The Connectional Ministries staff begins taking shape as the position of Outreach Team Coordinator is filled. Steve Taylor, former conference director of missions, is named to the new role.
“Taylor’s experience as a leader in the North Carolina Conference, especially in mission development and teaching in the local church, qualifies him for the new position. He brings skills as a facilitator, coach, mentor, and evaluator – skills already tested in local congregations, districts, church agencies and volunteer teams,” said the Rev. Carol Goehring, executive director of Conference Connectional Ministries and Church Revitalization.
“With a passion for Christ-like service and ministry with the poor, Taylor envisions a church that worships and reaches into the world ‘to proclaim life and bring hope.’ Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is the mission of the church, and Taylor shares the concern for the church’s witness and work,” Goehring said.
In a reorganization of the Conference Connectional Ministries staff in early January, four positions were eliminated. The mission director position Taylor led was one of those four.
With the attention required to coordinate relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti, Taylor’s service in the NC Conference was extended beyond Jan. 22, when other staff positions were discontinued.
Interviews began in February for the Outreach Team Coordinator and the conclusion of that process allows Taylor to continue with uninterrupted service in the Connectional Ministries staff. However, the role of Outreach Team Coordinator brings new expectations and requires surrender of some former responsibilities.
Interviews continue for the other Connectional Ministries team coordinators, Christian Formation and Leadership.
Under the reorganization model, the coordinators will work as a team and will focus on church revitalization through coaching, assessment, vision-discernment and strategic planning for ministry.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Steve Taylor to the Connectional Ministries team. He provides some continuity in the mission and outreach of the Conference and he brings a collaborative style of leadership for the work of transforming existing congregations,” Goehring said.