Mini-Guide To “Putting Feet”
To
9th District Mirroring Recommended Actions
Mirroring Team Meeting
9th District Planning
Meeting Daniel Payne Community Plaza
9th District Planning Meeting
November 12, 2015
FOREWORD
With the completion of the first round of the highly regarded work of the Presiding Elder District Mirroring Teams
and their subsequent presentations during respective annual conferences, the Ninth Episcopal District proposes a
structured, deliberate, and objective continuation of the process by which we will systematically execute (carry
out, not kill) recommendations. In September and October 2015, the five Annual Conferences approved the
forward progress as follows:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
To “put feet” to the recommendations proposed by the Mirroring Teams (local, PE District
and Conference Level)
To develop and record modifications of recommendations proposed and presented by the
Mirroring Teams (local, PE District and Conference Level), where applicable.
To record and “put feet” to new recommendations that may be offered by local churches and
team members
To present the process, timeline, etc. to expedite the execution of valid recommendations.
To present standard procedures during the Presiding Elders’ Planning Meetings, which were
to be scheduled without schedule conflicts with each other to facilitate attendance by Bishop
Davis and 9th District Mirroring Team Members.
This document is to serve as a guide as each local church presses toward doing ministry in a more excellent way.
A final word or two: Trust God in this 9th District Church improvement process; don’t complain; see the benefits
as you ponder “what’s in it for me?” And remember that the mirror tells only the truth!
A wise person once wrote, “Self- Assessment is one test from which no Christian is excused.”
So… no excuses, let’s do this and … Let’s have fun on our way as God blesses our work!
~~9th District Mirroring Team
Mrs. Bernella Rose
Mrs. Marge Simmons
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SAMPLE SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Name of Local Church and Pastor: Blue Springs African Methodist Episcopal Church
Reverend John Smith, Pastor
Name of Presiding Elder and District: Reverend Ronnie Brown
Barbour County District
Blue Springs is located in Barbour County near the Blue Springs State Park. It was organized in 1860.
Because of the close proximity to the park, it is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The church
is in good condition. The population trend for the area has shown a decline in population. The number of
members on roll is 35. The income trend for the area is $13,316. About 21.60% of families and 26.8% of
the population is below the poverty line. There was a decrease in the number of new members over the 3
month reporting period. The distance to the nearest African Methodist Episcopal Church is greater than
one mile which provides for a greater potential for church growth. In fact, Blue Springs African Methodist
Episcopal Church is the only African Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Blue Springs. The
Pastor’s Compensation Package is 32% of the operating budget for the church.
Comments and Recommendations: The Overall rating is Maintaining (Yellow) =2. Even though the
population trend and the number of new members are declining, the church is in fair condition because of
revenue that is provided through the National Historic Foundation. There is no industry in the area.
However, it is approximately 6 miles from Easterling’s Correctional Facility where at least 10 of its
members are employed.
The leadership and members of the church should investigate creative ideas and activities that would
attract former and new members (Outreach Programs, Community Visitation, Card/Invitation Ministry,
etc). The Tithing and Offering Educational Process should be instituted in order to teach the spirituality
purpose of giving. This would also increase income.
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“Bringing Recommended Actions to Life”
In the Mirroring/Self Assessment Process
9th Episcopal District, AME Church
Bishop James L. Davis, Presiding Prelate
A SUGGESTED TEMPLATE TO OBJECTIVELY
DEVELOP, ASSESS, AND MODIFY RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
RESULTING FROM THE MIRRORING/SELF-ASSESSMENT PROCESS
(Resulting from the Local Church Voluntary Self-Assessment/Mirroring Process)
The report generated from the entries below may be written in editorial format and are offered for PE Study
team’s consideration to insure a standardized format for each local church. This is only a guide and is not
intended to stifle creativity of the team. Goal is for each congregation to review the final report of your
respective Presiding Elder’s Mirroring Team and proceed to develop, refine, and execute recommendations. It is
noted that some local church congregations will not desire to develop and/or implement recommendations.
However, each congregation is urged to enhance your work of kingdom building and avoid symptoms that might
lead to being a Deceased Church.
STUDY ENTRY
#
STUDY ENTRY TITLE/CATEGORY
1
2
3
4
Name of Local Church and Pastor
Name of Presiding Elder and District
Summary of Findings with Resulting Recommendation(s)
Timeline for completion of each recommendation
5
Implementation Process
6
Submission timeline The timeline for completion of
the report will be November 30, 2015 through
February 5, 2016. This information will be submitted
to the Presiding Elder’s Team Leaders on/or before
February 13, 2016. . Face-to-Face Meeting with
PE Team Leaders: Feb 27 during General
Conference Delegation Meeting.
7
Source of Recommendation
8
Benefit(s) of Each Recommendation
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COMMENTS
Incremental goals and objectives
along with projected completion
date. Or execution may be
“ongoing.”
The Implementation Process will
include:
--Develop and Review
Recommendations
--Write goals and objectives
--Present to the congregation
--Implement measurable goals
Local mirroring team, PE District
Mirroring Team, Local church,
other (in case clarification is
needed)
Examples: Stronger congregation
(spiritually and financially)
Increase in membership
Vital service to the community.
9
Obstacles to Implementation
10
11
12
13
Availability of Required Resources for Implementation
Approval Level (local church, Annual Conference, etc)
Local Church Buy-In
First formal report of the Execution of
Recommendations/Progress/Accomplishment of goals
and objective.
14
All entries are contingent upon Bishop Davis’ Guidance
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General Examples: lack of
resources, higher level approval
authority; conflicting
recommendations . Specific
examples of obstacles for
implementing an outreach
program: Number of days it
takes to deliver mail
Inclement weather that would
prevent visitation on unpaved
roads
Resources that would be needed
to fund an Outreach Program
Proposed for Mid-Winter
Meeting