Strategy Team proposal posted on May 1

ALCOA, Tenn. (April 23, 2017) – After nearly two years of discussion, a team of 13 including Bishop Dindy Taylor is ready to present a proposal to help Holston Conference become “more efficient in our Christ-centered mission.” 

The Conference Strategy Team will seek the Annual Conference’s approval during its June 11-14 meeting at Lake Junaluska, N.C. The proposal will be published in the “Book of Reports,” to be posted online at AC.Holston.org in May. 

Changing the lines and sizes of districts from 12 to nine is “only one part of our larger conference strategy,” the team said in a recent statement.

The proposal will also include requirements for clergy evaluation, development and support groups; assessing committees and teams; implementing financial stewardship checks; ordering conference staff around the denomination's four areas of focus; and improving conference communications.

Church members will have opportunities to learn more about the proposal at upcoming “Pre-Conference Briefings” in each of the 12 districts. A member of the Strategy Team will be present at each session to answer questions. Local-church lay members, district at-large members, and clergy are encouraged to attend:

ABINGDON: Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m. at Pleasant View

BIG STONE GAP: Sunday, May 7, 3 p.m. at Trinity (Big Stone Gap)

CHATTANOOGA: Sunday, May 7, 2:30 p.m. at Jones Memorial

CLEVELAND: Sunday, May 7, 3 p.m. at Valley Head District Office

JOHNSON CITY: Sunday, May 7, 3 p.m. at Wesley Memorial

KINGSPORT: Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m. at Colonial Heights

KNOXVILLE: Sunday, May 21, 6 p.m. at Cokesbury

MARYVILLE: Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m. at First Alcoa

MORRISTOWN: Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m. at Trinity (Morristown)

OAK RIDGE: Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m. at First Oak Ridge

TAZEWELL: Tuesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m. at First Bluefield

WYTHEVILLE: Sunday, May 21, 3 p.m. at First Chiswell

The Strategy Team will also offer a “chat room” opportunity during Annual Conference on Monday, June 12, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Terrace Auditorium. 

In the meantime, Holston members may write to the team at holstonstrategyteam@gmail.com or visit their web page for more information.

See also:

Strategy team chair speaks to clergy (Convocation video, 2/22/17)
Team asks: 'How will Holston adapt?' (The Call, 6/5/16)
Strategy Team continues 'discovery process' (The Call, 11/30/15)