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Bishop announces new Director of Church Development, promotion of associate director

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner announced today, May 31, the appointment of the Rev. David K. Neckers of Muncie as the new Indiana Conference Director of Church Development effective July 1. Neckers has been serving half-time as an Associate Director of Church Development and half-time as an Associate District Superintendent of the East District and the North Central District.

The Rev. Doug Anderson of Muncie, current Director of Church Development, has served since the beginning of the year as an interim director upon the retirement of former director the Rev. Mark Gough of Fort Wayne. Anderson will be retiring June 30.

In addition, Coyner also announced that Pastor Steven Clouse of Delphi is being promoted to Senior Associate Director of Church Development to work alongside the director in continuing the work of the Church Development staff and to develop the “next stage” after the Fruitful Congregation Journey process for the Indiana Conference. His new position is effective July 1. Ed Fenstermacher of Fort Wayne, Sharon Washington of Jeffersonville and Pastor Sergio Reyes of Fort Wayne will continue to serve as Associate Directors on the Church Development staff.

Neckers and Clouse were selected by a search committee composed of representatives from the Church Development Committee, the Human Resources Committee and the Cabinet. Concerning their selection and this new model for leadership, Coyner said, “In David and Steve we now have an excellent leadership team for Church Development to continue the work of revitalizing existing congregations and starting new congregations in our Indiana Conference. Their selection both maintains continuity of leadership and prepares for future leadership of our Church Development team.

For more information about Indiana Conference Church Development, visit www.inumc.org and click on Church Development.

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