Training as specialists

A clergy group has begun learning about the work of “intentional interim ministry specialists.” Certified trainer Bonnie Osteen of the Texas Conference led the series of September classes that met at the United Methodist Ministry Center in Oklahoma City. From Houston, she will ­return in March for the second class series. Clergy who specialize in this ministry can assist churches in times of special need, such as with conflict management or a pastor’s disability or death. From left
are: (seated) Dan Peil, Greg Tener, and Michelle
McCarty; (standing) Bonnie Osteen, Sonja Tobey, Larry ­Bauman, Gilbert White, Stephen Hale, and Darrell Cates. To learn more, contact the Oklahoma Conference’s Clergy Development office, whose director is Chuck Nordean, at the Ministry Center: 405-530-2007, cnordean@okumc.org.
PHOTO BY HOLLY MCCRAY