Board of Ordained Ministry

Welcome to the website pages of the California-Nevada Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.

The Board of Ordained Ministry has primary responsibility within the Annual Conference for enlistment, recruitment and preparation of ordained clergy; and for the connectional and collegial relationships among clergy.

We are happy to provide information and assistance with all aspects of clergy preparation, Conference relationships, continuing education and matters pertaining to ordination.

The Board has been actively involved, with the Bishop and Cabinet, in generating, distributing and implementing a new description of Transformational Clergy Leaders of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, which, since July 1, 2007, is the statement of qualities that the Conference will use in recruiting, training and evaluating clergy and candidates for ordination. We hope and believe that this statement will become part of our culture and language in the California-Nevada Annual Conference, as we develop lay and clergy leaders who will revitalize, inspire and extend Christian life and mission into new communities of faith within and beyond existing churches.

Transformational Clergy Leaders

of the California-Nevada Annual Conference

(Approved by the Bishop, Cabinet, and BOOM Executive Committee Feb. 7, 2007

Approved by the Board of Ordained Ministry April 17, 2007)

We are one body in Christ. We are also a body of diverse peoples, geographies and cultures, serving a mission that is different at this time than at other times. The need of the California-Nevada Annual Conference at this time is for transformational leaders who will revitalize, inspire and extend Christian life and mission into new communities of faith within and beyond existing churches.

Transformational Clergy Leaders

Are persons of spiritual depth, character and integrity who:
1. Are grounded in a relationship with Jesus Christ that is growing in vitality and depth
2. Are bold, passionate and decisive about the invitation of all into Christ’s church
3. Demonstrate compassion for the poor, the lost, and the marginalized
4. Have a healthy self-knowledge and a disciplined inner life
5. Are committed to their own life-long learning and growth
6. Are willing to be held accountable
7. Are willing to take risks and persevere with grace through hardship and opposition

2. Are persons who demonstrate leadership by:

Creating an environment that invites a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ through worship, community and spiritual practice
Articulating and interpreting God’s movement in the life of the faith community
Encouraging creative and strategic thinking about integrating Christ’s mission into the life of the larger community
Proclaiming God’s good news for creation with passion and inspiration
Building collaborative relationships
Equipping others for leadership and ministry
Modeling and inviting commitment to spiritual formation and disciplines
Celebrating diversity and modeling cross-cultural competence

3. Are persons who bear fruit by leading communities of faith that are:

Intentional about making disciples of Jesus Christ
Focused on spiritual formation
Centers of eager invitation and welcome
Increasingly integrating faith into their daily lives and value systems
Effectively engaged in inspiring, equipping and sending disciples into service in the world

The officers of the Board of Ordained Ministry make up its Executive Committee:

Kathi McShane, Chair

First UMC, Sacramento

Email: kathi@firstumcsac.org

Stan Barkey, Vice Chair

Email: stan@stanbarkey.com

Greg Bergquist, Chair, Conference Relations Committee
First UMC Santa Rosa
Email: gregbergquist@sbcglobal.net

Gwen Bortner, Chair, Residents in Ministry (RIM) Committee

Email: gwen.bortner@knitability.com

Carl Thomas, Co-Chair, Residents in Ministry (RIM) Committee

Email: scoopthomas@att.net

Elmar deOcera, Chair, Order of Local Pastors and Associate Members

South Hayward UMC

Email: edeocera@sbcglobal.net

Ginger Foster, Chair, Enlistment & Recruitment

Mariposa UMC

Email: ginfoster@netzero.net

Jennifer Irvine Goto, Coordinator of Mentors

Campus Minister, Wesley Foundation

Email: jennifergoto@att.net

Carol Hand, Administrative Assistant

Email: caroljhand@sbcglobal.net

Sifa Hingano, Chair, Order of Elders

Genesis UMC

Email: pastor@genesischurch.org

Chuck Johnstone, Co-Registrar

Asbury UMC, Livermore

Email: chuckj@asburylive.org

Kathy LaPoint-Collup, Chair, Council on Clergy Development

Elk Grove UMC

Email: KFLC@aol.com

Don Lee, Supportive Services, Financial Secretary

Sierra Pines UMC, Grass Valley

Email: revdonlee@gmail.com

Marty Murdock, for the District Committees on Ordained Ministry

First UMC, Redding

Email: reddingumc@shasta.com

Susan Grace Smith, Chair, Order of Deacons

Willow Glen UMC, San Jose

Email: susan@wgumc.org

Dorothy Straks, Co-Registrar

Email: dstraks@comcast.net

Ted Virts, Cabinet Representative

Email: virts@pacbell.net

Linda Caldwell, Ministry Staff Representative

Email: lindac@cnumc.org

When In Doubt, Who to Ask

Processes Handled by the Board of Ordained Ministry

Candidacy	Chuck Johnstone
Professional Certification	Dorothy Straks
Diaconal Ministers	Susan Grace Smith
Deacon Track	Susan Grace Smith, Dorothy Straks
Elder Track	Gwen Bortner, Chuck Johnstone
The Journey Process	Gwen Bortner
Local Pastors	Elmar deOcera
Licensing School Information	Dorothy Straks
Course of Study Information	Dorothy Straks
MIP Guides	Jennifer Irvine-Goto
Candidacy Mentors	Jennifer Irvine-Goto
Local Pastor Mentors	Jennifer Irvine-Goto
Probationary Mentors	Jennifer Irvine-Goto, Kathy LaPoint-Collup
District Committees on Ordained Ministry	Bay View – Mark Zier Delta - Linda Loessberg-Zahl Fresno - Scott Allred Golden Gate - Judith Stone Nevada-Sierra Co-Chairs- Doug McCoy, Barbara Smith San Jose - Allen Yan-Chamberlin Shasta – Co-Chairs - Marty Murdock & Tina Banfill
Scholarships to attend seminary Continuing Education Grants	Don Lee