Committees, Teams and Commissions
The Missouri Conference is composed of several commissions, teams, and committees. With the information below you can learn about the purpose of each group and contact their chair person. To jump to a specific section on the page, click one of the links below.
Conference Commissions
Camping and Retreat Commission
The Missouri Camp and Retreat Commission was created for the administration of the overall camping and retreat ministry in the Missouri Conference.
E-mail: David Israel, Chair
Communications Commission
The Communications Commission supports the mission and ministry of the Missouri Annual Conference, the work of the bishop of the Missouri Conference and furthers the larger mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church.
E-mail: Curtis Olsen, Chair
Office of Creative Ministries
The Creative Ministries Board gives oversight to the director and staff of the Office of Creative Ministries.
E-mail Franklin Walker, Chair
Conference Teams
Clergy Support Team
The Clergy Support Team provides support for ministry through pensions, health insurance and equitable compensation, and cooperates with the ordained ministry team to consolidate clergy scholarships and continuing education funds into one process. The membership will include a Board of Pensions member and other members to carry the balance of responsibilities.
E-mail: Marsha Kerr, Chair
Congregational Development Team
The functions of the Congregational Development Team are to provide resources for starting new congregations, strengthen existing congregations, and explore alternative ministries. Functions may include research/demographics for locating new church starts, assisting established churches in adapting to change, and developing strategies for ministries in ethnic, urban, suburban, town and rural congregations of all sizes.
E-mail: Kent Cable, Chair
Core Practices Team
Although most resourcing of congregations will occur through the districts, the annual conferences provide a Core Practices Team as a linking resource to districts, congregations and the general church to support the core process of congregations (invite, form and send) with sensitivity to the needs of ethnic ministries. Within the total membership of nine, there may be coordinators of areas such as evangelism, education, stewardship, worship, children's ministry, youth ministry, deaf ministries, African-American, Hispanic, Korean, Native American and other racial/ethnic ministries that may be developed.
E-mail: Chris Dumas, Chair
Finance and Administration Team
The Finance and Administration Team serves as a finance committee, to administer the affairs of the conference, to provide administrative support for congregations, to consult with the Council to draft a conference budget and to present the recommended budget to the Annual Conference session.
E-mail: Lynn Dyke, Chair
Global Connections Team
The Global Connection Team coordinates and advocates the global outreach of the churches of the annual conference, including volunteers in mission and disaster response and health, wholeness and welfare ministries.
E-mail Franklin Walker, Chair
Lay Ministry Team
The Lay Ministry Team supports the congregations through the training, support, and empowering of lay leadership for ministry. This includes the ministries of lay speakers, lay leaders and those serving as lay ministers.
E-mail: Brian Hammons, Chair
Values Team
The Values Team affirms and advocates our values in the Missouri Conference and calls us to faithfulness to the Gospel and the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. The Values Team connects the Missouri Conference with the General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, and through these mandates encourages diversity and inclusiveness in all levels of the church.
E-mail: Michele Sue Shumake Keller, Chair
Board of Ordained Ministry
The Board of Ordained Ministry supports congregations by identifying, equipping and deploying clergy leadership for ministry. This includes both ordained and diaconal ministry and all certified candidates under appointment.
E-mail: Steve Breon, Chair
Conference Committees
Annual Conference Sessions Committee
The Annual Conference Sessions Committee plans annual sessions of the Annual Conference.
E-mail: Jim Barnett, Co-Chair
E-mail: Mary Ann Morris, Co-Chair
Archives and History Committee
The Archives and History Committee preserves the archives and history of the conference.
E-mail: Maryellen McVicker
Episcopacy Committee
The Episcopacy Committee supports and assists the Bishop while communicating between the episcopal office and the Conference.
E-mail: Cody Collier
Mozambique Initiative Advisory Committee
The Mozambique Initiative Advisory Committee guides the Conference’s work with our brothers and sisters in Mozambique. Missouri’s ministry with Mozambican United Methodist Churches includes supporting pastors, churches, agencies and, of course, helping to provide safe drinking water by drilling wells.
E-mail: Tom Mitchell, Chair
Nominating Committee
The Nominating Committee nominates officers and members of conference units unless otherwise designated by the Book of Discipline.
E-mail: Betsy Vicente
Rules and Procedures Committee
The Rules and Procedures Committee reviews and recommends changes in the Standing Rules, monitors the Book of Discipline for the purpose of keeping the Standing Rules in harmony, and calls attention to any violations of the Standing Rules.
E-mail: Karen Taylor, Chair
Social Justice Team
E-mail: Margie Briggs, Chair
Trustees
The Trustees perform those duties outlined in the Book of Discipline and in keeping with the laws of the state of Missouri. The membership is chosen in compliance with the Book of Discipline and the laws of the state of Missouri.
E-mail: Mark Rundel, Chair