Office of Presiding Elders

In the Mid-Texas Provisional Conference, we have purposely kept our districts very small to ensure deep connection between the local congregation, their presiding elder and the annual conference.  Deep connection is a core value for our annual conference.  We have developed our structure to make sure all congregations from our largest to our smallest feel like an integral part of the whole as we seek to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  

Our Presiding Elders (formerly District Superintendents) will have the primary tasks of relationship building, missional strategy, congregational and clergy support, as well as appointive ministries.  The Transitional Doctrines and Disciplines list the following as the role of the Presiding Elder (Paragraph 507.)

As an extension of the office of bishop, the presiding elder (district superintendent) shall oversee the total ministry of the clergy and churches in the communities of the district in their missions of witness and service in the world. The presiding elder (district superintendent) is the acting administrator of any pastoral charge in which a pastoral vacancy may develop, or where no pastor is appointed. As such, the presiding elder (district superintendent) has the following specific responsibilities:
Be the chief missional strategist of the district and be committed to living out the values of the Church, including a mandate of inclusiveness; model, teach, and promote generous Christian giving; cooperate in developing Christian unity, and ecumenical, multicultural, multiracial, and cooperative ministries; and work with persons across the Church to develop programs of ministry and mission that extend the witness of Christ into the world.

Along with the bishop, guard, transmit, teach, and proclaim, corporately and individually, the apostolic faith as it is expressed in Scripture and tradition from a Wesleyan perspective, communicating and defending the doctrines and discipline of the church as provided for in this Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline.
Work with the bishop and cabinet in the process of appointment and assignment for ordained clergy, or assignment of qualified and trained lay ministers.
Work to develop an effective and functioning system for recruitment of candidates for ordained ministry.

Establish working relationships with pastor-parish relations committees, clergy, district lay leaders, and other lay leadership, to develop faithful and effective systems of ministry within the district.

Serve as an example of spiritual leadership by living a balanced and faithful life, and by encouraging both laity and clergy to continue to grow in spiritual formation.
Offer support, care, and counsel to clergy concerning matters affecting their effective ministry.

Encourage the building of covenant groups and communities among both the clergy and clergy families, and the laity on the district.
Maintain regular contact with the clergy on the district for counsel and supervision, and receive written or electronic reports of each clergy person’s continuing education, spiritual practices, current ministry work, and goals for future ministry.

Maintain the appropriate records of all clergy appointed to or related to the charges on the district (including clergy in extension ministry and ministry beyond the local church), as well as records dealing with property, endowments, and other tangible assets of the Global Methodist Church within the district.

In consultation with the bishop and cabinet, work to develop the best strategic deployment of clergy possible in the district, including realignment of pastoral charges when needed, and the exploration of larger parishes, cooperative parishes, multiple staff configurations, new faith communities, and ecumenical shared ministries.
Interpret and decide all questions of Church law and discipline raised by the churches in the district, subject to review by the resident bishop of the annual conference.
Serve at the pleasure of the bishop and assume other leadership responsibilities as the bishop determines for the health and effectiveness of the local churches in the district and annual conference.