Steve Taylor, Executive Director, gave the report for Connectional Ministries by beginning with thanks for the ministry of Terry Hunt. Terry has been the Leadership Team Coordinator for the past six years.
“The North Carolina Conference has been gifted by the deep faith and strong leadership of the one who has held key leadership in his role of Leadership Team Coordinator,” said Taylor. “He has cast vision, provided training, been an incredibly effective congregational coach, pastored his own small church, and helped us engage at ever deeper levels the important work of dismantling racism and leadership development.”
The Rev. Ernesto Bariguette was introduced as the new director for Multicultural Ministries. Reports were heard from Bryan Heymans, chair of Church & Society, Bruce Skipper, chair of Evangelism, Christi Dye, chair of the newly-formed Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW), and Eldrick Davis, chair of Strengthening the Black Church.
Taylor then shared the progress of Shift. “The purpose of Shift is to assist congregations, moving from their strengths, to engage ministries of ever deepening vitality in ways that are relevant to their local settings. Shift is not a program, it is simply a process. We will once again extend an invitation to twelve congregations to engage in the Shift process of seeking fuller vitality, more engaged outreach, worship as lifestyle, and deeper discipleship. We will soon post invitation on Threads and the Conference website.”