April 8, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ in the Minnesota Conference,

The district superintendents and I have been working thoughtfully, prayerfully, and diligently to match the gifts, graces, and life circumstances of pastors with the leadership needs of local churches and the Minnesota Conference as we continue our appointment-making work. We have also been engaged in conversations with other conference leaders and the clergy of our conference to think about leadership, staffing, and structure for the Minnesota Conference moving into the future. 

As a conference, we are clear about our direction as this is identified in our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world; our vision that every congregation be a vital and vibrant community helping people grow in love of God and neighbor, reaching new people with the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ, and healing a broken world; and our values of being rooted in Jesus, grounded in Wesleyan theology, inclusive of all persons, and engaged in the work of justice and reconciliation. We also understand the uncertainties of the future as we confront post-pandemic challenges and face an impending denominational division.

In order to sustain momentum in moving into the future, providing sufficient stability and allowing for sufficient flexibility, I am announcing an appointment and a plan.

I will be appointing the Reverend Susan Nienaber, currently the district superintendent of the Big Waters District, to the position of director of congregational vitality effective July 1, 2022. Rev. Nienaber has served faithfully with wisdom, grace, and compassion as a district superintendent. A year ago, we began an experiment of a district superintendent focusing on a specialized area instead of a geographic district. Rev. Nienaber was named superintendent of vitality with a focus on congregational health and vitality. She has completed her term limit of eight years as a district superintendent, and so we are shifting this work to a Cabinet-level director position, which will allow Rev. Nienaber to continue the work she has been focusing on this past year, helping congregations work toward greater health and vitality. She will also help the Cabinet and conference work with congregations considering moving out of The United Methodist Church. Rev. Nienaber brings a unique set of gifts, skills, and experience to this work, having been a therapist and nationally-known congregational consultant before being appointed a district superintendent.

While Rev. Nienaber has shifted her focus, the remaining four district superintendents have cared for much of the general oversight of the churches and clergy in the Big Waters District. The Minnesota Conference will continue with four district superintendents for our five districts for the coming conference year. This arrangement allows for maximum flexibility as we consider the future shape of the Minnesota Conference. It is premature to reduce the number of districts, yet we will consider this possibility in the coming year.             

I understand that this appointment decision may appear to lean too much in the direction of stability. Yet significant changes in conference leadership are just around the corner. My time as the interim bishop of the Minnesota Conference is slated to end December 31, 2022, at which time a new bishop will be assigned. On July 1, 2023, two other district superintendents will reach their eight-year term limits. And on July 1, 2024, two more Cabinet-level staff will either reach their term limit or retire.

In order to prepare for these changes, I am inviting Minnesota United Methodists to participate in an open nomination process to identify clergy who might be asked to serve as district superintendents or in other Cabinet-level positions. The Minnesota Conference will post these positions much like we do clear open churches. Individuals may nominate clergy who they believe have the qualities, skills, and abilities needed for these positions (see responsibilities and qualifications for Cabinet-level positions); clergy can self-nominate as well. Consultations will be held for those nominated. The strongest consideration will be given to persons in this leadership pool for district superintendent and other Cabinet-level positions. Being nominated does not guarantee such a position and it is always the prerogative of a bishop to choose whom they will. However, I am committed to working with this process to identify future leaders and provide opportunities for these persons to help shape the future of the conference, even prior to new Cabinet-level positions being filled. There is a form you may fill out to nominate a clergy person.

I ask for your patience and your prayers as we move forward with this plan. I have heard enough feedback to know that not everyone is delighted with these ideas. I have been in leadership long enough to know that no plan is perfect, and no plan accomplishes everything you envision in the way you envision it. Yet I know these ideas have been thoughtfully and prayerfully considered. I know the Minnesota Conference is blessed with strong leadership in our churches, among our clergy, and on our conference staff. I trust that God’s Spirit has been at work, and will continue to be at work. What will finally determine the relative success of this plan and others we will be introducing in the coming days is the spirit with which we engage one another; our determination to live more fully our mission, vision, and values; our deep generosity of spirit with one another; and our genuine openness to the fresh winds of God’s Spirit.

Grace and peace,



Bishop David A. Bard
Interim Bishop, Minnesota Conference