January 2018 Report

Associate Conference Minister (KS-based)

Kathy Neufeld Dunn

Based on the emphases of my job description, this month I focused on the following:

Resourcing Healthy, Missional Churches

WDC Israel-Palestine Task Force asked me to write a Sprouts piece explaining why becoming an “HP-Free Church” is a moral choice, not just a political stance. This article will come out in a February Sprouts.

The “Year of Evangelism Kick Off: Anabaptist Witness” was a wonderful, thought-provoking and practical seminar. Two gifted speakers, Heidi Roland Unruh and Marvin Lorenzana, offered great insights on what evangelism is and isn’t. Six coaches offered feedback to congregations about evangelism ideas. 4 of the musicians from Book of JEBB led worship. 132 people registered for this wonderful event. Thanks to Brad Roth and Peter Goerzen for their hard work at planning with me. On to planning the fall event!

New curriculum possibilities: Carol Duerksen gave me an update on the children’s curriculum, “Detectives of Divinity” whose development the Resource Commission sponsored. She also gave me an update on a developing nonprofit called “Springs Forth,” which would “provide innovative, faith-based resources for children, youth, and adults.” They have a board of directors and an attorney working with them to gain their non-profit status.

I had an invigorating meeting with Resource Commission on January 11. This is a group that works well together. We continue to develop in how best to support Jennie and her Resource Library work.

I have begun inviting people to consider being part of the Assembly 2018 Planning Team, so let the fun, important work begin!

Heidi facilitated a meeting among herself, Dwight, Bill Zuercher, and me about clarifying the financing and roles of all the parties involved in the Bi-Conference Youth Ministry Committee. It was a very useful meeting and follow-up work on a clearer document. I hope this will help answer questions for representatives of both conferences working at youth ministry.

Sustaining Transformational Pastors

Heidi gave me further counsel on the specifics of Search Committee protocols and best practices as I will soon have two congregations in active searches, with the potential for more at that stage in the near future.

I touched base with 18pastors and other church leaders in-person, through phone calls, emails or in-person listening to their deep joys and things that weighed on them.

I had the joyful responsibility to officiate at the January 28 ordination of John Tyson, Bethel College Mennonite Church.

I met with the Ministerial Leadership Commission for two reasons: 1) To ask for names of someone to accompany me to the “Responding to Clergy Misconduct” training March 2-4, Elkhart, IN; 2) to suggest that MLC join me in a Clergy Misconduct Investigation Simulation that I would lead for them. They agreed this would be on the agenda at their next meeting.

Connect Pastors and Congregations with WDC and MC USA resources and mission

  • I’m learning how to best utilize and share MLIs with congregations, so they may make best use of these important resources in their pastoral search discernment processes.
  • Our mini staff retreat on January 19 morning was a creative brainstorming session about effective and appropriate use of social media, as well as quiet reflection time. It was an excellent use of our time together as WDC staff.

Vacation Days: 3 (1/4/18, 1/5/18, 1/8/18)

Holidays: 1(1/1/18) Sick Days: 0 Comp Day: 1 (1/29/18)