Conference publicizes key points of strategic plan.

A strategic plan to guide Annual Conference staff and volunteers was recently approved by Standing Committee when it met in Peoria, Ill. Standing Committee is made up of delegates from the Church of the Brethren districts. Conference executive director Lerry Fogle reported that the plan was developed by the Annual Conference Council over the past two years and will be instrumental in steering staff, the Program and Arrangements Committee, and other volunteers who plan and implement activities related to the annual meeting of the Church of the Brethren.

The complete strategic plan will be available on the Annual Conference website later this summer. The mission, vision, values, and objectives of the plan were distributed to Conference delegates at Peoria. These components of the plan are as follows:

Mission:

"Annual Conference exists to unite, strengthen and equip the Church of the Brethren to follow Jesus."

Vision:

"Annual Conferences must be special times in the life of the Church of the Brethren. We envision Annual Conferences... that bring or revive commitment to Jesus; that glorify God in excellent worship, work, and fellowship; that facilitate the business of the church through business sessions, study committees, agency reports, and disposition of queries; that are open and welcoming, and bring together Brethren from all cultures and points of view to proclaim Jesus as Lord; where we humbly celebrate our oneness in the Body as well as our unique place and ministry in the Body; that reach out to the local community with the Good News; that have dynamic preaching and quality leadership development; that have open and compassionate dialogue; that are a catalyst for personal and corporate change, and Kingdom momentum; that make people enthusiastic about witness and service."

Values:

"We believe that Jesus is the head of the Church. As part of the larger Body of Jesus Christ, the Church of the Brethren has a unique ministry to the world. Therefore, Annual Conference, the Church of the Brethren assembled, is committed to: the Lordship of Jesus Christ, worship, unity, the New Testament as our rule of faith and practice, relationships, identity, a variety of faith experiences."

Objectives:

"Develop intentional community in the Annual Conference experience. Foster Christian spirituality and affirm it. Combine the broadest possible welcome with the strongest possible commitment to following Jesus. Develop a relational discernment style that is open to others of different cultures. Enhance age group programming. Foster open and compassionate dialogue in the Annual Conference experience. Develop an Annual Conference marketing plan to strengthen the event. Review and recommend enhancements to insight sessions. Incorporate intentional Bible studies that relate to the Conference theme and the issues facing the church. Strengthen the financial position of Conference. Minimize risks associated with planning and conducting Conference. Leverage technology to maximum advantage for Annual Conference use. Complete administrative tasks that strengthen Conference and unite the church."

Fogle emphasized that Standing Committee not only approved a strategic plan but a process that will be followed to regularly review, revise, and implement measures to ensure that the vision for Annual Conference is being realized and the mission accomplished. For more information about Annual Conference see www.brethren.org/ac/index.htm.

Source: 8/17/2005 Newsline
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