Our Organization

<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue style='tab-interval:.5in' topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <div class=Section1> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='mso-cellspacing:0in; mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in'> <tr style='height:67.5pt'> <td colspan=2 valign=top style='background:#006699;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in; height:67.5pt' TEXT="#080000" background=058fd5a3.jpg> <p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:Arial; color:black'>The Southern Methodist Church</span>     |     </b><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/index.htm" target="_top" title="The Southern Methodist Church"><b>home</b></a></p> <p class=MsoNormal>back to  <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id18.htm" target="_top" title="About Us"><b>About Us</b></a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id18.htm" target="_top" title="About Us">About Us</a>   |   <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id19.htm" target="_top" title="Our Ministries">Our Ministries</a>   |   <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id20.htm" target="_top" title=Conferences>Conferences</a>   |   <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id26.htm" target="_top" title="Related Links">Related Links</a>   |   <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id27.htm" target="_top" title="Contact Us">Contact Us</a>   |   <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id17.htm" target="_top" title=Calendar>Calendar</a>   |   <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id28.htm" target="_top" title="Other Helps">Other Helps</a>   |   <a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id72.htm" target="_top" title=Announcements>Announcements</a></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='height:292.5pt'> <td width=210 valign=top style='width:157.5pt;background:#FFCC66; padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:292.5pt' TEXT="#080000" background=059d2043.jpg> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id37.htm" target="_top" title="Our History">Our History</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id38.htm" target="_top" title="Our Doctrine">Our Doctrine</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><b>Our Organization</b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id41.htm" target="_top" title="Our Administration">Our Administration</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=187 height=148 id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/063bb940.jpg" align=BOTTOM><o:p></o:p></p> </td> <td valign=top style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:292.5pt' TEXT="#080000"> <p class=MsoNormal><b>Our Organization</b></p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>The name of our church is known and designated as The Southern Methodist Church. It is doctrinally the same as the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was when it was originally organized. The organizational structure may be best described as congregational/connectional in form.</p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=897 height=487 id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/09f81e70.png" alt="MS Organization Chart 2.0" align=BOTTOM></p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>THE MINISTRY OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE PRESIDENT</p> <p class=MsoNormal>The General Conference of The Southern Methodist Church elects a President at each meeting of the General Conference to serve the denomination for a four-year term. The President does not pastor a church but seeks to serve the needs of the denomination as a whole and to provide spiritual encouragement and support for individual churches and pastors. His ministry includes the following:</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1027" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>serving as chief executive officer of the denomination</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1028" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>chairing the General Conference Board of Administration which is empowered to carry out the will of the General Conference and to serve as its governing body in the interim of General Conference sessions</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1029" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>traveling throughout the bounds of the denomination to visit pastors and churches to promote the general interests of the denomination</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1030" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>coordinating the work of general and annual conference departments, boards, and committees</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1031" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>developing special attention to the organization of new churches</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1032" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>providing a summary and progress report each year on the operational plans and goals of the denomination</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1033" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>providing supply preachers for churches who need pulpit supply in absence of a pastor</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>THE MINISTRY OF THE PRESIDENT AND HIS BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION</p> <p class=MsoNormal>In addition, the President chairs the General Conference Board of Administration and oversees additional ministry, which includes:</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1034" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>holding and overseeing General Conference property</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1035" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>providing spiritual and financial support for denominational ministries, such as: Foreign Missions, Home Missions, Southern Methodist College, Foundry Press, Church Extension, and Youth Work</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1036" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>providing proper organizational and financial administration of the overall denominational work</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1037" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>promoting lay activity, discipleship, development of lay leadership, ministerial training, and Christian life and action</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>HOW MUCH DOES GENERAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY COST?</p> <p class=MsoNormal>The Board of Administration has approved a budget of $209,574 for the 2003-2004 church year.</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>The breakdown for the budget, a detailed copy of which is available upon request, is as follows:</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1038" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>President's Salary (21%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1039" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>General Conference Staff (17%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1040" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>Annual Conference Ministry (15%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1041" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>GC Ministries' Utilities, Maintenance, Insurance, etc. (13%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1042" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>Foundry Press Christian Book Store & Resource Center (9%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1043" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>Retirement Program (8%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1044" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>President's Housing / Travel (7%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1045" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>Ministerial Student Scholarships (5%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=24 height=16 id="_x0000_i1046" src="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" align=bottom>All other appropriations (5%)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>HOW IS THE GENERAL CONFERENCE MINISTRY FUNDED?</p> <p class=MsoNormal>The Askings Program</p> <p class=MsoNormal>“Each local church is expected to assume its fair share of support for the various departments and institutions of the Annual and General Conference” (Southern Methodist <i>Discipline</i>, Para. 342). Each<span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span>church is asked to give a<span style='font-family:Arial;color:black'> </span>recommended 10% of general local church income on a monthly basis.</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>HOW CAN WE HELP YOU</p> <p class=MsoNormal>The General Conference President is available to come to your church for a special service, revival, Bible conference, or local church event. There is no charge for the President to come. However, a love offering for General Conference Ministries would be appreciated.</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Please give us a call if we can be of assistance to you:</p> <p class=MsoNormal><b>(803) 536-1378</b></p> <p class=MsoNormal>Or send us an e-mail:</p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:smpresid@bellsouth.net" target="_top" title="mailto:smpresid@bellsouth.net">smpresid@bellsouth.net</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>If you are in the Orangeburg area, please drop by to say hello. Southern Methodist Church Ministries Offices are located at:</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>425 Broughton Street</p> <p class=MsoNormal>(Business Highway 178)</p> <p class=MsoNormal>Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115</p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id62.htm" target="_top" title="President Landers">General Conference President</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id62.htm" target="_top" title="President Landers"><b>Rev. Bedford Landers</b></a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id63.htm" target="_top" title="Director Clark">Director of Administration & Finance</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id63.htm" target="_top" title="Director Clark"><b>Rev. Dan Shapley</b></a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id64.htm" target="_top" title="Assistant Martin">Office Assistant</a></p> <p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.southernmethodistchurch.org/id64.htm" target="_top" title="Assistant Martin"><b>Yvonne Martin</b></a></p> </td> </tr> </table> <p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p> </div> </body>