Responsibilities and Roles of District & Conference Teams

This document outlines responsibilities and roles for those working with Hispanic Ministry in the North Indiana Conference. These items were approved September 2004.

The Conference Committee

1. Interpret and advocate for Hispanic/Latino ministries - the focus is Hispanic/Latino ministry
2. Create a comprehensive plan for Hispanic/Latino ministry in the conference
   1. Create a vision with plans and goals for the conference
   2. Clarify priorities
   3. Clarify the role of personnel and give direction to conference coordinator
   4. Identify geographical areas to focus in
   5. Challenge, support and evaluate Hispanic/Latino ministry across the conference
3. Provide training for:
   1. District Committees
   2. Lay Missioner and Pastor Mentors (Hispanic and non-Hispanic)
   3. Local Churches
4. Secure and provide informational resources for program development
5. Support, monitor and evaluate the implementation of its various Hispanic/Latino ministries
6. Provide information and support to and evaluation of District Committees

Conference Coordinator

1. Implement the vision, goals and plans of the Conference Committee
2. Support and resource District Committees and assist them as they implement their goals
3. Organize and provide training as directed and needed
   1. Create budgets for training under the direction of the Conference Committee
   2. Monitor those trained
   3. Keep District Superintendents and District Committees informed as to who is trained, who needs assignments, etc...
4. Work with District Superintendents and District Committees...
   1. To develop guidelines of needs and identify who and how the needs can be addressed
   2. To help prepare the Local Church to receive and welcome the Hispanic/Latino community
   3. To provide resources for training
   4. To help in the evaluation of Hispanic/Latino ministries
   5. To align missioners with pastor mentors
   6. To assign lay missioners to ministries
5. Work in non-Hispanic churches to promote Hispanic/Latino ministry
6. Be a conference advocate for Hispanic/Latino ministry

District Committee

1. In conversation and cooperation with the District Superintendent and the Conference Coordinator:
   1. Create a plan for Hispanic/Latino ministry in the District
   2. Identify people to be lay missioners and pastor mentors (non-Hispanic)
   3. Identify settings for Hispanic/Latino ministries
   4. Identify and help prepare non-Hispanic Local Churches to sponsor and develop faith communities connected to their local congregations
   5. Align pastor mentors and lay missioners
   6. Assign lay missioners to ministries
2. Evaluate District ministries on a regular basis
3. Request training as needed for missioners, pastor mentors, local churches and local pastors wanting to be engaged in Hispanic/Latino ministry
4. Assure that all faith communities are connected to a local congregation with support and with the possibility of church membership for the participants
5. Work with the District Superintendent to identify financial resources in local churches, in the district and in the community for the support of faith communities

District Superintendent

1. Create a District Committee to oversee the Hispanic/Latino ministry in the District and appoint a chair
2. Help develop a district plan with the District Committee and the Conference Coordinator
3. Assign lay missioners and pastor mentors in conversation with the Conference Coordinator
4. Recruit non-Hispanic pastors to serve as pastor mentors; assist in aligning pastor mentors with lay missioners
5. With the District Committee, help identify local churches to which faith communities shall be connected
6. Work with and give direction to lay missioners who are feeling called into the ministry of a local pastor or ordained clergy
7. With the District Committee, give guidance to the development of faith communities
8. Clearly communicate with the Conference Coordinator on matters related to Hispanic/Latino ministry