Southwest Conference Mission Planning Board
Brief description of duties:
The Mission Planning Board (MPB) has the responsibility to discern the shared mission of the SWC, and to test whether or not our resources are being fully utilized and wisely stewarded for the sake of that mission.
It will set and maintain the long range vision, plan, and mission of the Conference and ensure that we are on track to meet our long range goals. It will meet twice a year in various locations throughout the Conference.
It will be a separate and independent body from the Executive Board, not a subsidiary body.
It will be comprised of a representative from every church in the Conference, the officers of the Conference, and any SWC representative serving the National structure of the Church.
Primary Purpose:
To discern the mission of the SWC
Meets twice a year
Tasks:
- To discern and communicate the mission of the SWC to the EB and to all covenant partners
- To become familiar with the mission goals of the denomination and evaluate the compatibility with our Conference goals
- To evaluate the manner in and extent to which our resources are being brought to bear on the mission of the SWC
- To identify what resources are currently unavailable to the Conference that might be needed in order to achieve our mission goals
- To be aware of the extent to which our long range goals are being inhibited or enhanced by our current practices
- To be fully aware of all assets and resources of the SWC
- To maintain access to database of individual gifts, talents, and resources that can be called upon to fulfill our mission goals
- To review all annual reports produced of the Conference entities and determine whether or not they are functioning to help the Conference achieve its mission
- To determine the continued utility or need of any Committee, Board, Ministries, or Task Forces
- To evaluate the purpose, need, and work of the Ministries Teams of the SWC
- To determine whether or not additional Standing Committees are needed for the sake of the Conference
- To identify for the Nominating committee the gifts, skills, and talents they feel are essential on the Executive Board
- To serve as a liaison between the Conference and the local churches, each of which will have a representative; and to communicate directly to the local churches what is happening in the Conference and Wider Church
- To gather twice a year in locations around the Conference for the purpose of completing their tasks
- To make use of developing technologies to enable consistent communication throughout the year and to keep current with Conference activities.
Officers of the SWC:
Moderator, Ms. Jane Cheek, First Congregational UCC, Prescott, AZ
Moderator Elect, Cary Meister, Yuma UCC, Yuma, AZ
Treasurer, Mr. Alan Cochrane, Church of the Beatitudes, Phoenix, AZ
Secretary, Ms. Barbara Nordlund, Scottsdale Congregational UCC, Scottsdale, AZ
National Representatives:
Office of General Ministries, Vacant
Executive Council, Mr. Josh Whistler, Shepherd of the Hills Cong. UCC, Phoenix, AZ
Local Church Ministries, Ms. Janet Leung, First Congregational UCC, Flagstaff, AZ
Wider Church Ministries, Rev. Tyler Connoley,Valley Community Church, Silver City, AZ
Justice & Witness Ministry, Mr. Marcos Aragon, Desert View UCC, El Paso, TX
Church Representatives:
To be selected by each church
