The establishment of new faith communities with the goal of becoming chartered churches and the vitalization of existing congregations are two effective means whereby annual conferences fulfill the vision of making disciples for Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century. Bishops have gleaned and experienced many strategies for implementing visions of new churches throughout their ministry prior to becoming bishops. As episcopal leaders, they are in unique positions to join with the leadership of an annual conference in establishing a vision, a strategic plan, and the financial undergirding to accomplish significant development within their area. All bishops share some skills and ideas in common in this arena, but they also have different thoughts about which is the best leadership method for an annual conference.

The following are some thoughts about leadership and some key steps that each episcopal leader should consider.

Attempt to develop a leadership style that maximizes the participation of as many people as appropriate so that the ownership of a new vision is widespread and understood by as many people as possible. The best administrators seldom tell their staff what to do, but provide a creative climate and use processes that enable people to discover for themselves the most effective ways to accomplish their goals and priorities. Decentralization, freedom, and participative democratic procedures allow for the maximum involvement of people who provide leadership in an annual conference.

A first step in an annual conference is to hold gatherings of laity and clergy to address the questions of what should be done to fulfill our gospel mandate and to address the human needs of people who are moving into our communities. The use of demographic data is vital to this enterprise. Above all, the episcopal leader must demonstrate that he or she is committed to listening to the people.

Another step is to recruit highly effective, motivated clergy and laity — the "best" pastors and the "best" laity — to serve on a leadership team that accepts the challenge of shaping the vision that will be placed before the annual conference.

Once the vision is agreed upon by the leadership team, then all the constituencies of the annual conference must be given opportunities to gain ownership of the vision and the priorities that flow from the vision. When this is accomplished, the episcopal leader makes clear that moving toward the vision and being guided by the priorities are two important responsibilities he or she has in the conference. This is accomplished by including these commitments in preaching, teaching, and administration throughout the conference.

The episcopal leader, along with the extended cabinet (district superintendents and other connectional ministry personnel), work together as a team to demonstrate the power of the collaborative approach to leadership. The extended cabinet understands that it exists to serve the congregations and the mission of the conference and not vice-versa.

It is vital to have a designated staff person who will lead congregational development and new congregational location and support. The episcopal leader must have one hundred percent confidence in the person who fills this position.

It is necessary for the district superintendents and the congregational development person to identify, train, equip, support, and strategically place people who are being asked to start new faith communities.

Annual conference budgets usually do not have sufficient resources within their parameters on an annual basis to support the work of starting new faith communities and the vitalizing of existing congregations. A financial plan needs to be developed and presented to the annual conference for the completion of the vision for the future.

Finally, and most important, the episcopal leader should be willing to be the key leader of the financial campaign and be willing to make it a top priority for the first year. I believe that the episcopal leader should be willing to attempt to raise at least fifty-percent of the financial goal of a campaign by requesting lead gifts and major gifts of individuals and foundations.

In summary, the office of the episcopal leader is the key component that provides leadership for the success of establishing new faith communities and the vitalization of existing congregations within the annual conference in making disciples for Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century.

Bishop William W. Dew Jr. is retired and living in Danville, California. At the time of the writing of this article, he was the bishop for the Desert Southwest Annual Conference.