2008 Journal Cover Pages.pub - Wisconsin Conference United ...

2008 Wisconsin Conference Journalimplement those changes within our candidacy and ordination process. The General Boardof Higher Education and Ministry will be conducting training sessions for representativesand staff of all Annual Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry in the fall of 2008 toprovide information about any changes made by the General Conference. Representativesof the Wisconsin Conference Board will participate in these training sessions.Following General Conference, the Board will be conducting training events for Candidacyand Clergy Mentors, as well as for all members of the District Committees on OrdainedMinistry and the Board of Ordained Ministry, to help them understand their responsibilitiesin the recruitment, credentialing and nurturing processes. There will also be an additionalone-day meeting of the Board of Ordained Ministry in September to provided orientationfor new Board members and information about any changes in the Book of Discipline thataffect the work of the Board.The aim behind all of these many activities is to provide the United Methodist people ofWisconsin with the best clergy leadership possible, and to help those whom God has calledto be clergy in the Wisconsin Conference to be the best leaders that they can possibly be,with the ultimate goal of empowering every United Methodist in Wisconsin to “Live, Give,Love …Beyond All Expectation.”Richard Strait, ChairpersonKevin Rice Myers, Executive SecretaryJo i n t Bo a r d Of Pe n s i o n s,In s u r a n c e & Eq u i ta b l e Co m p e n s at i o nIntroductory CommentsThe Joint Board of Pensions, Insurance & Equitable Compensation (Joint Board) hasadministrative and stewardship responsibility for the following:Pensions, death and disability benefits for 1) active and retired clergy under appointmentto the Wisconsin Conference, and 2) active and retired laity employed by the WisconsinConference.Group health insurance for 1) active and retired clergy under appointment to the WisconsinConference, 2) active and retired laity employed by the Wisconsin Conference, and 3)active and retired laity employed by Wisconsin United Methodist churches.Equitable Compensation support to local churches to ensure that pastors under appointmentare provided at least minimum salary compensation at churches that may need financialassistance.Highlights and Accomplishments of the Past YearThe Joint Board met all pension obligations of the Wisconsin Conference by payingthe Pre-82 Pension Plan obligation at the rate approved by the Wisconsin Conference.Seventeen congregations were provided Equitable Compensation support. The JointBoard continues to balance premium costs with health insurance benefits through ourparticipation in HealthFlex, the United Methodist denomination’s health insurance plan,220 Reports of Boards and Agencies