As a congregation of the new Global Methodist Church, a Simplified Accountable Structure will help your congregation transition from a top-heavy, complicated organizational structure to a streamlined, simplified, accountable structure that involves fewer people in governance, sets more people free for hands-on ministry, and provides better focus on missional objectives.
Here are some of the benefits of such an approach:
- Reduces the amount of bureaucracy
- Reduces the amount of meetings
- Frees more people to be involved in hands-on ministry rather than administration.
- Minimizes micromanagement and groups whose function it is to make decisions about how others execute ministry in the church
- Allows the single governing body to focus on the larger mission and vision of the congregation and the pastor to lead in achieving that vision
- Allows for the governing body and congregation to trust the pastor to lead, to trust the staff/ministry leaders to manage and coordinate their ministry teams, and to trust the people of the congregation to do the ministry
- Provides better alignment to accomplish goals, and better accountability in measuring progress toward them at every level
The Book of Doctrines and Discipline of the GMC allows for flexibility in structuring this way, but it is vital that the pastor and leadership receive training in this model and coaching along the way in how to function with such a structure. A number of congregations have simply adopted a simplified structure but then have struggled with how to function within it. Changing to a simplified, accountable leadership structure is more than reducing the number of people at the table; it is about changing the work and conversation at the table. ~Kay Kotan
I am credentialed as a coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and have received specific training in equipping and coaching congregations in implementing a Simplified Accountable Structure. I would offer a two-year agreement with your congregation which would include:
Discerning Phase – Jan-April (Year 1)
Equipping Phase – May – December (Year 1)
Implementation Phase (Year 2)
4. Equip/Train Governing Body (refresh continuing members/train new members)
I invite you to give me a call or send me a text (830-992-0181) or email (revjasonfry@gmail.com) to inquire further how I might assist your congregation in successfully transitioning to such a model that can bear real fruit for your congregation in fulfilling its mission to “make disciples and spread Scriptural holiness across the globe.”
A little about me: I retired from pastoral ministry in the Rio Texas Conference of the UMC in 2019 after almost 40 years of pastoral experience in small, medium and large congregations in rural and suburban settings. I became knowledgeable and experienced in simplified accountable structure in the final years of my pastoral ministry. More recently, After 40 years as a clergy member of the United Methodist Church, I became an Elder (Senior Status) clergy member of the Mid Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church in July of 2023, and am appointed to this ministry of coaching & consulting by the Mid Texas Conference as an extension ministry. But I have clients in many other places. I am credentialed as an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation and endorsed for Coaching Ministries by the Global Methodist Church. Most significantly, I have received specific training as a Simplified Accountable Structure (SAS) Coach by the authors of Mission Possible Expanded 3rd Edition and have experience in assisting congregations in effectively transitioning to this model.