DISTRICT CLUSTERS
Instituting Clusters: A Brief Summary

Members of the 2004 Annual Conference overwhelmingly passed "Connecting for Transformation" which called for, among other things, the establishment of congregational clusters starting in July 2005.

A cluster is a natural association of 4-7 churches. Every local church is expected to be in a cluster as an extension of its congregational life reflecting our shared accountability to Christ for fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Clusters teams are small communities of congregational leaders from each church of the cluster. A cluster team meeting is a corporate spiritual discipline that expresses our connectionalism.

The Purpose of Clusters is to improve the effectiveness and health of ministry as measured by our conference’s vision and mission statements and by Jesus’ Great Commission and Great Commandment. Specifically, the purpose of cluster teams will be "Drawing Together -- Seeking God’s Heart -- Touching our World."

Cluster Team Participants: All the conference appointed clergy in the congregations of a cluster and laity in equal number will participate in the cluster leaders’ team. Lay participants will be selected prayerfully by their congregation’s lay leadership committee and approved by their congregation’s administrative council. All participants are expected to be mature disciples who are committed to their congregation fulfilling Christ’s disciple-making commission, open to discerning the fresh movement of the Spirit, willing to think creatively about the changes that might be necessary for fruitful ministry in their community, and committed to communicating back to their congregation’s resident leaders what they hear the Spirit saying.

Formation of Clusters: The most effective association of churches in a cluster may be congregations that are relatively proximate, share some significant commonalities and include transforming, maintaining and declining congregations. The district superintendent will work out a process for selecting cluster leaders in each district. Cluster team leaders will receive training and will be supervised by the district superintendent.

Cluster Team Meetings: Cluster teams are asked to meet a minimum of six times per year. Meetings should include elements of "Prayer & Worship," Witness & Sharing" and "Learning & Growing."

Long Term Effect of Clusters: While we expect great variety between clusters and cluster teams, we anticipate them bringing growth in three areas over time: 1) in the horizontal connection between congregational leaders who see themselves increasingly as being in ministry in a community that extends beyond their local church; 2) in a fresh focus upon Christ’s essential commission to His church to make more and better disciples; and 3) in a new accountability to and effectiveness in being fruitful in ministry.