Home About UsGeographic Review Board Seven Region Alignment Proposal

Thank you for taking the time to review the new
Seven Region Alignment
of the UFMCC

The Geographic Review Board (GRB) has been working for the last 18 months to collect information and perspectives of all stakeholders in our denomination:

• The Board of Elders, Moderators and Vice Moderator through extensive questionnaires and reviews of all realignment drafts
• The Board of Administration through interviews, written feedback, financial input about the cost of ministries, staff, and the regional structure itself, reviews of all realignment drafts
• The Executive Directors (interim and present) through interviews, cost/benefit analyses, and many insightful questions and answers
• Denominational Staff through provision of statistical information about the denomination
• Constituents of the denomination at large through the survey posted March 2005 which received 876 responses, as well as listening posts at General Conference

Based upon the extensive research and data collection, the GRB presents this final proposed draft of the geographic realignment of regions. The GRB has shared this proposal with the Board of Elders and Board of Administration which have the ultimate responsibility for accepting and implementing any geographic boundary changes of regions.

This proposal has seven regions rather than the current eight. The goal of the GRB in developing this proposal has been to bring regions in greater balance based upon the bylaws criteria as well as financial priorities of the denomination as clarified by the Strategic Plan 2005 and the integration of regional composition with the specific denominational areas of ministry provided by our Regional Elders. The criteria stated in the UFMCC bylaws (Article V, C, 1) for establishing Regional Boundaries includes the following:

1. The boundaries of each Region must take into account the needs of the whole fellowship throughout the world.
2. Each Region should have a balance of strengths (e.g. personal, resources, etc) and challenges. There should be ample opportunity in each Region for significant growth to occur in terms of numbers, strengths and health of churches.
3. Considerations shall be given to “common sense coherence”, geographically, culturally, and historically.
4. Each Region should be intentionally diverse and have cross-cultural and often international challenges.

To understand this proposed realignment of regions, four visual aids are provided. First is an listing of all countries in the world as well as states in the United States which comprise each proposed region, whether they currently have churches or not.

Download the
2006 National Assignments
to view regional assignments
.doc     .pdf

The number of churches in each current region and each proposed “new” region is noted, along with cumulative membership figures, are shown in the chart below. Total numbers of churches do not correspond because data on current regions are from 2004, and data for proposed regions is current as of November, 2005.

The third aid to support your understanding of the regional realignment is this narrative summary of the changes made from current regions to proposed new regions for all countries and states which have churches at this time:

• Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah move from current Region 8 to new Region 1.
• Kansas and one church in eastern Texas move from current Region 8 to new Region 2.
• North Carolina and South Carolina move from current Region 7 to new Region 3.
• Kentucky moves from current Region 2 to new Region 5.
• Southern California and Nevada move from current Region 1 to new Region 6.
• Latin America in its entirety is in new Region 6.
• Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and the northern half of Texas move from current Region 8 to new region 7.

Finally are spreadsheets which list countries and U.S. states with all current MCC churches which would comprise each of the proposed seven regions.

Download the
SEVEN NEW REGIONS SPREADSHEETS
to view assignments by Region.
.xls     .pdf

NOTE:

Considering the presentation of the proposed realignment of regions, the GRB asked MCC members to respond to the following survey questions.  Responses were accepted through November 30, 2005 and are under review.

1.   What are the name, city, state, country, and current region of your Metropolitan Community Church?
2.   What is your role in your local MCC: Clergy, Lay Delegate, or Other?
3.   Can you accept the placement of your church in its new region: Yes or No?
4.   Please give the rationale for your opinion about the new regional placement of your church.

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