"Developing Ministries" are freer to respond to the needs and requests of the churches and ministers who make up the Conference. Some volunteers who serve these Developing Ministries will have an overview and administrative function, but most will focus on one project, one issue, without the need to meet regularly and deal with a whole umbrella of concerns.

The Annual Meeting asks that, over the course of the coming program year, 2000-2001, the functions currently carried out by the five Commissions of the Conference be undertaken by the means described in the "Developing Ministries" section of "Reconceptualizing" Here is how this might work.

Church & Mission
Bylaws state: "The commission shall administer the Conference's outreach funds in response to the Conference's priorities and goals.represent the Conference.on matters of social justice and liberation through ecumenical ventures, its own actions, and/or such initiatives as it shall consider appropriate.be responsible for the Conference's participation in Campus Ministries and shall establish a standing committee to support and oversee these responsibilities."

CURRENT FUNCTIONING: Commission administers outreach funds, plans programs. Representation of the Conference occurs through appointments by Board of Directors or Conference Minister. There are no resources for support of campus ministries.

1^st Steps to Reconceptualizing: The Commission meets and members could assign themselves, based on their gifts, commitments, and interests to any of the following:

serve on the Overview Board of Ministries of Outreach

establish a ministry network of campus ministers

plan Ministries of Outreach programs

Nominating Commission
Bylaws state: "The Nominating Commission shall be responsible to secure dynamic and competent leadership for the Conference.."

CURRENT FUNCTIONING: Commission distributes talent bank sheets, works with those returned to fill slots on ballot.

1^st Steps to Reconceptualizing: The Commission would still have the responsibility of securing leadership for the Conference, but, by placing themselves within Ministries of Leadership Development, the emphasis on developing leadership and actively seeking new leaders would be greater than the reliance on talent blank forms. The Nominating Commission might begin their task this fall with a half-day retreat, inviting input from people not on the Nominating Commission in order to generate ideas about traits and talents needed, and names of people who might have those gifts and commitments.

Parish Life & Work
Bylaws state: "The commission shall be responsible for development and supervision of programs and activities of the Conference relating to the nurture and growth of the local church, Christian Education, exploration and understanding of our faith, and support of the caring community and fellowship of all persons throughout the Conference."

CURRENT FUNCTIONING: Over the past year the Commission has been very active in assessing their roles and possibilities, seeking ways to serve congregations, sponsoring a Church Leaders' Day

1^st Steps to Reconceptualizing: The Commission meets and members could assign themselves, based on their gifts, commitments, and interests to any of the following:

serve on the Overview Board for Ministries Faith Enhancement

serve on the Overview Board for Ministries of Leadership Development

establish a ministry network of Christian Educators

plan programs of Leadership Development, such as the Church Leaders' event

plan programs of Faith Enhancement

Stewardship & Interpretation Commission
Bylaws state: "The commission shall be responsible for relating the commitment to outreach and service to others with the giving of ourselves and our resources; for development of leaders and programs for helping local churches support local, Conference, and national efforts."

CURRENT FUNCTIONING: The Commission has been in a state of transition.

1^st Steps to Reconceptualizing: The Commission meets and members could assign themselves, based on their gifts, commitments, and interests to any of the following:

serve on the Overview Board for Ministries of Faith Enhancement

serve on the Overview Board for Ministries of Leadership Development

serve on Communications, in Sustaining Ministries

plan programs of Leadership Development

plan programs of Faith Enhancement

Youth & Young Adult Commission
Bylaws state: "The commission shall be responsible for the development and supervision of programs and activities of the Conference in relation to youth and camping at all ages.."

CURRENT FUNCTIONING: The Commission has begun assessing its possibilities.

1^st Steps to Reconceptualizing: The Commission [not including Camping Committee] meets and members could assign themselves, based on their gifts, commitments, and interests to any of the following:

serve on the Overview Board for Ministries of Leadership Development

serve on the Overview Board for Ministries of Faith Enhancement

establish a Youth Ministry Network

plan programs of Leadership Development

plan programs of Faith Enhancement