United Methodist Connectional Table Gathering Information for the State of the Church Report; Research Firm Contacting UMs for Interview

United Methodist Connectional Table Gathering Information for the State of the Church Report; Research Firm Contacting United Methodists for Interviews

NASHVILLE -- An international consulting firm is working with The United Methodist Church's Connectional Table to conduct interviews and gather information for an assessment of the state of the denomination.

Staff from The Martec Group are contacting United Methodists to collect information for The Connectional Table's state of the church project, said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications.

This information, Hollon said, is one element of the research needed for the report. The Connectional Table, chaired by Bishop John Hopkins of the East Ohio Area, was created by the 2004 General Conference to guide the denomination's mission and ministries.

The first draft of the State of the Church report is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Hollon said.

In addition to conducting the personal interviews, The Martec Group is gathering information through Internet bulletin boards, surveys and other research methods.

Martec's findings will describe the thoughts, feelings, values, and judgments of active and inactive members of the UMC, Hollon said. Martec will also interview bishops, pastors, district superintendents, annual conference treasurers and administrative service directors, connectional ministries directors, and designated lay leaders.

Martec will be contacting United Methodists to request interviews this summer. The company is based in Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit, Frankfurt, Tokyo, and Beijing.

Persons who want additional information about the interviews should contact Linda Saunders at United Methodist Communications. Her telephone number is (615) 742-5119. Her email is: lsaunders@umcom.org.