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Who does what in the Florida Conference?

Florida United Methodist Building
450 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33815
800-282-8011 (toll free) or 863-688-5563

 
Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church: Core Ideology
 
Purpose
Together we are disciples of Jesus Christ in the Wesleyan tradition called to participate in God’s saving work in the world.
 
Core Values
  • We love God and search the Scriptures to hear and obey God's Word.
  • We welcome and serve all people, particularly the poor and marginalized, as an expression of God’s love for us.
  • We desire everyone to experience a life of worship and joy in God's presence by faith in Jesus Christ.
  • We are changed by the power of the Holy Spirit as we learn to follow Jesus.
  • We believe that changed people are called to change their communities by the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • We believe all disciples are called to discover their gifts and to live out their unique mission.
  • We share our faith in the context of authentic relationships.
  • Because we follow Jesus together, we have a responsibility to hold one another accountable for our discipleship.

Vision

Being changed in Christ—Making a change in the world.

Mission

The mission of the Florida Conference is to connect and equip congregations in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Therefore, we:

  • Start and nurture missional communities of faith
  • Develop effective servant leaders for the church and the world
  • Provide services that support congregations and extension ministries
  • Connect congregations and resources for ministries that we do better together
     
Office of Connectional Ministries
These “shared ministries” include the departments of Connectional Ministry, Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, Connectional Relations and Camps and Retreat Ministries, each included below.
 
Rev. Beth Fogle-Miller, Director of Connectional Ministries
Ext. 103 – beth.fogle-miller@flumc.org
 
Rick Bennett, Interim Director of Justice and Outreach Ministries
Ext. 504 – RBennett@flumc.org
 
Icel Rodriguez, Director of Global Missions
irodriguez@flumc.org
 
Sherri Lingle, Lead Administrator
Ext. 132 – slingle@flumc.org
 
Heidi Leab, Staff Associate
Ext. 192 – hleab@flumc.org
 
Tammy Fisher, Events Coordinator Justice and Outreach Ministries
Ext 182 - tfisher@flumc.org
 
Kelly Minter, Youth Ministries Coordinator
kminter@flumc.org
 
More information at www.flumc.org/connectional; www.flumc.org/mission
 

Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry (BHECM)
www.flumc.org/bhecm
 
Rev. David Fuquay, Executive Director
Ext. 189 – david.fuquay@flumc.org
 
The Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry considers its ministry a mission. Why? Because campus ministries are placed on college campuses that are a different culture, one set apart from the rest of the world around it. Colleges are mini-cities, with about 40,000 residents who have their own language, rules and values. Each director, just like an out-of-country missionary, must learn this culture in order to minister to the society in which the college student is immersed. Also, just like an out-of-country missionary, campus ministries must raise money to support themselves. The conference supports only a portion of their budgets and everything else, from volunteer hours, building needs and ministerial funds, comes from generous donors who understand the importance of campus ministry to college students. The vision and mission of the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is to be The United Methodist Church at work on Florida’s college and university campuses, raising up a new generation of Christian leaders by:
  • Calling students into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ,
  • Training them to become servant leaders,
  • Sending them out to serve God through the local church,
  • Encouraging the development of Christian community, and
  • Affirming and supporting the relationship between the Florida Conference and Florida’s two United Methodist-related institutions of higher education: Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and Florida Southern College in Lakeland.
There are nine campus ministries at universities across Florida:
  1. Florida A&M in Tallahassee
  2. Florida State University in Tallahassee
  3. University of North Florida in Jacksonville
  4. University of Central Florida in Orlando
  5. Stetson University in DeLand
  6. University of Florida in Gainesville
  7. University of South Florida in Tampa
  8. University of Miami
  9. Florida International University and Miami Dade College, also in Miami.
 
Camps and Retreat Ministries
www.flumcamps.org
 
Rev. Mike Standifer – Interim Executive Director
Ext. 140 – mike.standifer@warrenwilliscamp.org
 
866-UMCAMPS, #1, or 352-435-4102
  • Life Enrichment Center (LEC)
    4991 Picciola Road, Fruitland Park, FL 34731
    Rev. Jess Schload, Director –     jschload@flumc.org
    866-UMCAMPS, #2, or 352-787-0313
  • Riverside Retreat
    7305 CR 78, LaBelle, FL 33935
    Martha Pierce, Director     –     mpierceriverside@yahoo.com
    866-UMCAMPS, #4, or 863-675-0334
  • Warren W. Willis Camp (across the street from the LEC)
    4990 Picciola Road, Fruitland Park, FL 34731
    Mike Standifer, Director –     mstandifer@flumc.org
    866-UMCAMPS, #3, or 352-787-4345
  • Centenary Camp
    371 Centenary Camp Rd, Quincy, Fl. 32352
    Dave or Donna Bruns, Manager - Centenarycamp@tds.net
    866-UMCAMPS #5 or  850-856-9779
     
Florida United Methodist Camps and Retreat Ministries seek to provide:
  • Welcoming natural places set apart for sacred retreat and community;
  • Nurturing experiences in Christian faith, discipleship and leadership; and
  • A witness to the servant life of hospitality, earth care, justice and love.
 
Florida United Methodist Connectional Relations
www.flumc.org/communications 
 
Gretchen Hastings, Managing Director
Ext. 505 – ghastings@flumc.org
 
Don Youngs, A/V and Internet Coordinator
407-697-1878 – dyoungs@flumc.org
 
Susan Green, Editor 
Ext. 171 - sgreen@flumc.org
  
The Florida Conference Connectional Relations team is the source of information about what’s going on throughout The United Methodist Church in Florida. Through the online Florida Conference Connection News Service, the conference Web site (www.flumc.org),   What Are Umc Doing www.youtube.com/whatareumcdoing is the local church video community created by the Florida Conference for churches to learn how other local churches are impacting their communities and to share what you are doing in yours. www.facebook.com/FloridaUMC  Our Conference-wide Facebook community is a place for the local churches to share and engage in conversation about faith, missions, outreach, community and worship. E-mail communications and more, the team helps keep local churches informed of the latest developments in the mission and ministry of the church in Florida and around the world. The department also serves as a resource to help churches be effective in their communications ministries by connecting church communicators with experienced consultants and offering communications workshops.
 
Individuals may subscribe to the Florida Conference Connection by visiting www./floridaconferenceconnection.info and clicking on the “Subscribe” link.
 
Connectional Relations also offers:
  • Training and consulting
  • Multimedia/video production
  • Electronic communications
  • Media relations
  • Crisis communications

Knowledge & Information Services
(Part of Florida United Methodist Connectional Relations)
 
Steve Loher, Senior Analyst/Data Management
Ext. 190 - sloher@flumc.org

Katie McNichol, Information Analyst/ Data Management
Ext. 131 – MMcNichol@flumc.org

Knowledge and Information Services provides analysis, research, and reporting support along with the traditional data management functions of data collection, storage, and maintenance.  This team also provides analysis support for process improvement and problem resolution.   The team’s mission is to partner and to work cooperatively with the GCFA, the Conference and District staff to support the local churches.

 
New Church Development
Reproducing vital congregations in new settings
www.flconfnewchurchdevelopment
 
Rev. Dr. Montfort Duncan, Executive Director
Ext. 147 – mduncan@flumc.org
 
Rev. Harold Lewis, Director of Black New Church Development
Ext. 346 - hlewis@flumc.org
 
Kim Griffith, Associate Director,  New Church Development
Ext. 340 - kim.griffith@flumc.org

Stephanie Fahrenholtz, Administrative Assistant
Ext. 146 – sfahrenholtz@flumc.org
 
The office of New Church Development is a leader in the entire United Methodist denomination in starting new churches in the United States. One of the primary ways the Florida Conference is seeking to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is through the planning, developing, planting, starting and nurturing of new faith communities.
The vision statement for New Church Development is: To plant new communities of faith where God’s transforming grace in Jesus Christ offers a new life of Christian discipleship to the world.

The mission statement is to:
  • To facilitate the establishment of new communities of faith in the Florida Conference to meet the needs of its growing and changing population
  • To identify and train potential pastors for new communities of faith
  • To coordinate conference resources for the establishment of new communities of faith
Before a new congregation, mission or community of faith is launched in the Florida Conference, an application must be submitted to the Conference Committee on New Church Development. The form is available through the New Church Development office or at www.flumc.org by clicking on “New Church Development” under the “Ministries” tab at the top of the page.
 
Anyone who feels called to start a new church must complete the conference’s discernment process for a potential new church start pastor. The purpose of this process is for the conference and the candidate to discern if he/she has the 13 traits of successful new start pastors. The process includes both objective and subjective components. At the conclusion of the process, the candidate is told whether or not she/he will be placed in the pool of potential new church start pastors.
 
The Center for Congregational Excellence
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World
www.congregationalexcellence.com
 
Rev. Dr. Jeff Stiggins, Executive Director
Ext. 109 – jstiggins@flumc.org
 
Rev. Harold Lewis, Director of Black Congregational Development
Ext. 346 – hlewis@flumc.org
 
Rev. Dr. Phil Maynard, Director
Ext. 143 – phil.maynard@flumc.org
 
The Center for Congregational Excellence exists to assist congregations in being more faithful and fruitful in carrying out the Great Commission and Great Commandment. Our staff is ready to come alongside leaders from congregations of all sizes who want to be more effective in fulfilling the mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” 
The Congregational Excellence staff has a variety of tools in its toolbox — even while developing others:
  • Congregational consultations: What to do to get unstuck, what’s working in other similar congregations.
  • Material to help communicate the mission of all congregations (“Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world”) and the five practices of effective congregations: The Methodist Way.
  • Coaching for congregational leaders: clergy and/or lay.
  • Support for visioning and strategic planning:
o ReFocus Networks – a two- to three-year transformational process to help church leaders discern God’s desires and refocus their congregation’s ministries.
o Natural Church Development – a proven process for helping healthier congregations that are clear about their mission become even more effective.
o New Realities Partners – an innovative one-year process designed for small and medium sized churches to help them build upon their strengths.
  • Congregational staff/leadership team development.
  • Biblical conflict management.
More information is available at: www.congregationalexcellence.com Individual may also sign up online to receive the weekly CE Blog by email. Individuals who would like to know how Congregational Excellence can help strengthen their ministry or would like to speak informally with someone may contact the staff directly or at 800-282-8011, extension 340.

The Center for Congregational Excellence looks forward to partnering with individuals in helping their congregations become even more missionally effective.
 
Center for Clergy Excellence
Calling, training and supporting … leaders for the church
www.flumc.org/cce
 
Rev. David Dodge, Executive Director
Ext. 133 – ddodge@flumc.org
 
Rev. Emily Oliver, Associate Director of Clergy Excellence
Ext. 104 - eoliver@flumc.org
 
Winnie Dean, Administrative Assistant
Ext. 134 – wdean@flumc.org
 
Wanda Byrd, Administrative Assistant
Ext. 160 – wanda.byrd@flumc.org
  • Calling: The center offers and promotes opportunities for the exploration of a call to licensed or ordained ministry.
  • Training: At all phases of ministry, the center offers training for people preparing to enter the ministry, those just starting in ministry and those who are continuing in ministry.
  • Supporting: The center works with the chairs of the Order of Elders, the Order of Deacons and the Fellowship of Local Pastors and Associate Members to develop systems for clergy to live in a community that calls for mutual accountability. The Center also works with the leaders of the conference health insurance program and Shade and Fresh Water to develop models of healthy living — physical, mental and spiritual. And working with the Florida Conference Cabinet and the Committee on Clergy Effectiveness, the center seeks to develop systems that will enable clergy members to recapture the zeal of their call to ministry and refine their tools for effectiveness.
 
Office of Financial Services and Treasurer’s Office
The treasurer is responsible for overseeing the administrative services provided by the conference office. These services include: Financial Services, Ministry Protection, Disaster Recovery, Human Resources and Information Technology.

Mickey Wilson, Treasurer, Director of Administrative Services 
Ext. 113 – mwilson@flumc.org; treasurer@flumc.org
Office: 863-688-5563, ext. 113; FAX: 863-686-7363
 
Kitt Elliott, Staff Accountant
Ext. 163 – kelliott@flumc.org
 
Craig Smelser, Controller
Ext. 173 – csmelser@flumc.org 

Palma Dziedzic, Assistant Controller
Ext. 107 – pdziedzic@flumc.org
 
Kathi Ewing, Staff Accountant
Ext. 172 –kathi.ewing@flumc.org
 
Luis Roa, Staff Accountant
Ext. 108 - LRoa@flumc.org
 
The financial services office handles the financial and accounting responsibilities relating to the conference and extended ministries. These responsibilities include: accounts payable/receivable, personnel and payroll, health insurance billing, and benefits and pensions billing. The office also has an auditor on staff who is available, on request, to assist churches in their annual audit requirement.
 
Ministry Protection
800-282-8011
www.flumc2.org/ministryprotection
 
Mark Thomas, Director of Ministry Protection
Ext. 137 – mthomas@flumc.org

LaNita Battles, Claims Manager
Ext. 199 – lbattles@flumc.org

Ana Temple, Insurance Specialist
Ext. 126 – atemple@flumc.org

The Department for Ministry Protection, formerly known as risk management,  is responsible for securing comprehensive property and casualty insurance coverage for all churches in the conference, facilitating the payment of claims, as well as providing risk management and loss control consulting.
 
Disaster Recovery Ministry
 
The Disaster Recovery Ministry is part of the services that the Ministry Protection Department offers the Florida Conference. The mission of the Florida Conference Disaster Recovery Ministry is to resource and equip local churches and districts as they assist their communities and individuals in preparing for, responding to and recovering from disaster.
         
disasterrecovery@flumc.org 
 
Pam Garrison, Disaster Recovery Manager
Ext. 148 – pgarrison@flumc.org
 
Greg Harford, Disaster Recovery Representative
407-924-4485 (cell)–gharford@flumc.org
               
Marvin Hammontree, Conference Disaster Recovery Coordinator
marvj@verizon.net
 
Through generous contributions to Conference Advance Special #605 from donors throughout Florida and through the partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), the Disaster Recovery Ministry continues to offer hope to those whose lives have been interrupted by disaster.
 
The conference Disaster Recovery Ministry deploys volunteer work teams as needed in communities affected by disasters, sometimes many years after the event occurred.  It currently offers training in early response, case management and basic Community Arise disaster curriculum preparing churches and districts to respond and recover from disaster. Many of these trainings are scheduled at the request of local churches wishing to sponsor and serve as host of a training event.
 
Human Resources, Pension and Health Benefits
Fax: 863-688-5189

Wendy L. McCoy, Director of Human Resources and Benefits 
Ext. 129 – wmccoy@flumc.org

Lois Durham,  Human Resources Administrator 
Ext. 194 – ldurham@flumc.org 

Helen Mitchell, Benefits Specialist
Ext. 135 – hmitchell@flumc.org
 
Ida Cale/Star Rouse, Receptionist
Ext. 100 – reception@flumc.org

Information Technology provided by Computer Data Networks (CDN)
Assistance available by contacting the IT help desk at: ITHelpdesk@flumc.org
 
 
Building Services
 
Wayne Dziedzic: Property Manager, Preachers Relief Board
Ext. 122 - wdziedzic@flumc.org
 
Florida Conference Archives
 
The Ruth K. and Charles T. Thrift, Jr., Florida United Methodist Heritage Center is the official repository for archival materials owned by the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Its mission is to collect, preserve, and make available materials that document the historical development of the United Methodist Church and its predecessor denominations in Florida from 1822 to the present.

The archives are open to all, especially conference agencies, local churches, and individuals interested in historical or genealogical research.  Materials do not circulate but are available for use in the building.  Research requests may also be made by email, telephone, or letter.

The Center is located in the McKay Archives Center on the campus of Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33801.
 
Nell Thrift, Archivist
863-680-4992/863-688-9276 - thriftmail@aol.com