By Rick Wolcott*

Central Valley. Northern Waters. South Forest. West Plains. New names for new districts in the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Each new district has a superintendency team as chief missional strategist and a new lay- and clergy-led leadership structure designed for missional effectiveness.

“Reducing the number of districts, remapping the areas of each district, creating a new district leadership structure, and deploying superintendency teams in each district will strengthen, support and further the resourcing of pastors, local churches, and faith communities in our East Ohio Conference,” said Bishop Tracy S. Malone. “Restructuring the number of districts and the leadership models in those districts will also help us re-direct more attention to the local church, provide greater flexibility with resources, and generate more opportunity for creative ministries and the possibility for starting fresh expressions and new faith communities.”

Many local churches across the East Ohio Conference – and many more throughout the connection of The United Methodist Church – are utilizing the Simplified Accountable Structure (SAS) as the leadership model for their boards, councils, and committees.

For the past several months Bishop Malone, the Cabinet, the EOC executive staff team, and the Connectional Ministries team have been working to implement the leadership structure in the new East Ohio Conference districts with SAS creators Kay Kotan and Rev. Blake Bradford, authors of the book Mission Possible 3+: A Simplified Structure for Missional Effectiveness. The purpose for switching to the SAS structure is to simplify governance and unleash local ministry.

The new SAS leadership model in each of the four districts consists of a District Leadership Board, a District Mission and Strategy Team, and a District Committee on Ministry.

The District Leadership Board is focused on governance. It combines many of the responsibilities of the former District Council, District Board of Trustees, District Committee on Superintendency, District Finance Committee, and Nominations.

The District Mission and Strategy Team is focused on strategy in the mission field. Its members will consider local church building plans and land proposals, new church starts, grants and more.

The District Committee on Ministry is focused on building clergy leadership. In conjunction with the Conference Board of Ministry, District Committee on Ministry members will recruit, interview, and recommend candidates for ministry, and work with them through the credentialing process.

“I am encouraged that this Simplified Accountable Structure has tremendous potential to enhance how we live into our vision and mission in the East Ohio Conference. This new leadership structure empowers laity in significant ways to provide strategic direction for how the mission of Jesus Christ will unfold in our new districts,” said Rev. Ed Fashbaugh, executive director of Connectional Ministries. “With clergy and laity partnering in a new way I have great hope for the future of the United Methodist movement in East Ohio to keep making disciples of Jesus Christ.”

Clergy and laity are invited to learn more about the new district Simplified Accountable Structure at the first gathering in each new district the weekend of January 27-28. Come for a time of worshipping, connecting, and celebrating together with Bishop Tracy S. Malone, Conference staff, and the superintendent teams and leadership in each district. If you are unable to attend the gathering scheduled in your district, you are encouraged to attend one in another district.

West Plains District
10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 27 @ Ashland First UMC
(220 Sandusky Street in Ashland, 44805)

Northern Waters District
1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 27 @ Mayfield UMC
(7747 Mayfield Road in Chesterland, 44026)

Central Valley District
3:30 p.m. Saturday, January 27 @ North Canton Faith UMC
(300 9th Street NW in North Canton, 44720)

South Forest District
2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 28 @ Cambridge First UMC
(641 Steubenville Avenue in Cambridge, 43725)

View the map of the new districts and visit the new district web pages.

*Rick Wolcott is executive director of Communications for the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.