April 5, 2023
Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson and the Virginia Annual Conference Common Table are pleased to announce plans for a reorganization in the conference Connectional Ministries Office.
After faithfully serving for several years as both Director of Connectional Ministries and Assistant to the Bishop the Rev. Dr. Steven Summers will move fully into the role of Chief Operating officer (COO)/ Assistant to the Bishop effective July 1, 2023.
The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Page will serve in the role of Director of Connectional Ministries for Innovation and Creativity and Mr. Dwayne Stinson will serve as Director of Connectional Ministries for Discipleship and Congregational Vitality. The two will share the responsibilities of Director of Connectional Ministries while they continue to lead in their respective areas of focus. This is all in an effort to ensure the annual conference can grow in its ability to equip, resource, and connect the local church.
As Director of Connectional Ministries for Innovation and Creativity, Rev. Dr. Page will work to develop and refine strategies and systems in a variety of areas for local churches, districts, conference boards and agencies, and the annual conference as a whole. This work is done to ensure that the annual conference, in connection with districts and local churches, is aligned to the mission and vision of The United Methodist Church and the ways that is made contextual in the Virginia Annual Conference.
As Director of Connectional Ministries for Discipleship and Congregational Vitality, Mr. Stinson will work with boards and agencies to support the development of conference-level ministries that strengthen discipleship in the local churches of the conference, and that enhance local churches’ and church leaders’ efforts to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Specifically, he will be focused on resourcing and collaboration efforts for the annual conference, districts, and local churches.
These positions will be voted on at the 2023 June Annual Conference session with an expectation they will begin their work effective July 1, 2023.
“I am excited that we are creating a new structure that frees up staff to think missionally and strategically about the ways in which the Connectional Ministries staff supports local church ministry. Particularly, I’m grateful that Jonathan and I will be able to split the responsibilities of Director of Connectional Ministries in a way that will allow Jonathan to have the time and space to help our conference ministries to be more creative and innovative, and to enable me to invest in discipleship and helping churches grow more vital,” Stinson said.
Further communications will share more about the open positions that are seeking candidates for the restructured Connectional Ministries Office.