Nicole Reilley to Serve as Interim Director of New Ministries
 
It is with great joy and expectation that I announce the selection of Rev. Nicole Reilley for the position of Director of New Ministries (Interim) for California-Pacific Annual Conference for the 2013-2014 conference year.  Nicole brings with her a passion for new ways to do church.   Her innovative work as the developer and coordinator of the House Church Network, begun in 2011, has reignited a flame of Wesleyan commitment to reaching out to people where they find themselves in life.  With a Master of Divinity Degree from Claremont School of Theology and 22 years in ministry, Nicole has served at Hope UMC in Torrance, Santa Margarita UMC, and Redondo Beach UMC. She has been an active member of the New Ministries Essential Ministry Team, serving as chair of the Skill Builders standing committee, and is active in the Mission Church movement.  Nicole especially enjoys working with people who are seeking a modern-day faith and those who are returning to church after a period of inactivity. She is at the forefront of church development, providing exciting and innovative avenues to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
 
As Director of New Ministries, and in partnership with the Executive Director of Connectional Ministries and the New Ministries Essential Ministry Team, her primary responsibilities will be:

• to lead in partnership with the New Ministries Essential Ministry Team in setting goals and strategies for this ministry area, with keen awareness of the richly diverse context of the Conference.
• to ensure the development of resources and implementation of programs and initiatives that align with the goals and strategies of the New Ministries EMT.
• to collaborate with other Essential Ministry Teams of the Conference in furthering the vision and mission of California-Pacific Annual Conference and The United Methodist Church.
• to provide professional oversight of all ministries assigned to this area of ministry.
• to identify, with the assistance of the New Ministries Essential Ministry Team, opportunities for new ministries and ministries of revitalization.
• to seek, identify and ensure application for grants to resource new and revitalization ministries, including the exploration and development of innovative, non-traditional fundraising methods and programs.
• to collaborate with the Leadership and Justice and Compassion Essential Ministry Teams to identify and train leaders in the area of new ministries and revitalization, including racial ethnic ministries, multicultural churches, and churches in changing neighborhoods.
• to provide for the administrative aspects of implementation and revitalization efforts, including staffing, funding, assessment, analysis and recommendations for continuation or discontinuation of such efforts.

 I am confident that Rev. Reilley’s holy dreams, passionate commitment to Christ Jesus, and her many God-given skills will bless our work of reaching out to new people, younger people, and more diverse people.  Let us hold her in our prayers and join her in God’s good work.
 
Peace,
Bishop Minerva