Certification
- Intercultural Development Inventory Facilitator, 2021
- Healthy Congregations Facilitator, 2019
- Ordained Minister in The United Methodist Church: Deacon, 1997 and Elder, 2000
- Ordination Recognized in The Presbyterian Church USA, 2018
Education
- M.Div. Duke University Divinity School, 1997
- Emphasis in Christian Education
- Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at Rex Hospital
- B.A. James Madison College, Michigan State University, 1994
- Social Relations Major: gender, race, ethnic, and class policy studies
- Semester of Service Learning in Guadalajara, Mexico, & MSU Certificate in Latin American Studies
- Continuing Education
- Coach Training Part 1 and 2, 2020.
- Intercultural Development Plan, 2020
- Healthy Congregations training, 2019
- Clergy Clinic in Family Systems & Church Mediation, Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, 2018-19
- Vital Church Initiative Facilitator and Clergy Peer Mentoring Training, 2012-2018
- Preaching and Theology, recent opportunities with Padraig O Tuama, Will Willimon, Amy Jo Levine, Storytelling for Preachers with Moth Radio Hour Producer, Festivals of Homiletics, Middle Collegiate Church: Justice Conferences on racism and LGBTQ inclusion themes
- Co-founder, ecumenical clergywomen’s writing group, 2010 to present
- K-12 Education, Charlotte Public Schools, 1987-1991, Benton Harbor Public Schools, 1976-1987
Professional Experience
- Coach and Consultant, Ministry Incubators, 2024 to present
- Executive Director, The Fleming Townley Collaborative, LLC, 2023 to present
- Mission and Justice Coordinator, The Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, 2022-2023
- Ministry Consultant, The Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, June 2021-Dec 2021
- Assistant Pastor, The Presbyterian Church of Okemos, part-time, 2010-2021
- Bridge Pastor, The Presbyterian Church of Okemos, May-July, 2020
- Interim Lead Pastor, Williamston United Methodist Church, 2008-2009
- Interim Associate Pastor, University United Methodist Church, January-April 2008
- Lead Pastor, Center Park United Methodist Church, 1997-2001
- Student Pastor Internships, Mt Carmel UMC, Hopewell UMC, Corunna UMC, summers 1992-1996
Service to Denomination
- Faculty member, Vital Church Initiative 2012 to 2018
- Facilitated 9 monthly learning workshops for 6 churches in topics including: creating vision and mission, ministry alignment, community outreach, staff and lay accountability, spiritual formation.
- Facilitated 2-year monthly peer mentoring group for clergy in growing churches. Both nurtured and held clergy accountable. Led sessions in time management, worship and preaching, leadership, and more.
- Coached clergy one on one in leadership during growth and transition.
- Serve on Congregational Resiliency Committee
- Wrote curriculum and taught preaching courses for the Methodist Church in Haiti, 2016.
- Led and co-led paragraph 213 investigations into the vitality and future of two churches, 2017.
- Hosted and participated in Clergy Family Systems Courses, with interfaith and ecumenical participation.
- District, Conference, Jurisdictional and General Conference and Committees. Various roles since 1986.
Awards
- Grant from Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church to study Clergy Clinic in Family Systems and Church Mediation at Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, 2018-19.
- Grant from Church World Service to travel to DC and advocate for immigration reform directly with my U.S. Congressmen, and with staff of Senators, 2018.
- Francis Asbury Award: Most influence in United Methodist Campus Ministry in Michigan, 2006.
- Denman Evangelism Honor: for developing intentional discipleship program at Center Park UMC.