The Dakotas Strategy Team continues their work to  fulfill  a three-fold purpose to: 1) imagine models for how we may continue to carry forward our core values of Christ, Mission and Connection and our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world in a post-General Conference environment; 2) design strategies to create ways for pastors and churches to participate in share ministry and support services, while staying true to their convictions and callings; and 3) design strategies for assisting every clergyperson and congregation to find a place where they can best fulfill their contextual mission and vision.

At the 2021 Dakotas Annual Conference, held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and virtually, Strategy Team members asked participants to answer questions, as an effort to help the team imagine new ways of supporting each other in the future. Here is a synopsis of the answers to those questions and the information obtained.  

• There are continuing opportunities to develop trust with each other, and that trust will be important if certain resources are to be shared;
• Responses reminded everyone to focus on what brings us together, rather than what tears us apart.
• Many answers encouraged a review of how other denominations that have experienced similar challenges and have found paths to continue to share certain services and ministries.
• Setting clear expectations, understandings and boundaries will be important to any sharing models that are developed; and
• Continued communication and transparency will be critical.

The Dakotas Strategy Team continues to encourage congregations, pastors and individual congregational members to develop and live into a covenant similar to the covenant that was presented during the Common Table’s Report at Annual Conference. This covenant can be adapted to your context, or used as a guide to create your own covenant. It is a helpful way to remind us of our common heritage and love of those who have different beliefs so that we may show respect, grace and love to all. 

Covenant

We recognize that though united through God our Creator, Jesus our Savior, and the Holy Spirit our Sustainer, we are a diverse group of believers. We acknowledge, honor, and seek forgiveness for the harm that has occurred through words, actions, inactions, and strife. We appreciate those who hold diverse theological beliefs within the Dakotas United Methodist Connection. We seek a way forward that is filled with grace and love; knowing the possibility that our friends, family, neighbors, clergy and fellow church members may choose to join or stay with an expression of Methodism different than what I choose. We, the people of the Dakotas Methodist Connection, covenant to: 

Respect all expressions of Methodism sharing our common Wesleyan heritage, while 

• • Doing no harm -- by resisting the temptation to judge, shame, speak poorly of, or try to convince people to change their mind;
  • Doing good -- by showing grace and respect to those who think differently than I and expressing Christ’s love to all people; and
  • Staying in love with God -- by encouraging, supporting and cooperating with all people who call themselves Methodists to focus on and achieve the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

RESOURCES: 
Strategy Team Breakthrough Prayer video
Strategy Team webpages
Strategy Team prayer and convenant card