
We in the North Carolina Conference celebrate the retirement of Dr. Christine Harman. Dr. Harman served on the staff of Connectional Ministries as the Director of Christian Formation from July 2010 – December 31, 2021. Previously, she served on staff in the Kentucky Annual Conference (KAC) for 10 years. Dr. Harman was incredibly active in the United Methodist Church, serving as a delegate to General Conference four times and as the KAC Lay Delegate Leader in 2008. While in the North Carolina Conference, Dr. Harman was a key leader in Discipleship development, helping to create The Disciple-Making Way, a discipleship process to lead congregations to deeper discipleship beyond the walls of the church. She also developed a dynamic online training platform for Certified Lay Minister training. Dr. Harman also supported multiple other ministry areas such as Lay Servant Ministries, Evangelism and Discipleship, Church and Society, and other ministries. A leader in the work of Spiritual Formation, during her time in the North Carolina Conference, she also published “For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts.”
“Your passion in making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world is contagious, and your roots in ministry among us will continue to spread far and deep for generations to come.”
Rev. Terry Williams
We will deeply miss Christine’s wisdom, quick wit, intellectual curiosity, and deep Christian maturity that always called us to deeper and more effective ministry. We pray God’s continued blessings on Dr. Harman as she continues her journey with Christ and in a well-earned retirement.
“There are so many people who you have touched, so many people whose lives are different because Christine Harman was there for them.”
Steve Taylor
Continuing with the Connectional Table’s realignment work, Ms. Leah Wiebe-Smith will serve as Director of Leadership Development and Christian Formation and will work as staff liaison with Lay Servant Ministries, the Board of Laity, and Certified Lay Ministry. Dr. Josey Snyder will serve as Associate Director of Leadership Development and Christian Formation. Ms. Ani Simpkins will serve as Leadership Development and Christian Formation Administrative Assistant. Home Missioner Steve Taylor will serve as Connectional Ministries staff liaison with Conference Youth Ministries. Ms. Wiebe-Smith continues as the Director of the Center for Leadership Excellence. Ms. Simpkins continues to support the work of Conference Youth Ministries. If you have any questions about the changes, please contact Home Missioner Steve Taylor at staylor@nccumc.org.