Appointment Changes Announced

It is the beginning of the season in which the Missouri Conference Cabinet works with Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase on making new clergy appointments. The first appointments for the year, all of which are cabinet level positions, are being announced today. Appointment changes will be posted on the Missouri Conference website and announced on Net News as they become finalized between now and Annual Conference Session in June.

From Missouri Bishop Robert Schnase
Rev. Bart Hildreth has completed eight years as District Superintendent, which is the maximum tenure allowed by the Book of Discipline. Bart has done excellent work, has contributed to the growth of our churches, acted as mentor and coach to countless pastors, planned and led high quality learning events for laity and clergy, and was instrumental in uniting the two Ozarks districts. His thoughtful and thorough work will be missed on the cabinet.

I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Lynn Dyke as the new District Superintendent of the Ozarks District. Lynn has served four excellent years as District Superintendent of the Mid-State District in Columbia, and this relocation to Springfield allows her to work closer to her husband and family. Lynn brings to the new appointment her expertise as a superintendent, experience as a successful pastor of churches in the Ozarks District, service as chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and experience from serving on staff in other conference offices. We will miss her in the Mid-State District and in the conference office.

Rev. Sherry Habben, the current Director of Connectional Ministries and a member of the cabinet has been appointed to follow Lynn as the new District Superintendent of the Mid-State District. Sherry has done excellent work in connectional ministries, especially in coordinating annual conference sessions, supervising conference staff, and overseeing conference communications. Her participation for the last several years on the cabinet gives her experience and insight into the appointment process, and her knowledge of the Mid-State churches, laity, and clergy will benefit her leadership. We all look forward to working with Sherry in her new role.

I’m also pleased to announce the appointment of Rev. Kim Jenne as the new Director of Connectional Ministries for the Missouri Conference. Kim currently serves as senior pastor of Webster Hills United Methodist Church in St. Louis. Before responding to a call to ministry and attending Candler School of Theology, Kim worked in executive marketing and communications positions. She brings outstanding leadership, supervision, and organizational skills to the work of Connectional Ministries. We look forward to her service on the cabinet and her leadership in the conference office.