our provincial government. This proposal was adopted and included a significant addition to the ways in which our congregations relate to each other.  This new concept is called Regional Conferences of Churches. A Regional Conference of Churches (RCC) is described below in material provided by the Transition Team which is responsible to manage the implementation of all the changes approved in this re-structuring proposal. This material describes a group that will be very important for our congregation.

 Five churches have been assigned to our RCC. They are: First Moravian of Greensboro, Good Shepherd just outside Kernersville, Leaksville, Mayodan and Moravia in Oak Ridge. The name given to our RCC is the Dan Springs Conference, after the proximity of our churches to the Dan River.

 The five pastors of these churches have already met a few times in anticipation of this grouping. We have discussed possible ways for our congregations to work together. Examples of some of these ideas include times of fellowship, opportunities for outreach, and partnerships in obtaining and using resources. You will be hearing more about this developing relationship in the near future. The first full meeting of the RCC will be held on May 2 at Moravia Moravian Church in Oak Ridge. By then our church boards will have appointed two members who, along with the pastor, will represent our church on the RCC.

 One important task of the RCC is to elect one of its members as a member of the Board of Cooperative Ministry. This representation will give us a more direct voice in the ministries which our province undertakes.

Forming Regional Conference of Churches:

What Are the Regional Conference of Churches?

As directed by the Special Synod in September 2009, Regional Conferences of Churches are being formed to assist individual congregations in discovering, exploring, developing, and cultivating a strong and healthy ministry.

A conference represents a cluster of 4 to 6 congregations, represented by two lay persons and one pastor from each congregation, and in some cases, representatives from Moravian fellowships.

Representatives will meet together at a minimum quarterly.

Representatives may choose to communicate through conference calls or other electronic media, as long as strong relationships are fostered and maintained.

Representatives will elect one representative to the new Board of Cooperative Ministries. It will provide provincial programs and resources to nurture local congregational health.

Conference assignments have been sent to each congregation.

What Are the Main Purposes?

Regional Conferences will give form and witness to the eight characteristics of congregational health: our relationship with Christ, mission, growth, leadership, worship, cooperation, stewardship and ministry.

Regional Conferences work together to define for Synod what “healthy congregational characteristics” need strengthening.

They communicate with and request support from the Board of Cooperative Ministries on attaining Synod’s goals for the congregations represented by the Regional Conferences.

Regional Conferences will be manageable in size and conducive for developing relationships, mutual efforts, sharing “best practices”, and meaningful participation between congregations.

A Regional Conference will help each congregation celebrate its abilities for ministry.

A Regional Conference will share mutual mission activity enabling congregations to do more together than separately.

Capacity for healthy ministry will evolve from the synergy of this mutual effort in mission (Colossians 3:12-17).

How Are Representatives Selected?

The governing board(s) of each congregation will appoint two lay representatives by April 15. One representative will serve for at least one year and the other for at least two years with their terms expiring at the next Congregational Council after their term.

In the future, Regional Conference Representatives will be elected for a two year term at the annual Congregational Council when members of local board(s) are elected.

Additionally, a pastor from each congregation will serve as a representative. In multi-pastor congregations, the pastoral representative will be determined by the governing board(s). A fellowship will be represented by the fellowship’s coordinator and one other member selected by the　fellowship.

The congregation’s representatives should be knowledgeable of the eight characteristics of congregational health and the current status of your congregation as relates to these eight characteristics.

The representatives should be willing to share ideas, objective, able to think strategically, a good listener, and a good communicator.

 A New Opportunity for Shared Growth!

Each Regional Conference will determine the actual points of shared ministry. Just imagine the possibilities…

• Senior Friends events / activities / retreats
• Collaboration through shared mission trips / retreats at Laurel Ridge
• Joint youth events / activities / VBS
• Addressing outreach opportunities too large for one congregation
• Sharing ideas and insights around stewardship
• Sharing ecumenical partnerships with congregations from other denominations

 

Surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.  Jeremiah 29:11