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 I can now report on a full year of working halftime for the Region as Interim Ministry and Mission Coach for the Wyoming Cluster. It has been an interesting and challenging adventure. The Region has provided me a number of opportunities to develop my understanding and skills for the position—training at Valley Forge in the American Baptist Personnel System and how to help churches with their search for pastoral leadership, the Communities of Practice workshop with the Ministers Council on how ministers can work together to share their experience and knowledge, MLC classes in Baptist history and polity, spiritual formation, and the practice of ministry. These have supplemented a great deal of coaching by Steve and the rest of the staff to help me broaden my skills to help the churches of Wyoming. I’m still a neophyte at these matters, but I’m learning and growing and trying to apply what I’m learning to help the churches and pastors.
My principal efforts this year have been in working with the churches and pastors of the Wyoming cluster. I have worshipped with each of the churches and visited the pastors in person and by phone. I have also met a number of the lay people in the churches. Occasionally, I have been invited to preach in the churches. Wyoming is a large state, and I have driven many miles across it. I get to experience the beauty of a special part of God’s creation.
One of my responsibilities is to work with churches to secure pastoral leadership when a vacancy occurs. Bethel Baptist Church in Casper has completed that process with the selection of Helen Schindler as their pastor; I will be working with them to design an installation service this fall. First Baptist Church of Rock Springs is beginning the search process, following the move of their pastor, Rev. Lori Dvirnak Lundblad, to North Dakota. I will be working with their search committee as they seek new pastoral leadership for their church.
I work with churches that are experiencing difficulties or conflicts. The church in Evanston has dwindled in size and is without a pastor. I helped them prepare a proposal to the Church Transformation Consultation Team; the CTCT provided funds for most of the support of an interim minister for six months. Rev. Joel Hahn did good work in training the church members how to reach out and incorporate new people into the fellowship, but ultimately the effort did not produce the needed growth. The church is meeting largely as a Bible study fellowship now.
Celebrations are also part of my ministry. Two churches of the Wyoming cluster held significant anniversary celebrations this year—First Baptist of Casper celebrated 100 years and First Baptist of Rawlins celebrated 85 years. I was also able to participate in the celebration by my home church, First Baptist Church of Laramie, of its 140th anniversary. It is a joy to participate in their celebrations.
I have promoted mission efforts among Wyoming churches. In April, we held a Mission Day in Douglas, with all of the churches in eastern Wyoming invited. Tom and Terry Myers and their sons represented International Ministries, while Dan and Estela Schweissing reported on their new work as Regional missionaries to the Karen and other refugees. Norm Strickholm from Wheatland described his experiences on mission trips. I’ve really enjoyed interacting with the Myers family during their home assignment, and I’m delighted to have the Schweissings an active part of our Region staff.
I represent Region staff on the committee for the SoulJourners adult retreat. We are looking forward to an exciting conference in September on the topic “Thirsting for God” with leadership by Valerie Isenhower and Judith Todd from Water in the Desert Ministries. The conference has been a blessing to many of our seniors and has received a lot of positive feedback. I also work with the Board for Camp Wyoba and the Board for the Wyoming Association of Churches. American Baptists are one of nine denominations in this ecumenical association. WAC is currently without professional leadership, and the Board is taking on additional responsibilities for programming.
I meet with the Ministerial Leadership Committee, helping to plan training opportunities for pastors and lay persons and consider candidates for ordination. I have worked with two of our Wyoming candidates in preparing their ordination papers.
I enjoy worshipping and working with the churches and pastors of the Wyoming cluster and it is a blessing to me to be able to do this. I hope that it is a benefit to the churches and the Region as well. I thank the Region for this opportunity to serve.
William Mankin
Interim Ministry and Mission Coach
Wyoming Clusters
PDF copy of this Ministry Report
2009 Bill Mankin Ministry Report
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