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2012 Appointments


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Dear Friends in Christ,

Transitions are a part of life and a part of the United Methodist Tradition, but that does not make it easy. The cabinet and I are in prayer for you and your ministry. We are grateful that you are faithfully and prayerfully engaging in the appointment setting process. The process is most effective as all of the partners participate prayerfully, are open to the discernment of the Holy Spirit, and participate in a spirit of consultation. Thank you for being a partner in this process.

As the cabinet and I do our ministry of making appointments we:

1. Begin each session that we make appointments with worship, communion, Bible study and prayer

2. Each action we take is done prayerfully

3. We rely on the information gathered through the district superintendent's and discipler guide's conversations with the staff parish relations committee, the three appointment track record of congregations and pastors and impressions through charge conference meetings and worship experiences

4. We seek to maximize the potential for the work of ministry across the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the potential fruit that may be realized in the following areas:

  • a. Making disciples including new disciples (professions of faith)
  • b. Growing a quality experience in worship and the number of people attending worship
  • c. Engaging the congregation in mission and ministry in its community and the world
  • d. Healthy stewardship including 100% payment of apportionments
  • e. Demonstrating the power of God in and through the congregation as demonstrated through signs and wonders.

Items a through e are from Acts 2 as it describes the church. We believe all of our congregations over time will not only achieve all of these fruits but also excel in bearing fruit. It requires a partnership in which we rely on the Holy Spirit and work together as one.

We desire to continue to work with you after the appointment is made. Your new pastor and key church leaders will discuss in the coming months how best to start a healthy pastoral ministry to achieve these fruits. We will also provide a transition workshop to assist your new pastor in this transition.

Please continue to let us know how we can best support your ministry.

Keep the faith!

John R. Schol

We seek to be like Christ as we call, equip, send and support spiritual leaders to make disciples and grow at least 600 Acts 2 congregations by 2012