September 30, 2013
[Pastorgraphs now online at ChristSD.com]
Pastorgraphs: “An Opportunity”
I
want to share some good news with you. The California-Pacific Conference
Cabinet (Bishop and District Superintendents) met a little over a week ago to
discuss (among other things) the relationship of Christ Ministry Center to the
Conference and the opportunity of forming a new Cooperative Parish (two
separate initiatives).
Our
District Superintendent, John Farley, gave me a call Wednesday to let me know
Bishop Carcaño and the Cabinet are excited about both the Ministry Center AND
the Cooperative Parish. Bishop Carcaño basically called me out of the “retired
reserves” and officially appointed me to Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center, (although I remain in the retired status). This is good because it puts
both the Ministry Center and me back into “the chain of command”. CUMMC is now
an official Extension Ministry of the South District of the Cal-Pac Conference.
I
know it gets complicated, so the following diagram may help. On the left is a
representation of Christ Ministry Center, its role and most the churches and
charities that make up CUMMC. On the right is the potential structure of a new
Cooperative Parish composed of four congregations and their ministers.
The
Cooperative Parish is an innovative opportunity to create “new churches in new
places for new people” (one of the Four Areas of Focus in the new vision of the
United Methodist Church). The Book of Discipline defines several models,
including “the merging of the organizations and memberships of churches spread
throughout a defined geographical area into one congregation that intentionally
develops two or more worship/program centers, and for which there is one charge
conference and one set of committees and other groups, guided by a covenant and
served by a staff and a director appointed or assigned to the parish by the
bishop.”
Exodus
Church has been considering their denominational affiliation for over a year.
One of the options is becoming United Methodist. Dr. Donald Owens and I have
been in a yearlong dialogue concerning this, including his attendance at Annual
Conference last June. Yesterday I had the honor to speak to the Exodus Church
family and share some of the things involved in such a move.
At
the same time, the three congregations affiliated with Christ United Methodist
Church before discontinuance are also considering becoming a part of the
proposed Cooperative Parish. Christ Chapel (the legacy congregation of Christ
Church), Mision Metodista (the Hispanic congregation) and Haitian Ministry may
unite to form a new Cooperative Parish with an aggregate membership of 300.
Can
you imagine a dynamic, diverse, blended congregation of 300+ members emerging
at the corner of 33rd and Meade? Simply amazing!
I
would be appointed as the supervising elder for the parish. Dr. Owens, who is
an ordained minister in another denomination (Baptist), would seek to become a
provisional elder in the California-Pacific Conference. David Stump, Jonathan
Reyes and Jean Elise Durandisse may all seek certification, licensure or
ordination as God so leads them. I have been meeting regularly with and
mentoring these ministers.
Our
District Superintendent John Farley and I will meet Wednesday to begin working
out the details. Nothing is official, and the process will take time. It will
be another lesson in patience and waiting for God’s timing. But this is an
exciting opportunity. Doxology that all our hard work over the past half dozen
years is coming to fruition. Praise the Lord!
To
God Be The Glory.
Devotedly,
Bill Jenkins
From the
Quote Garden:
“It’s better to have a partner than
go it alone.
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!
Share the work, share the wealth.
And if one falls down, the other helps,
But if there’s no one to help, tough!
Two in a bed warm each other.
Alone, you shiver all night.
Alone, you shiver all night.
By yourself you’re unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.”
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.”
(The
Message Translation)
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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