Center for Technology Report to the Called Session of Annual Conference

Center on Technology

Imagine Ministry Task Force

The Task Force recognizes the significant challenge in developing a technological delivery system that resources local congregations in achieving their goal of “making disciples and transforming communities”. Since this endeavor is new to the Arkansas Annual Conference and there are few places for comparison, the Task Force begins its work with the assistance of a “web system” designer. The United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas has provided funding for this consultant relationship. Dr. Jim Pagan has been selected to lead the Task Force in the development of the Center. The target completion date of the design phase is June 1, 2012.

The following steps will be taken:

1. Front-end Analysis
2. Design
3. Development
4. Implementation and Evaluation

The Center of Technology will be created with these beginning thoughts in mind.

The Target Audiences are:

• Clergy
• Lay leadership
• Staff/Administration
• Active parishioners
• Inactive parishioners
• Unchurched

The Objectives:

• T = Training, assisting the Center for Lay and Clergy Excellence in Leadership offering opportunities for lay and clergy
• C = Communication, assisting the Network of Heart and Life in awareness of discipleship and mission opportunities, as well as connecting persons and congregations
• M = Marketing, telling the story of Arkansas United Methodism

The Task Force envisions the outcomes of the Center of Technology to be:

1. Support pastors, staff and laity by delivering opportunities for growth, networking, and skill development. (Training and Communication)
2. Facilitate communication between churches, districts, and the conference. (Communication)
3. Expand opportunities for spiritual growth by providing resources and tools for people of all generations.
4. Recapture the church’s sense of relevancy by focusing on the UM mission and by expanding opportunities for learning and serving. (Training and Marketing)
5. Share the stories of the church’s missional efforts to inspire and encourage one another. (Communication and Marketing)
6. Make more efficient use of the church’s resources. (Communication and Training)
7. Increase entry and connection points into the church in order to reach and engage the un-churched and nominal members. (Communication and Marketing)
8. Strengthen clergy and lay effectiveness. (Training)
9. Expand opportunities to financially support the church through the utilization of online giving technology. (Marketing/
10. Utilize web-based resources to streamline and improve local church management and reporting. (Training and Communication)
11. Develop specifications/standards for local church hardware and software, a provide counsel to local churches upgrading technology infrastructure. (Training)