Jeff Pospisil, Dakotas Conference director of Finance and Administration, and Benefits Officer Leana Stunes, orient the new clergy group to life in ministry.

At new clergy orientation on Wednesday, new pastors to the Dakotas Annual Conference were given a crash course on how to survive and thrive in ministry.

“The new clergy session was helpful to put names and faces to the people who are going to be serving alongside you in the Dakotas Conference,” said Jordan Buchholz, the incoming pastor at Unite UMC in Salem. “Setting aside time to help prepare new clergy lets you know that it’s not just words, but there really are people who are there to help you and want you to succeed.”

Diane Owen, Dakotas-Minnesota Area Lilly Grant Administrator, addresses the new clergy group, sharing the excellent opportunities they have to grow in financial understanding for themselves and their congregations.

Twelve new clergy participated in the training, receiving tips on their first 100 days in ministry, including the history of clergy in the Methodist tradition. Pastors also learned strategies for self care and preaching and heard from conference staff about health benefits, finance, and
the United Methodist Foundation.

“It is nice to know that the conference cares about our success as individuals and in our ministries,” said Jason Mehring. “It is great to  have the information upfront about being a clergy in the Dakotas conference.”

Brenda Wicks and Joleen Pietrzak agreed that the most impactful thing they learned was District Superintendent Kermit Culver's preaching tip: “You cannot lift up Jesus and yourself at the same time!”