The Wisdom Council meets monthly on Zoom. Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash.

A group of clergy, laity, and conference staff will meet monthly, beginning in June, with Bishop Lanette Plambeck to dream together and consider how to best position the Dakotas Conference for a vibrant future. The Wisdom Council will discern new strategies, focusing on creativity and generative ideas and leaning into new ways of being church.

Organizational design will be a key part of the group's task. This includes staffing for a nimbler organization and aligning toward the conference's mission, vision, and values—which have been at the forefront of the team's conversations. Specifically, the team is exploring districts, the co-vocational nature of superintending, and the best ways to invest resources as we move into the future.

The council's role hopes to resource, equip, and align a Wesleyan model of discipleship. The model will enable and empower faith communities to contextually live out the Dakotas Conference's mission, vision, and values. Together, we are committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

The Wisdom Council includes voices that are not part of the Dakotas Conference's leadership team or day-to-day operations. The Dakotas Conference Cabinet discerned names and invited people. 

The team is comprised of the following individuals: Rev. Quaya Ackerman, Rapid Valley UMC, Rapid City, S.D.; Rev. Tiana Bohn, Milnor UMC, Milnor, N.D.; Rev. Thanael Certa-Werner, Abundant Parish UMC, Burke, Gregory, Herrick, S.D.; Robert Green, St. Thomas UMC, St. Thomas, N.D.; Tad Jacobs, Flandreau UMC, Flandreau, S.D.; Rev. Kris Mutzenberger, Northwest District Superintendent and Dean of the Dakotas Cabinet; Terry Nebelsick, Riverview UMC, Huron, S.D.; Mary Lee Nielson, Epworth UMC, Valley City, N.D.; Abi Van Regenmorter, DeSmet UMC, De Smet, S.D.; Karl Rockeman, Dickinson UMC and Conference Co-Lay Leader, Dickinson, N.D.; Rev. Brandon Vetter, currently serving Legacy UMC in Bismarck, N.D., and incoming Southeast District Superintendent;  Rev. Travis Voeltz, First UMC, Jamestown, N.D.; and Richard Wahlstrom, Canyon Lake UMC, Rapid City, S.D.

Dr. Alicia Vincent, an associate professor at Dakota Wesleyan University and leader of the Practical Church Leadership program, will help facilitate the group.