Here are some of the plans for developing and supporting leaders in 2015 submitted to the Connectional Table by general agencies and some other groups receiving apportioned funds.
Higher Education and Ministry
- Evaluate the progress of Young Clergy Initiative grant recipients.
- Increase the number of young people pursuing the call to ordained ministry through events, the Journey to Ordained Ministry and Hispanic, Asian and Native American (HANA) program; work with annual conference vocational discernment coordinators.
- Increase campus ministers and chaplains’ participation in training.
- Train at least 10 United Methodist Student Movement field organizers.
- Increase the number and dollar amount of scholarships and loans.
- Guide United Methodist clergy through certification, licensing and ordination; train coaches.
- Implement the e-reader program at 22 central conference theological schools (in collaboration with Discipleship Ministries).
- Award grants to develop theological education in Africa, Europe and the Philippines.
- Expand the multilingual UMC Cyber Campus offerings.
- Help United Methodist higher education institutions engage in more international work.
- Administer the Black College and Africa University funds.
Discipleship Ministries
- Expand the Route 122 congregational transformation network.
- Feature at least 40 vital congregations in the Romans 12 newsletter.
- Test Korean Vital Congregations Training.
- Have district superintendents reflect on their role as missional strategist.
- Host the Black Church Think Tank on extending hospitality to young adults.
- Increase effective congregational leadership through webinars, face-to-face training, networks and events.
- Increase the effective leaders in ministry with youth and young adults.
- Involve 1,000 people in new spiritual practices because of Youth 2015.
Church and Society
- Use training, partnerships and new organizers to build capacity to engage in transformative justice ministries.
- Strengthen the seminar program.
- Develop new internships and expand access to internships.
Global Ministries
- Increase attention to the physical and professional needs of missionaries.
- Involve more young adults in mission service.
- Increase mission pastor/lay leader training through Bible schools and collaboration among new and existing congregations, seminaries and ecumenical partnerships.
Archives and History
- Train chairs of conference commissions on archives and history, historians and archivists.
- Staff and seek financial support for the African American Methodist Heritage Center.
- Support the collection of oral histories in the Latino community and the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, an archive at Africa University and the Evangelical United Brethren Heritage Center.
Religion and Race
- Increase the number and effectiveness of interculturally competent leaders in the United States and the central conferences.
- Increase the number of healthy cross-racial/cross-cultural appointments and ministries.
Status and Role of Women
- Translate the “Women Called to Ministry” Bible study in French and Portuguese.
- Launch the Clergy Family Resources website.
- Complete the “God of the Bible” expansive language Bible study.
- Report the Pipeline Study on where gaps occur early in clergywomen’s careers.
- Provide the “Do No Harm” summit in October and develop resources for laity on healthy boundaries.
- Develop resources for campus ministers to respond to sexual assaults on campus (with GBHEM).
United Methodist Communications
- Expand Information and Communications Technologies for Development (ICT4D).
- Equip church leaders in Asia and Europe with communication skills for creating vital congregations.
- Create a new family values initiative for families with young children.
United Methodist Men
- Recruit and train 100 Men’s Ministry Specialists.
- Provide mentors for youth through partnerships with Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Camp Fire, 4-H, Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
- Resource local congregations to disciple men.
Asian American Language Ministry/Pacific Islander Ministries’ Plan
- Train lay leadership in all areas of ministry.
National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry
- Accompany annual conferences in the development of 10 strategies for Hispanic/Latino ministry.
- Invest $1.3 million to fund grants for conference strategies, youth development, Hispanic/Latino Training Centers and Social Justice Centers.
- Conduct the third National Consultation on Hispanic/Latino Ministry.
Korean Ministry Plan
- Provide the United Methodist Korean-American Information and Mentoring Session.
- Provide the Academy for Spiritual Formation in Korean.
Native American Comprehensive Plan
- Offer a Native American Lay Servant School.
- Support leaders within Native American churches, fellowships and ministries, conferences and general agencies.
Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century
- Provide rising clergy with experiences and skills to develop and maintain a vital congregation.
- Develop certification in African-American Church Leadership.