Questions & Answers (Q&A)
Leadership Board at College Hill United Methodist Church
Go Bot shares some questions and answers about the Leadership Board
Q: How many churches in our conference are using the One Board?
A: 174 churches in our conference are using the One Board structure, which is 25%. An additional 11% are going through exploration and discernment.
Q: How many churches in our district are using the One Board?
A: In our district 36 out of 76 churches are using the One Board, which is 47%. Those churches include: Woodland UMC, University UMC, Saint Mark UMC, Pleasant Valley UMC, First UMC Wichita, East Heights UMC, Dellrose UMC, Chapel Hill UMC, Rose Hill UMC, Newton Trinity Heights UMC, First UMC Hutchinson, Andover UMC, and many others.
Q: Why is CHUM considering this structure?
A: We are exploring this structure because we want CHUM to be in the best position to thrive in growth and ministry while staying true to our mission statement as an open and inclusive congregation. After much research and learning, we believe this structure will empower CHUM to operate more efficiently, be better stewards of people's time and energy, and give people more opportunities to be in ministry either in leadership or as a work/ministry team leader or participant!
Q: What is CHUM proposing to call their One Board structure?
A: The Leadership Board
Q: What are the basics I need to know about the Leadership Board?
A: The Leadership Board is an alternative structure permitted by the Book of Discipline.
The Leadership Board is responsible for the tasks that were formerly assigned to Church Council, Board of Trustees, Staff Parish Relations Committee, Finance Committee, Memorials Committee, and Permanent Endowment Committee.
It will not have any new powers or responsibilities.
Q: Why is the Leadership Board limited to nine members?
A: The Leadership Board has to follow the minimum and maximum number of members of the current administrative committees. Due to the legal nature of their work, the Board of Trustees is limited to nine members according to the Book of Discipline; therefore, the Leadership Board can only have nine voting members.
Q: What are the major advantages the congregation will see from a switch to the One Board structure?
A: The Exploration Team conducted an evaluation of the structure for CHUM and determined strengths that include:
Reduced confusion between the different committees to align the mission, values, and priorities;
Streamlined decision-making and reduced administrative burden for laity and CHUM staff; and
Reduced number of volunteers needed to fill administrative roles and expanded opportunity for volunteers to participate in ministry projects based on their interests and talents.
Q: What will be the shifts the congregation will see from a switch to the One Board structure?
A: The evaluation the Exploration Team conducted identified these shifts:
One two-hour meeting each month for Leadership Board members where each member has information to make decisions based on the full administrative picture;
Oversight for the Leadership Board will come from a full 9-member board that continues to follow the Mission of CHUM and the Book of Discipline; and
Opportunities for members to participate in special ministry projects previously handled by administrative committees without committing to 3-year membership on one of those committees;
Q: Which churches did the team consult with as they were researching the possibility of this structure for CHUM?
A: First UMC McPherson, First UMC Wichita, Pleasant Valley UMC, First UMC Topeka, and Louisburg UMC.
Q: How will meeting agendas and decisions from the Leadership Board be shared with the congregation?
A: The Leadership Board will utilize the CHUM calendar on the church website and weekly e-news to communicate with the congregation: meeting date and time, agenda, and summary of the meetings will be published. Leadership Board meetings are open to the congregation, except executive sessions related to personnel or legal matters.
Q: Who will do the day to day work on the building and grounds?
A: A key component of the Leadership Board is a standing Building and Grounds Ministry Team. This team will be responsible for all maintenance and repair work of church facilities and grounds.
Q: How will members who are not on the Leadership Board be able to be involved in church ministries?
A: Members will have opportunities to serve on ministry project teams and task forces created by the Leadership Board according to their interests and talents. Some teams will be created for short-term projects while others, like the Building and Grounds Ministry Team, will serve a more long-term function. There will be something for everyone in the new structure!
Q: Will we be having a congregational meeting to discuss this possibility?
A: Yes! We will have a Town Hall Meeting on Sunday, October 4, at 12:00 pm (or immediately following the meal) in the Sanctuary. That Sunday, we will have combined worship at 10:00 am in the Sanctuary followed by a meal in the Fellowship Hall. Childcare will be available for the Town Hall Meeting, either in a separate room or in the back of the sanctuary.
Q: Who will make the decision whether we use this structure and when will the decision be made?
A: On Monday, October 5, 2026, the Church Council will vote whether to call a Church Conference for the purpose of approving the One Board Administrative structure. Every member of College Hill UMC is eligible to vote at the Church Conference. Pending an affirmative vote by the Church Council, the Church Conference will be held on Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 9:50 to 10:20 am in the Sanctuary. Childcare will be available for the Church Conference, either in a separate room or in the back of the sanctuary.
Q: What will happen if we hate it? Can we change back?
A: Yes! We can change back. The process to change back would follow the same steps that we took to get to this point: exploration and discernment, consultation with other churches, a vote by the Leadership Board to call a Church Conference, and a vote by all members at a Church Conference.
Q: Do the churches you consulted like the new structure? Have any of them decided to change back?
A: All of the churches we consulted said they preferred the new structure and do not want to change back.
Q: Where can I read the whole plan for CHUM so I can understand all the details?
A: You can read the whole plan called the “The Leadership Board Guiding Principles” by clicking the link below. Click here to see the guiding principles.
Q: Who is on the team that is proposing this structure and how do I contact them to give feedback or ask questions before a decision is made?
A: The One Board Exploration Team is comprised of:
