Process revamped to broaden field for leadership roles

By RICHARD HEARNE
Lay Leader

During the 2011 Annual Conference, some North Texas Conference members expressed concerns about the Nominations Report, fearing that certain people and groups were excluded from election to leadership positions. Although I heartily disagree, it became obvious to me, as chairman of the Nominations Committee, that we needed to respect these views and work to end this perception.

The NTC is establishing a new process that puts nominations in the hands of the members of the Annual Conference and not a small group serving on the Nominations Committee. The focus and responsibility for being nominated is now shifted from the committee to individual members, clergy and laity of the NTC.

Here's how it works: An information booklet detailing all the committees and positions available will be placed on the NTC website. Those interested in a position can research the opportunities and decide where they would like to serve, based on position requirements and an individual's gifts and graces. This booklet will also include the Discipline paragraph that covers the position, the responsibilities and work of a committee, how often and where the committee meets and other pertinent information.

Interested candidates can submit a profile sheet for a position or positions. The profile sheet provides basic information that will allow the Nominations Committee to place the most qualified person into a spot – with a commitment for an inclusive leadership.

The profile sheet will go to the district superintendent for clergy and the local pastor for laity for approval/comment and then will be sent to the Nominations Committee. The committee will flesh out the Nominations Report, which will then go to the Extended Cabinet and Core Leadership Team to assure that the report is inclusive and represents NTC membership. The Nominations Report will then be presented at the District Day preceding Annual Conference.

Of course, nominations will be allowed from the floor when the Nominations Report is presented to the Annual Conference.

The Nominations Committee is making every attempt to make sure everyone within the NTC is aware of this process. Because of unforeseen circumstances, the timeline for the process has been shortened, so responses must be prompt.

A great burden falls on the clergy to decide what role they would like to serve and, more important, which laity in their church they feel have gifts and graces to serve on these committees. Mailings will be sent to all clergy, 2011 NTC lay members and the different caucus groups across the Annual Conference.

Please contact email Richard Hearne or call him at 214-505-2324 with any questions.