Great Plains Conference

United Methodists in the Kansas East, Kansas West and Nebraska United Methodist conferences voted in 2012 to form a new annual conference beginning Jan. 1, 2014. The three conferences were assigned a common bishop in 2012. Following four years of deliberations, public meetings and proposal-building, members of the three conferences met in simultaneous sessions Aug. 22-23, 2013, at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kansas, to consider a common Plan of Organization for the new conference. The plan was adopted and went into effect Jan. 1, 2014. The plan set forth a calling and preferred future for the Great Plains, identified missional priorities, established structure and staffing, and the articles of incorporation and by-laws of the new conference. In addition, the plan included minimum salary levels, moving guidelines and personnel policies. All this work points to our United Methodist mission of making of disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The calling of the Great Plains Conference is to equip and connect congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ. The Great Plains United Methodist Conference envisions a preferred future that will be interpreted at each local church and is captured in the statement: The conference brings specific focus to Christ-centered excellence in youth ministry, preaching and worship, engaging our communities and transforming service to the world. PLAN OF ORGANIZATION: The final Great Plains Plan of Organization was adopted Aug. 23, 2013. Download or read the plan online. Within the Plan of Organization, four missional priorities were identified. These priorities will be reviewed regularly and priorities will change as different needs emerge.