Pastoral Staff

NW Area Pastor

Donna and Bill were called to serve as NW Area Co-Pastors beginning on May 1, 2000 – each for half-time. As new ministry and mission opportunities presented themselves it became very clear that they deserved more support than could be provided by paid staff. Doyle Farmer was the first to offer to help. Sandi Mull and later six others stepped up to serve. They did not want to be paid – only to be reimbursed for expenses incurred (and few reimbursements have actually been requested). The NW Area Board has opportunity to affirm four additional members of the team – each with new and complimentary passions, skill-sets, and experience. In October, 2009, Donna accepted a call to serve as Interim Minister at First Christian Church in North Kansas City and the Area Board extended to Bill the call to serve full-time. Bill is in the area office most often Tuesdays – Fridays, some Saturdays and Sunday afternoons with a day off on Monday. His time is divided mostly among these priorities: • Coordinating support for the work and growth of the of the staff • Overseeing administrative functions, negotiating and executing contracts, and sharing responsibility with the office administrator for operating the area office • Meeting with clergy in four monthly cluster meetings (with two more clusters forming). • Publishing weekly email newsletters that contain links to resources, news about area colleagues, and information about retreats, continuing education opportunities, and meetings • Meeting with Disciples in area congregations on Sundays (most recently via the Thank You Tour) • Responding to requests from congregational leaders for support in managing conflict and starting new missions and ministries • Search and Call • Support for NW Area Executive Committee, Center for Lifelong Learning Board, Outdoor Ministries Team, Transforming Congregations movement of the CC (DOC) • Meetings with ecumenical colleagues to explore better support for local community initiatives • Service to Council of Areas, Region H Homeland Security Oversight Committee-Volunteer sub-committee, SEMA Spiritual and Emotional Care sub-committee, Advisory Board of Vatterott College, Missouri Fire Chaplains Corps and other agencies.

br_h(at)nwareacc.org