Greetings to the Arkansas Annual Conference!
I write with a follow-up to the communication shared by our Conference Council on Finance (CFA) on their work on the conference budget and resulting staff reductions. I give God thanks for the work the CFA has done on our behalf, especially over the past 18 months.
In 2023, the Arkansas Annual Conference voted to approve a $1.3 million reduction to the conference budget that included cuts in program ministries, General Church apportionments, the Conference Communications Budget, and additional reserve funding by the Board of Pensions. This was due to the loss of tithe income due to disaffiliation.
At the 2024 Annual Conference, CFA will propose a budget reflecting an additional $1.1 million reduction. As noted in their recent message, this year the lion’s share of those proposed reductions—$861,000, to be precise—will come from conference staff positions or compensation changes. While we have worked very hard to make strategic decisions, these changes are not easy to make, nor are they a reflection of the value we place on the faithful work of our staff. I am grateful for the willingness of the CFA to provide the generous severance package offered to departing staff.
Three transitions have already happened.
As part of the reimagining and restructuring of our conference work, two full-time conference positions, those of IT Manager and Videographer, were eliminated. Palmer Lee and Christina Choh have blessed us as colleagues, and it was very difficult to see them go. Palmer served on staff for eleven years and was able to help many, many people and churches with technology related issues. Christina joined the staff in 2019 as an intern and then throughout her years on staff she won nine different awards for excellence in video, photography, and design work.
Going forward, IT-related requests for help should be referred to Todd Burris.
We have also said goodbye to our Conference Benefits Officer, Mona Williams, who submitted her retirement effective earlier this month, after 23 years of service. Mona was instrumental in bringing together the North Arkansas and Little Rock Conference pension and benefits programs. We wish Mona well and are also grateful for the gifts and expertise of Wendy Brunson Daniels, who will now handle all pension and benefits-related matters.
Other changes will become effective on July 1, 2024. These changes include the following:
- A 10.2% reduction in salary for four District Superintendents and three full-time directors.
- Reduction in salaries for 10 other conference staff persons, for a total of $32,699.00 – Most of these cuts are in the 3-5% range.
- Elimination of the ReStart Ministries Director position – In July, Rev. Dr. Michael Roberts will be appointed as the full-time pastor of First UMC in Jonesboro. He has served our conference faithfully and well during a painful time, sharing generous encouragement with churches and people impacted by disaffiliation. His deep, joyful commitment to the mission of the United Methodist Church in Arkansas has been a gift to us.
- Reduction of the Director of Discipleship and Leadership Development position from full-time to half-time – Michelle Moore will continue to resource age-level ministries, from children through young adults. Her good work with laity in the conference just since July has given vital coordination and support to our strong Lay Servant Ministries and Certified Lay Minister training and networks. Going forward, those efforts will be connected to the work of the Cabinet through one of the district superintendents.
- Reduction of district administrator positions from five to four – As we anticipate changes to our district configuration, I am very grateful that we will retain the experience and servant leadership of Audrea Stephens (currently SE District Administrator), who will work remotely as conference staff, taking on administrative duties reallocated from various reduced and vacated positions.
- Elimination of funding for the museum curator position and one archivist.
Members of the Annual Conference will vote in June on the proposal to reduce from five districts to four. You may read more information about this plan here.
It’s important for you to know that, while these cuts are ones we will feel in real time and real ways, all of the conference leadership involved have done their best to act as stewards of our future ministry. We need to be sustainable in what we do, at the local level and every other level. We also have to consistently ask, even as one thing is ending, what is the new thing God is seeking to do, or already doing (Isaiah 43:19)? If a task will no longer be done by paid staff, does it need to be done? Is there another way to do it? Are there connections or networks that the Holy Spirit can help us see or create, to strengthen our ministry? I trust God to lead us through this season and to raise up whatever we need to accomplish what God is asking of us.
In the meantime, over the next several months, our conference staff will be living and working through a time of transition. I hope you will pray for them and for all who feel pain as a result of this reduction. Please extend patience as they navigate these changes with fewer staff, reduced salary, and for many, added responsibilities. Know that they work hard and faithfully and are doing their very best to serve you and Christ’s church.
Finally, I want to thank again our Conference Council of Finance and Administration for their diligent research and tireless, open-hearted collaboration.
Grace and peace,
Laura Merrill
Bishop