News

Trustees and CF&A unanimous in support of AC22 recommendation to reduce pension liabilities for disaffiliating churches CF&A review shows CTC finances/pension plan secure going forward with updated policy Updated policy to only reduce pension liability portion of exit costs for disaffiliating churches – no funds to be paid to churches leaving the UMC Updated Disaffiliation Exit Costs expected to be available by early August Acting as swiftly as possible following the conclusion of the...

The South Central Jurisdiction Committee on Episcopacy has decided, in consultation with the College of Bishops, to recommend that the Jurisdictional Conference elect three new bishops in November 2022.   With three elections, the SCJ would have a total of nine bishops available to be assigned to the 10 current episcopal areas. The tenth episcopal area will be left open with episcopal coverage to be determined by the Council of Bishops upon recommendation from the SCJ College of Bishops ...

MAY 27, 2022 by Dr. Maidstone Mulenga, COB Director of Communications In response to Judicial Council decision 1445, the Council of Bishops (COB) has formally set the dates for regular sessions of the Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church (UMC) to be convened November 2-5, 2022.   During a special COB meeting held today, the bishops approved a motion that the jurisdictional conferences will meet for purpose of the election and assignment of new bishops for the limited ...

 Jeff Roper to retire effective July 1; Great Plains Treasurer & Director of Administrative Services Scott Brewer to also provide strategic oversight coverage for CTC Finance & Administration Team May 24, 2022 Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., resident bishop of the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church has announced that Jeff Roper, executive director of the Roberts Center for Leadership and Administration/Conference Benefits Officer has decided to retire at the end of June. Scott ...

Decision 1445 allows Jurisdictional Episcopal elections absent of General Conference; sets parameters for episcopal assignment dates; affirms the General Conference 2016 formula and number of bishops remains in force. The Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church has released its much-anticipated decision as to whether Jurisdictional Conferences could be called and convened due to the ongoing postponement of General Conference 2020. In Decision No. 1445, the Council has ruled in favor of ...

While firefighters have control and extinguished most of the wildfires that raged across the western part of Texas last week, the Central Texas Conference remains in prayer for all those affected. Tens of thousands of acres have been burned along with several homes and public buildings. Much of the damage occurred in the western part of our conference – with Eastland, Erath and Hood Counties bearing the brunt of most of the losses and damage. There is much to be done in the short- and long-term ...

Make plans to swing by the UTA Wesley, Sunday, April 3 for a Farewell & Welcome Celebration. The Mitchell Family Rev. Thomas Mitchell, who has served as the director of the UTA Wesley Foundation since July 2018 was recently appointed to First Methodist Mansfield as an Associate Pastor. Thomas and his family will officially begin their ministry at First Mansfield beginning May 1. The Jones Family  Last month, the Roberts Center for Leadership and Administration announced Rev. ...

COB seeks Judicial Council Guidance on Jurisdictional Conferences by Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga, COB Director of Communications March 16, 2022 The Bishops of The United Methodist Church in their March 15 called meeting discerned pathways for churches choosing disaffiliation and separation. The bishops have met two consecutive weeks to discern pathways forward in these changing times. The bishops affirmed by an overwhelming majority that paragraph 2553 in the Book of Discipline would be the ...

by Dr. Maidstone Mulenga, Communications Director for the UMC Council of Bishops March 8, 2022 The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church is requesting a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council on whether an annual conference can separate from the denomination under the provision of the Book of Discipline.  During a special meeting COB held via Zoom and through electronic balloting, the bishops approved a request to ask the church’s top court to address six questions:        ...

As the pandemic continues and the wait time for visas stretches to over two years in some countries, the Commission on the General Conference announced today that the 2020 General Conference cannot be held in 2022 due to COVID-related and governmental policies/constraints.  Commission members received a report based on conversations with multiple officials of the U. S. Department of State outlining the massive backlog of visa applications in some areas. This backlog has led to wait times up to...

The Central Texas Conference welcomes new District Administrators Kara Miller (South/Central) and Melissa Shamburger (East) as Della Connor and Amy Robbins transition into new roles. District Superintendents Beverly Connelly (South/Central), Leah Hidde-Gregory (New Church Start) and Philip Rhodes (East) have announced the following District Administrator (DA) changes effective February 15: East District - Melissa Shamburger will succeed Amy Robbins, who assumed the role of Conference ...

The Central Texas Conference (CTC) is excited to announce Amy Robbins as the Coordinator for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This position, which is aligned with the Central Texas Conference Episcopal Office, was created in response to the report and recommendation of the Inclusiveness Umbrella Team during the 2021 Annual Conference (page 130-132 of the 2021 Central Texas Conference Journal). The Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is responsible for providing leadership in ...

Maria Shupe will join the GLC team Dec. 1 and is excited to continue and build upon “a very strong foundation” set forth by exiting Executive Director Natalie Davidson and the GLC staff and board. Maria brings 30-plus years of Christian Education ministry experience (with nearly 20 years in camp, retreat and conference ministries). Nov. 3, 2021 The Central Texas Conference and the Glen Lake Board of Directors is excited to announce Maria Shupe as the next Executive Director of Glen Lake Camp. ...

The Central Texas Conference continues to monitor the ongoing Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Bankruptcy as the CTC and the local churches of the conference work through different and forward-looking ways to continue to safely, carefully and effectively be together in ministry with BSA troops and packs. The conference was recently informed by the United Methodist Ad Hoc Committee* that thousands of United Methodist churches across the U.S. will soon receive a Disclosure Statement Package related to...

Meeting to be held via Zoom beginning at 7 p.m.  Register Here Last month (Sept. 22), the conference announced AACtion! Strengthening Our African American Witness – a one-million-dollar initiative imagined by the Central Texas Conference Cabinet. The aim of AACtion! is to grow and strengthen our African American Churches’ witness and fruitfulness in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As a follow up to the information and resources about AACtion! already ...

Mandatory Active Clergy meetings set for Oct. 14, 18 & 28 via Zoom. Register Here Last month, Bishop Lowry sent a letter to Central Texas Conference clergy, lay leadership and Trustee chairs directing all churches, faith communities and ministries of the CTC to end all chartering agreements with the Boy Scouts of America by Dec. 31, 2021 and establish a Facility Use Agreement with their BSA troop or pack(s).   Beginning Oct. 14, Jeff Roper, Executive Director of the Roberts Center for ...

Rev. Lance Marshall and Dr. Bruster to be named Co-Senior Pastors on Nov. 1, with Lance as Senior Pastor following Tim’s retirement next June. Oct 4., 2021 On Sunday October 3, 2021, Dr. Tim Buster, senior pastor of First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, announced his plans to retire from active ministry in June 2022. Tim has served as senior pastor of First Forth Worth for the past nineteen years. Rev. Lance Marshall has been announced to succeed Tim as senior pastor. Lance will assume ...

New, part-time position to support, enhance and grow impact of Campus ministries as well as increasing opportunities to reach and encourage young adults considering a call to ministry. September 30, 2021 The development of the next generation of clergy and lay leadership is a long-standing core conviction and driving force in the Central Texas Conference’s mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. “Bishop Lowry has repeatedly reminded us on the Cabinet, as ...

As circumstances regarding a proposed legal settlement by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) regarding ongoing litigation involving alleged sexual misconduct in scouting continue to evolve, Bishop Lowry issued the letter below to the clergy and Trustee chairs of the CTC directing all churches, faith communities and ministries of the Central Texas Conference to end all chartering agreements with the BSA by Dec. 31, 2021 and establish a Facility Use Agreement (FUA) if the church chooses to maintain ...

Sept. 15 - Wespath has released information regarding updates to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program that creates an opportunity for clergy and other faith-based, non-profit employees to potentially have certain student loans forgiven. Effective July 1, 2021, eligibility rules for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program have been changed. This change creates a new opportunity for clergy members and other employees of not-for-profit organizations engaged in faith-based ...