Presentation Transcript

1. Larger than Circuit

   A consultation
2. Background Following on from Circuit reorganisation, Districts are now being reviewed to see what structural changes might be appropriate at the organisational level between Circuits and Conference
3. How things are now… There are 31 Districts in the Connexion
4. …or…
5. What the Connexion does (1) Supports the Presidencyand organises Conference Exercises oversight, sets policies, manages structures of accountability Prepares the budget and sets District assessments Provides a senior leadership team which offers resources including HR services and advice on the church’s rules Deals with money and property through Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes
6. What the Connexion does (2) Manages a committee structure to undertake the work of the church: Methodist Council – proposes changes to improve effectiveness Strategy and Resources Committee - manages the connexional team and employment issues Faith and Order Committee Stationing Committee Ministries Committee - develops and supports learning and development
7. What the District does (1) Support and advice for stationing, lay employment, property management, finance and safeguarding District-wide training, eg safeguarding, Ministerial Development Review Networking and information events eg for circuit stewards, circuit administrators Social and learning events, eg supernumeraries’ days, advent lunches, District retreat, CDIM
8. What the District does (2) Grant support for lay development and youth initiatives Redistribution of resources through District Advance Fund and Travel Fund Representation through synod Governance and reporting functions Dissemination of information
9. What the District Chair does Although Districts and District Chairs are strongly linked in our minds, it might be helpful to think of them separately. Supporting and advising circuits; providing leadership Pastoral support of ministers, particularly superintendents Representing circuits and District within the Connexion Complaints and discipline support Managerial and administrative functions Ecumenical and civic representation Strategic overview of stationing
10. What churches and Circuits must provide (1) Property returns and consents Accounts Statistics for mission Quinquennial inspections Health and safety compliance
11. What churches and Circuits must provide (2) Insurance Safeguarding procedures Lay employment compliance Data protection compliance Entertainment licences
12. What are we being asked to think about? Do we need a ‘layer’ between Circuit and Conference/Connexional Team, where Districts currently sit? If we do, should it be geographically organised or is there some other way? What should its functions be?....
13. Try to think less about current structures and more about what resources you need and how they could best be provided. Reconfiguration of Circuits was focused largely on making bigger Circuit units; ‘Larger than Circuit’ could be a more radical exercise, removing a layer of our structure altogether
14. An overarching question This is the background to all our thinking on this matter In order to help you fulfil your role in God’s mission what resources are uniquely or best provided from beyond the Circuit?