The 168th Session of the Memphis Annual Conference adjourned as the closing worship came to an end. The appointments have been fixed, the Conference delegates have returned to their churches. Some will be packing and moving. Others will be renewing the efforts that they left behind to begin deliberations in Jackson.

With those deliberations at an end, our job becomes more complicated and complex. We return to our churches with a new budget, fresh vision, and a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ and the pursuit of His Kingdom.

Rev’d. Sky Lowe-McCracken enlightened the delegates and guests on the difficulty of putting the Journal together. His hope for future documents is to provide the material in a variety of formats for the sake of expediency and convenience as well as possible cost savings.

Sky also thanked Rev. Wayne Fessmire for his tireless efforts to bring the Journal to fruition each year. Last year, we were the first Conference in the world to produce our Journal, beating out all other Conferences around the world! Such efforts are to be applauded and appreciated, and the Conference stood to applaud Wayne’s efforts.

Wayne’s dedication to getting things done efficiently has given birth to the Fessmire Scale on this very blog. The Fessmire Scale is simply the measure of how far behind (or ahead) we are in the schedule. While it is easy to get behind, Wayne would want you to know that there are those rare moments when we do get ahead.

They are infrequent. They don’t last long. But they have happened…

Rev. Cecil Bellew, on behalf of the Cabinet, offered the discontinuance resolution. The following churches, in consultation with their District Superintendents, have come to a point in their ministries where they are unable to continue in faithful service. The Conference has declared these charges closed unless otherwise noted.

Bethlehem UMC of the Lafferty Circuit, Fayette county, McKendree District. It was resolved that all property, land and building be deeded to the Hebron cemetery association to be used to ensure perpetual care of cemetery and upkeep of building.

Shiloh UMC, Carroll County Tennessee, Paris District. It was resolved that the real property be deeded to Shiloh Cemetery Association for $1.

Travis Chapel UMC, Weakley County, Dyersburg, Tennessee, Dyersburg District. It was resolved that the propertuy be deeded to Travis Chapel cemetery assoc for $1.

St. Luke-Aldersgate UMC, McCracken County, Kentucky, Paducah District. It was resolved that the real property be used to form the St. Luke Aldersgate mission under direction and control of Paducah District. All remaining funds and sale of church parsonage will be used to maintain the mission in the community. Funds in an account under control of Paducah district to cover cost of maintenance, insurance and utilities. It was further resolved that the funds be used to form an inner city parish to use the property at St. Luke-Aldersgate for a community feeding program.

Hudson Grove UMC has not a worshipping community for many years. Members united with Midgett’s Chapel. The Conference therefore declares it to be abandoned. It was resolved to deed the property and cemetery to trustees of Midgett’s Chapel to maintain.

Oakhaven UMC, Shelby County, Tennessee, Memphis-McKendree District. The church has requested to merge with Emmanuel UMC, in consultation with the DS on Nov. 12, 2006. It was resolved that the Memphis Annual Conference recognize the faithful service and declare it merged with Emmanuel. It was further resolved that all property and and proceeds become the responsibity of Emmanuel UMC as well as all archives and records.

The 2008 Memphis Annual Conference will again meet in Jackson, Tennessee. Conference will be held from June 1st through June 4th.

Rev. Trina Bell-Morrison, director of Hannah’s Hope, reminded us that too many children have far too little. And some have nothing, not even a family to love them and care for them. Though Foster homes are available, there are not enough. Hannah’s Hope is creating the means for those children to find homes. The staff also counsels and guides women struggling through unplanned pregnancy.

Bill Heaton, director of West Kentucky Family Services, offered a heart breaking presentation in the recorded words of a child. The perspective of a little one demonstrated that there is a great deal of unwantedness felt by these children.

These two agencies of our Conference ably stand for the principles of caring for those who cannot care for themselves.

Those interested in adoption or providing Foster care should contact Hannah’s Hope or West Kentucky Family Services.

Please see the earlier post for the Program Ministries report entailing the overview of the various ministries. This entry will deal with the funding and budgeting of the various interests of the Conference.

Chair, Jerry Severns, presented the budget for our recommendations, amendments, and discussion. He admonished the body to remember that the budget was not something that “we are doing to the local church.” We must take ownership for this budget and work for the accomplishment of these financial goals–because we are the ones who set it.

Severns broke the columns into mandated General Conference requirements, necessary benefits funding, and the amounts we can control.

He focused first and foremost on those amounts which may be controlled by the body. The request, before amendment, is $4,049, 326.00. Based on an anticipated 80% apportionment payout of $3,201, 835.00, we expect to fall short by $847, 491.00.

By restricting the overspending, this shortfall is manageable through spending controls.

There is one significant financial element in the apportionment picture of our Conference. It is probably responsible for the greatest shortfall. Proportional payout, mandated by the Book of Discipline, refers to the fact that pastors who are receiving 100% of their recommended salary are responsible for seeing to it that the recommended apportionments are paid. Since this applies to conferences as well as churches, we have a deficit as a Conference. 

Severns then called upon the Bishop and Cabinet to rectify this situation, since CF&A has no enforcement powers or authorities. And he called upon the Conference Body to see to it that the local church abides by its Disciplinary responsibilities for payment of their fair share of the apportionment.

 Jerry Brewster recommended that the flat rate of apportionment be amended to omit the capital expenditures, debt reduction, and the amount of any Advance Special (after 100% payment). His motion was seconded and discussed. It passed by majority vote.

The report was adopted.

Note: This means that we will be using the exact same formula as last year, less the caps and “phase-in.” Though the flat percentage formula was favored by many, this approach once again allows for exceptions and a fairly complex formula.

Sandra Burnette offered a motion to affirm Randy Cooper as an episcopal candidate to the Southeastern Jurisdiction. The motion passed unanimously.

Rev. David Russell presented a new partnership with Methodist LeBonheur for campus ministry. The goal is to offer opportunities for careers in health care in a variety of fields.

Also presented was a video produced by Running Pony Productions for the Campus Ministries. The video was shown to the delegates and an advance copy was offered to the Bishop.

Russell also announced a special offering for Campus Ministry to be taken up on the first Sunday in Advent. At the same time, a voluntary reduction of the Campus Ministries apportioned line item was announced. This will translate into a serious reduction in ministry and program dollars for the campus ministers. Because of this concession, the Campus Ministers need your financial support more than ever. Please observe the Special Offering for Higher Education and Campus Ministry on November 30, 2007.

Rust College brought greetings and announced an endowment increase of over $3 million. The $10 million dollar building campaign has made over $12 million in the past ten years. Bishop Wills was awarded a certificate of appreciation for efforts to invest Conference funds with the Black College fund.

Dr. Fred Zuker shared that Lambuth University was enjoying a banner year. Not only national champion in NAIA Women’s Basketball, but taking on new challenges by adding a major for those entering the music entertainment industry. Lambuth continues to provide leadership for the Memphis Annual Conference. Zuker noted that a recent graduate was an active participant in mission to Sierra Leone, and pointed out that Joey Hassell, who spoke earlier on the floor of the Conference. The Bishop was presented a signed basketball by a member of the Lambuth Championship Team.

A recent graduate of UT-Martin shared his testimony of experiences garnered during his time with the Campus Ministry in Martin. Missions has made a deep impact on his life. This opportunity might have been missed without the assistance rendered by the UT-Martin Interfaith Center.

Dr. John Bonson moved that the proposed $450,000.00 line item be increased to $500,000.00 for the 2008 conference year. The motion failed.

The nominees were appointed as amended and read by Rev. Cecil Belew.

Please see the pre-conference book and the “Committee on Nominations” insert in your Conference Packet. The finalized names will be made available in the Conference Journal. In the meantime, your District Office will have a copy of those names.

Rev. Michael Blake brought greetings from the staff and introduced Joey Hassell, superintendent of Lake County schools. Hassell shared his personal experiences with Reelfoot Rural Ministries and noted that the plight of the impoverished students and their families affects us all. He provided a parable to show our relationship by recounting the story of the Rat Trap.

A rat looked through a crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife opening a package. What food might it contain? He was aghast to discover that it was a rat trap. Retreating to the farmyard the rat proclaimed the warning; ‘There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!’

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, ‘Excuse me, Mr. Rat, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.’

The rat turned to the pig and told him, ‘There is a rat trap in the house, a rat trap in the house!’ ‘I am so very sorry Mr. Rat,’ sympathized the pig, ‘but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured that you are in my prayers.’

The rat turned to the cow. She said, ‘Like wow, Mr. Rat. A rat trap. I am in grave danger. Duh?’

So the rat returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer’s rat trap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house, like the sound of a rat trap catching its prey. The farmer’s wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see that it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer’s wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital. She returned home with a fever. Now everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup’s main ingredient.

His wife’s sickness continued so that friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer’s wife did not get well. She died, and so many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide meat for all of them to eat.

So the next time you hear that someone is facing a problem and think that it does not concern you, remember that when there is a rat trap in the house, the whole farmyard is at risk.

Hassell shared that we are all at risk while there is risk to our young people. Reelfoot Rural Ministries offers aid and assitance with the plight of children in extreme poverty. He also shared the news that the most recent valedictorian of Lake County Highschool was once a child in the Reelfoot Rural Ministries daycare–and she has received a full scholarship to UT-Martin.

Hassell led the Conference in giving thanks for Reelfoot Rural Ministries.