2018 Great Plains Annual Conference

The 2018 Great Plains Annual Conference met June 13-16 in Wichita, Kansas, Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., presiding.

Louisiana Conference Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey spoke at the ordination service and used the analogy of maps and the North Star to explain how we must keep Christ the focus of all we do, regardless of what transpires in the special 2019 General Conference.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Teasdale of Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary provided our largest workshop, conducted in our plenary space, in which he introduced his "evangelism equation" that guides individual Christians and congregations to articulate their faith in authentic and creative ways.

Our theme for 2018 was "Therefore Go: Proclaim Christ." The theme provided avenues via workshops and plenary speakers to talk about making new disciples and developing Christian leaders. Presentations and videos spotlighted ministries that are providing new faith communities.

In the coming year, the Great Plains Conference is embarking on the "Fresh Expressions" movement to make new disciples, develop leaders and develop new faith communities, particularly in highly diverse and impoverished areas of our conference. More discussion is under way on how to assist with life-saving interventions for children.

Main actions enacted by the conference:

We took no actions related to the Commission on a Way Forward. We did conduct a listening session at which the bishop laid out the three models and invited discussion on open-ended questions with people around you. We had more than 800 people show up for the listening session, which included a brief rundown of history.

Resolutions adopted by the conference:

(All passed on voice vote, and all were introduced by members of the conference Mercy & Justice team)

Resolution 13 – Urging for comprehensive immigration refugees, migrant and asylum reform.
Resolution 12 – Encourage churches to offer sanctuary
Resolution 11 – Acknowledging the U.S. immigration system as "sinful."
Resolution 10 – Creation of a partnership between the Great Plains Conference and the Methodist Church of Haiti

Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership, and average age:

Ordained – 9
Commissioned – 14
Associate members: 3
Average age: 42

Number of people retired: 37

Membership stands at 209,554, down 2,759 (1.3 percent) from the previous year.

Worship attendance stands at 77,696, down 4,572 (5.56 percent) from the previous year.

Church school attendance stands at 25,963, up 1,289 (5.2 percent) from the previous year.

Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2017 stands at 4,237, up 314 (7.82 percent) from the previous year.

Adults and young adults in small groups for 2017 stands at 8,546, down 20 (0.23 percent) from the previous year.

Worshippers engaged in mission for 2017 stands at 63,563, down 2,183 (3.32 percent) from the previous year.

Contributed by Todd Seifert, director of communications, Great Plains Conference