Hutchinson Initiative challenges leadership

About 20 congregations from across the New Mexico Conference have been invited to the first Hutchinson Leadership Initiative that will be held on Sept. 23-25 in Albuquerque. 

Congregational teams including the pastor and four leaders of each congregation will engage in developing specific plans and timeline for leadership development of dynamic, transformative ministry in their local settings. By completion of their work together on Sunday afternoon, each team will leave with visions, strategies, implementation plans, timelines and systems of accountability that they will develop through the course of the weekend.

Four presentations will be made by nationally recognized leaders in the field of local church leadership.  Dr. Gil Rendle will address issues around two driving questions:  How can we lead with a purpose-driven vision and what does leadership in churches look like in today’s emerging church with its various tensions.  Dr. Paul Hopkins, author of the recently published book, Pursuing Pastoral Excellence, will focus on excellence in the role of pastor as leader.  Complimenting that will be the presentation by Mr. Henry Joyner, retired vice president of American Airlines, who will target discoveries and wisdom from the business arena that benefit development of leadership among laity in the local church.  Dr. Philip and Janet Jamieson will focus on financial leadership to support effective growth of local church mission and ministry. 

Team members will be encouraged to prepare for the weekend through reading and discussion of various books that are being provided to participants and other resources to stimulate ideas for expansion of leadership and ministry in local settings. 

Those congregations that are participating in the Healthy Church Initiative will use the plans developed in the Hutchinson Initiative as groundwork for their engagement in the other Initiative.  Congregations that are not participating in the Healthy Church Initiative will have ongoing consultation with Dr. Don Holladay who will be serving as a Process Strategist for 15 months following the Initiative event to support the ongoing work of each congregation. 

The New Mexico Conference Methodist Foundation is providing financial underwriting for the Hutchinson Leadership Initiative through the Bill and Kay Hutchinson Leadership Development Endowment.  Plans for the Initiative were developed in 2010 by a team drawn from lay and clergy leaders in the Conference and Foundation.