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JWA Meeting summary - June 1, 2006

The John Wesley Association of the West Michigan Conference

The United Methodist Church

 

Location: Fine Arts Center, Calvin College, during West Michigan Annual Conference

Attendance: Approximately 30 members.

 

  1.  We were addressed by DS Bob Mayo and DS Bill Dobbs concerning their program to begin to train Certified Lay Ministers, in response to the new Disciplinary language. This program is limited so far to Grand Traverse and Central Districts.
    1. All CLMs will be Certified Lay Speakers before applying for the new program.
    2. Applicants must work through the district office to get the forms and the directions on the steps to be taken.
    3. All applicants will undergo a criminal and credit background check.
    4. All applicants will have some form of psychological assessment. The exact nature of this assessment is still being worked on.
    5. All applicants will be interviewed by the District Committee on Ordained Ministry sometime during the application process.
    6. Once accepted into the program, applicants will take 12 courses, in four modules over a year before being certified. Applicants who do not complete all 12 courses will be allowed to continue into the next year.
    7. Certified Lay Ministers will not be granted any clergy rights. They will not have sacramental rights, pensions or appointments. It is expected that they will be assigned to small churches which cannot afford a clergy (even a part-time Local Pastor) or where no other class of clergy is available to fill the spot.
    8. Each CLM will be assigned a clergy mentor to assist them in serving their assigned congregation.
    9. The first classes for CLMs working toward Certification will begin this fall, if applicants are available.
    10. CLMs will serve at the discretion of the DS. They are not guaranteed an assignment.
  2. The members voted on accepting for second reading and adoption with immediate effect the change in the By-laws proposed at the March 14th meeting and distributed to those present. The motion to amend the By-laws passed.
  3. The members received the resignation of Vice-president Dennis Bromley, who has provided the Association with great service as President and then as Vice-president filling in for Char Minger in her illness.
  4. The members received the nomination of Dale Hotelling as Vice-president from the remaining officers acting as a nominating committee. There were no nominations from the floor, and a unanimous ballot was cast for Dale�s election.
  5. The members discussed the issue of whether President Jeff Reese could continue to hold office after he is named a Probationary Elder. The consensus was that since we welcome the participation of Probationary Elders in the Association, Jeff could continue in office until his status changes further.
  6. Neither Jeff nor Dale will be eligible (because of their status) to be the Association�s representative on the Board of Ordained Ministry, so that job is open to a volunteer. Anyone interested should contact Jeff Reese immediately.
  7. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by President Jeffrey Reese.

Respectfully submitted,

 

George Lawton, Secretary bglawton@qtm.net

West Michigan Conference, United Methodist Church 11 Fuller SE, PO Box 6247, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6247 | 616-459-4503 | webteam@wmcumc.org